Chapter 526: Alicia Raze (2/2)
”No, not now. He realizes what I meant. Climbing the ranks on his own is the test to see whether he's worthy. The young lass did voice some important points earlier, there isn't a lack of people wanting fame and fortune. We'll see.”
”Yeah,” added Lia, ”-we'll see.”
Although the profession didn't change; the mindset sure had taken a different turn. Cooking seemed a burden lately, the change of pace and scenery would settle the mind, or so he'd hoped. A new land, a new city, and a new start. Underlying the presented narrative, another agenda of digging for information kept Éclair occupied.
”Where are we headed?” asked the driver.
”The nearest dealership for bikes.”
”Which brand?”
”Denly,” said he, '-I ought to pay respect to mother.'
”Denly?” repeated she in dismissal, ”-the prices far exceed my apartment.”
”Whatever,” he laughed, ”-the apartment has parking?”
”I suppose. It is in the upper-district.”
”Don't lie to me, it's in the modest upper district.”
”Whatever,” she lowered her window to let the wind caress her hair. Albeit the personality was a little weird, her beauty was concrete. Tis was further acknowledged by men and women locking onto her visage. Cut across the middle, turning here and there, they arrived at Stanley's Homage stapled in the middle. The roads were large, the pavement less busy and the buildings classier. It had taken around 2 hours due to traffic on an otherwise 1-hour drive. Time showed 22:00, shops were still opened.
The driver turned onto Shinder Street – dealerships from cars, to bikes, and even private-jets were laid one after the other. Sharp, pretty, and expensive. Costly cars were often sighted parked adjacent to the shops.
”We're here,” said the driver.
”Awesome, thanks for the lift.”
”Pleasure was all mine,” said he speeding off into the distance.
”What are we doing here,” complained she.
”Getting settled in the town.” The cheap outfit and overly obnoxious bags didn't add to their repute. Whilst Alicia bearly fit the requirement of 'good garment' Igna fell short. The rare visitors side-glanced in sympathy for it was an area frequented by the rich.
”Igna, let's just get a taxi to an inn nearby,” the glances against her back made way for discomfort.
”No wait,” they strolled about until 'Denly Motor' came in sight. Glass-panned windows gave onto the prestige sharp-colored interior. 'This feels awkwardly familiar,' thought he.
”Look,” signaled a salesman on the inside,”-we got another window shopper.”
”Don't mind him,” said she, ”-let them dream.”
”Dream?” the speech halted. Automatic doors parted as Igna walked in.
'Another dreamer,' sighed she, ”-hello, how can I help you today?”
”Hello,” replied he courteously.
'The torn outfit, where did he come from, the zoo? The ripped backpack, dirtied shoes, damn, does he have no shame?'
”-do you perhaps have the Spuntna X8?”
'Asking for the brand's best model from the start?' her eyes rolled, ”-yes, please, over here.”
A rotating platform displayed the beast in all her beauty. Buffed and streamlined for speed, '-might as well show the special model too.'
”Here we have the Spuntna X8V2 SST.”
”Sports standard tuning,” he paused. Alicia chose to remain outside in embarrassment.
”How much for the normal version?” wondered he.
”250,000 Exa.”
”And the SST?”
”350,000 Exa. It's a rare model, we've got the only one in the whole of Alphia. It just came in today as luck would have it.”
”Red and black,” thought he, ”-it's awesome.”
”Yes,” said she, ”-though, please don't touch it.”
”It's very rude,” said he, ”-judging people on appearance. Nevertheless, I'll buy it.”
”Excuse me?” she coughed, ”-sir, the price is 350,000 Exa, the same as a mansion…”
”Did I stutter?” he facepalmed.
”Alright,” she moved to the counter, the other salesmen were baffled.
”Could I have your name?” asked she.
*Ding,* all the information filled and signed.
”The payment has been approved…”
”Alright,” he turned.
”Will you be taking it out now?”
”Yes, and please hand over the bodysuit. I'd like another helmet for my friend outside.”
”As you pleased,” the atmosphere changed the moment payment was confirmed. Money talks, the saying was concrete and truthful.
”Hey, Alicia.”
”What is it now?” she turned preoccupied with what to say to the salesperson.
”What do you think?” he stood with a very expensive looking body-suit bearing the brand and logo of the Spuntna X8V2.
”How?” she stomped up the stairs, ”-Spuntnas are expensive; some go the same as a fucking mansion!”
”Yeah,” he patted her head, ”-don't judge people so much,” the bike was brought by a handyman, ”-come on, let's head out.”
”Here's a helmet for the young lady,” said the attendant.
”Thanks.”
”Connection made to the bike,” commented Éclair, ”-I'm sorry about asking to buy this expensive a vehicle.”
”It's fine, as long as you can use it too, I don't mind. Besides,” he laughed; ”-this is nothing compared to what Phantom makes in a week.”
”True.”
The manager reluctantly approached, the vehicle screamed of prestige and power. She feared putting a dent or scratching the paint. ”Sit already,” exclaimed he, ”-where's the apartment?”
”On the outskirts of Eldow's high.”
”Got it,” by that, he meant Éclair found it. It didn't take much to repurchase the lot and transferring the ownership to Alicia.
The engine bared down hell on the streets. Traffic didn't matter, and thus, in less than 45 minutes, in which he drove like a mad-man, they arrived at the sloped hill. The apartment stood at an intersection next to which rested a shopping complex.
”Why are we here?” they stopped.
”Because I bought the apartment,” commented he, ”-I'll be staying with since I paid most of it.”