Suddenly, I Am Rich

Once they were sure that Eli was finally settling in, Gray knew it was time.

He could not keep waiting anymore.

One night, after Eli had already gone to bed and Lily was busy in her room, Gray sat quietly in the living room. The lights were already dim. He knew that he should be resting by that time, but he just couldn’t.

At the same time, Selina walked towards him. She slowly sat beside him, with her legs folded.

”You’re thinking again?” she questioned softly.

Gray smiled faintly. ”Was it that obvious?”

”Yes,” Selina nodded. ”You only get this quiet when you’re planning something.”

Gray leaned back and stared at the ceiling for a moment. ”Yeah, I think I waited long enough. Eli is safe now. So I was thinking...”

”So you’re going to start?” Selina turned to face him fully. Now. Her full attention was on him.

”Yes,” Gray replied, fully determined about it.

Selina did not look surprised at all. In any case, she was also waiting for this one. She had heard of what happened, and like Gray, she hated it. She wanted to make them pay for what they did, but it was not hers to start.

It was Gray’s.

She could only wait and offer her support for it.

”Then do it. You’re smart.” Selina reached out and held his hand.

Gray nodded. ”That’s exactly why I need to do this right.”

Selina just chuckled and nodded.

”I know you can do it.”

For Gray, that was all he needed to hear, as the next morning, he was beyond determined.

Gray went to the office as usual. When he arrived, Mara was already there. She looked up from her seat and immediately noticed the change in his expression. Just one look and Mara already got it.

”You’re ready?” she said quietly.

”Yes,” Gray replied.

”Good,” Mara quickly stood up smiled at Gray. ”Now, what do I need to do?”

Gray chuckled when he noticed Mara’s quick response. She has been very witty since then.

”Oh well, Ms. Secretary, I want a full update on everything. See what we have on the foundation. Know their donors and Alistair’s connections for the past years.”

”Stupid, don’t you know who I am? Mara smiled and playfully winked him. ”I already started doing that days ago.”

”Really?” Gray frowned at her.

”Of course,” Mara rolled her eyes. ”What do you think I’m doing in the office with you when we don’t have that much work.”

”I don’t know. Maybe slacking?”

Mara quickly glared at Gray that made him laugh.

”Anyway, aside from that, do check their former staff and volunteers.”

Mara nodded slowly. ”Alright, I’ll make the calls.”

”Do it carefully,” Gray added.

”I know,” she replied.

After that, they went back to normal. Gray visited his first store and the second store every day to check on them. Over the following days, things moved quietly.

Mara brought updates in small pieces. She said that there were a few staff members over the years who either resigned suddenly or just transferred without explanation. They mostly found that talk on Weddit and a few people that Mara talked with.

”Are you sure they won’t suspect anything if I go ask around?” Mara once asked him.

”It’s fine. Just do it secretly. Either way, they already think I’m on their side,” Gray answered. ”That’s the advantage of looking naive.”

”Alright. I found someone willing to talk.”

Gray’s eyes immediately looked at her. Curiosity was written in it. ”When?”

”Tomorrow night,” Mara answered. ”Off the record. We’ll meet at a cafe.”

”How did you meet her?” He frowned.

Mara paused for a second, then leaned back in her chair. A small and playful smile appeared on her lips. ”That’s for me to know...” she said lightly.

Gray stared at her.

”And for you to never know?” he replied flatly.

Mara laughed out loud at what he said. ”Hey, don’t look at me like that. I have my ways.”

”Just tell me the location.” Gray shook his head slowly.

”Huh?”

”I’m coming with you,” Gray said calmly.

”No, you’re not.” Her smile instantly disappeared.

”Yes, I am.”

”No,” Mara repeated, crossing her arms. ”I told her it would just be me. She won’t talk if she sees someone else. Especially someone like you.”

”Someone like me?” Gray raised a brow in confusion.

”Yup. You,” Mara pointed at him, ”look rich and scary.”

”What scary?” Gray scoffed.

”Yes. You don’t know?” She nodded seriously. ”You look scary.”

Gray stared at her for a second, then reached out and lightly smacked the top of her head.

”Hey!” Mara yelped, grabbing her head. ”What was that for?”

”For being stupid,” Gray said plainly.

”You didn’t have to hit me.” Mara quickly glared at him.

”It wasn’t a hit. I was just correcting you,” he replied.

”Tss...” She huffed. ”You’re still not coming.”

”I didn’t say I’d sit with you,” Gray continued and sighed.. ”I’ll be at another table, alright? I won’t talk you. I’ll just stay there, drink some coffee and mind my own business. I just want to make sure you’re safe.”

Mara froze.

”You...” she started and pointed her hand at him.

Gray looked at her seriously now. ”I’m not joking, Mara. You’re digging into something dirty. I’m not letting you do that alone.”

Mara bit her lip. She looked away for a moment, clearly annoyed. ”You’re really stubborn.”

”So are you.”

”Fine. Whatever.” She sighed loudly and rolled her eyes. She sighed loudly and rolled her eyes.

”Good.”

”But,” she added quickly, pointing at him, ”you stay far. Like really far.”

Gray nodded and smiled at her.

”Deal.”

Mara relaxed a little after that, though she still looked irritated. But deep inside, her heart was beating slightly faster than usual. She did not like to admit it, but knowing Gray would be there made her feel safer.

’What is happening to me?’ Mara asked herself uncertainly. She didn’t know why she was suddenly excited to go to the cafe tomorrow knowing that Gray will be with her.