Daniel was trying to court Mira, but it was evident that Mira had no interest in a man of Daniel's financial standing. He lacked Phoenix's financial assets and didn't even own his home. Still, Mira responded to Daniel's concert invitation with a polite refusal, citing a prior commitment with a friend on the night of the concert. Disappointment was evident on Daniel's face; he had invested his entire month's salary into those tickets, hoping to confess his feelings to Mira during the concert.
Phoenix observed this interaction with an amused smirk. He knew all too well that Daniel's efforts were in vain. However, when Daniel noticed Phoenix's amusement, his embarrassment turned to indignation. In a bid to save face, Daniel accused Phoenix of impropriety for having a woman carry things for him. Phoenix responded with a cold stare, suggesting that Mira had offered her help of her own accord. The confrontation escalated, with Phoenix giving Daniel a piece of his mind, leaving both Daniel and Mira in shock.
Daniel, typically just a warehouse clerk, had felt bold enough to challenge Phoenix because Phoenix was known for his gentle demeanor. But Daniel was taken aback by Phoenix's unexpected assertiveness.
"Why are you shouting?" Daniel stammered, trying to regain his composure.
"I was only trying to have a conversation with you."
Phoenix scoffed and turned away, dismissing Daniel's attempt to regain dignity. To Phoenix, these people were like the living dead; with the apocalypse approaching, their opinions and judgments were meaningless.
After Phoenix's departure, Daniel attempted to console Mira, suggesting that Phoenix was no good and that she should keep her distance. Mira's frustration grew as she pondered Phoenix's recent transformation. His behavior had changed drastically; he no longer greeted her warmly or engaged her in nightly chats.
"There's definitely something off," Mira thought to herself.
...
After work, Phoenix drove to a luxurious five-star hotel in Solstice City, the same one from where he had ordered his banquet. The hotel manager, recognizing Phoenix, greeted him with a beaming smile and swiftly arranged for a premium guest room. Phoenix didn't flinch at the high cost of a suite; with millions still in his possession, he felt compelled to spend it all rather than save it.
That evening, Mira broke her usual routine and reached out to Phoenix, hinting at her loneliness due to their diminished contact. Phoenix's response was terse, showing a stark contrast to his once-warm exchanges with her. Mira, looking at her phone, felt a mix of confusion and rejection.
Iris overheard Mira's complaints and joined the conversation, musing about Phoenix's peculiar behavior. Together, they speculated about the possible reasons behind his actions, with Iris dismissing the idea of an impending crisis. Mira, despite Iris's reassurances, couldn't shake her suspicions that something significant was on the horizon.
...
As the days passed, Phoenix remained ensconced in his hotel suite, where he continued to indulge in his pre-apocalyptic preparations and perfect his archery skills. Meanwhile, Mira grappled with the change in Phoenix's demeanor, reflecting on the distance that had grown between them. Despite her insistence that she wasn't a gold digger, she couldn't deny the sting of losing Phoenix's attention. It was as if a fish she had in her pond had suddenly slipped away.
While Phoenix was content in his isolation, Mira wrestled with the thought of reaching out again, torn between her pride and the desire to rekindle the connection they once shared.