Suddenly, I Am Rich

Fortunately, after a long day, Gray was finally back in the condo. When the car finally stopped in front of the condo building, Gray felt a small sense of relief. Finally, he was home. That thought made his chest loosen a little.

Gray bid goodbye to Mara and Daniel before leaving the car. He went inside his condo building and quietly boarded the elevator. When he was on his floor, he walked towards his unit and unlocked the door.

Warm light greeted him when the door opened. In an instant, he smelled the food that was just freshly cooked from the kitchen. It made his stomach growl. He stepped in and walked further.

However, he paused when he saw them.

Lily and Selina were sitting on the couch together. The small table in front of them was filled with chips, bread, and drinks. Lily was laughing so hard while Selina covered her mouth, trying to stop herself from laughing too.

Gray just stood there, watching the scene unfold right before his eyes. After everything that happened today, the sight felt unreal. It was honestly surprising how such a small act could bring him so much peace and warmth.

A small smile slowly spread across his face.

Just then, Lily noticed him.

”BROTHER!” she called out loud happily. She jumped up from the couch and ran toward him in an instant. ”You’re finally home!”

”Gray,” Selina followed right after, standing up with a gentle smile on her face.

”Welcome back.”

Lily hugged him tightly around the waist. Gray froze for a second, then laughed softly and hugged her back.

”I missed you,” Lily said.

”I was only gone for a few hours,” Gray replied, amused at it.

”That’s still long, Brother,” Lily said stubbornly, which made Gray laugh.

After a few seconds, Selina stepped closer to him, too. ”You look tired,” she said softly. ”Did something happen at work?”

Gray looked at her and smiled. ”Yeah. It was a long day.”

”Oh no, brother. That means you’re tired!” Lily pulled away and looked up at him. ”But don’t worry! We waited for you to eat dinner together.”

”Really? You did?”

”Of course!” Lily said proudly. ”I also helped Sister Selina to cook!”

Selina chuckled at it, ”What little? Our dear Lily helped a lot!”

”Thank you. Both of you.” Gray felt something warm settle in his chest.

They moved to the dining table together. The food that Selina and Lily prepared was simple but warm. There was soup, rice, and a few side dishes. Nothing fancy, but it was the perfect food to eat.

As they ate, Lily talked nonstop. Gray was already expecting that, because, after all, it was Lily.

She talked about school, about how her teacher praised her earlier, about how Selina helped her with homework, and about how they watched a funny show together.

Gray listened quietly, nodding now and then. He did not realize how much he needed this until now.

However, even when he was reacting, Selina noticed his silence.

”How about you, Gray?” she asked. ”How was your day?”

Gray sighed at that question. He smiled and shook his head. ”It was hard.”

Lily stopped eating and looked at him. ”Hard like tiring, brother?”

”Yes, Lily,” Gray said. ”And a little heavy.”

Selina did not push him to talk more when she saw the tiredness in his eyes. She simply nodded and smiled. ”You can tell us later if you want.”

”I will,” Gray said. ”After dinner. I don’t want to spoil the food.”

With that, they continued eating. The sound of utensils filled the room again. Lily also went back to talking. Everything felt nice and Gray felt his shoulders slowly relax.

After they finished, Lily volunteered to wash the dishes. Selina tried to help, but Lily insisted.

”No, sister! I’m already big! I can clean up now!” Lily said firmly.

Gray watched them from the couch. Selina laughed as Lily bossed her around. It made him smile again.

”Alright, alright. I’ll let you handle it.” Selina finally raised both hands in surrender.

Lily beamed. ”Good! You can rest now.”

Selina laughed softly and stepped away from the kitchen. She joined Gray on the couch while Lily started humming to herself as she washed the dishes. The sound of running water slowly sounded.

For a moment, Selina and Gray just sat there in silence.

Gray leaned back against the couch, his head resting against the cushion. The tiredness on his face was clearer now. Selina turned slightly toward him.

”You really look exhausted today, Gray,” she said gently. There was worry flickering in her eyes as she stared at him.

”Is it that bad?” Gray let out a deep sigh, ”I guess it is more than I thought.”

”Do you want to talk about it now?” Selina nodded.

Gray hesitated for a second. He glanced toward the kitchen, making sure Lily was distracted. Then he looked back at Selina.

”A little,” he said. ”I don’t want to dump everything on you.”

”Gray, it’s fine,” Selina replied. ”And we’re together. Why would I mind that?”

That made him smile.

”Today was... you know, really upsetting,” Gray said. ”We went to a foundation, and I saw things I didn’t expect to see. They were being mistreated.”

Selina listened closely. She did not interrupt him. She simply waited.

”There were kids involved,” Gray continued. ”And that’s the part that bothered me the most that I had to step in.”

Selina’s expression softened. ”I see.”

”I kept thinking about Lily,” Gray admitted quietly. ”If she were in that place, if someone treated her like that...” He stopped, his jaw tightening. ”I don’t think I would have been able to stay calm.”

Selina reached out and placed her hand lightly on his arm. ”But you did stay calm.”

”I had to,” Gray said. ”Someone needed to.”

They sat there like that for a moment. Lily’s humming continued in the background.

”You did the right thing today. Even if it was hard.” Selina spoke again.

Gray looked at her. ”You really think so?”

”I know so,” Selina said without hesitation. ”Not everyone would step in.”

Gray let out a slow breath. Hearing that eased something inside him.

”Thank you,” he said.

Selina smiled. ”You don’t have to carry everything alone, you know.”

”I know,” Gray replied. Gray was quiet for a moment after that, then slowly turned his head toward Selina.

”Can I ask you something?” he said.

Selina nodded. ”Of course.”

”Mayor Alistair,” Gray said. ”What do you know about him?”

Selina stiffened. Her fingers curled slightly against her lap, and the calm expression she had earlier dropped.

”...Why are you asking about him?” she asked.