Suddenly, I Am Rich

”What does that mean?”

Gray rubbed the back of his neck and leaned back into his swivel chair. His eyes wandered to the ceiling, then to the faint reflection of himself on the window.

Selina and Lily had left earlier in the afternoon.

Selina had offered to bring Lily along after her class so they could hang out while Gray was away. It was harmless at the time. He found it nice, even, since Lily liked her so much.

Now, though... it kind of felt like he’d walked into another trap.

Now it was a dinner trap.

He scoffed under his breath.

”Meet the grandfather again,” he muttered. ”Of course.”

Still, Gray didn’t want to overthink it.

Even though Conrad could be scheming again, he was a nice man. He also seemed harmless, so Gray was just fine with it.

”This is just another dinner, right?”

Gray feared the topic of the dinner more than the dinner itself.

”Oh well...” he exhaled.

”I just hope that man doesn’t bring up relationship or marriage again.”

- - -

Later that evening, Gray arrived on time at the restaurant.

He stood outside for a moment, looking up at the sleek black-and-gold signage carved above the arched entrance of the place. The building was in between high-rise towers in the West Arcadia district.

Cuisine de Ciel.

A Michelin-starred restaurant that was nearly impossible to get into.

Reservations had to be made months or even a year in advance. The dress code was strict. And the price of a single dish could easily cost a month’s salary for the average worker in the country.

They pride themselves on their exclusivity.

And yet... somehow, they had a table.

’That man really rich’, Gray thought as the valet opened the door for him.

He bid goodbye to Daniel before he stepped into the lobby.

Gray was instantly greeted by the scent of citrus oils and white roses. The floors gleamed with polished marble. The lighting was soft but dramatic, casting a warm golden hue across the minimalist decor.

Abstract paintings that were worth hundreds of thousands hung on the walls.

Every corner of the place screams luxury.

In an instant, a young hostess in a formal black dress gave him a bow.

”Good evening, Sir. Table for Mr. Everett?”

Gray frowned, unsure of how the woman knew him. Still, even if it felt a little strange, he nodded and offered a polite smile.

”Yes. I believe they’re already inside.”

”Yes, Sir. Please follow me.”

She turned gracefully, leading him past the main dining area. Even with just a glance, Gray could see the restaurant was full. And yet, despite that, he could feel how exclusive the place was.

There was minimal noise, just the gentle clink of silverware and the quiet hum of jazz drifting from invisible speakers.

They walked toward a private hallway hidden behind a paneled glass door. At the end of it, a single table sat in a low-lit room, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling curtains and fresh orchids arranged at the corners.

It looked like a private dining room hidden in the restaurant.

Selina was already seated, dressed casually but with effortless elegance. Lily sat beside her, sipping something orange from a glass that looked far too fancy for a plain orange juice.

Across from them sat Conrad Everett, who looked calm and perfectly relaxed. His cane was resting by the table, and a glass of red wine was in his hand instead. The same man from the last time sat beside him.

’That guy must be his assistant or something...’ Gray thought.

Before he could step in fully, he stopped just before the entrance

’This doesn’t feel like just dinner.’ That thought quickly passed through his mind.

Before he could take another step, his sister spotted him first.

”Brother!” she called out brightly, waving her small hand in the air. Her smile widened as she stood up slightly from her seat.

Selina turned around a second later, her lips curving into a relaxed smile as her eyes met his.

Gray blinked once, then sighed softly.

’Well, there’s no turning back now.’

With a straightened back and the calmest expression he could manage to put on, Gray stepped forward and entered the private dining room. His footsteps were quiet against the carpet, but his heart somehow started beating fast.

”Good evening,” he greeted the two before turning to Conrad. ”Good evening, Sir.”

”Brother!”

Before another word came up, Lily ran up quickly and clung to his arm before he even reached the table. ”This place is so fancy. They gave me a menu that lights up!”

She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling in amusement.

Gray glanced down at her. He smiled, his eyes softening slightly.

”Is that so, Lily? You look like you’re having fun.”

”I am! Sister Selina even got me a strawberry tart earlier!” she said excitedly. ”Also, the chair has cushions!”

Gray chuckled quietly under his breath.

”Well, that’s good.”

After a few seconds, Selina stood up from her seat too and gave him a sweet smile.

”Thanks for coming.”

”Did I have a choice?” he jokingly murmured under his breath.

She smirked. ”You always have a choice.”

Before he could respond, a warm voice disrupted them from the table.

”I see you made it, Mr. Adams.”

It was Conrad, smiling gently. His eyes gleamed beneath his silver brows. He raised his wine glass slightly as if offering a toast just for his arrival.

Gray exhaled and walked over to the table with Lily still latched onto his side. He gave a small bow of his head toward the older man.

”Thank you for inviting me and my sister here, Sir.”

”Please, just Conrad will do,” the old man replied smoothly, gesturing to the seat across from him.

”No need for formality, Gray. We’re just having dinner, after all. It’s not like it’s our first time meeting.” Conrad lightly chuckled. He seemed to be pleased by Gray’s arrival.

Gray glanced at the empty chair beside Conrad, then back at Selina. She only smiled and sat back down beside Lily, who had now returned to her seat, kicking her legs under the table.

’Is that my seat?’

”...”

Without a choice, he sat down slowly.

The second his back hit the cushioned seat, a waiter appeared out of nowhere, silently placing a fresh napkin on his lap and a tall glass of water by his plate.

”This is quite a place.” Gray cleared his throat lightly.

”It is,” Conrad nodded, swirling the wine in his glass. ”I’m fond of it. I apologize if it felt sudden. I hope the atmosphere makes up for that.”

Gray didn’t answer right away. He looked around again, his eyes catching a glimpse of the chandelier above them, the fragrant fresh flowers everywhere and the classic pieces in the room.

”Well,” the old man said suddenly, breaking the sudden silence. He placed both hands on the table and sat back. ”Let’s eat first. Then we can talk.”

Gray blinked.

”...Of course, sir.”