After sliding the machine forward, Synthy had her eyes locked on Ethan. She was curious to see where this was going. Though only a receptionist, her presence was impossible to ignore. She wore a sleek black dress that clung to her perfect curves. The dress could barely contain her melons. Every detail—the confident sway of her hips, the subtle gleam of her heels, the way her hair cascaded down in soft waves—demanded attention.
The waitress, too, was good-looking. If only her attitude wasn't one eighty degrees opposite of Synthy, she too would be hard to shake off from mind.
Ethan took out a card from his wallet and swiped it leisurely in the machine, under the gaze of three people present. All three had different expressions on their faces.
All three had their eyes locked on Ethan.
And just then it happened.
The machine beeped.
"Payment Successful. $100,000,000 has been deducted."
The line of text flashed for a brief second before disappearing, but the impression it left on different faces wouldn't be erased.
The waitress's face drained of color. The smirk froze into horror as she stumbled a step back, her throat locked.
Synthy, too, stiffened—though her composure returned quickly, her eyes now carried something else entirely: respect. But her curiosity was piqued even more.
As for Alice, she nearly fainted. Her small body shook as though the earth itself had cracked beneath her feet. "B-Brother… you… really…" She couldn't even finish.
But Ethan only leaned back, completely unshaken, his lips curving faintly. "Shall we order now?"
"Sure," Synthy replied with a smile.
It wasn't a crafted smile, nor one meant to charm. Yet the curve of her lips, the faint glimmer in her eyes, along with her body posture, carried an effortless allure. To Ethan, who was already admiring her body in his thoughts, it felt almost dangerous—like a fleeting glimpse of something forbidden, something that tugged at his chest before he could stop it. For a moment, his breath hitched. "Shit! Was the break-up this devastating that I am being drawn to a lady older than me?" He cursed himself inwardly.
Meanwhile, Synthy quickly signaled the waitress to bring the menu card. But before the girl could even move, Ethan spoke, breaking from his daze.
"No need for that. Just bring out all your best dishes—two portions of each."
The words dropped like another bombshell.
"Al… all the best dishes?" Even Synthy's composure wavered; she couldn't help but stammer.
"Yes," Ethan confirmed, his voice calm but firm. Yet, he couldn't help but steal a few glances even amidst his composed look.
Synthy forced herself to shake off the lingering daze. "Alright then," she murmured, regaining control and signaling the waitress.
And the waitress who had looked down on Ethan earlier almost bolted toward the cookhouse, her steps quick and clumsy under the weight of such an extravagant order.
Moments later, a full course was served. Golden platters lined with exotic fruits, steaming dishes of roasted meats seasoned with rare herbs, seafoods, and crystal glasses filled with juices Alice couldn't even name.
The waitress had gone pale, moving stiffly as if each step were punishment. Synthy herself oversaw the service, her aura calm, but her eyes never leaving Ethan.
Alice sat frozen at first, terrified of even touching the golden cutlery. But Ethan's hand gently patted her head.
"Eat, Alice. No matter the place, food is food. And today, we eat without worry."
Alice looked at her brother, still in a daze. Then looked back at the foods again.
Slowly, she picked up a spoon. She lifted her first serving with trembling hands and brought it to her lips. The moment it touched her tongue, her eyes widened—flavor burst forth, rich and overwhelming, melting across her palate like magic. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at Ethan.
For the first time, she felt what it meant to live without chains.
Ethan caressed her head affectionately and followed her.
They ate until their hearts were full, the grand hall echoing only with the quiet clinks of cutlery. They couldn't finish all the food, though. After all, they weren't giants or titans.
After breakfast, the waitress reached again, carrying the check presenter. She carefully placed it on the table and slid it toward Ethan. It was $4797. Ethan paid the bill without batting an eye. But Alice couldn't stay calm, her heart pounding fast. "What kind of job is brother doing? He isn't spending what he will earn in a whole year, right?" She looked totally baffled.
Soon, Ethan and Alice stepped back into the sunlight. While they were walking out, Synthy could barely look anywhere else. So could the waitress.
Once again, they climbed onto Ethan's scooter and set off.
Alice clung to his back the whole ride, unable to calm down, her mind still spinning. Soon they reached their destination, her school. At the school gate, she got down and turned toward Ethan, reluctant to let go.
"Brother… all that money... You aren't doing something illegal, right? If it's because of me, please, brother. You can stop it."
Ethan only smiled. "Have some faith in your brother, silly girl. I promise I am doing nothing wrong."
Her eyes glistened, though they still looked uncertain. She waved before vanishing into the schoolyard.
Ethan then turned the scooter and rode toward his university.
By the time he reached the gates, it was already nine.
After slowly parking his scooter, he walked inside through the main door. But the moment he stepped in.....
Many eyes turned toward him. Whispers and chuckles started to spread.
"There he is."
"What a sore loser. His girlfriend dumped him because he isn't good in bed?"
"Yeah, man. I don't know how he can even dare to date one of our four campus belles with that pathetic existence of his."
Some chuckled openly as he passed, their eyes sharp with ridicule, while some suppressed the laugh. Ethan was startled. "What the hell are these nuts talking about? I was dumped because I am weak in bed? Slowly, he pushed through the stares, heading straight for his classroom. "Whatever. You can believe whatever that will help you sleep comfortably at night." He thought.
As usual, he sat in the last corner seat, dropping his bag on the desk. The chatter in the room buzzed, but none of it reached him.
He wasn't the same man they thought he was.
There was still some time before class. Ethan leaned back, closing his eyes.
"Halo," he whispered silently. "Show me my stats."
[Host: Ethan Wolfe]
[Body: 15]
[Mind: 18]
[EP: 01]