The morning sunlight streamed through the apartment's sparse curtains, casting soft rays onto the dining table where Ethan sat, staring at his phone. His bank account now showed $500 more than it had when he woke up, all thanks to the strange system in his head.
"Are you going to sit there all day, or do you have something to say?" Lila's voice cut through his thoughts.
Ethan glanced up, startled. She was leaning against the counter, her arms crossed, sipping coffee. Her expression was calm, but there was a sharpness in her gaze, as if she were dissecting his every move.
"Uh… just thinking," Ethan mumbled.
"About?"
Ethan hesitated. How could he explain the absurdity of a system rewarding him for making breakfast? She'd think he was crazy—or worse, leave him, and the system might disappear.
"About how weird this all is," he said finally. "We just met, and now we're married. Doesn't that feel… sudden?"
Lila shrugged, setting her mug down. "Life doesn't always wait for you to be ready. Sometimes you have to jump in and figure it out as you go."
Ethan frowned, her nonchalant attitude only deepening his confusion. "But why me? You don't even know me."
"I know enough," Lila replied cryptically. She walked over to the table and sat across from him, her gaze unwavering. "You're not as ordinary as you think, Ethan."
Her words sent a chill down his spine. Before he could ask what she meant, the system's voice echoed in his mind again:
"New task: Take your wife shopping. Reward: $1,000."
His stomach dropped. Shopping? He barely had enough money to cover his own bills, and now the system wanted him to spend more? But the reward was enticing. If he could pull this off, his financial struggles would ease—at least temporarily.
Lila raised an eyebrow as Ethan stiffened, the distant look in his eyes betraying that something was on his mind. "What's going on?" she asked.
"Nothing," he lied quickly, forcing a smile. "I was just thinking… maybe we should spend some time together today. Get to know each other."
Lila leaned back, studying him. "You mean like a date?"
"Uh… yeah, I guess," Ethan said, scratching the back of his neck. "We could, I don't know, go shopping or something?"
A smirk played on her lips. "Shopping? That's an interesting choice for a date."
"Well," Ethan said, grasping for a reason, "if we're going to be married, we should probably pick out a few things for… us. You know, make this feel more real."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if she could see through his thin excuse. But instead of questioning him, she nodded. "Fine. Let's go shopping."
An hour later, they found themselves at a bustling shopping district. The streets were lined with stores offering everything from designer clothes to quirky home goods. Ethan had never felt more out of place.
Lila, on the other hand, moved through the crowds with ease, her sharp gaze scanning the storefronts. She seemed to belong here, exuding a quiet confidence that turned heads as they walked.
"So," she said, glancing over at Ethan, "what exactly are we shopping for?"
Ethan fumbled for an answer, the system's task weighing on his mind. "Uh, whatever you want," he said, hoping that would satisfy her.
Lila raised an eyebrow, amused. "That's a dangerous thing to say to a woman."
Ethan laughed nervously, already regretting his words.
They entered a boutique filled with elegant dresses and accessories. Lila browsed casually, her fingers trailing over fabrics as she examined each piece. Ethan hovered nearby, feeling increasingly out of his depth.
As she tried on a sleek black dress, Ethan couldn't help but admire how effortlessly she carried herself. She stepped out of the dressing room and spun around. "What do you think?"
Ethan blinked, caught off guard. "Uh, it looks… great."
Lila smirked. "That's the most generic compliment I've ever heard."
He scratched his head, struggling to find the right words. "I mean, you look amazing. It suits you."
"Better," she said, turning back to the mirror.
By the time they left the boutique, Lila carrying a small bag with her new dress, Ethan was exhausted. They visited a few more stores, picking out items for both of them—though Ethan quickly realized Lila had a sharp eye for bargains, often rejecting overpriced items with a scoff.
The system's voice returned as they exited the final store:
"Task completed: Take your wife shopping. Reward: $1,000 has been deposited into your bank account."
Ethan's phone buzzed, confirming the deposit. His heart raced as he stared at the updated balance. This was real.
"Why do you look like you've just won the lottery?" Lila asked, her sharp eyes narrowing.
"Uh, no reason," Ethan said quickly, slipping his phone into his pocket. "Just… relieved we're done shopping."
Lila gave him a knowing look but didn't press further.
As they walked back to her apartment, Lila suddenly stopped, turning to face him. "You're hiding something."
Ethan froze. "What? No, I'm not."
"You've been acting strange all day," she said, her tone firm but not accusatory. "What's going on?"
Ethan hesitated, his mind racing. Could he tell her about the system? Would she even believe him?
"I…" he began, but the words caught in his throat.
Lila's expression softened, her voice lowering. "Ethan, if we're going to make this work, we need to trust each other. Whatever it is, just tell me."
Ethan swallowed hard, his pulse pounding in his ears. This was it—the moment of truth. But as he opened his mouth to speak, the system's voice interrupted:
"Warning: Disclosing the system to others is prohibited. Penalty: Loss of rewards and access."
His heart sank. "It's nothing," he said finally, forcing a weak smile. "I guess I'm just still adjusting to… everything."
Lila studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Fair enough. But don't expect me to let it slide forever."
As they continued walking, Ethan felt a pang of guilt. Secrets were already forming between them, and he wasn't sure how long he could keep the truth hidden.
But one thing was clear—his life was no longer his own.