Suddenly, I Am Rich

Selina blinked in surprise at Lily’s words. Her cheeks reddened immediately. She swallowed and touched her cheeks as if controlling her expression.

”G-Glowing?” She gave a small laugh and waved her hands off. ”You’re exaggerating, my dear.”

Lily shook her head firmly, gripping her hand tighter.

”No! You really are! You look pretty every day, but you’re prettier today, Sister! Right, brother?”

Gray, who was plating the last of the bacon that he was cooking, turned his head just in time to catch Selina’s embarrassed face. A faint smirk tugged at his lips. He decided to join Lily in teasing her.

”Lily’s not wrong, Selina,” he said casually, as if the two didn’t do anything earlier. ”You do look glowing.”

Selina’s cheeks turned red even more. She quickly looked away, letting Lily pull her inside.

”You two...” she defeatedly muttered under her breath.

As they went inside, the smell of cooked eggs and bacon had already filled the air. The dining table was already set with simple plates, utensils, and glasses of water. Selina sat down across from Gray, while Lily immediately took her usual seat beside him.

She was grinning from ear to ear, happy that it wasn’t only her and Gray eating

”Alright, let’s eat,” Gray said as he set the last plate down.

They joined hands for a moment because Lily insisted on a quick prayer before meals. It was unusual for her, but Gray just let her do what she wanted. It must be something she learned in school.

While in the middle of the prayer, Gray glanced at Selina. He watched how she closed her eyes earnestly, her lips moving faintly with Lily’s words.

Something about the view he was watching —Selina and Lily side by side at the table, planted a quiet warmth in his chest.

After that, they shared a simple breakfast. It might be simple, but the atmosphere around it made it feel fuller than any lavish setup they could afford.

Lily, who was so energetic as ever, couldn’t keep her mouth shut. She talked in between bites, excitedly telling Selina about her school, her friends, and even about her favorite cartoons that she was watching these past few days.

And Selina?

She listened patiently. She nodded at every detail and replied to everything Lily said. Her smile never faded, even for a moment. For her, she was happy talking to Lily. She genuinely liked the bond they shared.

The two even sometimes forget that Gray was with them. They were talking about girly stuff that Gray barely knew.

’Girls are full of weird and confusing stuff...’ he shook his head. He could only watch them at the side as he ate.

Though every now and then, Selina’s gaze would move to him. Her expression was soft. She somehow looked shy, but her face was really glowing.

When Lily noticed, she teased them mercilessly. ”Brother, you’re staring at Sister Selina!”

”Eat your food, Lily.” Gray cleared his throat and reached for his coffee.

Selina laughed quietly, and Lily also laughed out loud. For her, teasing her brother was really part of her day.

”Sure, sure, brother!” She said out loud though the mischief in her eyes haven’t left.

Gray just shook his head.

Selina and Lily also laughed again.

The rest of the morning became like that. It was filled with small bursts of laughter and teasing from Lily.

- - -

Soon, it was already the next day.

Selina’s condo, which had been a mess before from all her things and the miss they did, was now spotless.

The floors were shiny, the furniture was neatly arranged, and they even bought fresh flowers to fill the space. She had spent the previous evening preparing, making sure everything would be perfect in her unit.

Because today, it wasn’t just any other day. Today, she had invited her grandfather, Conrad.

The man who had always been so overbearing and so stern in business has continuously bothered Selina to invite him into her place after learning that the two were practically living in the same building.

He was sulking for the past few days. And finally, when Selina had told him to come for lunch, he immediately cleared his schedule and said yes.

He didn’t care if he had an important meeting with some big companies.

For him, this was his priority!

His granddaughter’s love life. Selina’s parents had already departed the world years ago. He was also already old. If he dies, Selina would be alone again. He couldn’t afford to leave his precious granddaughter alone in this world.

’I will do whatever it takes to pair them up together,’ Conrad muttered. He was on the elevator, guided by his assistant, who went with him.

Inside Selina’s condo, everything was already prepared.

Gray, Selina, and Lily were already waiting.

The living room looked warmer than usual.

Selina was holding a vase full of flowers. She smiled at it and placed it in the middle of the dining room.

A faint smell of freshly cooked food drifted in from the kitchen. They were rich, homey, and comforting.

Selina’s nanny had taken charge of the cooking. She came back early in the morning, just in time. She cooked efficiently, and in just a few hours, she was able to cook everything up.

And on the dining table, plates of food were laid out. They were the kind of meal that felt hearty and almost festive.

Gray sat on the couch with Lily beside him. The little girl swung her legs back and forth, restless, clearly excited about meeting the old grandpa he had met last time.

Meanwhile, Selina was just going around her place, making sure that everything was neat and tidy because she knew Conrad could be a bother sometimes.

He’s like the typical grandpa who nitpicks anything he sees that wasn’t good to his taste.

”You’re making me nervous just by watching you,” Gray commented, leaning back against the couch. His eyes followed her every move.

”Shh... don’t be. I asked him for lunch and said you and your sister would come. I’ll create an opportunity later and take Lily with me so you can talk privately to him.”

Gray sighed and nodded.

”Alright...”

After a few more moments, the door of the unit finally opened.

Conrad stepped in with his cane in hand. His presence filled the room easily. But today, there was something different. The air around him wasn’t heavy. Instead, it was warm and exciting.

”Grandpa!” Selina’s voice softened as she went to greet him. She reached out and spread his arm as he walked in.

And just like that, the proud man melted. His stern face broke into a kind smile that Gray always saw him have whenever Selina was around.

”My dear granddaughter,” Conrad uttered, his voice trembling faintly in excitement.

”You look radiant today.”

Selina blushed, just like she had yesterday when Lily called her glowing. But this time, she leaned forward and hugged him.

”Thank you for coming, Grandfather.”

For a moment, Conrad stood frozen, then he hugged her back. And the mighty aura that usually surrounded him was now gone. In its place was only a man who adored his granddaughter.

Gray stood at the side with Lily, watching quietly.

Soon after, the lunch was served.

Selina had prepared this carefully. Her nanny cooked some of Conrad’s favorite dishes. There were braised short ribs, seasoned vegetables, and a warm chicken soup that filled the condo with comfort.

They sat around Selina’s expensive dining table. Conrad took the seat at the head, Selina beside him, while Gray and Lily filled the other side.

”I haven’t eaten like this in years,” Conrad admitted between bites. ”Homemade, shared with family... It’s been far too long!”

”Then you should come more often, Grandfather. You’re always welcome here.” Selina’s gaze softened.

The old man laughed. His words might have made Selina pity him.

”Don’t worry, my deear. Your grandpa is busy that’s why. Don’t worry, I will come here and visit you whenever I have time.” However, as he was saying that, he couldn’t help but suspiciously gaze at Gray

It was as if he was telling Gray that he was seeing his every move with Selina.

Gray could only shake his head in response.

”Grandpa Conrad, do you like eggs too? My brother makes the best ones.” Lily, as always, broke the tension with her innocence.

Conrad blinked, then chuckled.

”I do like eggs. Perhaps next time, I’ll ask your brother to cook for me.”

Gray raised a brow at that, but didn’t comment. Selina, however, hid a small laugh behind her hand.

As the meal went on, Conrad leaned back in his chair.

”So...” he began, his voice carrying that teasing tone. ”How is it, being neighbors you two?”

The question hung in the air.

Selina froze with her spoon halfway to her lips, her cheeks already turning red. Across from her, Gray froze too, his gaze flying to meet hers.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. It was as if the words had jammed in their throats.

Before either of them could answer, Lily clapped her hands together and leaned forward eagerly.

”My brother always invites Sister Selina to come over to us!” she announced with full sincerity.

Selina almost choked on her soup. Gray’s eyes widened a fraction before narrowing at Lily, who looked proud at her answer.