Arnold took a cautious step out of his automobile and looked around.It was a crisp evening, and the chilly breeze felt pleasant on his skin. The air also felt good on Arnold's short black hair, and he let out a soft sigh as it ruffled.He loved the wind. It had a relaxing effect on him, and if he needed to clear his mind from confused thoughts, he'd stroll outside to chill.However, as much as he wanted to stay and savor this moment, Arnold knew he couldn't. Today was not a day to unwind. Instead, it was the day he was supposed to meet with the Heloise gang members. He'd told Rocky to meet with his men and get them ready, and the former gang boss had texted him this address earlier today. Now he was here—in a large open field with big trees and bushes surrounding it. He quickly studied his surroundings, and other than the eerie silence, nothing out of the ordinary was going on. He enjoyed how peaceful everywhere looked, and he was delighted with the place Rocky had chosen for th
"Make it rain." As Arnold made that statement, he looked up at the sky with an almost unbreakable concentration. It didn't take long at all. A chopper swooped overhead, flashing a powerful light down the ground below, lighting every nook and cranny of the vast field where Arnold stood with the gang members just two minutes after he made the phone call. Murmurs erupted from the assembled crowd, and Arnold could hear many of them inquire. "What the hell is going on?" Arnold heard Rocky inquire at the same time too. "Mr. Stone, What exactly is going on?"The limping man sounded terrified, and Arnold just chuckled. "Oh, you'll see what happens soon. Let's say in 5...4...3...2...1 and go." With that remark, the helicopter's lights faded, and something else occurred. The chopper's jaws sprang wide, and dollar notes flew out like bullets, showering down like hail. The paper bills flew everywhere, causing the gang members to shout and run around as the entire scene devolved into chaos.
"Hello, Arnold." Arnold sighed gently in delight as Jia's smooth and sexy voice resonated through the phone line. Hearing her sweet voice after so long was a dream come true, and he was only now realizing how much he'd missed it. "Good day, Jia. How are you doing?” He felt himself smile into the phone and heard Jia’s gentle chuckle on the other end too."I’m doing okay, you?""Same, same.""Well, that's wonderful to hear. And to what do I owe this phone call?" Jia's voice had an undertone of curiosity that he was accustomed to though it never failed to amuse him. Clearing his throat, he answered her query, his grin expanding unconsciously. "Well, it might interest you to know that I'm currently outside the hospital."“Huh? What hospital? As in, my hospital?" Jia sounded perplexed as if she didn't believe him, which made him laugh softly into the receiver. "As in, in your hospital." With a gentle snicker, he clarified. "I also brought you dinner if that's of any help."“Wow. Did y
It was another hectic morning in Mr. Xiu's office, and Arnold was the only one there besides Mr. Xiu himself.The room was littered with papers, which were tossed around indiscriminately, but Mr. Xiu didn't appear to mind. Instead, he seemed transfixed on his computer screen, frantically tapping away on the keyboard and muttering something under his breath. Arnold controlled his smirk as his hands moved quickly across the keys.This scenario in front of him was relatively common, and it occurred daily during their working hours. Mr. Xiu didn't become the Ghost Of Wall Street by accident—he worked hard, and it showed in his everyday routine. The older man would plop his ass, turn on the computers intended for trading stocks, and get to work once he arrived at the office, ate breakfast, and attended any meetings or appointments he'd booked. His resilience and drive inspired Arnold, and he was eternally grateful that he was trained in the business world by this eccentric man. Mr. Xiu
The shrill ring of Arnold's phone jarred him from the useless stare-down he was currently having with his laptop, and he grudgingly took the device from the desk, tearing his sight away from the computer's screen.The device vibrated in his palm again, and this time he looked at the phone's screen to find that it was the phone's alarm reminding him of his upcoming dinner date with Jia."Oh, my shit!" He cursed as he jumped out of his chair.He cursed again as he looked at his wristwatch and saw that it was 6 pm – he was supposed to be on his way by now, darn it! Arnold had told her last night that he'd pick her up at 6:30 p.m. after he finished work, yet he was failing miserably at keeping time. He still had thirty minutes till he was due to meet her. So, if he rushed, he could get to her place on time and without delay.Certainly without delay, because he couldn't afford to miss this. No way, no how.As Arnold gathered his belongings, a faint smile crept at the corner of his lips as
As the evening continued, Arnold found himself engaged in Jia's attractive company. The clinking of cutlery and the occasional bursts of laughter from surrounding tables produced a lovely environment around them as they sat in a cozy corner of the restaurant, bathed in gentle candlelight and engaged in vibrant conversation.Arnold couldn't help but notice Jia's date outfit—a flowing gown that complemented her grace and beauty—as they relaxed and had a good time. Her beauty was unrivaled by anyone Arnold had ever met, but his attraction to her remained unabated. He was captivated by the woman. Her beauty was a rare treasure in one person, and he wanted to know all about it. He wanted to investigate every element of this extraordinary being. And he was also intrigued by how she looked so beautiful without even trying."Your hands are so lovely..." Her comments jolted him back into the present, and the compliment surprised him. As if on cue, her hands materialized in front of his ey
SOME YEARS EARLIERMr. Kein and Xiu, and Jia’s mother, Selise, grew up together in the same neighborhood.They were best of friends who went to the same high school. Mr. Kein, at the time, was known as Micah, a name given to him by his grandparents.Given Mr. Xiu and Selise's constantly busy parents, the three friends lived practically next door to each other, and Micah's grandparents were always the ones to host all three of them.Mr. Xiu's parents would leave him alone in the enormous home with Micah's grandma, who was his nanny, whenever they went on vacation, even though he was only a tiny toddler. Selise's mother, on the other hand, would drop her off at Micah's place. That's how Micah and Selise became great friends... before little Mr. Xiu himself got acquainted with them.Mr. Xiu was known as Little Xiu in the neighborhood because of his modest stature among his contemporaries. And he lived in a different world from Micah and Selise, whose parents were middle-class.However,
“Money? How much are they asking?" Little Xiu inquired, already worried."Three thousand dollars, they say! They want three thousand dollars!""No way! No way am I going to donate so much money to a guy who has lost himself and doesn't even cherish his buddies.""Please, Xiu, please!" Selise begged, tears running down her cheeks, and that's when Xiu snapped.He had a soft spot for her, and seeing her so out of sorts and pleading for his sake irritated him even more. He also felt a pang of jealousy as he pondered if she would beg the same way for him if he were in the same or worse predicament.Xiu knew her pity still tied her for Micah, or perhaps it was because she felt she owed him so much. After all, his grandparents had taken care of her.Her parents were now frequently gone from her life, and their relationship had deteriorated significantly since their divorce.Her mother was the only one who stayed, and she wasn't much help. The woman constantly ignored her and her sister, as s