Back at Home with Friends

"This is your stepping stone to upper-class society in the future," Leo said, his tone becoming more serious as he fixed his eyes on Jack. "With this, you'll have the opportunity to rise to the top overnight, and come into contact with people and things you've never imagined."

Jack, who had been casually listening, suddenly felt his heart skip a beat. He sat up straighter, his mind racing to catch up with Leo's words. "Uncle Leo, could this thing be related to… the Dark Building?"

"Yes." He nodded. Anyone with a bit of intelligence would have guessed it by now.

"This is your ticket, Jack, the entrance to the Dark Building. If the right opportunity presents itself, I'll take you for a tour."

Jack's mind reeled, trying to absorb the weight of those words. The Dark Building wasn't just any place. It was a shadowy organization, a gathering point for the most powerful and influential people. People who went there weren't ordinary — they were connected, resourceful, and ruthless.

"Thank you, Uncle Leo." Jack's smile was polite. From what Jack heard from Leo, one thing was clear — going there with nothing but empty hands was a fool's errand. The powerful would eat you alive without a second thought.

As Leo's car sped smoothly down the road, Jack leaned back into the leather seat, watching the city pass by. His thoughts spun rapidly, considering the immense possibilities the Dark Building presented. But before he could even think about setting foot inside, he needed to bring something to the table — something of value, something powerful. Only then would he stand a chance in that world.

Eventually, the car slowed as they neared Jack's neighborhood. The familiar sights of his community came into view, and as the vehicle pulled to a stop, Jack reached for the door handle. But before he could step out, Leo's voice called out to him.

"Jack."

He turned back, slightly confused. "Uncle Leo? Is there something else?"

Leo hesitated for a moment, looking out the window thoughtfully before turning back to Jack. His fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel, then he pulled out the car keys and extended them toward Jack. "It's inconvenient not having a car, don't you think? If you can drive, why not take my car for now? Don't worry about the license — the plates are special, and no one would dare question them."

Jack was startled for a moment, his eyes flicking from the keys to Leo's face. He was touched by the offer but quickly shook his head, a polite smile forming. "Thank you, Uncle Leo, but I couldn't. I'll buy one myself later. I don't want to trouble you over something like this."

Leo shrugged, seemingly unbothered. "Young people these days, maybe my car doesn't suit your taste. No matter. But I've already arranged for you to take your driver's license test. You can head over whenever you're ready."

A flash of surprise crossed Jack's face. "Really? You didn't have to go through all that trouble…"

Leo chuckled. "It's no trouble at all. Go tomorrow, take the day off. I've earned so much recently because of you, even if you took a year off, I'd still pay you."

Jack couldn't help but laugh along with him. "Alright, Uncle Leo, I'll go tomorrow and take the test."

With a final wave, Leo drove off, and Jack stood on the curb for a moment, watching the car disappear down the street. He took a deep breath before heading back to his apartment, his thoughts still swirling from everything Leo had just told him. The possibilities seemed endless, but they also carried immense pressure.

As soon as he stepped through the door, he was greeted by an unexpected sight. Both Samantha and Lena were waiting for him in the living room, their eyes gleaming with curiosity.

"Jack!" Lena beamed, practically bouncing in place. "How much did you make?"

Samantha, sitting more calmly on the couch, raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. She was clearly interested too.

Jack smiled, leaning against the doorframe for a moment, deciding how much to tell them. He couldn't let them know the full truth—fifty-five million would sound absurd. Instead, he kept his expression casual. "My boss spent a million on a few things, and he made about four million in return. I managed to snag a nice bonus for myself — five hundred thousand."

Lena's eyes went wide, and Samantha's lips parted in surprise, though she quickly composed herself. "Five hundred thousand?" Lena squealed. "Jack, you're a rich guy now!"

Jack laughed, scratching the back of his head, feeling a bit guilty for lying, but he knew the truth was too much. "Yeah, I guess I am. But don't go overboard."

Lena was practically vibrating with excitement. "It's party time!" she shouted, her enthusiasm infectious. "We need to celebrate! Pizza, cake, maybe even—"

Before she could continue, Samantha lightly smacked the back of Lena's head. "No, you fool. Jack should invest that money, not waste it on a party." She turned to Jack with a smile that was part amusement, part seriousness. "You need to think smart. Lena's an idiot, and you shouldn't listen to her."

Lena rubbed her head, pouting. "Hey! I'm just saying a little celebration wouldn't hurt. How about some chips and cold drinks, huh? You can treat me to that at least, right?" She looked at Jack with big, pleading eyes.

Jack chuckled, the tension from the day slipping away. "Alright, alright. Chips, cold drinks, and maybe some popcorn too. How does that sound for a 'rich guy' treat?"

Lena's face brightened immediately. "Perfect!"

Samantha rolled her eyes but smiled. "Well, I suppose that's a more reasonable celebration."

Jack grabbed his phone and quickly ordered some snacks, figuring they could have a relaxed night in. "How about we just watch some TV, kick back, and enjoy the evening? Tomorrow's Sunday, so we don't have to worry about staying up late."

Both girls agreed instantly, and soon enough, they were sprawled out on the couch, the room filled with the comforting sounds of a TV show, the crinkle of chip bags, and Lena's occasional munching.

As they settled in, Samantha leaned over toward Jack, lowering her voice so Lena wouldn't hear. "Jack, you really don't have to treat us like this. Lena's an airhead, but you don't have to indulge her every time."

Jack grinned, shaking his head. "It's fine, Samantha. I don't mind. Besides, it's fun to see her this happy over something as small as chips."

Samantha chuckled softly. "True. Just don't spoil her too much, or she'll expect it all the time."

The night passed easily, filled with laughter, casual conversation, and light-hearted banter. Lena, true to form, kept offering silly suggestions for how Jack should spend his 'fortune,' while Samantha calmly pointed out smarter options for investing and saving.

By the time the credits of their last TV show rolled, the three of them were lounging comfortably on the couch, surrounded by empty bags of chips and soda cans. Jack glanced at the clock, realizing how late it had gotten.

"Well, I think that's enough fun for tonight," he said, stretching his arms. "But I'm glad we could just relax."

Lena yawned dramatically. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. But next time, we go all out, okay?"

Samantha shot her a look. "Lena, no. Jack needs to save his money. He just got a big break."

Jack laughed, standing up. "We'll see. Maybe next time."

As they all headed off to bed.