Arjun blinked awake to the faint light of dawn filtering through the thin curtains of his old apartment. He groaned softly and turned toward the clock on the cracked wall.
6:00 AM.
He rubbed his eyes and smiled to himself. Only four hours of sleep... totally worth it.
Last night, he'd gone to bed at nearly two in the morning — not because of work, but because he couldn't stop looking at the pictures of his new home. The deed was real. The documents were there, line by line, stamped and sealed with legal authenticity.
Every few minutes, he had refreshed his bank app, just to make sure the number didn't disappear.
$1,000,000.00 — still there. Every refresh sent a wave of disbelief through him.
He had searched for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class too, staring at its sleek silver frame online, zooming in on every curve like it was a dream that might dissolve at any second.
Even as he drifted to sleep, the thought kept circling in his mind — Is this really happening to me?
---
By the time he got up, there was a lightness in his chest that he hadn't felt in years. He looked at himself in the mirror while brushing his teeth — tired eyes, but for once, they had light in them.
He washed up, changed into his cleanest shirt, and stepped outside.
The cool air of Asteria filled his lungs — a city known for its charm, where old stone streets met steel skyscrapers. It was the third-largest city in Eurania, a blend of elegance and progress. Cobblestone lanes wound between cafés, modern plazas shimmered under the rising sun, and trams hummed softly through the main streets.
Arjun stopped by a small bakery, bought a hot sandwich and coffee, and sat by the street to eat.
People rushed by — office workers, students, early joggers — and for the first time, he didn't feel like an outsider. Today I'm one of them, he thought. Someone with a future again.
He finished breakfast and returned to his small apartment. It didn't take long to pack — a few clothes, his laptop, and one framed picture of his parents smiling under a golden sunset.
He looked around the cramped room one last time. The peeling wallpaper, the flickering bulb, the narrow bed — all memories of struggle and survival.
"Thanks for keeping me alive," he whispered. "But it's time to move on."
---
A taxi pulled up in front, and Arjun climbed in with his small bag.
"Emerald Heights, please," he told the driver.
The man raised an eyebrow. "That's quite the address," he said with a grin. "Lucky day, huh?"
Arjun chuckled. "You could say that."
As they drove through Asteria, the scenery changed — from crowded streets to wide, tree-lined roads, from small shops to marble storefronts. After half an hour, they entered Emerald Heights, where every house looked like a magazine cover. Lush lawns, glass balconies, luxury cars glinting in the sunlight.
The taxi stopped.
Villa 27.
Arjun stepped out and just stood there for a moment. Before him rose a two-story white villa with silver trim and broad windows. Flowers bloomed along the walkway, and a gentle fountain sparkled in the front yard.
His heart raced.
He pulled the key from his pocket — sleek and new — and slid it into the door. The system in his mind gave a soft chime.
[Identity verified: biometric lock active. Please enter new password and thumbprint for future access.]
He followed the steps, his thumb trembling slightly. The door clicked open with a smooth, satisfying sound.
---
Inside the Villa
The moment he stepped inside, Arjun froze.
The interior glowed with natural light streaming through tall windows. The living room had a white marble floor, soft grey couches, and a glass table with a small bonsai centerpiece. A massive television hung on the wall, and beside it, a console setup — PS5, neatly arranged games, and surround speakers.
The kitchen sparkled — chrome appliances, a breakfast island, and cabinets filled with utensils and groceries.
He climbed the staircase, his hand trailing along the wooden railing. Upstairs were two bedrooms — the master bedroom had a king-sized bed, a wall-to-wall wardrobe, and a balcony that overlooked the city skyline. Curtains drifted in the gentle breeze, and the scent of fresh paint still lingered in the air.
The bathroom had a glass shower, a tub, and warm lighting that made it look like a spa.
[System Message: This property includes all daily necessities. All utility bills and maintenance fees are prepaid for one year.]
Arjun laughed under his breath. "You really thought of everything, didn't you?"
He explored every corner, every shelf, his disbelief slowly giving way to joy.
Finally, he opened the side door leading to the garage.
There it was — the silver Mercedes-Benz E-Class, gleaming under the soft ceiling light. He pulled the key from his system space, pressed the unlock button, and heard the reassuring beep.
He slid into the driver's seat and inhaled that new car scent. His hands fit perfectly on the steering wheel.
It feels… natural.
He pressed start, and the engine purred smoothly. Taking a slow lap around the quiet neighborhood, he couldn't stop smiling. For once, his reflection in the rear-view mirror looked like someone who belonged here.
When he returned, it was already noon. He parked the car carefully, went upstairs, and took a long, hot shower.
Afterward, he ordered food through his tablet, lounged on the couch, and turned on the huge TV. A soft laugh escaped him as he sank into the cushions.
"This is life," he murmured.
He ate, watched a movie, and played a few games on his PS5.
When he checked the time again, it was 4:00 PM.
He stretched lazily — and then froze.
"Oh right…" he said aloud, eyes widening. "I didn't sign in today!"
The screen in his mind flickered to life, glowing faintly blue.
[Daily Sign-In available. Would you like to proceed?]
Arjun smiled and whispered,
"Yeah, let's see what today has in store."
Chapter 3 — End.