Act - 42: "Family Dinner"

***

It was Saturday, June 22, 2015. I was lounging on the couch, flipping through channels on the TV, while Mom was bustling around, getting ready for work.

"Dio," she called out from the kitchen, "don't forget we have the family dinner at Aunt's place tonight."

I looked up, my heart aching at the memory. In my last life, that dinner had been a nightmare. Aria had introduced her good-for-nothing husband to the family, and everyone had bragged about her while looking down on me for being a sleazy, dead-end salesman. The humiliation Mom felt that day still stung. But this time, it would definitely be different.

"Mom," I said, walking over to her, "is it okay if I bring some friends and colleagues? They love Thai food."

She paused, surprised. "Oh, okay. How many people are you thinking of bringing?"

"Like eight or ten. I'm not sure yet."

"Alright, I'll let Aunt know," she agreed, a bit hesitant but trusting my judgment.

[Dio opened his phone and sent a message to the group chat]

Dio: Hey everyone, I want to invite you all to a family dinner tonight. But I have a favor to ask. Come dressed in your finest suits and dresses and arrive a little late. We're going to put on a show.

[Sent to: Mr. Johan, Onio, Nora, Mia, Lars, Ray, Chris, Evelyn, Maria]

Mr. Johan: Got it! Thai food sounds great. I'll bring the champagne, but I'll keep some soda for you kids. 

Onio: Woohoo! Thai food, count me in! I'm definitely making a flashy entry.

Nora: Thai food? Yum! Can't wait! 

Mia: Sounds awesome! I'll be there with bells on!

Lars: Thai food it is! Looking forward to it.

Ray: Count me in! I'll be fashionably late with a surprise.

Chris: Thai food sounds delicious! I'll be there, ready to eat!

Evelyn: Thai food? Yes, please! I'm in!

Maria: I'm in for some Thai food! Can't wait to see everyone!

I smirked, thinking ahead to my plans.

Later, as I was lounging around, my phone rang. It was Mr. Big Dalen.

"Hey, Dio! Long time no talk. How have you been?"

"Hey, Mr. Big Dalen! I've been good, really busy with the company. Thanks for looking out for me all this time."

"Of course, Dio. It's always a pleasure. So, what's new?"

"Actually, I was wondering about Emilia. How is she doing?"

"Emilia is doing well. She's studying abroad right now. We needed to get her away from here for a bit."

"Good to hear," I said, feeling a nostalgia of memories wash over me. "Before we hang up, I have a favor to ask. Can you reserve me the best rooms at your finest hotel for tonight and rent me two limousines?"

Mr. Big Dalen chuckled knowingly. "Ah, planning something special, are we?"

"You could say that," I replied with a smirk.

"Consider it done, Dio. I'll take care of everything," he assured me, clearly intrigued by my plans.

"Thanks a lot. Just send me the invoice to Nova Enterprise," I said gratefully.

"No no, Dio, you're family. This one's on me, no problem at all. Enjoy your dinner," he replied warmly before hanging up abruptly, leaving me no chance to respond.

I felt a bit of embarrassment at the thought of being spoiled, yet Mr. Big Dalen's kindness had helped me immensely. This time, I vowed not to let anyone demean my family. Contemplating the upcoming dinner stirred a tumult of emotions within me. My jaw clenched, hands tightening into fists as memories of past humiliations resurfaced. A steely resolve burned in my eyes, fueled by the determination to rewrite history and ensure my mother and I earned respect. I straightened my posture, standing taller, as if bracing for the long-awaited family gathering. Despite a twinge of unease about accepting Mr. Big Dalen's generosity, I nodded to myself, a small, confident smile playing on my lips. This time, things would be different. We would stand tall and proud, no longer would let anyone look down on me and my mom.

***

As I went back to watch the television show, I barely noticed the world around me until my phone alarm beeped sharply, jolting me out of my entertainment trance. The digital display showed 08:30 AM. Setting aside the remote, I stretched my arms over my head, the office life had me feeling the stiffness in my muscles, my body practically begged me for movement to keep myself in shape.

Slipping into my tracksuit, I felt its familiar comfort envelop me like a second skin. Earbuds in place, I queued up my favorite motivational playlist, "50 Cent – Many Men." The beat pulsed through me, igniting a surge of adrenaline as I sang along to the lyrics: "Many men, many, many, many, many men. Wish death upon me. Blood in my eye, dawg, and I can't see. I'm trying to be what I'm destined to be..."Stepping out into the crisp morning air, I took a deep breath, letting the coolness invigorate my lungs. The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, casting a golden glow on the quiet streets ahead.

I tied the laces of my sneakers with a quick, practiced tug, checked the time—08:35 AM—and set off for my morning jog. Each stride warmed my muscles, syncing perfectly with the rhythm of the music in my ears.

As I jogged past Lars' house, the soft morning light filtering through the kitchen window caught my attention. I slowed my pace, peering inside to see Lars standing beside his mom, who was wiping tears of happiness from her cheeks. He handed her an envelope, and I couldn't help but smile warmly at the sight of their shared joy.

Continuing on my jog, that scene lingered in my mind, filling me with a deep sense of contentment. This second chance at life gave me the power to make a positive impact on those who mattered to me. Grateful for the ability to help the people around me, I felt a wave of gratitude and fulfillment fuel my steps. The morning air was crisp and invigorating, matching my renewed sense of purpose.

Then not long after i arrived at Uptown Bearhill local bus stop stood as a relic from a bygone era, its old-fashioned charm evident in the weathered blue sign overhead, depicting a quaint drawing of a bus. The wooden bench, its paint peeling and worn, creaked under the weight of years gone by. A rusted metal pole supported the sign, and a cracked pavement led up to it, the ground littered with fallen leaves.

Jaken and his right-hand man, Tabaguchi, were already there, leaning against the pole. As I approached, they straightened up, and we greeted each other with a handshake in our own style we had perfected over the years—a series of intricate moves ending with a fist bump.

Me: "Jaken, Tabaguchi! Long time no see."

Jaken: "Hey, man! It's been a while. How's it going?"

Me: "Good, just staying busy. What about you guys?"

Tabaguchi: "Same old, same old. Got a few things cooking."

Me: "Anything interesting?"

Jaken: "You'll see. We might need your help soon."

Me: "I'm in. Always."

Tabaguchi: "Good to hear. Here comes the bus."

As the bus approached, its headlights cutting through the early morning haze, we turned our attention to it. The old vehicle rumbled to a stop, the doors creaking open. We boarded it, the atmosphere inside immediately shifting to one of muted conversations and silent stares, as if everyone was lost in their own world. The interior was dimly lit with flickering fluorescent lights overhead, casting an eerie glow over the worn-out seats. The windows were smeared with grime, distorting the view of the world outside into a blur of passing shadows and reflections.

Inside, everyone seemed to adhere strictly to unspoken rules. Conversations were muted, and the air was thick with an awkward silence. People avoided eye contact, burying themselves in smartphones or staring out the windows with blank expressions. The occasional cough or shuffle of feet broke the monotony, but otherwise, the bus was a cocoon of isolation.

The bus stop announcements crackled overhead, barely audible above the drone of the engine. "Valkyrie Street," the robotic voice announced, signaling our stop. I stood up first, feeling the weight of Jaken and Tabaguchi's presence behind me. They followed silently, their movements purposeful and synchronized, like a well-oiled team accustomed to navigating through unfamiliar territories.

As we stepped off onto Valkyrie Street, the contrast with the bus was stark. The street was bustling with activity, albeit of a different kind. People hurried past, their faces obscured by hoods or tracksuit's, keeping to themselves as they navigated through the urban labyrinth. The air was thick with the scent of kebabs a street food vendors and the distant rumble of traffic.

As we stepped onto Valkyrie Street, a figure in a sleek tracksuit and cap approached us with a grin. It was Ray, casual yet confident, his demeanor reflecting a blend of familiarity and respect.

"Yo, boss, over here," Ray greeted with a nod, his tone friendly but acknowledging my leadership. His presence added a sense of ease to our arrival, bridging the gap between the unfamiliar surroundings and our purpose here.

I returned his nod with a slight smile, appreciating the camaraderie. Ray was always dependable, and his relaxed manner helped ease the tension from the bus ride. His attire spoke of readiness, hinting that he was prepared for whatever plans lay ahead.

"Good to see you, Ray," I replied warmly, acknowledging his presence before turning to Jaken and Tabaguchi. "Let's get moving. We've got things to do."

As I strolled alongside Ray down Valkyrie Street, the urban jungle enveloped us with its vibrant chaos. Neon signs flashed above, casting a kaleidoscope of colors on the pavement below, while the buzz of city life filled the air. We moved with purpose, blending into the ebb and flow of pedestrians and vendors lining the bustling sidewalks.

"I'm thinking of snagging some Ethereum around the 0.45 mark," I mused, my gaze flickering over the digital tickers displayed in storefront windows.

Ray nodded in agreement, his demeanor cool and collected amidst the lively surroundings. "Smart move. Let's keep things low-key and play it safe."

With each step, I felt a surge of anticipation, my mind already calculating potential gains. "We'll ride the waves and watch our investments grow," I remarked, feeling the weight of our strategic decisions settling in.

Ray's nod was confident. "Sounds good, boss."

Pacing ourselves, we continued our journey through the urban maze, navigating past clusters of pedestrians and the occasional street vendor hawking their wares. My eyes remained fixed on the digital updates, plotting our next moves.

"I think I'll pull the trigger on a sizable purchase once it hits that mark," I decided, adjusting my cap instinctively.

Ray mirrored my focus, his response measured. "Timing it right could mean big gains."

"Absolutely," I affirmed, a surge of determination coursing through me. "We'll stay sharp and seize the moment."

I then quipped, "Buy high, sell low."

In sync with our surroundings, our conversation flowed seamlessly, our voices blending into the urban symphony of Valkyrie Street. Amidst the city's hustle and bustle, our discussion carried an undercurrent of confidence and ambition, each word echoing our shared commitment to navigating the volatile world of cryptocurrency with precision and foresight.

Dio Stat's Info:

Lvl: 14

Skill Count: 2 (Key selling point analyze) (Analyze)

Strength:35

Agility:24

Intelligence:23

Endurance:21

Charm:23

Dio influence, power & riches:

Money - 5millions - 100k(new office set up cost) = 5million kroner. 

Associate - 7

Asset - 0

Digital Asset - 250 BTC

Goons - 10

Car - 1

Guard - 0

Employers -25

Company - 1