MTLNOVEL Chapter 3: Home
James immediately started packing up his things, ready to go home. He thought of taking his bath but with the thought that he will be home in about twenty minutes or so, he decided to put it on hold till gets home.
Besides, he was too excited to check if what the voice—should he call it system in his head—in his head, said was true.
The dorm uses a communal bathroom and toilet, and with how excited he is right now, he can't be patient enough to wait for those that are already waiting or using it, before he can.
Yes, he could also try ordering something online to check out if it works but James was being careful. He doesn't want his money to go to waste if the "10x rebate" doesn't work.
James is someone who does his best to manage his finances. He makes sure that he tries his best to account for every dollar that goes out of his pocket. Though, even with this, sometimes he finds himself at a lose at how he spent his money and what he spent it on.
Optimistically speaking, James wants everything to be true, to be real. But realistically speaking, he knows he should take things slow.
He has learnt the hard way that things that sounds too good to be true, definitely aren't.
It took him a few minutes to pack his things as he didn't have to pack, and everything fitted comfortably into a small duffel bag.
After he was done packing up his things, he left the room, locking it behind him, before making his way out of the dorm.
Outside the dorm, James didn't immediately leave as he walked to a cafe. Inside, he took his seat and waited for the server to come, and take his order.
He didn't have to wait long as a girl in the establishment's uniform, walked up to him.
"What would like to order?"
"Please, can I get an egg sandwich and a flat white to go, please?" He replied, with a smile on his face.
"Please give us a moment. You order will be ready." The server girl nodded with a smile and walked to the counter.
James nodded and exhale, as he waiting for his order to arrive. As he waited, he wanted to ask the system more questions but he decided to hold his horses until he confirms that the most unbelievable part of the explanation it gave.
As he waited, his nerves wracked with tension, anticipation building, making it impossible to stay calm. He kept rubbing his palms together, but even that did little to help.
After a few minutes which felt like an eternity to James, he was called to come to the counter to take his order.
It took all the willpower James had for him to not immediately rush to the counter. He did his best to control himself as he casually stood up, and walked to the counter.
After a few excruciating seconds of walking, James was finally at the counter. He knew what to do as he swiped his hand on the card reader.
The tipping options appeared and James chose an option that will make his bill s round figure.
The egg sandwich and flat white cost a total of $11.50, and the tip will bring it up to $15.
This was the reason why he chose this cafè as they have a customisable tipping option.
After he had chosen his tipping option, James completed the payment, he took his order and left the cafè, with a wide grin that nearly divided his face into two.
The reason for the grin is this:
[Ding!]
[You spent $15. 10x rebate has been applied. You have received $150. The money has been sent to your bank account.]
James, who was already holding his phone, saw his phone's screen lit up with a deposit alert from his bank.
"Well Fargo's Deposit Alert: A deposit of $150.00 was credited to your account ending in 6226. Available balance: $822.67."
"Yes! It's real!" James shouted internally, as he pumped his fist in happiness.
James couldn't help take another look at his phone to confirm that what he saw was real and not something conjured up by his mind as a coping mechanism.
"It's real." James chuckled in delight after reading the message again, and confirming that he hasn't become a candidate for Arkham asylum.
James allowed himself a rare moment of peace. Something that he hasn't experience in a very long time.
He knew that his life was no longer going to be the same from today onward. The voice or the system voice has already explained everything about itself, and James saw nothing but countless open doors of possibilities through it.
Where he stood, James looked up to the sky and vowed that he would use the system to change his life for the better. He will clear his debt and improve his, and his family's condition.
He will make sure that they never lack again and he will give them the life they deserve. And all these, he will achieve with the help of the system.
"Now, time to go home," James said, as he called for a Lyft ride.
After he placed his ride, James saw that the driver who took his order was already in the vicinity, and he started walking to the location.
Few minutes later, James got into the car and driver started the car, and drove off.
A couples of minutes later, the car stopped in front of his house and James stepped out after paying the fare.
"Alright, let's see if it happens again. If it does, then this is real. No fluke, no coincidence."
Immediately after paying, the beautiful message popped up in his retina again.
[You spent $28. 10x rebate has been applied. You have received $280. The money has been sent to your bank account.]
Seeing the message again, brought a smile to James' face and his smile widened when he got a deposit alert from his bank confirming that the money was now in his account.
James took a look at his current account balance and be couldn't believe that from the previous $687, he now has more than $1k in his account.
This was an increase of more than $400 and this increase was achieved in less than thirty minutes.
To James, this was beyond shocking. He still doesn't know how to feel about it. He felt that everything was still a dream, one that he will wake up from very soon.
But after squeezing his phone and his fist, he knew that this was his new reality. This was the reality that he hopes to wake up to before going to bed last night.
With a smile on his face, James walked to the building, and paused for a moment before opening the door.
"Patty, Leslie, I'm home," he said, as he walked into the house.
"Welcome home, honey."
James heard the warm, familiar voice of the woman who had taken care of him since he lost his parents.
James' eyes narrowed the next moment, when he didn't hear the second voice he was expecting.
He walked to the living room to check if she was engrossed in one of her tv shows as usual. He had barely taken a couple of steps when something draped in a ghost sheet, jumped out of nowhere and appeared in front of him.
"Boo!"
"Ahhh!" He screamed, jumping back in fright and stumbling to the floor.
"Hahahah. Gets you every single time." The thing in white bursted out into a hearty laughter, and pointing at James who scared silly on the floor.
James sighed in exasperation when he realised what had happened. He pushed himself from the ground, with a frown on his face.
"I hate you, Leslie," he said, as he walked to the ghost and flicked the forehead.
"I love you too." The ghost laughed, causing James to smile as he walked up the stairs, to his room.
Walking into his room, James dropped his duffel bag on the bed, collapsed into his bed with a bright smile on his face.
"Home sweet home."