The Mapple Store was so shiny the floor looked like a mirror. Ethan had barely stepped inside when he recognized someone in the accessories section: Chloe Brooks, Harvard's track star who had helped him train that very morning, was testing out headphones. Her hair was tied in a ponytail, and her sporty outfit hugged her body just right.
While she was talking to the clerk about the price, two people showed up—"friends" of hers. A girl with a venomous smile, followed by a guy who looked like her lapdog, ready to laugh at anything she said.
"Well, if it isn't the scholarship princess," the girl sneered. "What are you doing in a Mapple Store? Without that scholarship you wouldn't even be at the university. Go to Tech&Go, they've got stuff that actually fits your level."
The guy barked out a laugh. "Yeah, Brooks, this place is way out of your league. You sure you didn't get lost?"
Chloe pressed her lips together, looking down. She didn't answer, but the tremble in her hands gave her away.
A familiar screen popped up in front of Ethan:
[New Mission: Defend Chloe Brooks in style]
[Objective: Make the bullies eat their words]
[Rewards: +5 Lux / Chloe's Favorability +10]
Ethan smirked to himself and walked toward them.
Without giving Chloe a chance to react, he wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her into his chest with shameless ease.
"What's up, babe?" Ethan said loud enough for everyone to hear. "Done picking out your headphones?"
The bullies froze. Chloe went stiff, eyes wide, but couldn't break free.
Ethan looked past her shoulder, locking eyes with the two with a cocky smile.
"And these are your friends?" he asked, oozing smugness.
Chloe, cheeks burning, whispered back, "Just… classmates."
The bullies exchanged uncertain glances, like they weren't sure if Ethan was real or some kind of hallucination. But once they scanned him from head to toe, their sneers returned.
"Look at this," the girl laughed, crossing her arms. "Two broke asses in a Mapple Store. What, you came just to take selfies with the displays?"
"Yeah, Brooks, I bet you can't even afford the headphones. And your 'boyfriend' looks just as broke as you."
The system chimed in immediately:
[System Alert: Idiocy level detected — 95%. Apply corrective action?]
[Suggestion: Buy something so expensive they'd have to sell their grandparents to catch up.]
Ethan raised a brow, fighting back laughter. "Babe, did you decide which ones you wanted?" he asked Chloe casually, ignoring the venom.
She looked at him in panic, but Ethan was already at the counter.
"Two Mapple 17s, matte black and pearl pink," he said smoothly. "And the new iXuds Pro."
The clerk nearly choked typing it in. "F-For right now?"
"Yeah. One for me and one for my girl. And make it quick, we're in a rush."
The bullies' jaws dropped.
"T-That's… that's more than a scholarship kid makes in a year!" the girl stammered.
"That'll be $4,780, sir," the clerk said, polite and almost bowing.
Ethan scanned the code with his phone. A beep confirmed the purchase.
"Purchase confirmed. Thank you, come again, we'll be happy to serve you soon."
[If only you answered messages as fast as you throw cash around.]
Ethan smirked and handed one of the bags to Chloe.
"Here you go, babe. Can't let you walk out empty-handed."
Chloe froze, staring at the shiny packaging with the Mapple logo.
"Ethan… I… I can't accept this. There's no way I can pay you back."
He tilted his head, leaning in close to whisper at her ear with a cocky grin.
"It's not a loan, Chloe. Just consider that you owe me a coffee… and maybe another morning run."
She stared at him, speechless, while the bullies in the background looked like they were about to faint.
At the exit, Ethan guided her naturally toward his car. The bullies stayed planted at the store's doors, still processing what had just happened. Their faces turned even paler when they saw Ethan and Chloe getting into his BMW.
[Mission complete: Defend Chloe Brooks in style]
[Rewards received: +5 Lux / Chloe's Favorability +10]
[Not only did you humiliate them, you also scored with the track star. Want a trophy?]
Ethan opened the car door for Chloe, who was still clutching the package tight.
"Thank you… really. But I feel guilty. I swear I'll pay you back one day," she said, eyes down.
Ethan chuckled softly, starting the engine. "Relax. Just enjoy your new toy. Believe me, there are way more expensive things I'll end up giving you."
Chloe bit her lip, looking out the window. She tried to hide it, but the trembling smile on her face gave her away.
Ethan drove a couple more streets, putting some distance between them and the Mapple Store. Only when he was sure no one was watching did he slow down and pull over.
"Want me to drive you home?" he asked, glancing at her. "I don't want you thinking I'm some stalker."
Chloe blinked in surprise but smiled softly. "That would be really nice of you."
She gave him the address and Ethan drove off again. It didn't take long: they passed by the park where they usually ran in the mornings, and just five minutes more brought them to her building. It wasn't fancy, but definitely better than where he lived.
"Here we are."
Chloe turned toward him, nervous. "Ethan… you really didn't have to do all that. I'll pay you every cent."
He shook his head calmly. "Don't worry about it. It's nothing."
A brief silence followed. Chloe fiddled with the strap of her bag, then looked at him directly, gathering courage.
"Would you… like to come up for a cup of coffee?" she finally asked, her voice shy but sweet.
Ethan raised a brow, hiding his grin. Before he could answer, the system chuckled in his head:
[Mmm, cup of coffee, huh? Hehe… you know what that means, champ. Classic 90's movie code: coffee = sex. Congrats, you're walking straight into the cliché.]
Ethan snorted softly, his eyes gleaming as he looked at her.