Suddenly, I Am Rich

”Miss Chloe is already waiting in the study, Sir.”

”Thanks,” Gray replied, stepping inside.

He walked down on the familiar hallway. Despite the size of the house, he no longer felt out of place. Maybe because he’d already gotten used to it after.

When he entered the study, Chloe was already seated by the window. There was a notebook open in front of her and a pen twirling between her fingers. She looked up the moment she heard the door and smiled.

”You’re on time,” she said.

”Have I ever been late?” Gray raised an eyebrow.

”No,” she chuckled.

Gray laughed with her as he set his bag down. He pulled up a chair in front of the table.

”Come on now, Chloe. Let’s get started.” He smiled as he motioned for the vacant seat in front of him.

Chloe rolled her eyes but didn’t argue. Instead, she stood up and went to take her seat. They quickly became serious, falling into their usual atmosphere when studying.

As usual, Gray explained a few things, went over to Chloe’s lesson, and then assigned some exercises for her to follow.

Teaching Chloe was easy. She was smart, and she didn’t complain even once. The mood between them was also light, with a few talking and jokes between the lessons.

”Did you get to rest at all last night?” Chloe asked as she gazed up at him while answering something.

She has heard that Gray was beginning to read a few files from the grocery that he got. She heard it when her father answered a call in the middle of dinner yesterday.

”Barely,” Gray admitted. ”I still had some reading to do.”

Chloe tilted her head. ”Some more files?”

”Yup. 2 more files with twenty-something pages of it.”

”Good thing you survived that.” Chloe laughed. She knew the pain of reading all those documents.

”I know, right? I was also surprised.” Gray muttered which made them both laugh.

They went quiet for a while after that, focusing on the work. Minjae started organizing the papers he brought while Chloe finished answering the peroblems given to her.

After half an hour, Chloe put down her pen.

”I’m done.”

”So fast, huh?” Gray raised a brow as he took the paper in front of Chloe, checking to see if her answers were right.

”Yup.” Chloe confidently nodded. ”So... the store. What do you think now that you’ve seen everything?”

Gray leaned back in his chair and looked at the ceiling for a second.

”I think it’s bigger than I expected. I feel like it’s getting real now.”

”Are you nervous about tomorrow?” Chloe smiled.

”More like... I don’t know what to expect,” Gray said before sighing. ”I’m trying to process everything, but I’m also kinda excited.”

”I’m happy,” The smile on Chloe’s face widened further. ”I know it may seem fast or weird, but I think you earned it. You’re not... I don’t know. You’re not like everyone else around here.”

”Is that supposed to be a compliment?” Gray gave her a sideways glance.

”Maybe.”

The two of them smiled before letting out another round of laughter.

By the time the session wrapped up, it was already 3 pm. Chloe packed her books, then turned to Gray before he could stand.

”Good luck with the handover meeting tomorrow,” she said, slinging her bag over her shoulder. ”I’ll be there. With my dad.”

”You are?” Gray blinked.

”Of course.” Chloe showed a teasing smile. ”I want to see how you do.”

Gray laughed, shaking his head.

”No pressure, huh?”

”None at all,” she replied sweetly as she walked to the door. ”Try not to embarrass yourself.”

”Thanks for the encouragement,” Gray called after her with a dry smile.

Once she was gone, Gray exhaled quietly.

With a soft shake of his head, Gray grabbed his things and made his way out of the Lancaster estate. He exchanged polite goodbyes with the household staff as usual, and the same car from earlier took him back out through the tall gates of the subdivision.

In there, he booked a cab.

The ride home was quiet. He suddenly felt tired, maybe because of the lack of sleep that he had the other night.

Gray rested his head lightly against the window. He watched the people as they did their own things.

After an hour, they reached their apartment building. Gray stepped out of the cab and paid the fare, then adjusted his bag over his shoulder as he approached the front steps of the building.

However, before he could even take a step, he noticed something.

There was a black paper bag just at the side of the step. It seemed like it was just delivered a minute ago, since it was still there.

Gray slowed down, frowning.

He was about to ignore it, when he caught a glimpse of the name that was written on the side.

”To Gray.”

”Huh? Where did this come from?” Gray looked confused as he crouched slightly to get the back.

And when he opened them, his brows furrowed even more.

There was a box inside the paper bag from the brand, Lanford & Holt.

It was a brand that he recognized. After all, it was a popular, high-end clothing brand known for men’s formal wear. He’d seen their ads online before. They sell tailored suits and tuxedos at elite-level prices.

”Where will I use this?”

Gray opened the box with care. What greeted him was a full black suit that was perfectly folded with no creases. Beneath it was a charcoal gray dress shirt and a matching tie that was still wrapped in plastic.

He checked the box again for a card or note.

But there was nothing. There was no name from the sender and even no message.

”...Seriously?” he muttered, turning the box slightly as if wishing that something will fall out.

But there was nothing.

”Did Chloe send this? Or... maybe Marcus?” he mumbled to himself. But Marcus would’ve mentioned it. Chloe too. He doubted either of them would be this subtle.

Then a thought crossed his mind.

”Is it Emily?” He squinted at the suit again before letting out a sigh.

”Well, whoever sent it...” he picked the box up properly and tucked it under his arm. ”...I guess I’m wearing this for tomorrow.”