Starting the engine, he drove towards his next destination,something he had always dreamed of doing in his past life but could never experience because of his condition.
He had always imagined what it would feel like to spend without flinching, to shop without checking price tags, and to buy whatever he liked.
And he knew exactly where he needed to go for that.
So, he turned his car towards Century City LA, a modern shopping haven just a short drive from where he was right now: Beverly Hills.
It wasn’t an ultra-luxury place like Rodeo Drive, but it was far from what you’d call ordinary.
It was a modern-day oasis for shoppers who craved style, variety, and a touch of indulgence without veering off into the realm of absurdly luxurious.
This wasn’t the place where the rich and celebrities flaunted hundreds of thousands of dollars on a single item, or where salespeople sized you up and down before deciding if you were worth their time. Nor was it a place where the average middle class could go around and shop freely.
It was more like a fashionable middle ground where the well-off and fashionistas mingled freely.
A place where someone like him, with a hundred thousand, could let himself loose without fear of crossing the line.
The drive didn’t take long. Soon, the sleek lines and glass panels of Century City came into view. Seeing this, his lips curled into a faint smile, this was exactly the day he had always imagined.
He pulled smoothly into the entrance, the hum of his engine drawing a few glances from passersby. But compared to the other cars parked there, it wasn’t very eye-catching. Of course, that’s only if you considered it as just a basic Camaro. If they knew its true value, they wouldn’t be able to take their eyes off it.
Just then, a sudden flicker in his peripheral vision made him pause.
On the sidewalk just outside the mall, his eyes happened to catch a familiar figure: slim build, timid look, ponytail, and thick glasses. Googlᴇ search novel·fiɾe·net
She was handing out flyers, her head dipped low, sweat glistening on her brow under the harsh LA sun.
But before he could take a good look, a valet stepped in front of him, momentarily blocking his view.
Hurriedly stepping outside and removing his glasses, he looked again ,but there was nothing. Just crowds of people moving along, and a few leaflets fluttering in the hot LA breeze.
He blinked, trying to get a closer look, but there was still nothing. Just some leaflets flying in the air.
"Must’ve been my imagination," he muttered, and with a soft chuckle, shook his head.
As he turned his attention towards the valet, who now stood straight in a crisp uniform, the man greeted him with a respectful nod.
Even though he was slightly confused by the customer’s reaction just now, seeing that Rex’s attention had shifted, he quickly recovered and stepped up.
"Welcome, sir. May I?" he said, gesturing towards the car.
Rex nodded in an effortlessly chic style, tossing the keys into the attendant’s hand with a casual flick.
"Take good care of her," he reminded, glancing at the busy area.
"Of course," the valet replied confidently, carefully sliding into the driver’s seat, with practiced ease.
Adjusting his clothes, Rex glanced at the polished glass facade towering above him. With renewed energy, he headed towards the main entrance.
But what he didn’t know was that a figure hiding behind a pillar was peeking at him.
Seeing him enter the mall, she finally let out a sigh of relief and cautiously stepped out of her hiding place.
She couldn’t let him see her : sweaty, exhausted, dressed in old, worn-out clothes, the figure thought to herself.
Looking at the dropped flyers, she hurriedly crouched to pick them up, not caring about the dirt-ridden footprints as she carefully wiped them with her already faded clothes.
Thinking about Rex’s earlier look: neat dress, confident strides, glowing skin, and seeing her own reflection in the glass: old, washed-out clothes, sweat-matted bangs, flushed skin from the relentless LA sun ,she felt something tighten in her chest, like a sting, as her eyes welled up, but she didn’t cry. She bit the inside of her cheek and quickly wiped her eyes with her sleeve, forcing the tears down.
She wasn’t upset or sad because of Rex. But thinking about the inequality of the world made her eyes sting. Still, she couldn’t cry. She didn’t have the luxury to waste time crying.
So, she swallowed the lump in her throat, straightened her shoulders, and stepped back into the scorching sun.
And continued her job with a weak but determined smile plastered on her face.
Looking closer, she was indeed Elara, the quiet nerd deskmate of Rex , the one who once helped him in the library.
But right now, in the scorching heat of LA, she was doing her exhausting part-time job of distributing flyers.
In fact, the moment Rex pulled up, she had already recognized his car. Her heart jolted and panic shot through her.
Of all people, it had to be Rex.
And before her mind could process anything, her body reacted almost instinctively.
And before Rex could see her, she was already behind a wide pillar, clutching the stack of flyers tightly against her chest.
Her heart pounded wildly as she held her breath, watching him move with effortless grace.
Once he disappeared inside, she finally exhaled in relief, brushing sweat from her forehead as she stepped out slowly.
Collecting the flyers, she continued her job, calling out to the crowd again. Her voice was steady, even as sweat trickled down her temple and the heat bore down on her, but she didn’t flinch.
Fate wasn’t fair. But she wasn’t going to break.
On the other hand, unaware of all this, Rex passed through the automated glass doors and stepped inside Century City Mall, immediately enveloped by a cool, modern ambience that sharply contrasted with the blazing LA heat outside.
The mall was bustling but not overwhelming, filled with the hum of conversations, occasional laughter, and the rhythmic echo of footsteps on polished floors. The air smelled faintly of perfume and fine leather.
Wherever his eyes landed, he could see tourists in shorts and sunglasses, locals in breezy summer outfits, and the occasional influencer posing under skylights.
Polished concrete floors, artfully arranged lighting, and a backdrop of soft ambient music created a space that felt refined yet welcoming.
He paused briefly, taking it all in: the layout, the atmosphere, the sheer number of options.
He didn’t rush to start shopping. Instead, he wandered leisurely through the main concourse, eyes scanning the stylish displays and carefully curated windows.
Every storefront seemed like a world of its own, offering its own version of creativity, fashion, and lifestyle. Some shops screamed luxury, others leaned casual, and a few struck that sweet middle ground ... quality without pretension.
Just as he was passing one of those mid-range boutiques, something caught his eye.
He paused to take a closer look.
And without giving it much thought, he stepped inside.