As they stepped out of the company, Rian turned to his father with an eager smile. "Dad, we need to go somewhere quick."
Father Johan, caught off guard, raised an eyebrow. "Wait a minute, where do we have to go?"
Rian, with a playful yet impatient look, replied, "We need to go to Downtown. I want to give Mom a surprise."
Still curious, Father Johan chuckled and asked, "Alright, alright, we can go. But what's the surprise you're planning? Don't I get to know too?"
Rian smiled as he pulled out his phone to book a taxi. After a few minutes of waiting, the taxi arrived, but Father Johan hesitated and said, "Why take a taxi? We can just walk for an hour and get there. We'll save some money."
Rian gave his father a look, a mix of understanding and disbelief. "Dad, we're not that poor anymore. You're still thinking we need to walk an hour just to save 40-50 dollars?"
His words brought Johan back to reality. He paused, realizing that Rian had not only earned enough money but was also the reason Johan could afford to resign from his job. With a sheepish smile, Johan nodded, the weight of years of financial struggle still lingering, but now fading. "You're right. I guess old habits die hard."
Rian smiled warmly and gestured toward the waiting taxi. "Come on, Dad. Let's enjoy this."
As they settled into the taxi, the driver casually asked, "Where to?"
Rian responded confidently, "Universe Building Branch in downtown."
Father Johan, hearing this, turned to his son with wide eyes. "Wait, wait, wait," he stammered, his disbelief clear. "You want to go to Universe Building Branch in downtown?" He paused for a moment, then, still trying to process it, asked, "Why?"
Rian smiled warmly at his father and said, "Well, Dad, it's part of the surprise we're giving to Mom."
Father Johan, sensing his son's determination, quieted down and looked out the window, lost in thought. Silence filled the cab as the driver nodded to Rian and began the drive downtown.
After a few minutes, Father Johan broke the silence with a mixed expression of pride and worry. "You want to buy a house or rent?"
His words caught Rian off guard. Taken aback for a moment, Rian looked at his father, then with a look of determination in his eyes, he replied, "Dad, I want to give Mom everything this world has to offer. But right now, the most important thing is giving her a better place to live a healthy one, where she can stay well and live long."
Father Johan gazed at his son, processing the words, a quiet emotion swelling in his chest. "You've really grown, Rian," he said softly.
Neither Rian nor Father Johan spoke during the rest of the taxi ride, both lost in their own thoughts. As they reached downtown in about ten minutes, they stepped out of the taxi. Rian paid the driver while his father stood gazing at the tall, sleek buildings around them. Father Johan's expression softened, tinged with a hint of longing as he muttered, "So this is where normal people live, huh? At least they don't have to worry if their next meal will be a healthy one or not... They can live comfortably."
Rian heard his father's quiet words and smiled. "Dad," he said, looking over at him, "Let's go to Dragon Mall first."
As they walked through the town square toward Dragon Mall, Rian and Father Johan were awestruck by the variety of towering buildings. Some stretched up 30 floors, others were wide and sprawling, each more impressive than the last. After a few minutes, they reached the most famous mall in the world: Dragon Mall. Known globally for its massive size and luxurious design, it had branches in nearly every major city. Standing in front of it, Rian and his father stared, dumbfounded. The building seemed futuristic, with sleek lines and glass panels that shimmered, standing out even in a less tech-driven downtown.
Father Johan hesitated, glancing down at his plain white shirt, black pants, and well-worn boots-boots he had bought two years ago when his old ones had finally given out. He shifted uncomfortably, feeling out of place in such a grand setting.
Sensing his hesitation, Rian smiled and reassured him, "Dad, don't worry, I'm here."
Johan returned the smile, his tone playful yet tinged with emotion. "Look at you now, thinking I need a little boost or something? You think I'm afraid to walk in?"
Rian just smiled and said nothing, walking alongside Father Johan as they stepped into the mall. The moment they entered, they were greeted by a rush of cool air from the AC, offering a stark contrast to the warm air outside. Both were immediately awestruck by the interior. The mall's design was sleek and modern, with glass-like structures reflecting light in all directions, making the entire space feel both vast and elegant.
As they walked further in, they saw a wide variety of people some walking solo, others in couples, and many families exploring the shops together. The mall was bustling with life, but what caught their attention most was the steady hum of conversation around them. They could hear people everywhere discussing the game Everlasting, excitedly sharing stories or speculating about future updates. To their surprise, several shops prominently displayed and sold gaming pods, catering to the growing popularity of the game.
It was a surreal experience for them, especially for Father Johan, who had never been in such an environment. The mall felt like a completely different world.
Rian glanced over at the mall directory, his eyes scanning the list of stores. Once he located the section he was searching for, he turned to his father with a grin and said, "Alright, Dad, let's get moving. We don't have a lot of time, and I need to get back to the game later, but first, I want to show you something." His words were quick and excited, but there was an underlying sense of purpose in them.
Father Johan raised an eyebrow, still unsure of what Rian was planning but sensing the urgency in his son's tone. Without further explanation, Rian strode toward the lift, leaving his father to follow. Johan trailed behind, a little bewildered but trusting that his son had something special in mind. As they stepped into the glass-panelled lift, Rian pressed the button for the third floor, his excitement building.
The lift moved swiftly, and soon they arrived at the third floor, where Rian wasted no time heading toward a particular store. His pace was quick as if he knew exactly where he was going. Father Johan, still confused but curious, followed closely behind. They stopped in front of a large, stylish storefront "Thread & Stitch", a renowned clothing boutique that catered to a wide range of tastes. The store was famous for its impeccable selection, offering everything from high-end suits and business attire to trendy casual wear and even luxurious designer outfits.
The entrance itself was sleek, with mannequins dressed in the latest fashion displayed behind sparkling glass windows. Rian turned to his father with a smile. "This is where we're going to find you something better, Dad. You deserve to wear something new, something that reflects everything you've done for us." His tone was soft but determined.
Father Johan smiled warmly, reaching over to pat Rian's head. "Forget about me," he said with a chuckle. "You should be the one getting new clothes, not me. I don't need them, but you do. Especially since we're going somewhere next week." He paused, his smile growing wider. "But now that you're being so generous, I'll gladly spend your money."
Rian laughed at his father's lightheartedness, the tension from earlier completely fading away. "Don't worry, Dad, we can both get something. It's about time we enjoy things without thinking too much about the cost."
After stepping into the store, they were immediately greeted by a blast of cool air from the AC. The ambiance felt refreshing, with the neatly arranged clothes and polished floors reflecting the overhead lights. Around them, the store's staff moved gracefully, each attending to different customers. One staff member was busy taking measurements for a man, carefully adjusting his jacket. Another was assisting a family, offering suggestions and holding up outfits.
The entire space buzzed with activity, yet it maintained a calm, organized feel. Rian and Father Johan exchanged a glance, both a little out of their element but excited at the same time. One of the store associates noticed them and approached with a welcoming smile. "Good morning, sirs! How may I assist you today?"
Rian, feeling slightly out of place in the upscale store, spoke with a bit of hesitation, "We both need some formal clothes for special occasions... and maybe a few for daily use too."
The store associate smiled warmly, immediately picking up on Rian's unease. "Of course, sir! You've come to the right place. We have a wonderful selection of both formal and casual wear. Would you prefer to start with your father's outfits, or should we find something for you first?" she asked, her tone friendly and reassuring.
Father Johan chuckled, giving Rian a playful nudge. "Start with him. He's the one who needs to look sharp. I'll just follow along and make sure he doesn't overdo it," he said, trying to ease his son's nerves. Rian smiled back, his confidence slowly returning as they followed the associate deeper into the store.
As Rian and his father followed the associate, he couldn't help but notice the hushed whispers of the other staff. They threw glances at the pair, murmuring things like, "Can they even afford clothes here?" and "How did they walk in without money? Don't they have any shame?"
Rian's face darkened with a mix of anger and irritation. He stopped in his tracks and turned to the associate. "Is this the level of treatment we get here? If this is how your store treats customers, then we won't be purchasing anything," he said firmly, his voice low but carrying the weight of his frustration.
The female associate's eyes widened in fear, sensing the gravity of the situation. She quickly glared at the other staff members who had been whispering, clearly displeased with their behavior. With a deep bow, she turned back to Rian and said, "I deeply apologize for the rudeness of our staff. To make up for their unprofessional behavior, we will apply a discount to your purchase today. Please allow us the chance to correct this mistake."
Father Johan, noticing the tension, rested a hand on Rian's arm. "Son, it's alright. We can leave if it bothers you." But Rian, still upset, took a breath, considering the associate's apology. He wasn't the type to back down easily, but the sincere tone in her voice made him pause.