System Within: Million Dollars From Today

CHAPTER 07

Gabe’s mind went blank when he saw Mia. Her facial features were not something he could ever forget. Even with glasses on, he immediately recognized her.

She went and stood behind the other people that had gotten out of the car and patiently waited.

A lot of thoughts flooded through his mind, but he wanted to confirm about one thing, so he walked up to her and said, “H-Hi.”

Mia glanced at him and recognized that she met him recently.

“Do you remember me?” he asked.

She nodded, though only very slightly. “The guy who fought Bart.”

“Actually, he attacked me first,” he explained.

“I guessed that might have been the case,” she said in a low voice. The movements she made were very delicate and attractive. “What are you doing here anyway?”

“I live here,” Gabe pointed toward his house. “That’s my house.”

“Oh…” Mia looked a little surprised and went silent.

Gabe felt like she wasn’t inclined to continue the conversation. Not wanting to spoil her mood, he turned around but after taking two steps, Systa took over his body, then made Gabe turn back. “I’m Gabe, by the way. You really don’t remember me?”

Mia’s brows stiffened a little. “Gabe?” It took her a few seconds to remember that name. “You are the Gabe from middle school whom everyone used to pick on?”

Systa had given the control back to Gabe, and his shoulders slumped. “Y-Yeah, that was me.”

“The Gabe that used to bring me berries?” Mia took two steps and came closer to him and looked at his face. “Yeah, you have cross-eyes. It’s really you. You’ve changed a lot. You used to be so short and chubby back then. Now you’re so lean, and you give off a different vibe.”

Gabe blushed because she was standing only a foot away from him. She smelled like jasmine.

“Mia,” a woman called her. “Let’s enter the house together.” This was the same blonde woman who had refused to answer Gabe’s question.

“Yes, Aunt Bertha.” Mia replied and quickly put her hand forward and shook her hand with Gabe. “It’s nice meeting you. I thought I was going to be alone in this neighborhood, but now I have a childhood friend I can spend some time with.” Saying that she rushed to her aunt, and they entered the house together. All six of them, though Bart was nowhere to be seen.

“D-Did she just say she’ll spend some time with me everyday?” Gabe’s heart pounded against his chest. “She just said that, didn’t she?”

[Yeah, she did, and you should thank me for that.] Systa suggested.

“Thank you?” Gabe blurted. “If you were alive, I would have showered you with kisses!”

[What makes you think I’ll let you kiss me with your filthy mouth?]

“My mouth isn’t filthy. I wash it every morning.”

[That’s not enough. You should wash it before you eat and after you eat. You should wash it in a way you always keep it fresh and clean… like Mia’s for example.]

“Wait, you can tell that her mouth was clean?”

[Of course, she has much better teeth than Kiera. Mia’s teeth are naturally white whereas Kiera got her teeth artificially whitened.]

“How do you know all these things? You only met Kiera once. How did you analyze her teeth in that short amount of time?”

[I’m the Alpha System.]

“I know that, but how do you know all these things? Are you using some kind of highly advanced supernatural technology that came from the future or something?”

[I’m the Alpha System.]

Gabe rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I get it. You’re the Creepy Alpha System.”

[If you want a straightforward answer. I started from nothing. I’m the first core and the only core of my kind. My AI-like core observed different ‘natural’ alphas around the world and learned and improved from it, so you can say, I’m the accumulation of a million alphas. So, you just have to do what I say, and I’ll make girls go absolutely crazy for you. I’ll make the richest of the world shake their hands with you, and the top politicians of the world beg you for your support.]

“All those sound fine, but… can I make Mia go crazy for me?” Gabe hesitantly asked.

[Well, she’s a Luna candidate, so it won’t be easy. For them, you need to look strong and reliable. If possible, show your love, which means some sort of sacrifice, to get a much better positive reaction from them. Once you make a solid impression, a Luna candidate wouldn’t leave you unless she finds someone who’s more charming than you.]

“Okay, but how am I going to show my love to Mia? I don’t have much success with dating. Clearly, no woman feels my love.”

[Don’t think too much. Worrying won’t get you anywhere. I’ll show you how it’s done when the time comes.]

“Alright, I’m trusting you, so don’t make an enemy of Mia, or I’ll throw you in the sewers even if it means I’ll have to cut my finger off to get rid of you.”

Systa liked his confidence. [It seems you really like Mia. Your heart beats differently whenever you’re talking about her.]

“Of course, she’s got a special place in my heart, and a system like you wouldn’t get it.”

[Talk about being rude, huh. But you’re right. The concept of a soul that can generate genuine emotions doesn’t work with me. That’s the only thing I lack when compared to a human mind. I guess that's why I’m artificial.]

“Does being artificial hurt?”

[No. Not really. I was created this way, so I should accept it even though I don’t like it because even ants make me envious of them.]

While conversing with Systa, Gabe went to the bar, even though it was ten in the morning.

The three bouncers in black T-shirts were standing outside, their arms crossed. And they stopped Gabe from entering. One of them pushed Gabe by the chest. “Single men are not allowed inside, unless you have the VIP pass, which I’m sure you don’t have.”

“It’s okay,” Gabe moved back and then asked Systa. “Are these three alphas?”

[No, they’re just betas pretending to be alphas. Defeating them wouldn’t improve your level, but it will help you gain experience, of course.]

“Why would I fight them? They are just doing their jobs,” Gabe reasoned.

[But we have to get inside, so you should either beat them or find yourself a woman.]

Gabe looked around, but almost every woman had a partner with her. Just then, someone patted his shoulder.

He looked back. It was Sheila, the divorced neighbor. “I didn’t bother you yesterday because you seemed to be on your way to an interview, but now you’re here, coming to the bar, so when are you going to paythe money you owe me?”

“H-How much do I owe you?” Gabe asked. He owed too many people to remember how much he owed ehr.

“420 dollars, including the interest. It’s been months, and you’re giving all kinds of excuses,” Sheila hissed at him. “You should have never asked for money if you weren’t capable of paying it back.”

Gabe frowned and lowered his head.

“Why aren’t you answering, huh?” she demanded. “How can you be so reckless?”

[So annoying.]

“Hey, I’m talking to you!” Sheila tried to lift his head by the chin, but Systa took control over Gabe’s body and moved closer and kissed her lips, widening her eyes.