Adrian trudged along the sidewalk. He spotted an empty bench, sat down with a sigh, and ran a hand through his messy hair.
"That guy's crazy. When Mom and Dad were still here, he was always causing trouble, and now he just takes over someone's house," Adrian fumed.
However, Adrian understood that despite his anger, he couldn't do anything. Not only had everything already happened, but he was also not yet old enough to handle such matters, even though he understood them from helping his parents when he was homebound.
While thinking, he opened his backpack and took out the brown envelope Kelvin had given him. He pulled out the white envelope inside and checked the account balance.
"I wonder if this money is enough to buy my house back," he muttered to himself.
He saw an ATM card with a note taped to the back containing its PIN. He put the brown envelope back and looked straight ahead. Across the street was a mini-market, and inside was an ATM from the same bank as his account. He picked up his bag and walked across the street. He tried inserting his ATM card and entering the PIN as written on the note.
After the options appeared, he withdrew some money for his necessities, then put the ATM card in his wallet. While waiting in line to pay at the cashier, he looked at his backpack, which he had placed in front of him, and opened it. He already knew about the apartment certificate in his name.
"I'll just try this apartment. At least now I'll have a place to live, and my daily needs will be met. But I think the amount in the account is enough, even more than enough until college, hopefully," he muttered hesitantly to himself.
After paying and leaving the mini-market, Adrian saw a phone credit vendor who also sold smartphones and accessories right next to the mini-market. Since he didn't have a smartphone, he approached the store and browsed the display. Interested, he ended up buying a smartphone complete with a number, then asked the seller to teach him how to use it.
The seller enthusiastically taught his customer, even installing all the common apps that most people use. He also taught Adrian how to use ride-hailing and online taxi apps. After finishing his lesson, Adrian went back to the mini-market to withdraw money and top up his e-wallet for the ride-hailing services. Once done, he just waited for the online taxi to arrive.
"Uncle Jimmy's memory is amazing. I learned it instantly, no time wasted, hehe," Adrian thought to himself while waiting for the online taxi to pick him up.
When the taxi arrived, Adrian immediately got into the car, and the car sped off to the pre-ordered destination. While driving, Adrian caught a glimpse of a floating screen above the driver's head from behind.
[Thank God, just started driving and already got a long ride. A good start. I'm sure today will be great. I have to earn a lot to buy medicine for my little one. Please help me, God, thank you.]
Adrian smiled as he read it. Silently, he reached for his wallet and took out several red banknotes with the smiling images of the first president and vice president. When they arrived, Adrian asked to be dropped off at the mall because his apartment complex was integrated with it. Once they reached the mall lobby,
"We're here, sir. Be careful not to leave anything behind," the driver said.
"Yes, sir. Oh, and here, sir."
Adrian handed five banknotes to the driver, who looked confused by the money Adrian offered.
"But it's already paid by e-wallet, sir, no need, sir. Besides, why so much, sir?" the driver asked, surprised.
"It's okay, sir, just take it. For your child's medicine, hehe," Adrian said.
The driver looked utterly shocked, his mouth agape. He looked back at the money Adrian had offered him. His hand went up and took the money.
"Is this... real, sir?" the driver asked again.
"Yes, it's real. Now, go home and buy the medicine first, then stay with your child at home," Adrian replied.
The driver's eyes began to well up. He wiped away the tears with his arm and nodded without answering. Adrian got out of the car and walked into the mall. He turned to see the driver performing a ritual of bowing his head back and forth inside his car, clutching the money and weeping. Adrian smiled and stepped into the mall.
******
As soon as he entered, Adrian was astonished to see many screens above people's heads, even those just passing by. He tried to read some of the texts and then observed the people: there was a young man walking with his friends but thinking about a girl; there was also an employee who seemed rushed and cursing in his mind; and there was a woman walking and thinking about what to cook tonight.
Adrian walked on, ignoring them at first, but his purpose changed slightly. Initially, he wanted to unwind after meeting his uncle by walking around and Browse the mall. Now, he was engrossed in reading the varied thoughts of others. After his steps led him to the food court, he saw even more people's thoughts there.
He saw a young woman enthusiastically offering her products, but her thoughts revealed she wanted to trick her potential customers. There was also a couple who appeared to be dating, holding hands across the table, but both were thinking of other people.
"Huh, I hate people like that the most, hypocrites. Their thoughts and words are different," Adrian muttered to himself.
Finally, he ordered food and sat down. While eating, he looked at his new smartphone and began searching online for ways to sue his uncle, as his annoyance and anger resurfaced from seeing the thoughts of people in the food court. Adrian continued reading while eating.
"Hmm, I need a lawyer. It's expensive, and the process is long. It's tough, but honestly, I absolutely won't allow that person to enjoy themselves over the deaths of Mom, Dad, and Lia. I truly hate that person," Adrian muttered.
As he was engrossed in his search, a beautiful girl suddenly approached him. Adrian turned to look at the pretty girl, who seemed older than him, and she immediately greeted him.
"Hello, sir, excuse me, is this seat taken?" the girl asked.
"Oh, no, ma'am, go ahead and take it," Adrian replied.
But the girl sat down in front of him. Adrian, confused, immediately looked at the screen above her head.
[Handsome and alone, and seems rich too. I'll approach him, maybe we can... hehe.]
"Screech," Adrian immediately stood up, and the girl sitting in front of him looked confused. Then Adrian smiled at the girl.
"Excuse me, ma'am, I'm leaving now. I have something to do. See you later," Adrian said with a smile.
"Uh... what's your name, sir?" the girl asked.
"Adrian. I have to go now, bye," Adrian replied.
Without further delay, Adrian immediately walked away, leaving the girl looking disgruntled.