Suddenly, I Am Rich

Because of the election, the city began to change almost overnight.

The candidates of the election started to post banners and their pictures on different lamp posts and walls across the whole city.

With it, Alistair’s face was everywhere. In the photos, he was smiling brightly. Written below his photo were big words about hope and protecting the future.

On television, campaign ads also started to play every now and then. However, Alistair’s ads were really the main topic as he spoke about helping children, strengthening social programs, and building a better tomorrow for everyone.

Of course, it wasn’t only Alistair. There were also a lot of candidates who were doing the exact same thing as him.

There were older men with serious expressions, and there were younger ones, too, who were trying to look friendly and modern. Just like Alistair, they have their own promises of change, safety, and progress for the city.

Everywhere people looked, they would see a poster of candidates. They could not walk far without seeing a candidate’s face staring back at them.

It was because it was the first week of the campaign, so everyone was rushing to get their name into people’s minds before anyone else could.

While in the office, Mara and Gray couldn’t help but talk about it.

”Alistair’s really going all out to be re-elected,” Mara said beside him.

”Yeah, I know.” Gray nodded slowly. ”The last time I talked to him, he sounded as if he really wanted to win.”

Mara looked at him for a moment before speaking again.

”How has he been lately?” she asked. ”When you talk to him, I mean.”

Gray leaned back in his chair and let out a sigh.

”It’s been fine. There’s really nothing strange. He mostly just talks about his plans and what he wants to do if he wins again. You know... his projects, his connections, and things like that.”

”So he really trusts you now.” Mara frowned slightly.

”Yup, it looks that way,” Gray said. ”He talks to me like I’m already on his side now.”

There was a short silence between them.

”You said you were meeting him again soon, right?” Mara crossed her arms and raised a brow.

”Yeah. This weekend,” Gray replied. ”He invited me to have dinner with him and a few of his close friends. It will probably be about the election. He wants people around him who can help, especially people with influence who could boost his popularity.”

”That makes sense.” Mara nodded slowly.

”That’s why I need to keep playing along. The more he trusts me, the more he will talk about his life.” Gray playfully smiled.

However, Mara did not smile at it. She sighed instead.

”Just be careful, Gray.”

”I will,” he said quietly.

Mara let out another long sigh.

Gray glanced at her and laughed a little. ”Hey, why do you sound like that?”

She looked at him and sighed for the third time.

”Because I’m worried,” she said honestly. ”You’re dealing with someone like Alistair. I know you can handle it, but that doesn’t mean I won’t worry.”

”I know. But I’ll take care of it. I promise.” Gray’s smile softened.

Mara looked away for a moment, then slowly nodded. She even pouted a little, which made Gray laugh again.

”Alright, alright,” he said. ”You look like you don’t believe me at all.”

”I do,” she replied. ”I just don’t like it.”

Gray shook his head, still smiling. ”Either way, I have to leave early today. I promised Eli and Lily that we would watch movies and eat pizza together.”

Mara’s expression changed at once. ”Really?”

”Yeah,” Gray said. ”Eli has been talking about it since this morning. I think he already planned what movies he wants to watch.”

Mara laughed softly. ”He’s getting more comfortable around the house now.”

”Yup,” Gray stood up and picked up his coat. ”So I’d better not be late.”

”Yeah, go go.”

”But...” Gray squinted his eyes and looked at her.

”What?” Mara frowned, then looked up at him.

”You know what,” Gray added, ”I should bring you with me.”

”Really?” Her eyes widened.

”Of course,” Gray said with a small smile. ”They like you. And Lily has been talking about you too. She keeps saying you do not visit her as much anymore.”

”She said that?” Mara felt a little surprised by that.

”Yeah,” Gray nodded. ”She asked me the other day when you were coming over again. And Eli, well, he always looks happier when you are around.”

Mara’s lips curved into a soft smile. ”I did not know they felt that way.”

”They do,” Gray said simply. ”So you should come. We are just going to eat pizza and watch movies anyway. There’s nothing serious. Take it as a break from our weeks of stress too.”

Mara hesitated for a second, then nodded. ”Alright. I will come.”

”Good,” Gray said. ”I think they will be really happy to see you.”

Mara let out a small laugh. ”I guess I should not miss it then.”

Gray chuckled and stood up, offering his hand.

”Come on. Let’s go before we end up being late.”

Mara laughed and took his hand.

”Alright, alright. Let’s go,” she said.

They walked out of the office together and headed for the elevator. The building was quiet by that time of day since everyone was still supposed to work. When the doors closed, Mara leaned back against the wall and let out a small breath.

”It feels strange,” she said. ”Leaving in the middle of all this.”

Gray glanced at her. ”That is exactly why we should. We have been working on this for week, okay? A few hours away from it will not hurt.”

”You’re right. My head has been full of nothing but recordings and files lately.” Mara nodded

The elevator reached the ground floor. They stepped out and walked toward the parking area. Daniel was already waiting for them by the car.

”Good afternoon, sir,” Daniel greeted as he opened the door.

”Thanks, Daniel,” Gray said. ”Let’s head to the condo.”