Chapter 10: A Taste of Luxury
Chapter 10: A Taste of Luxury
Frank’s hands trembled as he held the sleek box. He hesitated to open it, afraid he might break what was inside—a brand-new phone.
Carefully, he lifted the lid, his heart racing as the glow of the screen lit his face.
This wasn’t just any phone. It was expensive. Unbelievably expensive.
His voice shook. “Where… where did you get this?”
“I bought it,” Elira said casually.
Frank blinked in shock. “Bought it? With what? Where did you get so much money?”
Instead of answering, Elira slowly raised her other hand. Another box. Another phone. Brand new. The latest model.
Frank’s eyes widened so much they almost popped out of his head.
Each phone cost nearly fifteen hundred dollars. Even if their family saved for a whole year, they couldn’t afford this.
His sister—who just days ago had no money for lunch—now had two luxury phones.
Did she… steal? Or rob someone?
But no. That didn’t make sense. Even robbing students wouldn’t give her this kind of money.
As if reading his thoughts, Elira said calmly, “I didn’t steal or rob. It’s legitimate. Use it without worry. If it breaks, I’ll buy you another one.”
Her tone was calm, confident—so certain that Frank almost believed her immediately.
He stared at her face. Familiar, yet strangely different. Stronger. Sharper. A new version of his sister.
For the first time in years, trust bloomed inside him—mixed with awe.
“…Okay,” he whispered.
But deep inside, he was reeling. If he knew about the rest of her money, he wouldn’t just be shocked—he would faint. Just the remaining $147,000 in her account would make his jaw drop.
Unbothered, Elira added, “Tomorrow, I’m taking you shopping.”
And just like that, she walked back to her room, leaving Frank standing in stunned silence.
\---
That night, Frank couldn’t sleep.
He stared at the new phone in his hand like it was the most precious thing in the world. Carefully, he inserted his SIM card, his fingers trembling.
When the screen lit up, his heartbeat quickened. He felt like he was dreaming.
This wasn’t just a phone. This was luxury. This was a miracle.
For someone like him, who had never owned anything brand-new, it was priceless.
\---
The next morning was the weekend.
After her morning run, Elira changed into fresh clothes and called out, “Come on. Let’s go.”
Noticing the dark circles under Frank’s eyes, she asked casually, “Did you stay up late studying?”
“…Yeah,” he muttered, looking away.
He wasn’t about to admit he stayed up all night just playing with the phone.
He slipped it into his pocket carefully, trying to look calm. Elira smirked faintly but said nothing.
Just as they stepped outside, a sharp voice cut through the air.
“What are you two doing? Did Mom give you money?” Delilah stood at the doorway, her eyes glinting with curiosity and jealousy.
Ever since Elira’s strange change, Delilah had been itching to find out why.
Elira ignored her completely, walking toward the gate like she didn’t exist.
“Hmph.” Delilah rolled her eyes. What money could they possibly have?
\---
First stop: breakfast. Elira treated Frank to something warm and simple. Then, she took him straight to the biggest mall in Sundrift City.
Frank froze at the entrance, his heart pounding. The towering glass walls, the glittering lights—it felt like another world.
His old sneakers squeaked on the polished floor as he trailed behind her, trying to look invisible.
When Elira walked straight into the men’s section and spoke to a shop assistant, Frank almost fainted.
“Find him some clothes,” Elira said, her voice steady and cool.
The assistant’s eyes lit up instantly. “Of course, miss!”
Frank stood frozen as Elira plucked a stylish outfit and handed it to him.
“Try it on.”
Still in a daze, he changed into the first set. Then the second. By the third, his mind was spinning. He stepped out, ready to ask something—
And saw her.
Standing at the counter. Handing over a sleek black card.
“The total is two thousand eight hundred dollars,” the assistant said politely. “Please enter your password.”
Frank’s mouth fell open.
Two thousand eight hundred?! For clothes?!
The machine beeped.
Payment Successful.
Frank’s head spun. His pulse thundered in his ears.
“Elira…” he whispered, but nothing came out.
“Wear this set,” she said calmly, like it was nothing. “And keep the rest.”
Before he could breathe, she dragged him toward the shoe section.
Rows of designer shoes gleamed under the lights. Names he didn’t know—but he knew one thing: they were expensive.
The assistant brought out two pairs and bent to help him try them. Frank flushed, embarrassed, turning slightly to hide his limp.
He tried them on quickly, hands shaking. Before he could protest, Elira swiped her card again.
Four thousand dollars. For shoes.
By now, Frank felt dizzy. Like he’d stepped into someone else’s life.
And it wasn’t over.
Elira picked out more clothes and accessories for herself—bag after bag—until Frank was carrying nearly fifteen thousand dollars’ worth of luxury items.
He gripped them like cash, terrified someone would snatch them.
Finally, she bought a laptop.
When they stepped out of the mall, Frank’s legs felt weak.
But Elira wasn’t done.
\---
“Why… why are we here?” Frank’s voice cracked when they stopped in front of Glorious International Hotel.
The golden letters shimmered under the sun. This was Sundrift City’s most luxurious five-star hotel—the kind of place people like him only dreamed of.
“We’re here to eat,” Elira said, walking in like she owned the place.
Frank almost choked.
“But… but—”
He had no choice but to follow.
Elira booked a private room on the top floor without blinking. When the menu arrived, Frank’s hands trembled as he opened it—only to freeze.
Every dish was in Fleoburgian. He couldn’t understand a single word… except the prices.
Hundreds for vegetables. Thousands for meat.
One dish here cost more than his family’s monthly income.
Sweat trickled down his back as he closed the menu quietly. He turned to stop her—
And froze again.
Elira was flipping through the menu, her tone smooth and fluent as she spoke—in perfect Fleoburgian.
Frank stared, mind blank.
Since when… could she speak another language?
Her words flowed effortlessly—foie gras, caviar, black truffle… things he’d only heard about on TV.
Who was this girl sitting across from him?
His sister?
Or someone entirely different?
Frank’s heart pounded like a drum.
And Elira? She handed the menu back with a calm smile—
Completely unaware that tonight… was only the beginning of the chaos to come.