Suddenly, I Am Rich

The minutes passed painfully slow.

In his watch, Gray checked the time more often than he wanted to admit. For him, each minute felt longer than the last.

He and Mara sat quietly at their table, speaking in low voices only when necessary. It was awkward to talk, especially when silence filled their surroundings. The people who were eating were focused on their dishes, barely even opening their mouths to talk.

'I hope Conrad arrives soon…' That was the only thing that had been running on his mind when he thought of it more.

And as if his prayers had been granted, finally, after a couple of more minutes, the restaurant's doors opened again.

A complete silence immediately rippled across the room.

Gray looked up, and there he was.

Conrad Everett.

The man entered with the kind of presence that needed no announcement. Behind him, his secretary followed him. It was the same man Gray had seen by Conrad's side countless times. Just like then, he was carrying a tablet in one hand, his expression was professional as ever.

However, what startled Gray wasn't Conrad himself but the way the entire room seemed to know him.

Some diners, who were mid-conversation, instantly stood up from their chairs to greet him. Others raised a glass or a hand, smiling in respect. Nobody turned a blind eye or even ignored Conrad.

And Conrad?

He returned each greeting effortlessly. He smiled at people and exchanged a few greetings with them. It was as if he knew every single person in the restaurant by name.

'Damn… I didn't expect this,' Gray's throat tightened slightly. Mara, who was beside him, shifted in her seat slightly, too. She sat straighter, her heart beating a little faster.

It would be her first time meeting the man.

Selina was kind, so she expected the man to be kind too. She just doesn't know what to expect with this one.

When Conrad's eyes finally landed on them, Gray immediately rose to his feet. Mara quickly followed, too.

"Sir Everett," Gray greeted with a respectful nod.

Conrad smiled. He smiled as if they weren't here for something serious, but rather just catching up.

"Gray, my boy. And this must be your assistant."

"Yes, sir," Mara said softly, bowing slightly.

Conrad gave her a nod of acknowledgment, then gestured casually with his hand.

"Let's sit first, shall we? I've kept you waiting long enough."

"Sure, Sir."

The four of them settled at the table.

A waiter immediately approached them, pouring water and adjusting their glasses. Conrad gave the waiter a polite smile, then turned back to Gray.

"Let's order first before we go to business, shall we?" Conrad suggested at them, his tone smooth and unhurried.

"Of course, sir." Gray nodded quickly. It wasn't like he had any other choice.

The menus were placed before them. Gray opened his eyes and blinked in surprise.

"What the…" he muttered under his breath before catching himself.

He expected pages upon pages of exquisite meals. He was looking forward to seeing an overwhelming array of options that only the finest establishments offered. Instead, the menu was almost empty.

For each category of appetizers, soups, mains, and desserts, there were only two or three choices.

Mara glanced at him, equally confused. However, the two of them kept their composure.

Conrad, however, noticed their little surprise. A faint smile tugged at his lips.

"Baffled, are you?"

"Yes, sir. I expected… more." Gray hesitated, then admitted honestly.

Conrad chuckled lightly, picking up his own menu but not really looking at it.

"Most people think choice is a luxury. But it isn't. Too much choice is a waste, a distraction. This restaurant offers only the best. Nothing less. That's why there's no need for endless pages of choices."

Gray nodded slowly, understanding the hidden weight of his words.

Mara, though quiet, clearly absorbed it too.

Soon after, Conrad placed his menu down without hesitation.

"I'll have the steak. Medium rare. And the house red."

The waiter scribbled quickly, then turned to Gray and Mara.

Gray thought for a moment, then decided not to overthink it.

"I'll have the same."

Mara followed, "Same for me as well."

Conrad gave an approving smile, as though their decision pleased him more than the food itself.

When the waiter left, silence lingered for a few seconds. Then Conrad leaned back in his chair, studying Gray carefully.

"So," he began, his voice casual but his eyes sharp, "tell me, Gray. Why should I invest in you?"

The words dropped heavily onto the table. Mara froze, but Gray forced himself to stay composed. He had known this moment would come. He just didn't expect it to be so direct.

Gray straightened slightly, meeting Conrad's gaze.

"Because I won't waste it, sir. Not a cent. Not an opportunity. I know I don't have the years of experience others do, but what I lack in that, I make up for in commitment. I won't back down, and I won't stop until what I've built grows into something worthy of the investment."

For a moment, Conrad didn't answer. He swirled his wine slowly, as though weighing Gray's words.

Finally, he smiled faintly. "Bold. But boldness alone isn't enough." He set the glass down with a soft clink. "Still, it's a start."

"Thank you, Sir." Gray muttered.

Mara let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

The two of them knew that this dinner wasn't about the food. It was about the unspoken war of words and presence happening across the table.

And Conrad Everett was still testing him.

The first course arrived quietly. Their food was served. They looked delicate, their plates filled with artistry. It was the kind of food Gray would never have ordered on his own.

The silence lingered for a moment, broken only by the soft clinks of cutlery and the low sound from the instruments playing in the restaurant.

To Gray's relief, their conversation only drifted to lighter topics at first. Conrad asked about the weather, about traffic in the city, and about how Mara had adjusted to her role as an assistant.

It wasn't an interrogation. It almost feel as if they were just having a conversation. For a short while, they were just four people sharing a meal in peace.

By the time their main entree arrived, the tension had lessened between. Though Gray's nerves still quietly tugged at him.

"Let's eat first."

"Yes, Sir."

Still, the steak was flawless. It was tender and flavorful. However, Gray couldn't fully enjoy them. His mind kept circling back to the inevitable moment, the real reason they were here tonight.

And sure enough, it came once they finished eating. Once their plates had been cleared.

Conrad leaned back comfortably on his chair, swirling the last of his wine. His gaze was fixed on Gray.

"Now," he began, his voice carrying just enough weight to pull Gray straight back into focus, "let's talk about why we're here."

Gray straightened in his seat almost immediately. Mara set her hands in her lap, listening intently too.

"I've seen the numbers," Conrad said slowly, his tone thoughtful and kind. "And I'll admit, I like what I saw. The results of your sales are, no doubt, impressive."

Gray's chest tightened. Relief bloomed inside him, though he forced himself to remain composed.

"Thank you, sir," he genuinely muttered.

Conrad tapped a finger lightly against the table. "But numbers alone don't seal the deal. What I want to know is…" His eyes narrowed slightly. "If I do decide to invest in you, Gray, what's your plan?"

The question hung in the air.

Gray inhaled silently. He was choosing his words carefully.

"If you invest in me, sir… I'll finally expand. I'll open a new branch of the store. I know, back then, I told you it was too early to think about it. But now, with the momentum we have, it feels like the perfect opportunity. The right time."

For a moment, Conrad studied him in silence, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he nodded.

"Well," Conrad said at last, "that's a good choice."

Gray felt his shoulders loosen just a little. Mara let out another breath, trying to stay subtle about it.

The conversation carried on from there. Conrad asked a few small questions and made a few more remarks about the industry, including risks and potential. Gray listened intently and answered with as much honesty and conviction when asked.

He never let himself falter.

And then it happened.

Conrad set his empty glass down, the faintest smile tugging at his lips. He leaned forward just slightly, his gaze locking on Gray's.

"I will invest in you, Gray."

Time froze.

Gray blinked once. Then twice. His mouth opened, but no words came out of it. For the first time that night, his composure cracked. His eyes widened and his lips parted in disbelief.

"Sir… you—" he stammered, his voice catching in his throat.

Conrad's smile deepened, amused by the younger man's shock.

Mara turned to him, her own mouth falling open. "Gray…" she whispered, almost as if to confirm he wasn't just imagining it.

Gray leaned back in his chair slowly, still frozen, still staring at the man across from him. His heart pounded so loudly he was sure both Conrad and Mara could hear it.

He had dreamed of this moment, hoped for it, prayed for it. But to actually hear the words out loud…

"I…" His voice broke slightly, and he quickly swallowed hard, forcing himself to speak clearly. "I don't know what to say, sir."

Conrad chuckled.

But Gray couldn't stop himself from smiling widely. He was breathless and utterly stunned.

For once in his life, he was speechless.