Suddenly, I Am Rich

”Mayor?” Gray’s forehead creased at that. ”What do you mean, Mayor?”

Mara sighed before her lips curved up into a smile.

”Yup. The Mayor of Arcadia. His assistant sent an email to me a while ago. It seems like the mayor has taken an interest on you because of your recent popularity!”

Gray’s eyes remained staring at her for a moment. He scratched the back of his head. He didn’t know what to feel. He didn’t know if he should be happy or alarmed at the situation.

”Did they say why?”

”Nope,” Mara shook his head. She started continuing to sort papers like she didn’t just drop a bomb at Gray. ”But you know, it’s not that strange. West Arcadia’s mayor, Mayor Alistair, is well... you know, one of those types.”

”What type?” Gray raised a brow. He wasn’t exactly someone who would want to involve himself with people who were in politics.

Gray knew that politics and business shouldn’t be together. They were two different fields, but somehow had the same cause and problem: Money.

”You already know it, Gray. He’s the type who likes getting involved in anything that makes headlines,” Mara replied with a ghost of a smile on her lips.

”He’s known for popping up in community events, charity drives, and business openings. Like basically anywhere where a camera might be.”

Gray pressed his lips together. ”So, he’s using me for publicity?”

”Maybe,” Mara shrugged her shoulders. ”Maybe he’s also just curious about you. After all, you’re like the talk of the town right now.” She gestured loosely.

”You’re a shiny new toy in politics.”

”...”

”Relax. You don’t know anything, do you?” Mara looked at her with her one brow raised up.

”Would I ask if I knew?” Gray shot a glare at her.

”Well, Mayor Alistair isn’t a bad guy. He’s actually popular because he’s approachable. He’s seen as one of those ’young, modern’ leaders. Also, West Arcadia’s been booming ever since he took office.”

She glanced at Gray again, amused at it.

”And now, apparently, he wants to visit you!”

Gray let out a deep breath. He leaned back in his chair. He didn’t want to think badly about it, especially since he didn’t know the man personally.

”Well, I guess it’s not that bad then,” he murmured. ”If he’s really that kind of guy.”

”Right!” Mara muttered enthusiastically. She looked personally excited about it.

”Why do you sound like that?” Gray glanced at her suspiciously.

”Because,” she said, clasping her hands together innocently, ”I already said yes to the meeting before I asked you.”

Gray’s jaw fell to the ground while Mara continued smiling.

”You what?” His voice cracked at the end.

”I said yes,” she repeated, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. ”The mayor’s assistant seemed really excited. And I mean, come on, Gray. You’re not going to decline the mayor, right?”

Gray stared at her, utterly flabbergasted.

”Why would you say yes without asking me?!”

”I did ask you,” Mara argued lightly. ”Just... after saying yes.”

”That doesn’t count!”

”Sure it does.” She offered him a bright and unbothered grin before she casually returned to stacking papers like she didn’t just do anything.

Gray just looked at her. After a moment, he shook his head and removed his gaze from her.

”I guess it’s not bad to meet the mayor,” he muttered to himself. ”It’s also one way to expand my connections, right?”

Gray let out a long sigh and shrugged his shoulders. ”Whatever. It’s already happening anyway.”

What Gray didn’t know was that the meeting was scheduled the next day, immediately.

- - -

Lunch time the next day, Gray found himself walking into a restaurant. It was a familiar restaurant to him. The place wasn’t that fancy, but the prices of the food were still above average.

It was a restaurant that Mara frequently ordered from whenever they got tired of eating canteen food for lunch.

The restaurant was only a short walk from his office, which was probably why the mayor’s assistant approved the location easily.

Still... this time, walking in the restaurant felt completely different.

Mara was walking behind him with relaxed steps. She wasn’t nervous at all. Instead, she was even excited. She was humming as they entered the restaurant.

”I’m excited,” Mara whispered, slightly leaning closer to Gray so he could hear her.

”I could already tell,” Gray muttered before shaking his head.

When they reached the reception area, the staff immediately recognized him. Of course they did. Ever since that broadcast, everyone seemed to know his face.

”Good afternoon, Sir Gray,” the staff member greeted them immediately with a polite bow. ”The private room you reserved is ready.”

Gray made a small nod. ”Thank you.”

The reason they were here was that the mayor’s assistant had let them choose the meeting place, as long as it was quiet and accessible. Both parties agreed the meeting should be kept low-key for now.

This restaurant happened to have private rooms, too, hidden deeper inside. It was the safest choice for them, at least, that’s what Mara said.

Gray and Mara followed the staff member through a hallway lined with warm lights and marbled walls.

”We’re here.” After a while, the staff slid open the door for them.

The two of them stepped inside. The private room was simple but elegant. There was a long table in the middle. On top of the table was a neatly placed set of glasses and bottles of water.

However, that wasn’t what caught Gray’s attention. Before he could roam his eyes around, they became frozen in place at the person inside the room.

Someone was already inside.

A man sat at the far side of the table. He appears to be early to mid-thirties. He was well-dressed in a dark navy suit, with clean-cut hair and a pair of sharp yet friendly eyes. He looked relaxed, as if he had been waiting patiently for them.

The moment the door fully opened, the man stood up with a welcoming smile.

Gray froze at it. Beside him, Mara leaned in slightly and whispered under her breath.

”That’s Mayor Alistair.”