Cassidy's mouth dropped open when they arrived at the Villa, appreciating the breathtaking new structure before them. She's seen the Villa before, but never inside. She had an overwhelming sensation that the day had finally arrived for her to step foot inside the luxurious place.
Jared pushed the door wide open and stepped inside before facing Cassidy who was standing rooted on her spot in the front door. "Come in" he said with his hand gesturing Cassidy to come inside.
She couldn't help but swallowing her saliva before entering the house. She could clearly sense the opulence as her gaze moved from one object to another. Everything inside the house is extremely valuable.
While Cassidy looked around the living room, Jared placed the supplies on the kitchen counter before approaching her. As she noticed Jared nearing, she drew a deep breath and cleared her throat.
"So? Can we start?"
Although Cassidy had never been inside the property, she had been able to effortlessly present all of the facilities thanks to the details provided by the Head of Real Estate as well as its layout of the mini-model. She was sure to memorise everything and not humiliate herself in front of the owner.
"This is the best Villa we have in Crystal Community because of its excellent location, stunning overlooking view, and ample natural light. It additionally features an exceptional design with furnishings of excellent quality and unique architectural elements. The security measures are one of the best with everything from CCTV to a built-in alarm.
While Cassidy introduces the house, Jared keeps on nodding and listens to her. He could see Cassidy was a professional and competent at her job. She communicated professionally and calmly.
"The house also includes cosy features such as a swimming pool and well-designed landscaping. With a spacious living room, fully equipped furnishings dining area, 1 spacious master bedroom and 7 other bedrooms. It additionally features entertainment like a mini cinema, game room, spa, gym, infinity pool, jacuzzi, library, wine cellar"
While Cassidy spoke, Jared continued to walk slowly. His eyes sparkle while he analyses everything around him.
He couldn't help but smile, satisfied. The house does have a lot of features to mention, many of which are luxurious. Everything in the house is excessively pricey.
"The underground garage could fit at least 20 vehicles. The rooftop also has a helipad" He came to a halt and frowned at Cassidy. "Helipad? Really?"
"Yes, Mr. Hale, Starry Moon Lake is the only property with a helipad in the Crystal community, plus its facilities are considerably more lavish and outstanding than those of the other houses in the neighbourhood.
The idea of having a helicopter made Jared more excited. He assumed that because there was a helipad on the roof, the luxury house was still somewhat empty. The rush of enthusiasm began to overwhelm him.
Helicopter.
He desired something that could be placed on the roof. Something that a car would be incapable to accomplish.
Cars.
He intended to fill the empty garage with a variety of cars. He wanted to see the exquisite luxury vehicles lined up one after another.
Determination overtook him, and he imagined the chain of positive events he hoped to witness in the near future. It wouldn't be for long, because the system was there to assist him, providing the luxury that everyone desires.
Jared's heart began to race with excitement and fulfilment as he realised that his plan will soon be accomplished.
"Smart home devices can be either programmed to follow specific schedules or commands or they can be set to respond to voice commands through home assistants. We just need to imprint your voice and fingerprints and it's all settled"
Jared nodded with a short response. "Okay"
After getting the fingerprint, the smart system immediately responds, ["welcome home, Master Jared. Please give me a name"]
Jared thoughts keeps flooding. Naming is not really his thing. He likes to keep things as it is, but now he wanted to think something for the first time.
"Luna. Your name is Luna"
[Ting!]
["Wonderful name. Luna was derived from the goddess of the moon written in ancient history. I am Luna, the smart system assistant. Thank you, Master Jared"] the woman voice responded which made Jared nodded in positive response.
"Amazing"
Cassidy smiled. Seeing her client smile with clear satisfaction brought her a feeling of accomplishment in her work.
"If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I will do anything to fulfill the requirements needed for the answer" Cassidy spoke.
"Yes. Actually there is something" Jared stated, then he turns around and faced Cassidy. "Can you stay? I don't have anyone to eat with and it's lonely. I was just wondering if you could stay for lunch"
Cassidy, who was prepared to answer Jared's questions about the house, was instantly stunned. She hadn't expected Jared to raise an unusual request. It never crossed her mind the possibility of something like this would happen.
She regained her composure but stammered, "l-lunch?". She was used to men asking her out to eat or date, but she felt nothing. She assumed that all men wanted to take her out and fulfil her simply because she was attractive. She assumed that all men who wanted to date her were merely interested in her body. She's seen them all, and the thoughts men had for her are clear in their eyes. But Jared was different. She could not find any malicious intent from him. Cassidy did not perceive anything improper in his actions or words.
With the thoughts of Jared being different, her cheeks immediately show a warm painted blush.
Watching Cassidy who was rooted in her spot, Jared was completely aware what his words meant for women like Cassidy.
"Uh. Please don't think about anything, it just feels lonely to eat alone. I swear i don't have any indecent thoughts. I swear to all the gods that ever existed" he swiftly rephrases, not wanting for Cassidy to think he has impure thoughts towards her.
After he immediately confirmed himself, Cassidy felt as if cold water had been poured on her. She felt relief at the same time, disappointment. She knew Jared wasn't like the other guys, but she felt uneasy by his sudden change of words.
She took a deep breath and smile at Jared. "No worries, Mr. Hale. If it's not an inconvenience, i would gladly take your offer"
"Okay. But please call me Jared when there's not people around. It's just us here"
she pondered whether Jared felt uncomfortable with the word 'Mr.' She intended to disagree since Jared is a distinguished client, but decided not to, and immediately answer, "Sure, Jared" .
[Ding!
Congratulations host, for completing the Mission: invite the Goddess for lunch.
Retrieving reward/rewards...]
[Ding?
Congratulations host. You have obtained foreign cooking master and foreign cuisine cookbook.
It was placed on the kitchen counter.
You can master anything that was written in the cookbook like an expert and hold a knife like a master.]
[Host Profile...
Host: Jared Hale
Age: 31
Global Bank Credits: 1,405,432
Occupation: none
Properties/Items: Starry Moon Lake Villa, Pen, cookbook.]
With the system notification, Jared's lips curved up from both sides.
After the introduction of the house and the warm atmosphere between the two, they headed straight to the kitchen. While Jared was preparing the ingredients, Cassidy was in the dining table, looking at him.
Jared opens the cookbook. Like magic, the method of cooking the dishes appears in his thoughts. He instantly grasped everything in the text, like an expert. Jared was astounded by what the system could accomplish.
His hands moved quickly from one point to another. It was as if his body had its own mind; everything was precise and flawless.
Cassidy was mesmerized by the sight of Jared. From prepping the ingredients to chopping and cooking. He expertly used a knife to cut meat and veggies. He prepares with the confidence of a professional chef in a well-known restaurant. His demeanour is astonishing.
The smell of dishes emanates from the kitchen and penetrates her nostrils. The splendid meal was swiftly set right in front of her, making her salivate.
"Enjoy"
Jared tried a bite of his own cuisine. When the meal reaches his mouth, the flavour bursts. He knows how to cook because he has lived alone for years after the death of his only adoptive family, but never to this level. This level is comparable to a professional chef.
The flavours dance on his tongue as he savours every bite of the food. The meals' savoury flavour is not enough for a single bite. Jared and Cassidy experience the same satisfying pleasure with each bite.
While the two were savouring the meals, they didn't realize how rapidly the food disappeared because they were both engrossed in a delicious and satisfied lunch.
The whole lunch filled with nothing but fulfillment and silence.
After the meal ended, Jared accompany Cassidy out.
"Thank you so much for the wonderful meal" Cassidy stated will sincerity and fulfillment. She never thought that she would enjoy the meal.
Both of them are entranced by the moment.
"No worries. Thank you for coming"
After waving farewell, Cassidy drove away, and Jared went inside the house. He sat on a couch next to the pool, full from the lunch he had prepared. He is drowsy from eating too much, yet the smile on his face remains.
Just as he was indulging himself from the new ability he obtained, the system immediately rang.
[Ding!
Mission 1: Donate every bit of your money to Charity.
Reward/Rewards: 100x rebates.
Mission Failure: none.]
Jared smiled upon hearing the system reward. He is very much welcome to spend every bit of his money since the system reward is very generous.
He reclined back on his seat when the system rang again.
[Ding!
Mission 2: fill the gap. Spend money to level up. With every 1,000,000 spend is equivalent to 1 point.
Level up: (0/100)
Reward/Rewards: Property.
Mission Failure: everything in the host's possession will be taken away.
Mission Limit: One Month.
Note: the money rewarded by the system is not accountable to spend for level up. Money must be accumulated from the host's business and/or other property.]
He wanted to celebrate the reward for the first mission, but the joyful smile immediately vanished from his lips upon hearing the second mission given by the system and it's outrageous penalty.
"What? Are you kidding me?!" He was speechless at what he had heard. He could spend his money to level up, but the most absurd part was that the reward money was not suitable for use.
"A bully. The system is bullying me," he exclaimed in disbelief. He had no commercial properties or even a job, therefore where would he get the money? 1,000,000 is only equivalent to one point. 1,000,000 is not a small amount. He could easily fill up the (0/100), but without the system money, where could he possibly fork it out.
Jared was astonished while lost in thoughts. He clearly thought the system was bullying him, boosting him to the top by providing him with 100x rebates, but the second objective was tackling him down, like a shackle preventing him from soaring, and the only way out was to stand on his own feet.
[Ding!
Fighting!]
His eyes widen as he hears the AI voice cheering for him. He massaged his forehead, laid down on the couch, and muttered in a soulless tone...
"What a mean system"