As Zero and Tom approached the entrance of the Grandeur Mall, they were immediately struck by its sheer opulence. An architectural marvel, the mall's facade was adorned with intricate designs of gold and silver, giving it a regal appearance. The large glass entrance had a polished finish, reflecting the bright sun, making it gleam under the daylight. Flanked on either side by towering palm trees, the pathway leading to the mall was paved with pristine white marble tiles, which felt cool underfoot.
Inside, the mall was even more breathtaking. The high, domed ceiling was decked with massive chandeliers that cascaded in different tiers, shimmering like a million diamonds. The central area boasted a majestic fountain, with water jets choreographed to classical music. Surrounding this were luxurious boutiques, each showcasing the most exclusive of brands, some of which neither Zero nor Tom had even heard of.
The air was rich with the scent of perfumes from nearby boutiques, mingling with the distant aroma of gourmet coffee. Everywhere they looked, there were signs of luxury and exclusivity. Patrons of the mall, impeccably dressed, walked with an air of casual elegance, pausing occasionally to admire the displays or to step into one of the exclusive boutiques.
Zero and Tom found themselves standing in front of 'Tempus Elegance', a boutique known for its collection of elite timepieces. The store was dimly lit, creating a sense of intimacy and allure. Glass cases showcased watches, each more intricate and dazzling than the next.
An attentive sales associate approached them. "Good day, gentlemen. How may I assist you today?"
Zero replied, "I'm looking for something special for my father's anniversary."
The associate, sensing an opportunity, presented a piece from the latest 'Horologium Prestige' collection. The watch was a masterpiece. Set in 18-carat gold, its face was mother-of-pearl, and it boasted complications that would make any horologist's heart race. Tiny diamonds acted as hour markers, capturing and reflecting the light with every subtle wrist movement.
"It's exquisite," Zero remarked, obviously impressed.
"Yes, it's one of our limited editions," the associate beamed. "It costs $100,000."
Without hesitation, Zero responded, "I'll take it."
Tom gave a nod of approval, impressed with Zero's decisiveness.
As the watch was boxed in its luxurious packaging, Zero made the payment. With the transaction complete, they were one step closer to fulfilling their shopping objectives.
Next on their list was a gift for Zero's mother. 'Luxe Sac', renowned for its handcrafted handbags, was their next stop. The store smelled of rich leather and had an earthy yet refined vibe. Rows of handbags in every conceivable shape and color greeted them.
A chic-looking saleswoman approached with a smile. "Looking for something in particular?"
"For my mother," Zero started, "something truly timeless."
The saleswoman fetched a handbag from the new 'Viviera Collection'. It was a work of art. Made of the finest crocodile leather, its deep burgundy color was contrasted by polished gold hardware. The bag's interior was lined with plush velvet and had multiple compartments, each meticulously designed.
"It's a beauty," Tom remarked.
Zero, equally entranced, inquired, "How much is it?"
"80,000 dollars," she replied.
Zero, without missing a beat, said, "We'll take it."
The handbag was delicately wrapped, and with their purchases complete, both men left the mall, satisfied with their expedition.
After their opulent purchases at the handbag and watch boutiques, Tom cheekily glanced at Zero, his face breaking into a grin. "Hey boss, are you going to buy something for me too?"
Zero checked his watch; it was only 5 pm. The mall's soft ambient lighting made it easy to lose track of time. He chuckled, "Of course, Tom. You've been quite patient today. What's on your mind?"
Following Tom's gaze, Zero's eyes landed on a store with a futuristic façade, adorned with neon lights and digital displays. The signboard flashed "CyberTech Haven".
"Want to check out some tech gear?" Tom asked, his excitement evident.
Zero nodded, "Absolutely. My devices could use an upgrade too."
As they approached the store, they could feel the techno vibes emanating from it. Screens of varying sizes displayed a plethora of gadgets, each more innovative and sleek than the next. The floor, illuminated with soft blue LED lights, gave an ethereal feel to the store.
An enthusiastic sales associate named Mia greeted them, "Welcome to CyberTech Haven! How can I assist you gentlemen today?"
Tom piped up, "We're here to check out the latest and greatest in tech."
Mia's eyes sparkled, "You've come to the right place! Let's start with our laptops. We just received the newest 'Quantum Pro X' series."
She led them to a counter showcasing the latest laptops. They were incredibly slim, with almost no bezels, and a mirror-like finish. "It's powered by the latest 10th gen processor and has a battery life of 20 hours," Mia explained.
Tom looked impressed, "Two of these, please."
Next, they moved on to the smartwatches section. Mia showed them the 'ChronoSync Ultra' – a watch that not only tracked fitness and health but also projected holographic notifications and had augmented reality features.
Zero was fascinated, "This would be handy for meetings." He selected one for himself and Tom.
Continuing their tech spree, they headed towards the phone section. The 'Nexa Edge' caught their attention. Boasting a 4K display, a camera that could rival DSLRs, and AI-driven functionalities, it was the pinnacle of smartphone technology.
"Definitely need one of these," Zero mused, picking up two.
Tom, not to be outdone, wandered over to the headset and speakers section. He tried on the 'SonicSphere' headset, which promised 360-degree audio immersion and noise cancellation. The moment he put them on, his eyes widened in amazement. "Boss, you need to try these," he said, handing a pair to Zero.
After a moment with the headphones, Zero nodded in agreement, "Incredible sound clarity. We'll take two."
Finally, they checked out the high-end speakers – 'BassQuake Titans'. The demo left them in awe, with sound so crisp and deep that it felt like being at a live concert.
Zero, clearly enjoying the spree, added, "Why not? Let's get a set for both our offices."
Their shopping baskets were full, both literally and figuratively. As the items were being packed, Tom remarked, "This is quite a haul, boss. we spent more than 20,000 on just tech and gadgets."
Zero grinned, "Tech upgrades are an investment, after all. Plus, it's fun to splurge once in a while."
Tom chuckled, "That's one way to look at it."
Zero in his past life was very very cautious about what he spent his money on, since his job was average, he was using an average car, average clothings, and just normal entertainment. it was quite boring, so Zero in his current life decided not to do the same thing.
Inside the lavish atrium of the mall, with its glistening marble floors and golden chandeliers, Zero's eyes fixated on a particularly upscale clothing store. A mannequin, draped in a bespoke tailored suit, was proudly displayed at the entrance.
"Hey, Tom," Zero motioned towards the store, "Let's head in there."
Tom grinned, taking a second to admire the selection through the clear glass façade before following his boss inside.
Hours seemed to evaporate as the two meandered through a maze of luxurious fabrics, expertly tailored suits, opulent dresses, and exotic accessories. It was a parade of fashion – modern cuts, vintage styles, and avant-garde designs all jostling for attention.
When they finally emerged, the sun had started its descent, casting the mall in a soft golden hue. Tom's car, once relatively empty, now seemed like a mini cargo van with its trunk and backseat brimming with shopping bags and ornate boxes.
Zero, rubbing the back of his neck, asked, "So, how deep did we dig into the coffers today, Tom?"
Tom, pulling out a small notepad where he'd been tallying their expenses, started listing, "There's $180,000 for your family's gifts, $20,000 on the latest tech, another hefty $60,000 or so on our clothing spree, $30,000 on those high-end sneakers - I still can't believe they cost that much! And let's not forget the $70,000 for dinner. It was quite the gesture, boss, covering everyone's bill like that."
Zero's eyes momentarily clouded over, a shadow of a memory from the incident at Knifepoint playing in his mind. He murmured, half to himself, "Doing a little good once in a while never hurts."
Quickly doing the math, Zero mused, "So, we're down by only $360,000? That's a mere 1.8% from the 'fun card'?"
Tom, letting out a hearty laugh, replied, "Absolutely! At this rate, we should indulge more often!"
But Zero's mood seemed to shift suddenly. An icy, intimidating aura enveloped him, reminiscent of the time he'd confronted the thugs at Knifepoint. Tom felt a chill down his spine and gulped nervously, "Boss... did I mess up somewhere?"
The intense aura around Zero began to recede slowly. Shaking his head, he assured, "No, Tom. It's not about today. Just some old memories. But while we're on the subject of money," Zero handed Tom a file, "I want you to look into these properties and lands. Try to negotiate them down."
Scanning the list, Tom whistled softly, "This is quite the portfolio, boss. Ballpark figure, it'll be somewhere between $10 to $15 million."
Zero nodded, "That's fine. If the business card runs short, use the 'fun card'. Oh, and one more thing." He handed over another paper with just a name on it – Billius Skoval. "Find him for me."
Tom looked at the name, realizing this wasn't just another business deal. Whatever it was, it was personal for Zero.