Nathan watched the serene neighborhood pass from the back seat of the car. The suburb was located on the outskirts of Arkis and extended into the next city.
A part of him appreciated the peace and quiet but he was already used to the busy part of the city.
Veronica and Celine chatted. Mostly normal stuff related to Celine. Her kids, husband and something about oven repairs.
Veronica mostly gave one-word replies, keeping her eye on the road.
Moments later, they arrived at the supermarket and the trio stepped out of the red sedan.
Nathan scanned the surroundings then informed Veronica he would be back shortly.
"Don’t take too long," she said.
"If I do, you know where I am," Nathan replied, walking away.
Veronica’s eyes stayed on him for several seconds before she turned to find Celine watching.
A huge grin was plastered on her neighbour’s face.
"What was that all about?" she asked.
"Nothing," Veronica replied as they walked inside.
The interior was huge, filled with the noise of shoppers and squeaking trolley wheels.
Various kinds of people crowded the aisles picking items.
A select few wore colorful suits and costumes that made them stand out from regular shoppers.
Most of them held their phones up, recording themselves while interacting with small groups of fans.
Veronica scoffed at the sight.
The hero industry ran on popularity almost as much as power.
Unless someone possessed exceptional abilities, fame was often the easiest way to get noticed by an agency.
Streaming, sponsorships and public appearances had become part of the job. But like all things, there were exceptions to the rule.
Her expression soured as she watched. It was a contrast to the unsettling grin Celine was throwing her way.
"Is there a problem?" Veronica finally asked as they picked up their shopping carts.
"No...No problem at all," Celine said, feigning innocence. Then, without warning, she leaned close. "So that’s him, right?"
"Yes," Veronica replied as they walked into the aisle with canned goods.
Celine’s grin widened. "I understand it now."
Veronica raised an eyebrow as she examined a can. "Understand what?"
"Why were you so worked up?"
Veronica frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Come on, V." Celine gestured vaguely toward the entrance. "Did you see that guy? The face, the abs... You’re one lucky woman."
Veronica paused for a moment. "You seem to be under some assumption we have something going on." She handed a can to Celine.
"I’d be disappointed if you didn’t." Celine smirked, collecting the can.
Veronica continued walking. Celine picked up an item and hurried after her.
"So what’s the plan?"
"The plan?" Veronica asked, grabbing a can of tomatoes before handing it to Celine.
A confused expression lined Celine’s face as she collected it. "I mean, he’s your ideal man. He checks your boxes and he’s easy on the eyes." She leaned closer again.
"Are you planning to... you know?"
Veronica narrowed her eyes. "What?"
Celine put a hand to her chest. "I’m just saying. If I had a man like that staying with me, I’d be singing like a canary every night."
"Aren’t you married with children?" She handed Celine another can.
"I am." Celine nodded proudly, collecting the can. "And I would never hurt my sweet husband."
She dropped her cart, rested both hands on Veronica’s shoulders and whispered with complete seriousness.
"Which is why you have to fuck him for me, V."
Veronica stared at her for several seconds, making an assessment. "Are you sick? You’re talking nonsense."
"Am I?" Celine laughed. "You’re the one who can’t stop thinking about him."
"What gave you that idea?" Veronica asked, trying to sound innocent.
Celine looked down at her basket filled with cans and Veronica’s empty one despite the amount of cans she had picked.
"Oh." Veronica muttered.
Celine smiled. "Talk to me, V. What’s the problem?"
Veronica’s expression softened for a second. "I don’t know." She looked down at the basket. "It was easier to search but now I’ve seen him... I don’t know what to do."
Celine’s teasing expression faded into understanding. "Oh... Hmmm... If you’re conflicted, then just go with the flow."
"The flow?"
"Yeah, just do whatever you want. You can figure the rest later." Celine shrugged. "Unless he’s the shy type?"
Veronica remembered Nathan confidently stripping in front of her. "I don’t think that’s a problem."
"Then what is?"
Veronica lowered her voice. "It’s just..." She hesitated. "I’ve never... done it before."
Celine’s eyes widened. "Wait. You’re still a... "
"Yes." Veronica answered, crossing her arms. "Is that a problem?"
Celine smiled. "Not at all." She thought for a moment. "Honestly... I’m just surprised."
"Why?"
"You have this ridiculously sexy energy about you." Celine shrugged. "I just assumed you were quite active."
She clapped her hands once. "Well, that doesn’t matter anymore."
Veronica narrowed her eyes.
"Because after we’re done shopping..." Celine grinned. "I’m helping you find what you need to set the mood."
A part of Veronica was certain she was going to regret it but the other part was curious.
She took the cans she had given Celine and they both headed to another aisle.
—
Nathan strolled through the lot and crossed the road to a row of ATMs facing the supermarket. He kept his cap low and looked around before pulling the card from his pocket.
As he raised his hand to insert the card, a thought formed in his mind.
’The system account can’t be traced but would my name show on the ATM logs?’
[The Host’s name is displayed by default on transactions.]
Nathan frowned before another screen appeared.
[But the system notes the Host wishes to maintain a low profile so it will obscure the details.]
’You’re the best’
[I’m aware.]
Nathan slid the card in the slot. The machine requested a pin and he tapped the keypad.
[0000]
He selected a hundred dollars then confirmed.
A whir sounded from the machine as it counted the cash before it went silent. The slot opened and Nathan received the cash.
[Withdrawal: $100]
[System Balance: $29,951,330.31]
He repeated the process two more times
[Withdrawal: $100]
[Withdrawal: $100]
[System Balance: $29,951,130.31]
Satisfied, he pushed a button to end the transaction and waited for the machine to eject the card.
However, an error message flashed on the screen and retracted the card, leaving Nathan in surprise.
"Stupid machine," he muttered.
If it had been a regular card, he would have reacted differently. Instead, he calmly walked away, hands in pockets.
The system card materialized in his pocket. He pulled it and examined it before sending it to the inventory.
A moment later, he was inside the supermarket.
He grabbed a shopping cart and asked a staff member for directions to the sections he needed items from.
He picked up sunglasses, canned food and a few other necessities, but when he reached the electronics section, there wasn’t much to look at.
The section featured a small variety of items. There were no high end gaming laptops or expensive devices.
He exhaled and made a mental note to visit a mall or tech store.
Regardless, he was going to test the rebate with cash. With little interest in shopping, he decided to explore and found himself at the hair dye section.
Veronica’s words crossed his mind as he scanned the array of colours but he shrugged.
His hand reached for a box of black dye.
"Excuse me?" a voice called out.
Nathan turned to find a dark skinned woman about a head shorter than him standing nearby.
She had green hair and wore a pink dress which did more to reveal than cover. She beamed a smile that could light up a Christmas tree.
"Hello," Nathan replied.
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