Suddenly, I Am Rich

As Gray stepped inside the apartment, the familiar creak of the door echoed softly through. He was just about to slip off his shoes when a voice called out from the living room.

”Brother!”

Gray looked up just in time to see Lily rushing toward him with wide eyes.

She stopped a few feet away and stared, her jaw opened when she saw Gray’s look.

”Whoa! Brother, you look so good! Where did you go?”

Gray blinked, then laughed softly under his breath. ”You think so?”

”Are you kidding me?” Lily circled him like she was judging his whole life. ”This is the first time I’ve seen you in a suit! You even used a perfume! Are you getting married, brother?”

”Stupid,” Gray flicked Lily’s forehead. ”Your brother had a new work, okay?

Lily’s eyes widened even more. ”Really?”

Gray nodded once.

”Yeah. It’s... It’s a big one.”

”Wow.” She stepped forward, her expression softening. ”That’s so cool. I’m so proud of you, Brother!”

She threw her arms around him in a quick, tight hug, catching him off guard. Gray blinked, then smiled as he patted her gently on the back.

”Thanks, Lily.”

”I knew you’d get something awesome eventually, brother,” Lily said as she pulled away. ”So what kind of job is it?”

Gray hesitated, scratching the back of his neck.

”Just a simple grocery job.”

Lily gasped, eyes lighting up with an unexpected kind of enthusiasm.

”Oh! You never had a job like that before, Brother!” she said, practically bouncing on her feet. ”Like... with uniforms and price tags and customers and everything?”

Gray chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck again.

”Maybe,” he said, keeping his tone casual. ”I’ve never had a job like this before, didn’t I?” he smiled at Lily.

”Yes, brother.”

It was true. He just didn’t mention the part where he now technically owned the place instead of being a regular worker.

”That’s so cool, brother!” Lily beamed as she continued to think of it. ”Do you get to eat the leftover bread at the end of the day, brother?”

”What kind of fantasy grocery job are you imagining, Lily?” Gray snorted as he shook his head. He found Lily unbelievable. All she could think of was food.

Lily giggled, and for a moment, it was like the weight of the day lifted completely off his chest. She turned toward the dining table and picked something up.

”Oh, right. Brother, the landlord came by earlier,” she said, handing him a folded envelope.

”He left this. It’s the rent for the past two months. Do you... Do you have enough money for it?” Lily pressed her lips together. There was a slight hesitation in her voice when she asked the question.

She knew about their current state, so a small worry rose on her chest, even though she tried to sound casual.

Gray took the envelope and looked down at it for a second. Then slowly, he smiled. It was playful, almost smugly, as he reached out to ruffle her hair.

”Oh, Lily,” he said, tucking the envelope under his arm. ”Your brother has more than enough.”

She blinked. ”Really?” Lily’s eyes squinted as she looked suspiciously. She looked as if she wasn’t believing anything that Gray was saying.

”Yes. More than enough,” he repeated with a nod. ”Don’t worry about it.”

”Then that’s good, brother.” Lily puffed her cheeks and nodded. There was still slight doubt on her heart, but he chose to believe Gray.

She knew that just like in the past, he would always find a way for the two of them.

However, when Lily remembered something, her hands fidgeted with the hem of her shirt. She became silent for a moment before glancing up at Gray, once again.

”Also, brother... my teacher reminded me about the balance for my tuition today,” she said, her voice was quieter than before. ”She said they need it to be paid soon.”

Gray looked at her. He immediately noticed the uncertainty in Lily’s eyes. Just like in the past, she would feel bad whenever she spoke of her tuition.

However, just like in the past, he would always reassure Lily that it was fine.

He wasn’t able to finish his studies, so he hoped that Lily would be able to finish hers. All the thing he couldn’t do in the past, he wished that Lily may be able to do it now. He wished that she could enjoy her childhood and grow up as a good person.

”Alright, Lily,” Gray nodded and smiled. ”I’ll pay it tomorrow.”

”Really?” Lily’s eyes widened. ”We won’t ask them to give us some extra time, brother?”

”Yes, Lily” Gray replied simply, resting the envelope on the counter as he leaned slightly toward her. ”From now on, we won’t need to worry about money, alright? Just tell your brother what needs to be paid, and I will pay it.”

A second of silence surrounded them. Then, slowly, Lily smiled. It was soft and bright. A kind of smile that could also make you smile.

”Thank you, brother.”

All of a sudden, Lily muttered, almost like a whisper. Her voice carried more weight than the words themselves. It was quiet, but genuine. Her words were filled with so much sincerity.

Gray felt something tugging gently in his chest. His smile grew, and he nodded.

”Anything for you, Lily.”

Lily grinned, her shoulders loosening. Then, like a switch had been flipped, she turned around and dashed off toward the living room.

”Alright, Brother! I’m finishing Barbie, don’t come bother me!” she called out without looking back.

Gray laughed under his breath, watching her as she ran back onto the couch. Lily didn’t even bother double-glancing at him. She just resumed the movie like none of that conversation had happened.

He stayed by the door for a moment longer, just watching Lily at a distance. He smiled and shook his head in disbelief.

”That stupid is really unbelievable...” Laughter escaped from his lips.