At the Nim household, the sun had barely risen when Daniel opened his eyes. He got up without a word, his face still as unreadable as ever, and dragged himself to the bathroom. The shower water ran down his skin for a long while, as if to truly awaken him. He dressed carefully, as always: a perfectly ironed black shirt, fitted pants—everything meticulously chosen, leaving nothing to chance.
When he came downstairs, the kitchen was bathed in the pale morning light. His brother Ben was already at the table, a half-eaten piece of toast in hand. He looked up and smirked slightly.
— You're all dressed up, and it's not even nine yet… Got a date or something?
Daniel shot him a cold look as he sat down.
— That's none of your business. You should worry more about your pathetic little life, you obedient little mutt.
Ben frowned, clearly hurt.
— No need to be a jerk. I was just asking, man... And maybe you could show me a little respect. I am your brother, you know?
Daniel sighed loudly, already annoyed.
— Fuck... I just wanted to eat in peace. And now some idiot has to ruin my morning.
At that moment, their father came down the stairs, fastening his watch while checking his phone.
— Father! Are you joining us for breakfast? Ben asked with a hopeful tone.
Mr. Nim barely glanced at them.
— No time. I have to get to the office. And you, you should finish up and head upstairs to study.
— But, Father, it's the weeke—
— No buts. If you ever want to run my company one day, you need to become a genius. So hurry up, finish your meal, and hit the books.
Ben lowered his eyes, defeated.
— Yes, Father...
Without another word, their father left, the front door slamming behind him. His car engine hummed as he drove off.
An oppressive silence fell between the brothers, until Daniel spoke again, mockingly:
— You really are his little lapdog.
Ben tensed up, fists clenched.
— This is all your fault. If you had accepted to take over the company, we wouldn't be here. Maybe I'd be living a different life...
Daniel slowly stood up, his piercing gaze fixed on his brother.
— Sorry, but I only live by my own will. No one tells me what to do. You're so damn cowardly you can't even stand up to Father, and now you're blaming me for your misery? If you don't want that life, tell him.
— I'm not as brave as you...
Daniel let out a dry, joyless laugh.
— Idiot. You've just ruined my appetite. I'm out of here.
He turned on his heels and slammed the door behind him.
Ben stayed alone at the table. Silence returned, heavy. He lowered his head, hands trembling, and slowly, tears began to roll down his cheeks.
Daniel took one of his father's cars without even asking. A brand new Porsche Taycan Turbo S, sleek, black, and deadly quiet when it rolled—just the way he liked it. It was the kind of car rich kids with too much money and not enough soul drooled over. He got in like he owned the world, because in his head, he did.
He pulled up twenty minutes later in front of a modest residential building. He didn't get out. He didn't text. He just leaned on the steering wheel and waited.
After a minute or two, the girl walked out—long hair, nervous smile, arms crossed like she wasn't sure if this was a date or a trap. It was Clara.
Daniel lowered the window, looked at her with his usual deadpan expression, and said:
— Hey. Get in.
Clara blinked, surprised.
— Uh… yeah. Okay.
She slid into the passenger seat, glancing at the interior like she'd just stepped into another world. Daniel didn't say anything. He just drove off.
After a few minutes of silence, Clara broke it.
— So… where are we going, Daniel?
He didn't even turn his head.
— Don't worry. Somewhere we can enjoy ourselves. Just the two of us.
— Oh… okay. But like, where exactly?
He gave her a quick side glance.
— Don't you trust me? I told you—it's a place where we'll have fun. But first, we're stopping at the mall.
— Alright… if you say so. By the way, where did you learn to drive?
— Took my license exam last year. Why? Am I driving badly?
— No, actually… You're pretty calm behind the wheel.
— I see.
They pulled up to the parking lot of the biggest shopping center in the city. It wasn't just any mall. It was the mall—luxury brands only, gold accents on the doors, security guards in suits. The kind of place where people didn't ask for prices.
Clara's eyes widened.
— Daniel… This is the biggest mall in the city. And they only sell designer stuff here. It's insanely expensive…
Daniel parked without a care.
— Don't worry. I'm inviting you. You deserve to wear luxury.
— But still…
— Relax. Trust me.
Clara hesitated, then nodded shyly.
— Okay…
Daniel glanced at her as she stepped out of the car, smiling nervously.
What an easy girl, he thought coldly. It's going to be much easier to get her into my bed than I imagined. This day's going to be satisfying.
They walked into the mall. Clara couldn't seem to settle on anything. She moved from one section to the next, her eyes sparkling but uncertain. The price tags displayed three and four-digit figures. Every time she looked at one, she seemed to hold her breath. She wondered if she even had the right to touch such clothes, let alone wear them.
She paused in front of a swimsuit — deep red, simple, yet elegant. She thought it was stunning. But when she saw the price — $850 — her hands trembled slightly, and she didn't dare to even pick it up.
Daniel watched her from the corner of his eye. He stepped closer, silently.
"You know, if you want it, you can have it," he said calmly.
Clara turned toward him, looking a bit uneasy.
"Are you sure? Isn't it a little too expensive?"
"I told you, you could take whatever you want. Besides, where we're going, you'll probably need a swimsuit."
"Okay… but really, are you sure?"
"Don't worry," he said, giving her a smile that was almost charming.
"And you can grab anything else you like too. Don't hold back."
"Alright… thanks."
She thanked him softly, though another thought kept circling in her mind: Just how rich is he, really?
After making her choices — several outfits, including the swimsuit — they headed toward the checkout. Clara walked with her arms full, still a bit hesitant.
She looked shy about the prices at first, Daniel thought, but the second I said she could take anything she wanted, she went all in without blinking. What a hypocrite. She's definitely got the makings of a gold-digger.
At the register, Clara watched the clothes pile up on the counter, then glanced at Daniel, unsure.
"Um… Daniel, are you sure you want to pay for all of this? If you want, I can put some back…"
And here she goes again, playing the good girl, he thought. As if I'd fall for that.
"Don't worry," he replied. "It's nothing."
"Okay… thank you."
Daniel then pulled out a black card. It didn't look like a normal bank card — more like a sleek access pass for the ultra-wealthy. No logos, no numbers — just power in plastic.
The cashier took it, examined it briefly, and then her face lit up. A big, polite smile appeared, and her tone shifted instantly to a more respectful, almost reverent one.
"I hope our service met your expectations, sir. If you need any assistance or personal styling next time, we'd be honored. And I hope the young lady found everything she was looking for."
Daniel simply nodded.
"No, it's all good. Everything was perfect. Thanks."
They walked out together, arms full of bags. Clara looked amazed — a bit overwhelmed.
As they exited, the cashier called after them:
"Thank you for visiting, Mr. Nim."
Of course, Daniel thought. The mall belonged to his father's company.
They loaded the bags into the trunk of the Porsche and got back in the car. Daniel resumed driving, gradually leaving the city behind. The tall buildings gave way to trees, then to quieter side roads.
Clara stared out the window, a bit puzzled.
"Are we… leaving the city?" she asked.
Daniel kept his eyes on the road.
"You really don't know what's outside the city?"
"No… I've almost never left it by road, honestly."
Daniel gave a half-smile.
"There are only two places people go when they leave the city from here. And we're headed to the second one."
Clara tilted her head.
"Really? And what are the two places?"
"The beach… and the cemetery."
To follow ....