Chapter One
The mall was a sanctuary of opulence a gleaming cathedral of consumerism where everything had a price and every luxury gleamed under the bright lights. Zed, Lotus, and Khalil moved effortlessly through it, their designer bags swinging from their arms like badges of honor. The buzz of high-end boutiques, expensive watches, and polished floors was a constant hum around them.
It was a typical afternoon of shopping the three roam from store to store each admiring their own treasures. Zed, with his subtle elegance and sharp observant eyes picked out accessories that blend understated wealth with style. Khalil, always with a grin and a flirtatious word for the ladies, couldn't help but draw attention wherever he went. Lotus, tall and sharp, with his dark aura, was more reserved but the quiet power in his presence couldn't be denied.
As they passed by a high-end boutique,
something caught their attention. A small group of public school students, about their age, stood outside pressed against the glass window staring longingly at the luxury items on display. Their clothes were frayed and worn a stark contrast to the polished brand-new fashion the elite trio wore.
Zed's green eyes gleamed as he looked over at them. "Check them out" he muttered, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "Can't even afford a glance and they're practically drooling over the glass"
Lotus barely glanced in their direction but something in his gaze lingered. He couldn't help but feel a slight irritation though it wasn't directed at the students. His eyes flickered briefly to the way they watched their gazes hungry for a life that was far beyond their reach. The divide between the worlds was so clear and he found himself distantly curious... what did the public school students see when they looked at the life they would never have?
Khalil gave a laugh, his deep golden eyes twinkling. "Man, it's almost sad. They'll never have any idea what it's really like"
Lotus's jaw tightened ever so slightly but he kept his voice steady. "I wonder why they behave like that"
But Zed wasn't done yet. He leaned in closer to Khalil and Lotus, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "What if we gave them a taste of it? Show them just how different our world really is?"
Khalil's mischievous grin spread across his face. "You're thinking what I think you're thinking, aren't you?"
Zed nodded slowly, the wheels turning in his mind. "Let them see what they're missing. Maybe they'll stop thinking they can even come close to this life"
Lotus crossed his arms, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "You really want to show them?" he asked, his tone curious. "What's the point? Just let them keep dreaming"
Zed shrugged, his eyes narrowing with good to remind people of their place. It's not about teaching them anything it's about letting them see what they'll never have"
They continued to walk their attention shifting back to the stores as the teens outside faded from view. The thought of confronting them never left Lotus's mind but as the trio strolled further into the mall the idea didn't seem as appealing as it once had.
For now, they were content in their own bubble untouchable, unreachable. The public school students outside would never understand the world they lived in and maybe that was for the best. It was a harsh truth but a truth nonetheless.
There they were separated by nothing more than a sheet of glass two worlds so close yet so far apart. The teens outside stared at the luxury with quiet longing their faces pressed against the glass while the trio inside carried on without a care. For now, the glass kept their worlds apart but who's to say it would stay that way forever?