Chapter 19: A Web of Secrets
Andrean couldn't shake the conversation he had with Athena. Her words had stuck with him more than he cared to admit. She had a way of making him see things from a different perspective, and now, it felt like the walls around him were closing in.
In the days that followed, the weight of his secret began to feel heavier. Despite Athena's reassurance, Andrean couldn't help but feel that his situation was spiraling out of control. Everywhere he went, there were whispers. People were starting to notice his sudden success, his ability to do things that others couldn't. The small gifts, the random acts of kindness—they were all beginning to pile up in ways that couldn't be easily explained away.
It wasn't just Athena who had caught on. Mara had started to make subtle remarks, poking fun at how "lucky" Andrean had gotten. It was clear she was trying to figure out what was going on, but Andrean wasn't ready to share his secret with her—especially not with the way she had been pressuring him lately.
Meanwhile, Richard had grown more distant. It wasn't that he had stopped being Andrean's friend, but there was a tension between them that wasn't there before. Andrean couldn't help but wonder if Richard was starting to put the pieces together.
One evening, as Andrean was finishing his homework, his phone buzzed with another message from Richard. This time, it was direct: "We need to talk. Now."
Andrean's heart sank. He had a feeling that Richard was getting closer to the truth, and he wasn't sure how to handle it. He quickly replied, agreeing to meet up at their usual spot—the park near their school.
When Andrean arrived, Richard was already sitting on one of the benches, looking unusually serious. He didn't greet Andrean with his usual laid-back attitude. Instead, his eyes were focused, searching, almost like he was analyzing Andrean for answers.
"Hey, man," Andrean said, trying to keep the conversation casual. "What's going on?"
Richard looked at him, his brow furrowed. "I've been thinking a lot lately. About you. About everything that's been happening."
Andrean gulped, his nerves on edge. "What do you mean?"
"I mean..." Richard hesitated, clearly choosing his words carefully. "I've been noticing a lot of things that don't add up. You've been different, Andrean. People have been talking. It's not just Mara or Athena—I'm hearing things from everyone. You've been acting like you've got some kind of secret."
Andrean's stomach dropped. He was cornered. Richard was too smart for his own good, and the way he was looking at Andrean now made it clear that he wasn't buying the usual excuses anymore.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Andrean said, trying to play it cool. But even to his own ears, the lie sounded weak.
Richard didn't back down. "Don't lie to me, Andrean. I know something's up. It's like you're living in a different world, like you're playing a game with different rules. And I can't figure it out."
There was a long silence between them, the weight of the unspoken words hanging in the air. Andrean could feel the tension building, and it was clear that Richard wasn't going to let it go.
"I don't want to keep lying to you, Richard," Andrean said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I can't tell you everything. It's... complicated."
Richard sat back, taking in what Andrean had said. He didn't look angry or frustrated, just confused. "You know, you don't have to keep all this to yourself, right? Whatever it is, I'm your friend. I won't judge you."
But that was the problem. Andrean wasn't sure how Richard would react if he knew the truth. He wasn't sure how anyone would. He had always kept his personal life separate for a reason—because once people knew, there was no going back.
"I can't, Richard. Not yet," Andrean said, his voice steady. "I'm sorry. But please, just trust me."
Richard stared at him for a moment longer before nodding. "Alright. I trust you. But just know, you don't have to go through this alone."
Andrean felt a rush of relief, but it was bittersweet. The truth was still a heavy burden to carry, and the more he kept it hidden, the more it felt like it was starting to slip out of his control.
Later that night, as Andrean sat in his room, he reflected on how his life had changed so drastically. The success that he had achieved over the past few months wasn't just due to luck—it came from a series of smart investments he had made, taking small risks that turned into big rewards. He had studied the stock market, researched companies, and made strategic moves that had turned his modest savings into a fortune.
The more he thought about it, the more Andrean convinced himself that this story—of smart investments, calculated risks, and doing his research—was the only explanation that made sense. He had become financially successful by doing what any savvy investor would do: making the right moves at the right time.
And so, it was the story he would stick with, at least for now. The cashback system had brought him this far, but he couldn't afford to let anyone in on his secret. As long as he kept up the lie, it would all stay under control. At least, that's what he hoped.
The ripple effect of his success had begun. Soon, people would start asking questions, and when that happened, Andrean wasn't sure if he'd be able to keep the secret much longer.