Zack let out a dramatic groan. "Why? You have all this money, and you’re living like a minimalist."
Ethan shrugged. "I just like having my space."
Zack sighed in disappointment as Ethan poured hot water into the cups, stirring the coffee with ease. "You’re wasting so much potential, man."
Ethan handed Zack a cup. "I’ll think about it."
Zack took the coffee, frowning. "This isn’t alcohol."
"No," Ethan said flatly.
Zack stared at him. "You’re really not gonna offer me a drink?"
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"You have coffee."
Zack groaned again, but he took a sip nonetheless. "This is why I’m the fun one."
Ethan smirked. "If by ’fun,’ you mean ’impulsive,’ then yeah."
They stood there in silence for a while, drinking their coffee.
Despite Zack’s grumbling, he didn’t seem too bothered. He might have wanted something stronger, but Ethan knew he still appreciated the moment.
After they finished, Ethan placed his cup in the sink and turned back to Zack. "We should head to the resort site. See if the order came in."
Zack stretched and nodded. "Yeah, yeah. Let’s go."
As they stepped out of the house, Zack still couldn’t get over how empty Ethan’s mansion felt.
"Dude, I’m serious," Zack said, shaking his head. "You need to get some people working in that place. Maybe a chef. A few maids. Hell, at least a housekeeper to keep things from feeling like a damn museum."
Ethan chuckled as he unlocked the Porsche and slid into the driver’s seat. "You just want an excuse to be around pretty maids."
Zack smirked as he pulled the passenger door open. "Maybe. But you need some luxury in your life. You’re rich. Act like it."
Ethan started the car, the engine humming smoothly. "I do act like it. I bought this car, didn’t I?"
Zack leaned back, rubbing the soft leather of the seat. "I’ll give you that. This baby’s a damn beauty. But it wouldn’t kill you to live a little. Some good whiskey, a few maids, maybe even a jacuzzi."
Ethan sighed. "I’ll think about it. Just not the alcohol."
Zack scoffed. "You say that, but I know you won’t. Besides what the hell did Alcohol do to you?"
Ethan didn’t bother responding. Instead, he shifted gears, and the Porsche smoothly rolled out of the driveway.
The Porsche tore through the road, its sleek frame cutting through the warm afternoon air as Ethan pressed down on the gas.
The hum of the engine was smooth and powerful, a sound that made Zack grin as he leaned back in his seat, one hand resting casually on the window.
"Now this is what I’m talking about!" Zack exclaimed, tilting his head slightly as the wind whipped past the open window. He let out a satisfied sigh. "Man, I almost regret never getting a sports car."
Ethan smirked, keeping his eyes on the road. "Almost?"
"Yeah, almost — but you know me. I prefer my money working for me, not sitting in my garage looking pretty."
Ethan scoffed but didn’t argue. He knew Zack wasn’t cheap — he just had his own way of prioritizing things.
And right now, their priority was getting to the resort site to check if the construction materials had arrived.
The city skyline faded in the rearview mirror as they left behind the congested streets, the traffic thinning as they moved toward the outskirts.
The Porsche ate up the distance between them and their destination, and soon, the paved road transitioned into a gravel path leading toward the construction site.
Ethan eased up on the accelerator, feeling the shift in terrain as the tires crunched over loose dirt and small rocks.
In the distance, the unfinished resort stood tall — its skeletal frame bathed in the golden afternoon light. Workers were still scattered around, some unloading supplies while others reviewed blueprints under a shaded tent.
The constant clanking of metal and low murmur of conversation filled the air.
Zack stretched his arms and let out a dramatic sigh. "Man, I hope they have something cold to drink. It’s way too hot out here."
Ethan cut the engine and pulled the keys from the ignition. "You just had coffee."
"Yeah, and now I want a beer," Zack shot back with a smirk. "What, you keeping tabs on my hydration schedule now?"
Ethan shook his head and stepped out of the car, shutting the door behind him. The sun was high, its heat pressing down on them as they made their way toward the main construction tent.
Zack followed, loosening the top button of his shirt as he muttered something about regretting not bringing sunglasses.
One of the site managers, a middle-aged man with a clipboard tucked under his arm, noticed their approach and waved them over.
Ethan recognized him — Harris, the construction chief in charge of overseeing the project.
"You’re here earlier than I expected," Harris said, adjusting his hard hat. His sharp gaze moved between them before settling on Ethan. "You looking to inspect the shipment?"
"Yeah," Ethan replied, glancing at the parked trucks. "Has everything arrived?"
Harris exhaled, flipping through his clipboard. "Most of it. We got the bulk of the supplies in the morning, but there’s a delay on the reinforced glass panels for the front entrance. Shipping issue."
Zack groaned. "Let me guess. It’ll take another week?"
Harris shook his head. "Nah, should be in by tomorrow evening at the latest. Everything else is on schedule, though."
Ethan nodded. "That’s manageable."
Harris led them toward the storage area, where stacks of materials were neatly arranged under temporary coverings.
Ethan walked alongside him, checking off items from the mental list he had made earlier. Wood, steel reinforcements, flooring tiles — they were all accounted for.
Zack, on the other hand, seemed more interested in surveying the layout of the resort. He whistled low, taking in the vast space. "Gotta say, man, when this is finished, it’s gonna be a damn masterpiece."
Ethan smirked slightly but didn’t respond. Instead, he turned back to Harris. "What about labor? Everything on track?"
Harris nodded. "Yeah. The crew’s working efficiently. If we keep up this pace, we’ll be ahead of schedule by at least a few days."
Zack clapped a hand on Ethan’s shoulder. "Look at you, Mr. Business Tycoon. Investing in a resort, driving a Porsche — what’s next? Buying an island?"
Ethan rolled his eyes. "I’d rather keep my money in things that actually make a profit."
Zack grinned. "Well, if you ever do get an island, make sure to name it after me."
Ethan ignored him and turned his attention back to Harris. "We’ll check in tomorrow for the glass panels. If anything changes, let me know."
"Will do," Harris replied.
With business handled for now, Ethan and Zack made their way back to the Porsche. Zack stretched lazily before climbing into the passenger seat.
As Ethan started the engine, Zack shot him a sideways glance. "So, you still think a bike is better?"
Ethan smirked as he pulled onto the road. "Every time."
Zack groaned. "You’re hopeless, man."