The Gilded Man With A Thousand Lives

231 (Free Chapter) New Year’s Eve Special

Christmas was already history, and Sapphire City was preparing for the New Year celebrations. Restaurants, clubs, hotels, and homes were dressed like brides.

There was an economic boom in Sapphire City that year. It created more billionaires and millionaires than in the entire last half-century. Almost every middle-class family was flush with cash, and they didn’t shy away from spending it on holidays. Almost every family.

It was the evening of Christmas Eve. A little boy no older than seven walked along the street with an excited smile dancing on his face. A single coin was firmly lodged in his pocket.

The boy’s family was poor, and his father struggled with his new garment shop. The man dreamt of building a mall, which was a distant dream. Moreover, the family recently had a baby girl. Money was tight.

Christmas had been a lousy affair as they couldn’t afford a Christmas tree, turkey, or gifts.

However, the kid’s mother generously gave him a fifty-cent coin as a holiday allowance. Half a dollar wasn’t much, but at least it could fetch him some sweets.

The boy skipped joyously along the street. Suddenly, a spell-binding fragrance made him stop in his tracks. He was standing right in front of an upscale bakery and restaurant. The smell of delicious cakes, pastries, brownies, and cupcakes wafted from the open door.

The kid retrieved the half dollar from his pocket and stared at it hopefully. “Maybe I can buy something here if I spend all of it.”

Feeling optimistic, he stepped forward to enter the bakery. A pot-bellied guard immediately obstructed his path. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“To get myself a pastry,” the boy replied pleasantly.

The guard named Bob narrowed his eyes and stared at the intruder’s clothes. He wore a frayed t-shirt and washed-out shorts. His shoes were heavily scuffed, and his toe peeked out from a corner tear.

“This place isn’t for you. Scram!”

“Why?” the boy protested. “I just want to get myself a pastry.”

Bob crossed his arms and glowered at him. “The cheapest bakery item in our restaurant costs five dollars. Do you have that much?”

The kid’s smile faltered. “I have fifty pence.”

Bob broke into condescending laughter. “You won’t even get water for half a dollar. Tell you what, the garbage can is just around the corner. Stale food from last night may still be dumped there. You can take your pick.”

Patron families of the restaurant were seated at tables inside with delicacies laid out before them. They could hear the conversation between the two.

Many of them sniggered and continued with their meals. Some actually pointed at the boy and laughed aloud.

“Is he a homeless kid?”

“Scare him off! Shoo!”

“Don’t let him come in with those dirty shoes!”

“He might steal food from us. Make him go away!”

“Look at him. The beggarly kid thinks he belongs here!”

The boy’s eyes watered hearing the ridicule. However, he didn’t cry. His mom always told him to be strong in the face of humiliation. They were poor, but they had pride.

“I’m sorry for troubling you, mister,” he said politely and walked away.

The boy had taken a few steps when he heard a voice calling from behind. “You! Wait!”

He turned around to see a little girl half a foot shorter than him. She had dark hair and inky eyes and was dressed in a cute black frock. The appearance was of a tiny gothic princess.

The girl caught up to him shortly, racing on her little shoes with tiny tip-taps. “You shouldn’t make a lady run!” she exclaimed, catching her breath.

The boy was transfixed by her uncommon appearance and unsolicited approach. “You’re not a lady. You’re a little girl.”

She grimaced for a moment but recovered instantly. “Here, have some.”

The kid realized she was handing him a chocolate pastry on a paper plate. His eyes widened in disbelief. “Oh! Why would you give me your food? I am a stranger!”

She shrugged casually. “You look like you want it more. Besides, my Dad is very wealthy. He can get me hundreds of these.”

The boy glared at the delicacy longingly but then changed his mind. He shook his head. “Sorry. I appreciate your kindness, but Mom told me never to accept anything for free.”

The girl was taken aback. “Are you really from this city? People fight each other for the smallest things even though they have plenty. You wouldn’t even accept a pastry?”

The boy shook his head again to indicate refusal. There was no point trying to change his mind.

“Hmm. I am impressed by your integrity. Fine! I’ll give you the pastry in return for something.”

“Err… What do you want? I only have half a dollar.”

“I don’t want your money.”

“Then?”

The girl bit her tiny lower lip. “Nobody in my class likes me because my Dad is rich and powerful. They treat me like I’m a disease.”

“Oh, that sucks.”

“So will you be my lover?”

The boy giggled. “Love is for grown-ups, silly! Mom told me.”

The girl scratched her head. “Umm… Then be my lover when we are grown up.”

The temptation of the chocolate pastry hung heavy on the kid. Moreover, he didn’t actually know what being a ‘lover’ meant. It was probably some kind of special friendship, according to him.

“Err… I guess I can do that…”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

The boy accepted the pastry after the two children struck a binding deal. He finished up the slice faster than her eyes could see.

“I have to go now. Mom will be worried.”

“So will you remember our promise?”

“Cross my heart and hope to die,” he replied sincerely.

The girl smiled pleasantly, making dimples appear on her cheeks. She looked so pretty that it made him blush. He turned to leave shyly.

“By the way, what is your name?” the girl asked suddenly when the boy had walked some distance.

“Tyler Grant. What is yours?”

“Amelia Briar.”

“Bye, Amelia.”

“Bye, Tyler.”