Suddenly, I Am Rich

In his life, Gray never thought he would have to clarify that 212 is $212 to someone.

”Selina,” he called her name again, this time in a state of disbelief. His voice caught somewhere between a sigh and a laugh.

”Two hundred twelve means two hundred and twelve dollars. Not twenty-one thousand or two hundred twelve thousand.”

Selina stared at him, confused.

”Huh? It’s that cheap?”

”Yes, Selina, we’re in a department store,” Gray blinked.

He couldn’t believe this was a real conversation. His brain short-circuited trying to process how someone could genuinely misunderstand something that badly.

Selina tilted her head and shook it as if there was something wrong with it.

”That doesn’t sound right, Gray. That was like so many clothes. Are you sure the cashier didn’t forget to scan or something?”

”No,” he said flatly. ”We’re at a department store, not a luxury shop, Selina.”

”Huh...” However, Selina remained confused. ”But that’s so cheap,” she mumbled to herself.

Gray stared at her in disbelief.

Then it hit him.

”Selina, have you ever shopped at a department store before?” he had to ask the question.

Selina gave a sheepish look, with one corner of her mouth twitching up.

”I mean... no? I usually shop at branded stores or have someone shop for me... Is that bad?”

”Jesus Christ.”

”What?”

”You sent me thousands because you’ve never been to a department store...”

Selina pouted. ”Well, it’s not my fault clothes there cost like $1000 each. I thought that was a normal amount.”

He stared at her. She stared right back, unbothered.

And for some reason, Gray just laughed—an actual laugh. He found everything unbelievable.

There was something so ridiculous about this whole moment that his brain gave up and just leaned into the absurdity. It wasn’t anger or frustration. Just disbelief, awe, and an overwhelming sense of you’ve got to be kidding me.

Selina made a face. She was half annoyed and half embarrassed. It didn’t help that Gray was leaning slightly forward with one hand on his hip, laughing to himself so hard.

”Hey! Stop laughing,” she muttered, smacking his arm lightly with the back of her hand. ”It’s not that funny.”

”It really is,” Gray said, catching his breath as he wiped the corner of his eye with his knuckle. Tears were already forming in his eyes. ”You wired me twenty-one grand... over t-shirts and skirts from the mall.”

”Shut up,” she whispered with a dramatic eye roll. Her cheeks were now turning red.

Then, from beside them—

”Brother?” Lily’s voice sounded. She looked at them innocently and curiously. ”Why are you laughing, Brother? Sister Selina? Is there something funny?”

Selina turned to her, composed but clearly over it.

”Your brother is turning crazy now, Lily. Let’s go before he completely loses it.” She shook her head and took Lily’s hand, starting to walk ahead. She didn’t even bother turning around to glance at Gray.

Selina puffed her cheeks together, pouting. Yet, she lifted her chin like she didn’t do anything embarrassing.

Gray blinked and stood there for a second, watching the two stroll off without looking back at him. He adjusted the bags in his arms and started walking after them, still chuckling under his breath.

But just as they were nearing the escalator, he remembered.

”Wait—Selina!” he called out.

Selina didn’t turn, purposely ignoring him.

”Selina, the money. I’ll send—”

But Selina only walked faster before he could even finish his sentence. She pulled Lily gently by the hand as if she hadn’t heard him. Her back straightened, and her steps became more swift and determined.

It was the walk of someone pretending very hard they didn’t hear the thing they absolutely just heard.

Gray sighed as he watched her retreat.

He’d just have to do that later on.

What mattered now was knowing where the two were headed.

Gray followed the two until they ended up in a restaurant that Selina suggested to them. It was a cozy Italian place with soft lights, dark wood walls, and a menu that had no prices listed.

There was a quiet warmth to the place. A low hum of instrumental music played over hidden speakers, and the faint scent of garlic, wine, and fresh bread filled the air. The lighting was dim but inviting—golden overhead lights casting a soft glow on polished tabletops and wine bottles lined along brick shelves.

Gray stared at the gold-embossed font on the leather menu while Selina and Lily sat across from him. Lily was busy spinning the paper napkin holder while humming, oblivious to the tension still lingering in the air.

He glanced at the menu again, then at Selina. Her posture was relaxed. Too relaxed.

”This one,” Selina said suddenly, pointing at the menu. ”Get this. Their mushroom truffle pasta is really good.”

”You’ve been here before?” Gray raised an eyebrow.

”Of course. I know the good food here,” she said. ”Just trust me on this one.”

Selina flashed him a smug little smile, the kind that made Gray immediately suspicious.

He looked back at the menu again, still searching for a single price.

Nothing.

Not even a hint.

Of course. A place like this didn’t need to show prices. Either you could afford it, or you shouldn’t be here.

The waiter came over shortly after. He was polite and dressed in black with a folded cloth over one arm.

Selina barely looked at the menu again.

”We’d like to order the truffle arancini and burrata plate for starters, and a medium-rare steak for me,” she said smoothly before glancing at Gray and Lily, ”Then, I’ll let the two choose what they want.”

”I’ll take the pasta you mentioned. The mushroom truffle pasta,” Gray said, closing the menu and handing it over. ”And a glass of whatever red you think pairs well.”

”I want something with shrimp!” Lily chimed in brightly, her mouth full as she gnawed on the crust of the complimentary bread. ”And juice, please!”

The waiter nodded and scribbled everything down.

”I’ll get her the shrimp risotto,” Selina added quickly. ”And a mango juice.”

As soon as the waiter walked away, Lily happily leaned against the table, spinning the bread basket like it was the only thing that mattered to her. She was also playing with Gray’s phone in one hand, humming softly as she bit into another piece of bread.

Gray watched her for a second before turning his gaze to Selina.

”I’ll send you the rest of your money later,” he said quietly, picking up his glass of water.

Selina didn’t even blink. She turned her head slowly and gave him a look. Her eyes narrowed, and her lips pressed together.

”I don’t need it anymore.”

”You wired me twenty-one grand for department store clothes, Selina.”

”I said I don’t need it anymore,” she repeated, this time with a little more force.

Gray raised an eyebrow. ”You accidentally paid for ten months of rent. I’m giving it back.”

”No.”

”Selina.”

She leaned in slightly. ”Gray.”

He narrowed his eyes at her. ”Don’t make this a thing.”

”It’s already a thing.”

”It doesn’t have to be.”

”I’m making it a thing.”

Gray stared at her.

Selina stared back.

Gray could feel the ridiculousness of the situation creeping up again, but this time the humor had dulled just a bit. Right now, he could only see pride in Selina’s eyes.

A few seconds of silence passed between them before Gray let out a long sigh.

”Look. Just let me return some of it.”

”Nope.” Selina shook her head.

”I’ll wire it quietly. You won’t even notice.”

”If you wire anything, I’ll send it back tenfold.”

”Don’t you dare.”

”Watch me.”

”You’re impossible.” Gray could only sigh.