Moving On

March 5, 2023, 4:30 PM - Vertis North, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines - Ayala Malls Vertis North

As Daniel strolled out of the Armani store with Molly, he felt a weight being lifted off his shoulders. For the first time in a while, he felt content and at peace with himself. He glanced down at the watch on his wrist, and a smile of satisfaction spread across his face. The watch did not define him, but it symbolized his newfound confidence and strength. He had purchased it not to flaunt his new wealth to Judee but because he genuinely liked the design of the watch. It was also a small way for him to prove to himself that he could be happy without someone who had caused him so much pain. As they walked, he couldn't help but think that he had been basing his happiness on external factors such as Judee and the things around him. That's why he felt crushed and helpless when those things were taken away from him. But now, he saw that true happiness should come from within. It was up to him to find joy in his own life, independent of anyone or anything else.

"I need to stop relying on others for my happiness. It's okay to be happy with someone, but I should never place it on anything external. My happiness should come from within, and I am responsible for it," he thought to himself. This newfound perspective gave him a sense of freedom and liberation. He felt empowered knowing that he held the key to his own happiness, and it wasn't dependent on anyone else's actions or opinions.

*DING!*

"Major Mission: Overcome Betrayal and Ridicule, Completed," the voice said. "Reward: Cash worth Php. 1,000,000 will be transferred into your existing BDO account in a few seconds. The host is also rewarded with 50 Overcome points." Daniel was taken aback. The reward was more than he had imagined.

*DING!*

"Significant improvement in host's well-being is detected: Bonus reward; Work and Gaming Computer Home Set Up worth Php. 2,500,000. This will be delivered to your Condominium Unit later tonight," the voice continued.

Daniel couldn't believe it. While the reward was certainly a pleasant surprise, he realized that his newfound perspective on happiness was worth far more. He smiled to himself, knowing that he had taken the first step toward true contentment. From now on, he would focus on his own happiness and take responsibility for it, no matter what the future held.

Molly couldn't help but notice the smile on Daniel's face, and it was infectious. She had no idea that Daniel was also going through some personal struggles recently. But it made her appreciate him even more that despite having his own burdens to bear, he had gone out of his way to comfort her when she needed it the most. It was a selfless act that spoke volumes about the kind of person Daniel was, and it touched her deeply. As they continued walking, she turned to him and asked, "Hey, Daniel. Are you okay now?"

Daniel nodded and replied, "I'm okay now. Thanks. Sorry, I got you involved in something like that."

Molly's smile widened, relieved that Daniel was feeling better. "It's not your fault, Daniel. I'm just glad you're okay now," she repeated, her words sincere.

Daniel gave her a small smile and asked, "Are you feeling hungry already? We've been going around the mall for a while, and shopping can be tiring."

Molly nodded, grateful for the change of subject. "Yeah, I could use a break and some food," she said with a smile.

Daniel and Molly walked towards Nabe, a bustling izakaya and hotpot restaurant. The aroma of grilled meat and sizzling hotpot broth filled the air, making their mouths water with anticipation.

"I'm glad we came here. I've been craving hotpot for weeks now," Daniel said, smiling at Molly.

"Me too, it's been a while since I've had Japanese food," Molly replied, returning the smile.

As they approached the restaurant, they noticed a short queue of people waiting to be seated. Daniel and Molly joined the line and waited patiently. After a few minutes, they were led to their table and given a brief explanation of how the hotpot works.

They ordered unlimited hotpot, Japanese skewers, sushi, and other side dishes. As they ate, they conversed and got to know each other better. They laughed and joked about their shared love of food and travel, and their conversation flowed effortlessly.

As they finished their meal, Daniel opened up about his troubles. He told Molly about his recent breakup with Judee and how it had deeply affected him.

"I thought she was the one for me, you know? I loved her so much, and I thought she felt the same way. But she betrayed me, and I just couldn't handle it," he said, his voice tinged with sadness.

Molly listened attentively, empathizing with his pain. "I'm so sorry, Daniel. That must have been really tough for you. But you know what they say, time heals all wounds," she said, trying to offer some comfort.

Daniel nodded, grateful for Molly's understanding. "Yeah, I know. And I'm trying to move on and focus on my own happiness. That's why I'm really glad I met you. You're so easy to talk to, and you make me feel good about myself," he said, smiling at her.

Molly blushed at the compliment, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "Thank you, Daniel. That means a lot to me. I'm glad we met too. You've also helped me feel better when I was not feeling okay when we met," she replied, smiling back at him.

Leaving the restaurant, Daniel and Molly felt a newfound sense of connection and friendship. Sharing a meal and opening up to each other formed a bond that was sure to grow in the coming days.

*Ding!*

"Eat at least three healthy meals a day, including fruits and vegetables achieved. The system has recorded your progress"

As they made their way toward the mall exit, Daniel suddenly stopped in his tracks. "Wait, I just remembered I still have one more thing to buy," he said, patting his pockets.

Curious, Molly looked up at him and asked, "What is it?"

"A journal," Daniel replied. "I want to start writing down my thoughts and feelings, and jotting down things I'm grateful for each day."

They walked to the nearby National Bookstore, and Daniel made a beeline for the stationery section. After a few minutes of browsing, he found the perfect journal: a simple yet elegant leather-bound notebook with a matching pen. He flipped through the pages and saw that they were thick and lined, perfect for writing on. The price tag read Php. 750.

"This one's perfect," Daniel said, holding up the journal for Molly to see.

Molly smiled, admiring the smooth leather cover. "It does look nice," she said.

Daniel decided to buy one for Molly too. "Let me get one for you too. You can never have too many notebooks," he joked.

They both laughed, and Daniel picked out a similar journal for Molly. He paid for both of them at the cashier, and they walked out of the store with their new purchases in hand.

With that, Daniel and Molly exited the mall. The sky was now a deep shade of blue, signaling that the day was coming to an end. They walked to the parking lot, and Daniel unlocked his motorcycle.

"Well, it was great spending time with you today," Daniel said, turning to face Molly.

"Yeah, I had a lot of fun too," Molly replied, a smile on her face.

"Let's do this again soon," Daniel said, putting on his helmet.

"Definitely," Molly replied. "Don't forget to chat with me when you get home, okay?"

"I won't," Daniel said, starting the engine. "Ride safe."

"You too," Molly said, waving as Daniel drove away.

Daniel weaved through the traffic, enjoying the cool breeze on his face as he made his way home.

*Ding!*

"Spend time with friends or family at least once this week achieved. The system has recorded your progress"