Several days later, as Owen was returning home after his shift at Jessica's coffee shop, he overheard Damian arguing with someone in front of the house. Damian's voice trembled with a mixture of anger and despair.
"Damian, you know it wasn't my fault!" a deep, sarcastic voice retorted. "I merely saw an opportunity and recommended it to you. Is it my fault the project failed? Don't make me laugh, my friend. You know damn well it was your own recklessness, pouring all your money into it. You failed to manage your own risk; you can't just blame me like this. We've known each other since our school days. Let's not make our relationship any worse."
Owen listened quietly from the shadows. He saw a man about Damian's age, dressed in an impeccable black suit and adorned with expensive accessories that screamed wealth. He had stylishly swept-back blond hair, a well-proportioned build, and a neatly trimmed beard and mustache. The man was speaking to Damian with a tone of clear condescension and blame, while Damian could only hang his head in shame.
"I know, Alex!" Damian said, his voice softening in resignation. "You don't have to rub it in. I was wrong to lose my temper with you just now, but I have no one else to turn to. I just need to borrow a couple of thousand to cover the first debt payment. I swear I'll pay you back. Please, man! You're the only one I know who can help me."
Although Alex sympathized with Damian, he had his own limits and didn't believe Damian could repay him anytime soon. "You know how it is, my dear friend Damian. Even though I'm an influential politician in this city, I'm not a god who can conjure millions out of thin air! Lending you money would be like setting it on fire. Even for friends, there are limits. I'm sorry, but no!" Alex refused decisively, and a look of undisguised despair washed over Damian's face.
"Okay… I guess I have nothing more to say to you. Thanks for listening to my pathetic request, Alex…" Damian said, his voice heavy with depression, before turning to walk back into the house.
As Damian retreated in defeat, Alex noticed Owen approaching. His eyes lit up as he scanned Owen from head to toe.
"Well, hello there, young man. I've heard a little about you from Damian. You must be his tenant, correct?" Alex greeted Owen, his tone shifting completely from the sarcastic one he used with Damian to one of politeness and interest.
Startled by the greeting, Owen paused. He hadn't expected a high-society figure like Alex to pay any mind to someone like him. "Yes, that's right. Can I help you with something?" Owen replied politely.
"My name is Alexander Ashford, but you can call me Alex. I'm the governor of Titan City. A pleasure to meet you, young man…" Alex introduced himself warmly, extending a hand to Owen.
[Character Illustration: Alex]
"Owen Marlowe. A pleasure to meet you too, Governor," Owen replied courteously. After they shook hands, Alex continued with a faint smile.
"I know a bit about you through my… failed friend, Damian. Had I known this project was going to fail, I never would have approved your guarantee. Then you wouldn't be stuck sharing the consequences of his failure. I truly regret it. It's like they say, 'Hindsight is 20/20,' isn't it?"
Owen's eyes widened slightly in confusion, which made Alex chuckle softly. "Haha~ You didn't really think that contract would get approved so easily without someone powerful pulling strings behind the scenes, did you?" he began, his voice tinged with sarcasm.
"Let me ask you, what bank or company would agree to let someone with no assets, like yourself, be a guarantor and a dividend recipient? None, of course. Damian came to me for help to push that contract through smoothly. Unfortunately for you both, you stumbled at the finish line and are now debtors with your finances in the red."
Alex paused, his sharp eyes studying Owen intently. "Damian is a lost cause to me, but you're not, Owen. You're still young and strong. You haven't been blacklisted by multiple companies yet, so you still have hope and a future… A ten-million-dollar debt might be too much for me to handle, but what about one million? I can help you get rid of it."
Alex's explanation made everything click into place for Owen. The mystery of that insane contract was suddenly clear. But there was no way he believed Alex would help him clear his debt for free.
"And what do you want from me?" Owen asked directly.
A satisfied smile spread across Alex's face, as if he'd been waiting for that question. "You're a sharp one, Owen. Of course, nothing in life is free. But I can't discuss the details on someone's doorstep like this… Meet me at my private mansion, and I'll give you the job description. See you then, young man…"
Alex handed Owen a business card with an address before climbing into a sleek, luxury car waiting for him and speeding off. He left Owen standing alone in front of the house, his mind dazed and filled with questions as a new plan began to form.
…
After collecting himself and entering the house, Owen was met with an unexpected situation. Clara was waiting for him in the hallway, a sour expression plain on her face. "You're finally back, Owen!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with displeasure.
"We're running out of food and household supplies. I asked Damian to go get groceries since he's the only one with a car, but he flat-out refused me, tossed the car keys at me, and stormed into his room! He's starting to act like a disgusting zombie, Owen! No energy, no motivation, more pathetic than a common loser. It makes me so angry!"
Clara sighed in frustration. "Forget Damian, Owen. Could you please drive and get the groceries for me? I'll write you a list," she said, genuinely furious at Damian's behavior. Owen simply nodded, taking the car keys from her. "No problem, Clara. Let me just take a shower first, and I'll get right on it."
Hearing this, Clara nodded in satisfaction, the life returning to her eyes. "Excellent, Owen. I knew I could always count on you. Hmph! If Damian keeps acting like this, you'll soon become the man of this house instead of him."
Half an hour later, Owen was sitting in Damian's old black Mercedes, once a symbol of his success but now looking quite run-down. He checked the car's condition and glanced at Clara's shopping list of over 50 items, letting out a preemptive, weary sigh. The only place that would have everything on the list was the large department store in the city center.
So, Owen started the car and drove toward his destination. He arrived in less than an hour and began shopping with a sense of boredom. A guy like him really wasn't cut out for grocery shopping. He wished something interesting would happen to break the monotony.
As if his thoughts were heard by God (or perhaps a devil), something did happen. As Owen walked past the IT products section, a loud voice erupted from across the aisle.
"You pervert! Who told you to sneak photos of me in the bathroom! If I call security, you'll be sleeping in a jail cell tonight!" a sharp, furious voice shrieked. A curvy woman with honey-tan skin was yelling at a frizzy-haired man with glasses, who just laughed back at her defiantly.
"Haha, I know you wouldn't do that to your best friend, would you, Sahara? We've known each other since we were in diapers. A little teasing won't hurt, my love. And I can't help but say, your butt is gorgeous~ I'll keep the photo for my private viewing, don't you worry. You know I never lie."
The woman called Sahara blushed crimson with anger. "This is more than just teasing, Jace! You've crossed the line! If you don't delete that picture right now, I'm calling the authorities!" Sahara declared, her eyes serious. Realizing she meant it this time, Jace's face fell and he deleted the photo in front of her.
"Argh, no! My beautiful butt picture…" Jace muttered to himself in disappointment. Owen, who had been watching from a short distance, could only twitch his eyebrow at the scene. He shrugged and continued on with his shopping.
An hour later, Owen drove the old black Mercedes back home, the car packed with groceries. Behind him, the red-orange sun was slowly sinking below the horizon. By the time he arrived, darkness was beginning to fall. He called for Clara and Julian to help him carry everything inside.
"Thank you so much, Owen. You're the best," Clara said, thanking him with her usual warm smile, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "Perhaps our hero deserves a special reward?" she teased, her eyes glinting with a playful promise that Owen missed entirely.
Oblivious to the strange look in her eyes, Owen replied casually, "That's not necessary, Clara. I was happy to help. I probably can't stream tonight from all the exhaustion. I just need some rest."
At this, Clara pouted adorably, placing her hands on her hips. "No way, Owen. The hero of the house deserves a reward! Let's do this: I'll prepare a prize for you tomorrow. You just wait for it, hehe~"
Seeing her cute side, Owen couldn't help but smile faintly. He waved and headed to his room for some much-needed rest after a long and eventful day.
…
The next morning, as Owen entered the kitchen to find something to eat, he was suddenly ambushed by Clara. She walked up and kissed him on the cheek before handing him a plate of pancakes with the words "Thank You" written in condensed milk. Owen stood frozen in surprise; it was the first time she had ever kissed him like that.
Could it be because she's doing OnlyStar with me? he wondered.
Has she opened up more?
Smooch!
"Hee hee~ Do you like your reward, Owen? I made these pancakes especially for you~" Clara giggled, pleased to see him frozen in place. She handed him the plate and went about her business.
Owen dazedly touched the spot on his cheek where she had kissed him. This might just be the boost of energy he needed to get through the entire day. After finishing Clara's pancakes, he left immediately for his job at Jessica's shop.
…
At Jessica's coffee shop, Owen was working diligently. The rich aroma of freshly roasted coffee filled the air as customers steadily trickled in. Jessica, busy making coffee, suddenly struck up a conversation.
"Hey, I heard you live in the same house as that famous CEO. Is that true?" she asked, her voice full of curiosity. Owen raised an eyebrow slightly and simply nodded in confirmation.
Jessica's eyes lit up. "Are you his son? Or just a distant relative? I've seen that house from afar. It's beautiful and looks so wealthy! I wish I had a house like that," she said with a mix of admiration and longing. Owen frowned slightly and corrected her misunderstanding.
"You must not have been following the news lately, have you? Famous CEO? That's ancient history," Owen sighed softly.
"He just bankrupted his company and is now in massive debt. I got caught in the crossfire, which is why I'm here working for you, boss… And for the record, I'm not his son or a relative, just a close friend despite our age gap. Our house might look wealthy from the outside, but in reality, we're poorer than you, Jessica. At least you don't have a ten-million-dollar debt, right?"
Jessica's jaw dropped, speechless. She never imagined Owen and Damian's family had fallen on such hard times. But thinking about his words, it made sense. What rich person would work a part-time job in her humble coffee shop?
"I'm sorry if I hit a nerve and made you feel bad…" Jessica said remorsefully. "You're right, I haven't been keeping up with the news at all. Tell you what, how about I apologize by giving you a bonus today?"
Of course, Owen wasn't one to turn down free money. He nodded with a small smile. "Whatever you think is best, boss~"
—-------