Parallel System

Chapter 1

"We don't have much time, don't waste it!"

This is the 20th item delivered by Dylan. Working as a delivery staff at Ohio University is one of Dylan's efforts to earn extra money for college. 

Dylan wants to study the major he wants so that after graduating he will have a degree and a more decent job. 

On this particular day, Dylan picked up a lot of items to be delivered because he needed more money to celebrate his one-year anniversary with his girlfriend, Haily.

Dylan knew Haily when they accidentally met at a college festival. They started dating two weeks later and have been dating for a year. 

Although Haily's lifestyle is far above Dylan's, Dylan is amazed that Haily wants to be his girlfriend. 

Dylan drove his motorcycle through a small alley between tall buildings to reach his destination faster.

Burn Bright, the gym where Dylan currently goes. Luckily this is his last package, so afterwards Dylan has time to buy a gift and get ready before heading to the restaurant he has booked.

Dylan heard a coworker talking about Burn Bright being the training place of a rich quarterback stud from the Columbus Crew football club named Alan. And the receiver of the package Dylan was carrying had the initials AA. Those are Alan's initials. 

It was undeniable that Dylan idolized Alan. Every match of the football club Dylan always came with Haily. Dylan was relieved that Haily loved football as much as he did.

Dylan finally arrived at Burn Bright. He went through a security check because this place could not be entered by anyone especially without a membership card. 

At first, Dylan intended to hand over the item to the security guard, but then Dylan thought that this might be his chance to meet Alan in person. If he was lucky, he could even get his autograph.

So Dylan made up an excuse so that he could hand the item directly to Alan. 

"I'm from Ohio University. This item was sent directly by the professor to maintain the athlete's health. I have to deliver the professor's message in person," Dylan said.

The security guards let Dylan into Burn Bright for a believable reason. 

The gym was indeed a luxurious building. Dylan is fascinated by the futuristic interior design. It even had a lobby like a hotel. Despite being so spacious, the place had clear signage. So Dylan decided to take a quick stroll around before dropping off the items he was delivering to the training room. 

On one of the walls displayed a picture of Alan holding a trophy. Dylan couldn't even estimate the money Alan had because of the many matches he had won. At times like this Dylan had thoughts of wanting to be like Alan. A young man who is successful and can get everything he wants. Dylan also wanted to make Haily happy with the luxury items he used to buy. 

Dylan soon woke up from his reverie and he went back to looking for the training room.

"Wow, I didn't think this building was so tall." The total floors of the building are 10. "It's like a big company."

A gym of this size was definitely not just any place built for the lower classes. Burn Bright's members include athletes, actors and actresses, and government figures. No wonder this place is so massive.

The training room is on the 5th floor. There, the gym is full of equipment ranging from power rack, cable crossover machine, chest press machine, lat pulldown machine, leg press machine, smith machine, abdominal bench, bench press, treadmill, rowing machine, elliptical machine, indoor cycling bike, and many other equipment. 

Dylan suddenly lost his confidence because this place was too luxurious for himself to walk in. But the wish to meet Alan was strong. So Dylan tried to get in and mingle. 

Dylan's eyes searched all over for Alan. The man Dylan was looking for wiped his sweat after getting off the treadmill. 

Dylan tried to approach Alan. But Alan headed to a room marked as the restroom. Since this was out of Dylan's control, he stopped following Alan because he didn't want to disturb his idol's privacy.

However, when he went to leave, Dylan heard the obvious sound of something falling. Dylan had no prejudice other than Alan had fallen. So without thinking, Dylan entered the restroom. 

Dylan searched the entire room. But there is no one. When he intends to go out, Dylan hears another sound, but this is different from the first sound.

Curiosity made Dylan go ahead and approach a door where the sound came from. Dylan peeked through the gap in the door. 

Dylan saw Haily, his girlfriend, having an affair with Alan. They came closer to each other making Dylan clench his hands into fists. This is something that Dylan had never thought of.

"Haily, what the hell are you doing!"