My Great Fortune System

An Old Face

Gray slipped the card back into his pocket, satisfaction settling warm in his chest. This was really happening.

"Can we go to the toy store next, brother? The big one?" Lily grabbed his hand, her face practically glowing with happiness. She'd never been able to just pick things out before and seeing her brother pay without counting every bill three times first had her buzzing to continue the shopping spree.

Gray chuckled and squeezed her hand. "I told you we're going crazy today. Lead the way."

"Yay!" Lily jumped and pulled him toward the escalator.

And just like that, their spending spree truly began.

[Ding!]

[$312.40 has been deducted from your balance.]

[Available Balance: $8,948.65]

At the shoe store, Lily picked out sparkly sneakers and pink boots that lit up when she stomped her feet. Gray grabbed himself a decent pair of running shoes, the first new shoes he'd owned in two years.

[$418.60 has been deducted from your balance.]

[Available Balance: $8,530.05]

They hit a clothing store next. Lily needed almost everything since most of her clothes either hung off her shoulders or were too small. Gray watched her pile items into the cart with a grin he couldn't wipe off his face.

[$429.99 has been deducted from your balance.]

[Available Balance: $8,100.06]

After a few hours of shopping, Gray's feet started to hurt and Lily's energy was finally wearing down. They decided to take a break at a restaurant they'd walked past a hundred times but never thought they'd actually enter. It looked super fancy with embroided cloth napkins and waiters in black vests.

The lights inside were soft and golden. The floor gleamed like someone polished it to perfection. Gentle music played from speakers Gray couldn't even see. Lily held his hand tight as a waitress in a crisp uniform led them to a table near the big windows.

"Right this way, sir." The waitress smiled, though Gray caught the way her eyes flicked over their clothes with just a hint of judgment.

They sat down on a cozy cushioned bench. Lily pressed her face against the window glass, watching people walk by on the street below. Her eyes were wide with wonder at being in such a fancy place.

Gray picked up the menu and nearly choked when he saw the prices.

"Wow, this stuff is expensive," he muttered under his breath.

Fifty dollars for a plate of pasta? No kidding! He could cook meals for a week with that money. This had to be some kind of scam. But they were already here, so they might as well experience it once.

"What do you want to eat, Lily?"

Lily turned away from the window, still smiling. "You can decide, brother. Anything you buy is good."

Gray sighed and looked back at the menu. Half the items were written in words he couldn't even pronounce. Being rich was harder than he thought.

The waitress stood nearby, pretending to arrange napkins but clearly listening to them. Gray didn't want to look stupid in front of her or Lily, so he cleared his throat and pointed at a few random items on the menu.

"We'll get this one and this one with the creamy thing. And this one. Oh, and this cake."

The waitress raised an eyebrow. "And for drinks?"

"Strawberry milkshake for her." Gray handed back the menu quickly. "I'll just take water."

"Of course." She nodded politely and walked away.

Gray let out a breath. Lily was already swinging her legs under the table and humming softly, completely content.

"Did you order cake too?" she asked.

"Of course I did." Gray grinned.

When the food arrived a few minutes later, both their jaws dropped. The plates were huge and beautifully arranged. Creamy pasta with herbs sprinkled on top. Grilled steak with sauce that caught the light. A chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream slowly melting on the side.

"Whoa," Lily whispered, her eyes huge.

They dug in immediately. The pasta was rich and cheesy. The steak was so tender it practically fell apart. The cake was warm and gooey in the middle. Gray had to admit that despite the ridiculous prices, the food actually tasted incredible.

"This is so yummy!" Lily said through a mouthful of pasta.

Gray smiled and took another bite of steak. For a moment, everything felt perfect. Just him and his sister enjoying a nice meal without worrying about the cost.

Then a voice cut through their peace.

"Well, well. Gray Adams? Is that really you?"

Gray froze with his fork halfway to his mouth. He knew that voice. His stomach dropped.

He slowly looked up.

Standing beside their table was a tall guy in an expensive coat. His hair was styled perfectly, not a strand out of place. A silver watch gleamed on his wrist, the kind that probably cost more than Gray made in six months. The guy was smiling, but it wasn't a friendly smile. It was the kind of smile that meant trouble.

"Jayden," Gray said quietly.

Jayden was his old classmate from high school. The same Jayden who'd made his life miserable back in school. Tripping him in hallways. Knocking his lunch tray onto the floor. Calling him names in front of everyone just because his clothes were worn and his shoes had holes.

"My eyes weren't deceiving me after all," Jayden's smile widened. "I thought that was you. What are you doing in a place like this?"