Sam woke under the bright early-morning sunshine, throwing off the covers and stretching his arms above his head. A sense of purpose filled him. It was a new day, ripe with potential and possibilities. After tending to his daily routines and freshening up, he felt the keen pull of connection. His thoughts went home, and he picked up his phone.
The call connected, and his mother's familiar voice filled his ear, a soothing balm. "How are you, dear son? What are you doing?" she asked, her voice ringing with genuine concern.
"I just woke up and got fresh. What about you guys? When are you all coming?" Sam inquired. His heart pounded in anticipation, longing for the warmth of the family.
A chuckle came from the other side, "We will head to the city tomorrow. You better make everything ready for us." The news hit Sam like a wave of pure joy, a thrill running through him. The cold apartment was soon to be filled with the warmth of love, turning the lonely space into a proper home.
"This is wonderful news. I have been waiting for you guys for quite a while now. I will prepare your room and buy the stuff you need. Give me a list of the items that you need," Sam spoke, his enthusiasm spreading across the distance.
"Alright. Here they are," his mother started listing out all the household necessities and the array of cooking ingredients and utensils that made the kitchen feel like home. Sam diligently pulled out a notepad and jotted down everything. It was a quaint little scene. Despite being the mind behind the super powerful Gaia, in front of his mom, he was just a dutiful son, taking down the grocery list with the utmost care. The sweet irony wasn't lost on him but was comforting and grounding.
With the list completed, Sam decided to head out to personally ensure the quality of the products. This mission was more than a mere grocery run; it was an act of love. Choosing a high-end supermarket, he started his quest, the item list guiding his hand as he filled his cart with the items that would transform his apartment into a family home.
Navigating the bright, bustling aisles of the high-end supermarket, Sam found himself engrossed in the search for items on his list. He was drawn in by the gleaming rows of products, the melange of scents from the fresh produce, and the hum of shoppers going about their errands. He was so focused on the list in his hands, so focused on finding the elusive big cooker, that he inadvertently bumped into another person.
"Aiiyo, Can't you look and go?" an irate voice broke through his concentration. The voice was familiar, a sliver of memory connected with it. Looking up, he was met with a pair of startled eyes. "You!" They both exclaimed in unison.
In front of him stood Crystal Li. Of all places, he never expected to bump into her in a supermarket amidst aisles of canned goods and fresh vegetables. Life was indeed full of unexpected surprises.
"Ah, sorry about that," he quickly apologized, "I was searching for a big cooker, but I couldn't find it, and while looking at the shelf, I bumped into you." The words fell from his lips in a rush, hoping to dissolve the tension.
"It's alright. I am also sorry. I said those words in anger. I didn't mean it," Crystal replied, a blush tinting her cheeks, softening the situation.
Wanting to veer the conversation away from the collision, Sam asked, "Why are you here, by the way? Grocery shopping?"
"Yeah, needed some things to buy and took a leave from the company because of some personal issues," Crystal shared. A fleeting shadow passed over her features, indicating the depth of those issues.
Prompted by genuine concern, Sam offered, "What issues? Do you need any help?"
"No, I will try to solve it myself," Crystal's voice held a touch of determination. She was clearly grappling with something significant, but her resilience was evident.
"Alright, no worries. If you need help, let me know," Sam offered, understanding the importance of giving her the space she needed.
A small smile graced Crystal's lips. "Okay, for sure. By the way, do you need help shopping? I am pretty familiar here."
Sam glanced down at his list and then back at Crystal, a light-hearted quip ready on his lips. "Umm. The things on the list are like sending me on a treasure hunt." His words hung in the air, a playful invitation for a shared adventure in this seemingly mundane supermarket.
"Your treasures are our regular items. Let me see the list." Crystal responded, her voice twinkling with amusement. Sam handed her the carefully curated list, and the supermarket transformed into a new arena of marvels. Crystal was a whirlwind, whizzing through the aisles with an efficiency that left Sam in awe. It was as though the aisles had morphed into a cityscape that she navigated with the deftness of a seasoned cab driver.
Twenty minutes later, the cart was brimming with the listed items, and they were heading for the checkout. Sam blinked, barely able to comprehend how swiftly Crystal had managed to locate everything. 'Isn't it the opposite? Shouldn't women take long amounts of time to choose things?' he mused, his mind still racing to catch up.
Crystal chuckled, reading the surprise on his face, "Don't be shocked. It was the list that guided me. If I had to choose, then you could only go back home by the nighttime." Her words flowed like a gentle brook, clearing away his confusion. Sam found himself grinning, admiring her practical approach. Who knew a simple shopping trip could feel like a playful adventure?
Walking to his average-looking car parked amidst a row of glittering, luxurious vehicles, Sam offered, "Do you want me to drop you somewhere?"
"For sure. I would take the free ride. Thank you." Crystal accepted without hesitation.
"Haha, come on then. My car can fit all the stuff and you in," Sam quipped, his eyes twinkling with a lively light. Crystal laughed as they loaded the groceries, amused at Sam's humble transportation choice.
"You really are a simpleton. You are this rich and still drive around in an average car." Crystal said, eyeing the modest vehicle.
"It is a necessity now, as my parents are coming so. . ." Sam's voice trailed off, a tinge of anticipation coloring his words.
"Wait, your parents are coming? As in, they don't stay here?" Crystal's eyebrows shot up, her curiosity piqued. Unknowingly, as they continued to unpack the day's shopping haul, they were also unraveling the intricate layers of their budding friendship.
As Sam studied Crystal's curious face, he realized that she really didn't know about his humble beginnings. Her eyes were like two clear pools, reflecting only the light of innocence and a hint of surprise.
"Yes. We are from a small village near City S. I recently went back there and convinced my parents to move in with me. Also, I will soon have a sibling, so I would really want to stay with them." Sam's words flowed naturally like a river finding its way to the ocean. He wondered why he was sharing these intimate details, but he chalked it up to the comforting atmosphere that Crystal seemed to exude effortlessly.
"Wow, a sibling?" The sound of Crystal's voice tugged Sam back from his thoughts. Her eyes seemed distant as if she was looking into a past that only she could see.
"Hey. Are you remembering someone?" Sam's voice cut through her reminiscence, reeling her back to the present.
Crystal sighed and nodded, "Yes, I was remembering my elder brother. It has been a few years since the last time we met. I miss him."
The weight of her words hung in the air, thick with a sense of longing that Sam couldn't fully understand. "So you also have a sibling. It must be nice to have one," Sam said, seeking to lighten the mood.
Crystal smiled warmly at him. "Is that even a question? Siblings are so much more than familial ties," she replied, her voice tinged with an unspoken affection that made Sam think about his impending brotherhood with a fresh perspective.
As their conversation ebbed and flowed like the natural tide, they arrived at Crystal Li's place. Sam took in the surroundings, a grimy neighborhood that seemed to exist in stark contrast to the vibrant girl beside him. The buildings were like tired giants, bearing the burden of their years with a stoic silence.
"You live here? I don't like this place. It must be hard to live here," Sam commented, his brow furrowed with concern.
"Yes, but I don't have any choice. Everything was blocked for me, hoping I would return to my family. But I won't," Crystal's words rang out in the quiet street, filled with a resilient defiance. At that moment, Sam saw more than just a woman determined to be her own person. He saw a spirit that could not be quenched, a spirit that was as dazzling as a diamond amidst the grime and dust of her surroundings.
As he surveyed the gritty reality of Crystal's neighborhood, Sam came to a decision that echoed with the firmness of his resolve. "Alright. You should move out. I will arrange a place for you to stay," he announced, his words scattering the pervasive gloom like an unexpected ray of sunshine.
Crystal's rebuttal came swift and fierce, a spark in the dreary landscape. "No, you should not. It is my battle." The words hung in the air like a banner of defiance, and Sam couldn't help but admire her tenacity.
"I won't allow my employees to have an awful life at all," Sam responded, the warmth in his voice rivaling the cold of the surroundings.
Crystal's eyebrows shot up at his words. "So what. . . Wait, how did you know I work there?" she asked, her surprise evident in her eyes.
Sam laughed, his humor a stark contrast against the grim backdrop of Crystal's residence. "Boss? Alright, stop that weird look. I know you wanted to find me, but I haven't been to the office lately because of some work." His words were punctuated with a comforting understanding that eased the tension in Crystal's face.
"Yeah, I wanted to find you to thank you for helping me out. Thank you." Crystal's gratitude added another layer of warmth to their interactions.
Sam's response was practical, mirroring his overall approach to life. "Okay, if you want to be thankful, just move out of here."
After an intense internal struggle, visible in the furrow of her brows and the pursing of her lips, Crystal finally agreed. With her agreement, Sam immediately called Eva, asking her to book the entire apartment building. And if possible, to buy it out completely.
This decision was part of Sam's strategic move. He had already instructed Gaia to legally purchase the Translation App services and continuously keep making new accounts to buy it. Although he understood this would cost him, he wasn't fazed. Money was a tool, a means to do things lawfully. He knew he wasn't yet at a stage where he could act freely without considering the consequences.