November 1, 2006

Another day. Another moment for Nolan Ross to just exist. His life had only really gotten better when Amanda Clarke appeared six months ago and told him she was leaving the country. Japan.

Amanda Clarke was an interesting young woman. Nolan knew the moment she left his sight that she was a woman on a mission.

But he hadn't seen Amanda in three months. So far the excitement of his life had faded away. Sure he'd just done an interview with Forbes and WIRED had asked him to be on the cover. But it didn't matter to Nolan. None of that shit made his life any better or any less... alone.

He was the richest man in the world and yet the loneliest one. He had tons of 'friends' but no true friends. Amanda was one though, even though she had an interesting way of showing it.

Nolan rubbed the sore spot on his neck.

"Mr. Ross, you're three o clock call with MIT is on line two." Beth, his secretary said.

"Alright," Nolan replied.

Once he'd gotten off the phone. Nolan glanced to the New Years banner that sat on the wall across his office. It was a New Year and he didn't feel any different. Twenty nine and nothing to show for it. Nothing real anyway.

Nolan took out the bottle of scotch from his inn table. He'd been drinking a lot more as of late. Stress.

"Mr. Ross, you have a visitor. She's very adamant about seeing you."

Nolan downed his drink. "I'm not accepting visitors right now, Beth."

"But- sir."

Nolan pressed the intercom button and spun around in his seat, to face the window, the cold November air chilled his bones.

Stumbling home to his glass mansion, Nolan shuffled through the doorway, usually, by now he'd have some person he'd met at a party or conference strung over his arm, half-naked, on their way to his bedroom. But today, that wasn't happening.

Today, Nolan Ross, just wanted to be alone. By himself with his computers.

Nolan sipped on another glass of Scotch as he tinkered with a line of code. His cell phone rang and he noted an unknown number. He scoffed and then ignored the incessant ringing.

Author's Note:

Takes place sometime after Nemily meet after the Grayson's New Years Eve Party.