Chapter 10: Having To Go For Any Option That Makes Living Possible

Firstly, Ryan had to consider that Michelle wasn’t one of those rich folks who would be willing to pay any amount. However, the fact that she was demanding twenty-five years couldn’t rule out the fact that she would have to pay big.

If it were one of the wealthy figures in the city, Ryan would have named a significantly bigger price.

But then, Michelle’s reaction had Ryan picturing her sheer hopelessness before she even said a word.

"Is there a problem, Miss Michelle?" Ryan had to ask, even though he knew exactly what the problem was.

Michelle remained silent for a moment, and even when she tried to talk, she could only stammer.

"I... I... I can’t..."

"The... The..."

’A million dollars is insane... I know,’ Ryan said with a sly smirk.

’And that’s why I’ve decided to start from there,’ he thought.

He cleared his throat and glared at her.

"Is a million dollars too much?" he asked.

"A million dollars is... It’s impossible, sir," Michelle responded with a breaking voice.

"I have never seen such an amount of money since I was born, much less owned it," she added.

And now, it suddenly felt more interesting for Ryan, and he tilted his head, smiling.

"Well, you know it’s your life we are talking about here, Miss Michelle. If you don’t get it, you are definitely dying in the next twenty or so hours."

Michelle’s heart skipped a beat, and she stared in fear.

"I know, but..."

"You know," Ryan interrupted. "There’s a saying that says, ’Life is a luxury we can’t afford.’"

"I know people understand that very much, and even now, for you, who sees that it’s almost affordable, you still can’t afford it."

"But it doesn’t mean it’s impossible for you now, does it?" Ryan asked.

Michelle couldn’t get herself to answer that question, and Ryan wasn’t expecting an answer either.

He gave a slight slam of his fist on the table and stared.

"Your fiancé. Maybe you can tell him about it. Perhaps he could help save his fiancée’s life," Ryan said with a hopeful smile, like he had just brought out a very good idea.

However...

"No. No, please. I don’t want him to know about this. I can figure this out myself," Michelle said.

She quickly ruled out the idea Ryan had brought up, which made sense only from her perspective.

Ryan didn’t try to question her, so he decided to go on with his speech.

"Well, since you can’t get help and still can’t afford the price... That means this is headed for a bad end, Miss Michelle," Ryan said with a rather relaxed look on his face.

Michelle was already sinking into hopelessness as she began to panic even more.

One thing was clear...

There was no way she could raise a million dollars before her time ran out.

’My parents are dead. I don’t have a good relationship with my relatives. No one can help me.’

’My fiancé doesn’t even have a job. I’m literally the one funding our wedding preparations...’ Michelle reflected in her thoughts.

’I love him, and I don’t want him to know about me dying soon. He might decide to leave. I don’t want to lose him.’

Several thoughts came flashing in as Ryan patiently waited for her to say something.

Still, it didn’t seem like they were making any progress.

For sure, Michelle needed the twenty-five years more than anything in the world, but it was almost impossible to reach that point.

She had been pondering and pondering without any vital ideas to show for it until Ryan decided to break the silence again.

"I’ve got an idea, Miss Michelle," he said. ℯ

"Okay," Michelle immediately sat up and began to listen.

"If you can’t afford to pay for what you need, then I will be offering you another option," Ryan said.

Michelle hesitated for a moment before asking.

"What option, sir?"

Then Ryan sat up and began.

"When it’s time, you will quit your job as an attendant at the Super Mall and work for me. You will work for me for one year as the secretary of my Time Selling Company, as well as devoting all your time, even after getting married."

Michelle immediately flinched, realising the weight of the option. It didn’t look like a lighter one at all, causing her jaw to drop in utter frustration.

"But... But that’s my source of income. I can’t afford to live without working," Michelle said with a breaking voice.

"You have a husband-to-be, right, Miss Michelle?" Ryan asked. "How about he devotes the first year of your marriage to taking care of everything? Perhaps maybe everything can be more understandable if you tell him about all this."

"No," Michelle cut in.

"I will do it anyway. If this is what I have to do, I’ll devote an entire year to working for you," she added.

Ryan gave a smile and nodded.

"Good decision, Miss Michelle. Now let’s carry on with the contract."

They started with the contract and finished within minutes. Michelle only had to make palm contact, felt something quite heavy in her chest, and then it was enough to believe that everything was true because...

"I’m not supposed to feel that heaviness if it’s not real, right?" she muttered to herself.

So then, their meeting ended while Ryan left before she did.

He headed straight towards Maximum Estate, where he had an appointment with the Lincoln Family. He might have stayed longer than expected with the young lady at the bar, but it wasn’t a problem because the Lincoln Family were ready to welcome him at any time.

When Ryan arrived at the villa, there were already two bodyguards in suits waiting outside like they knew he was coming at that moment.

"Welcome, sir!" one of them greeted with maximum respect as the giant gate opened right after.

The one who had greeted him led him straight into the villa, and after walking for several minutes, they arrived at a breathtakingly massive luxurious building made with rich blacks and shiny whites.

Ryan swallowed for a moment before shrugging.

’Well, I’ve travelled to many worlds, but no one beats Earth when it comes to modern luxury,’ he thought.

At the entrance of the villa, two men and a beautiful young lady were already waiting.

Ryan walked boldly towards them without blinking, enjoying the way they looked at him with hope and respect.

He didn’t expect to be perceived casually after saving their grandfather’s life, after all.

"Welcome, Time Seller. We are honored to have you here, sir," Tony greeted with a sincere smile on his face.

"It’s my pleasure, Mister," Ryan replied.

They were about to lead him in when an arm suddenly came from the side.

"Hi... I, ummm... I’m Emma."

Ryan turned to the young lady standing in front of him, and the first thing that caught his attention was the look on her face.

A sharp-eyed stare, and a little bite on the lips.

"..."

"Nice to meet you, Miss Emma. I’m Ryan."

"Oh, Mister Ryan! We are just getting to know your name as well," Tony shouted with a soft laugh.

"True. We never knew the real name of the amazing Time Seller," the other man whom Ryan hadn’t recognised stated.

"Oh well, yeah. Now you know my name," Ryan smiled back at them.

They walked into the building afterwards, with Emma walking alongside Ryan. Ryan didn’t know why she was coming along, but he definitely knew that this lady was up to something.

However, Ryan only smiled.

’Little woman. If your family are planning to use you as an access, well, maybe they should be informed that they have failed before they started,’ he stated inwardly.

******

Meanwhile, Michelle arrived home with a stressed face and a delighted one as well.

She had just gained herself more time to live in this world, and she couldn’t imagine what would have happened if she hadn’t met Ryan Calender.

She wasn’t planning on telling anyone about this, but she was surely going to celebrate it alone!

She had been living with her fiancé for two years in an apartment somewhere in Zion City, and even though she had been the one paying the rent, she never complained about his inability to contribute.

All she wanted was for him to love her.

Loving her was enough... As stupid as that had sounded to her almost every time.

Today, she was enthusiastically rushing to tell him about the completion of her wedding dress, which she had been trying to save money for.

What was more exciting? She was already longing to tell him about his wedding attire as well, which was also completely paid for.

At once, she pulled off her shoes and headed for the bedroom, where she believed he would be at that time of the day.

And on getting there...

"Ahhh..."

"Uhhhh-ahhh...!"

"Right there... Right there. Ahhh... Yes!"

Thud!

Michelle’s purse fell without her realising it.

Her eyes widened, her mouth agape.

A few more steps after opening the door, her heart skipped drastically.

"Richards???"

.

.

[A/N: Now’s time to give your opinions about the first ten Chapters before we begin this journey properly. Let’s go!]