The sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting golden rays across Alex's room. He blinked awake, feeling a rush of exhilaration flood his system.
Today was the day.
The day he would claim his lottery winnings, a moment he had daydreamed about countless times during the mundane hours of his life. The anticipation prickled at the edges of his mind, electrifying and terrifying all at once.
He jumped out of bed, a grin spreading across his face. The alien, still nestled comfortably in his headphone form, had become a constant companion.
"You're looking spry today, huh?" the alien quipped, its voice dripping with sarcasm.
"You finally gonna use that big brain of yours for something more than staring at spreadsheets?"
"Shut up," Alex muttered, suppressing a chuckle. He felt lighthearted despite the nagging anxiety clawing at him. After a quick shower, he dressed in his "new" signature style: a fitted suit jacket over a bold statement shirt, paired with jeans. As he slipped on his shoes, the alien's voice buzzed through his headphones.
"Alright, let's make some money, you lucky bastard! Just don't screw it up."
"Easy for you to say. You're not the one walking into a lottery office," Alex shot back, feeling the nerves start to churn in his stomach.
As he made his way to the lottery office, he could hardly believe how quickly his life had changed. He had stumbled upon the winning combination—11-19-24-33-51—thanks to a floating browser window from Zarafi. That little piece of digital fortune had set him on this wild ride, and today, he was finally going to cash in.
When he arrived at the lottery office, Alex was met with a throng of people, all buzzing with excitement and hope. Some were already holding their tickets, clutching them like golden tickets to an escape.
The office had an air of carnival energy, with winners eagerly discussing their plans for the money. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy. Would they be claiming a fortune or merely a fraction of one?
"Look at all these wannabe millionaires," the alien remarked from his headphone form, his tone both mocking and amused. "You're the real deal, my friend. Time to show them how it's done."
Taking a deep breath, Alex stepped inside, feeling a wave of heat wash over him. He approached the counter, where a lottery official greeted him with a professional smile.
"Good morning! How can I assist you today?" she asked, her eyes bright and welcoming.
"I'm here to claim my winnings," Alex replied, his voice steadier than he felt.
The official's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of interest crossing her face. "Wonderful! Please provide me with your ticket."
He fished the ticket out of his pocket, his heart racing as he handed it over. The official took it and began to enter the details into her computer. "Can you please verify your identity?"
"Sure," Alex said, presenting his ID. The minutes dragged on as he watched her type, his palms beginning to sweat.
Suddenly, the official looked up, her expression turning serious. "I just need to check something. There's been a… significant number of winners in this draw."
The words hit Alex like a punch to the gut. He opened his mouth, trying to form a response. "How many?"
She glanced at him with a hint of sympathy. "There are 433 winners."
"What?" The word burst out of him, disbelief coloring his tone. "Four hundred thirty-three? Are you serious?"
"What's the prize after that?" Alex asked, his heart sinking further.
"After taxes, each winner will receive about $1.18 million," the official explained, her tone empathetic yet professional.
Alex stared at her, trying to process the information. $1.18 million. It sounded astronomical, but the reality of 433 winners dulled the excitement. "So… I'm not going to be a millionaire, am I?"
"Technically, you are a millionaire, but it's more like you're a million dollars poorer than you thought," the alien interjected, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"But hey, at least you still have that charming sense of humor to get you through life!"
As the official finalized the paperwork, Alex felt a swirl of emotions—disappointment, anger, and a strange sense of irony. This amount was hauntingly familiar. He realized with a jolt that it was the exact balance he had in his savings account before the time travel mishap.
The alien erupted with laughter from the headphones. "Oh, this is rich! You just won your entire future fortune back! What a way to time travel! Can't even keep your winnings to yourself, can you?"
"Isn't that just the cherry on top?" the alien said.
"You went back in time, and here you are, back to square one. Who knew time travel was a scam?"
"Shut up," Alex muttered under his breath, feeling his mood sour further.
The official finished processing everything, handed him the official documentation, and smiled brightly. "Congratulations! You are officially a millionaire!"
The words felt hollow as Alex accepted the papers. He wanted to celebrate, but the weight of reality pressed down on him like a heavy fog. He could pay off debts, maybe get a new apartment, but it wasn't the life-altering sum he had envisioned.
As he walked out of the lottery office, the alien was unrelenting. "What a ride, huh? You probably had all these fantasies about buying a yacht and a mansion, and now you're just a dude with a decent chunk of change. How's it feel to have all your dreams crushed by a lottery ticket? And to think you got this money thanks to your past self! What a twist!"
"Thanks for the pep talk," Alex replied dryly. He couldn't shake the feeling of disappointment gnawing at him. "What am I supposed to do with this?"
"Invest it! Spend it! Blow it all on overpriced coffee and pretentious avocado toast! Your call!" the alien exclaimed, still reveling in the absurdity of the situation.
Alex's mind raced as he stepped out into the bustling street, the bright sun illuminating the path ahead. Maybe this wasn't the end; maybe it was just another beginning. The world still felt vast, and opportunities still existed, even if they weren't what he had imagined.
He glanced down at the paperwork in his hand, the weight of it grounding him in reality. He was still Alex Han, a man who had stumbled upon a chance at something better, even if it wasn't the grand prize he had envisioned.
As he walked, he couldn't help but smile. The world was still spinning, life still unfolding. Maybe he could use this money to make a difference, to do something that mattered. And with the alien by his side—still snarking and cursing—the journey ahead was bound to be anything but dull.
"Alright, let's see what kind of trouble we can stir up with a million bucks," the alien said, his tone suddenly serious. "You might not be rich beyond your wildest dreams, but you're still in the game. Just don't screw it up, okay?"
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Alex replied, chuckling despite himself. "I guess it's time to get creative."
As he stepped onto the sidewalk, the future suddenly felt wide open. And in that moment, he realized that while the money was a welcome change, it was the journey of self-discovery that would ultimately define him.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Alex set off down the street, ready to embrace whatever came next.