Kyle stepped out of his car and walked into the store, the part-timer behind the counter visibly shocked at the sight of him. Or rather, the car he had just pulled up in.
"Hey, Kyle!" the younger man greeted, clearly caught off guard.
Kyle nodded in acknowledgment. He'd never had any issues with this guy. In fact, he was one of the few people in this place who treated him decently.
"You're still here?" Kyle asked, genuinely surprised. He knew Ryder, the store owner, wouldn't have let his departure slide without pushing the workload onto the next available body.
"Yeah, what can I say? I need the cash." The guy gave a resigned shrug.
Kyle smirked. "Fair enough." He wasn't about to hand out charity to someone just because they were broke—he wasn't that kind of guy.
"You looking for something?" the part-timer asked, trying to be helpful.
Kyle shook his head. "I used to work here, remember?" He didn't even bother to hide his disbelief.
The part-timer clearly wanted to ask about the car but wisely chose to keep quiet. That was what Kyle liked about him—he knew when to mind his business.
Kyle wasn't here to shop. He had a more specific target in mind.
"Is Ryder here?" Kyle asked, dropping the formalities that once seemed so necessary.
"I think so. Want me to check?"
"Yeah, that'd be great," Kyle replied, feeling a slight sense of relief. Not everyone here was unbearable, it seemed.
The part-timer disappeared into the back office while Kyle waited. It was taking a bit longer than expected, but he didn't care. Ryder probably thought Kyle was crawling back, desperate to beg for his job.
Five minutes later, Ryder emerged, exuding the same smugness Kyle remembered all too well.
"What do you want, Kyle?" Ryder asked, his tone dripping with condescension.
Kyle looked around the store briefly. He knew Ryder was barely holding this place together, but it was amusing to see him still clinging to his usual arrogance.
"Mr. Ryder, it's good to see you doing so well," Kyle said with a calm smile, masking his true intentions.
"If you're here to beg for your job back, I'll consider it—at half the pay." Ryder's lips curled into a cruel smirk.
Kyle chuckled quietly. Ryder really hadn't changed. He was still the same petty man who took advantage of people.
"You think this is funny?" Ryder snapped. "Laugh all you want. Keep it up, and I'll make it a quarter of the pay—and don't forget, that's me being generous."
Kyle's smile vanished. "Do you like hearing yourself talk, Ryder? Have you ever tried just shutting up and listening for once?"
Ryder's face turned red. "You little—! Get out before I call the cops!"
Kyle didn't flinch. "Relax. I know you're struggling, Ryder. I also know this building doesn't even belong to you—you're renting it."
"And what's it to you?" Ryder shot back, though his confidence was beginning to waver.
Kyle ignored him and pulled out his phone. "Take a look at this."
Ryder squinted at the screen before snatching the phone from Kyle's hand.
"It's the deed to this place," Kyle said casually. "I bought it."
Ryder laughed bitterly. "Yeah, right. You bought the building? Sure, Kyle."
It was a fair reaction, Kyle thought. A few days ago, he wouldn't have believed it either.
Just then, Ryder's phone rang. He glanced at the screen, answered, and disappeared into the back to take the call. When he returned, his entire demeanor had changed. The smugness was gone.
"H-How?" Ryder stammered, his voice quieter now.
Kyle didn't care to explain. "Give me the keys and leave."
Ryder glared at him, seething. "You think this is over? You arrogant bastard! I need time to move my stock and—"
Kyle exhaled sharply, cutting him off. "Do I need to call the police? Check your account balance."
The mention of the police deflated Ryder instantly. He glanced at his phone, and his eyes widened. Kyle had transferred the money, buying out the goods in the store along with the property. Ryder had no choice. With a reluctant scowl, he tossed the keys to Kyle and began packing up his things.
Kyle watched him leave without another word. There was nothing left to say. Ryder had lost.
The silence that followed was thick. Nate, the part-timer, cleared his throat awkwardly.
"So, uh… I guess I just lost my job, huh?" Nate asked, looking defeated.
"Just go, Nate," Kyle replied.
Nate turned toward the door, but Kyle stopped him. "Hold up. If you want, take whatever you need from the store. Donate the rest to a shelter. I'll be in touch."
Nate turned back, blinking in disbelief. "Wait… are you giving me the store? Seriously?"
Kyle just stared at him, his patience already thin.
"Okay, okay, fair enough," Nate said with a sheepish grin. "Can't blame a guy for trying."
Kyle let it slide. He knew Nate was honest. Despite working in a place that practically begged people to steal, Nate never took a cent. That was rare.
As Kyle stood alone in the empty building, keys in hand, he knew one thing: this wasn't going to stay a store for long.
Buying the place had cost him $1,200,000. That included everything—the property, the goods, and the paperwork. Money talks, and when Kyle offered a price no one could refuse, everything was finalized quickly.
Now, the question was, what would he turn this place into? Whatever it was, it wouldn't be anything as mundane as what it used to be.