When I got home, the place was quiet, almost deserted.
My sister's car was nowhere in sight, which meant she was off doing God-knows-what.
Mom wasn't home either. I walked in, made myself a small bowl of cereal, then retreated to my room to rest for a bit.
Suddenly, my phone buzzed.
I picked it up and frowned. The messages were from Enny.
I opened them.
[Hey love. You've been awfully quiet]
[Are you mad at me?]
[Please, I need your help. Can you lend me 200 bucks]
Anger bubbled up my throat as I read them.
So now she was calling me love—because she needed money?
Her family was rich, yet she wanted cash from me?
The old me would've panicked. I would've scrambled for the money, borrowed from my sister or my mom—anything to keep her happy.
But not anymore.
I typed back.
[Done whoring around and coming back to me now?]
It took less than thirty seconds for her reply.
[What do you mean, love]
The nerve.
Girls really could cheat on you, then turn around and call you the love of their life without a shred of guilt.
I replied.
[Stop calling me that. Why don't you borrow money from the guy who was fucking you Friday night? And don't contact me again—ex-girlfriend.]
She didn't respond.
Just silence.
I sighed, tossed my phone onto the bed, and went to the bathroom to freshen up.
Afterward, I tried to pick out clothes for my date.
That was… depressing.
I never really had a proper wardrobe. Most of my clothes were sweaters and shorts.
In the end, I settled for a gray sweater layered with a soft, sleeveless gray hoodie and a pair of slippers.
I looked more like I was headed to the gym than on a date.
If l ever get real money, I'm buying decent clothes.
I checked my wallet and l had about twenty five dollars.
Enough for taxi and emergencies if l ever get in one.
Not bad.
The time was already 2:35 PM. The mall was only ten minutes away, which meant I'd be early, but that wasn't a problem.
I grabbed a taxi and headed out.
At the mall, I made my way to the center plaza, where a beautiful fountain stood, water cascading gracefully over a sculpted structure.
But when I arrived, I saw Alice already sitting there.
And she wasn't alone.
Three guys stood in front of her, trying to talk to her.
Guess l wasn't the only one to come early on this date, I mused.
"Come on, lovely lady," one of guys said. "You're too cute to sit alone. Let me take a picture with you in front of the fountain."
Alice kept her gaze lowered, shaking her head in refusal.
Another guy suddenly knelt dramatically. "I'll sell my lungs for you!"
"It's kidneys, Matt," one of the others corrected, laughing. "Nobody buys lungs!"
I realized they weren't creeps or scum, just guys my age overwhelmed by Alice's beauty, shooting their shot.
With one hand in my pocket, I walked forward confidently.
"If you'll excuse me, boys."
I extended my hand.
Alice looked up and her face instantly lit up.
"Mark…"
I smiled warmly. "Shall we?"
She placed her hand in mine, and I helped her up.
"You're early," she murmured near my ear.
"Glad I'm not the only one," I chuckled.
We linked arms and walked away.
Behind us, the three guys gasped and started murmuring.
"Woah… he just took her like it was nothing!" "I don't get it—he looks broke. Why him and not me? Especially when l was prepared to offer my lungs for her."
"Kidneys, Matt! KIDNEYS!" one snapped. "You're too dumb—that's why you get rejected!"
Their arguing faded as they walked off, laughing.
I felt eyes on us everywhere.
And honestly, I couldn't blame them.
I'd never seen Alice like this.
I was used to seeing her behind the counter in an apron. Today, she wore a cream-colored dress, firm yet flowing. It covered her neck modestly but dipped into a subtle heart-shaped cut near her chest, teasing just a hint of cleavage.
The fabric hugged her curves perfectly before stopping just above her knees. Black lining along the sides accentuated her small frame, matching her black stilettos. A small, golden purse hung on one hand.
She looked… stunning.
"So," she asked softly, "where are we going?"
Yeah, about that.
I wanted to take her somewhere nice, but I'd never stepped foot in an expensive restaurant before.
Thankfully, the system got my back.
[System has detected a five-star luxury restaurant nearby]
[Follow the directional radar]
A holographic map of the mall materialized before my eyes. Shops appeared one by one, expensive ones marked with golden dollar signs.
A high-end restaurant wasn't far.
Thanks I mentally said to the system, guiding Alice toward a nearby restaurant.
20 mins later, we had arrived at the restaurant. Words EagleCrest Dining were stylishly written at the front.
Even from the outside, the place screamed luxury, with glass walls, golden interior décor, polished tiles reflecting light like mirrors and many more.
Inside, only a few tables were occupied. It wasn't one of those restaurants that flooded with people of all kinds.
At the entrance, two massive guards stopped us. Both were bald, wearing sleek gray suits that felt oddly familiar. Yeah, it was the silver eagle emblem on their pockets.
"This isn't a playground, kids," one said dismissively. "Go on. Shoo."
I frowned. "We're not here to play. I'm on a date."
They scanned me from head to toe, then chuckled.
"Thats sweet of you, brat, but you can't afford even a single drink here," one sneered. "Leave before we physically remove you."
So this was how society worked—judging worth by appearance.
Instead of backing down, I smirked.
"Let's see if I can't afford anything after I get inside."
One of them raised a baton threateningly. "Look at your clothes! You'll ruin our customers' appetites. Only elites are allowed here."
Alice tightened her grip on my hand. "Maybe we should go somewhere else, Mark," she whispered. "This place looks....way out of our league."
"Exactly," the guard scoffed. "The lady has some sense."
I clenched my jaw.
No.
I wasn't walking away.
Not when this place was perfect to spoil Alice and push her Affection even higher, while making me some cash on the side.
I needed this.
And I wasn't backing down.
TBC