Chapter 45: Three Years

Chapter 45: Chapter 45: Three Years In truth, her mind was preoccupied with a pressing concern. Accessing the Rebate System through a shared device was becoming increasingly inconvenient, and she needed a personal phone—one that no one in her family would know about. As she mulled over ways to obtain one without arousing suspicion, a plan took shape in her mind. "Olivia," Aurora suddenly said, tugging on her sister’s sleeve, "I need to use the restroom. Can you wait here for me?" Olivia nodded immediately. "Of course. Take your time." Aurora gave her a grateful smile and turned toward the restrooms. As soon as she entered, she counted to thirty in her head, then swiftly slipped out through the side door. She moved quickly, weaving through the crowd with practiced ease, her small frame allowing her to maneuver through gaps effortlessly. In less than two minutes, she reached a premium electronics store. The gleaming display cases showcased the latest models, but Aurora already knew exactly what she wanted. She approached the counter, her expression calm and composed. "I’d like to buy a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5, please," she said, selecting the compact, foldable phone. The cashier blinked in surprise at the young girl requesting such an expensive device but said nothing. After all, many of the rich kids nowadays buy phones on their own. Aurora smoothly retrieved her black card, sliding it across the counter with a practiced air of nonchalance. The transaction was completed in moments. Price: $1020 Tucking the sleek, palm-sized phone into her pocket, Aurora retraced her steps with precision, re-entering the restroom without being noticed. She took a deep breath, composing herself before stepping back out. Olivia was still standing where she had left her, glancing at her phone absentmindedly. "That was fast," Olivia noted. Aurora shrugged. "There was no line." They continued their outing, and soon, they exited the shopping mall. Aurora clutched her shopping bag—a mere cover-up for her real purchase. Now, only one problem remained: getting a SIM card. Aurora suddenly thought of Adam’s old SIM card, which wasn’t discarded yet and an idea appeared in her mind. As Aurora strolled beside Olivia, she maintained a serene expression, but her mind was already devising the next step of her plan. She recalled Adam’s old SIM card, one he had mentioned replacing due to poor reception. It hadn’t been discarded, merely left in a drawer somewhere at home. If she could get her hands on it, she wouldn’t need to go through the hassle of purchasing a new one—or worse, risk her parents discovering her attempt to register a number in secret. On returning home, Aurora went to her parent’s room. Olivia was busy attending a phone call and didn’t notice her absence. With a soft click, the drawer opened. She rummaged quickly, her hands sifting through documents, receipts, and a few miscellaneous items before her eyes landed on the small plastic case containing the SIM card. Bingo. Carefully, she extracted it, ensuring everything else remained undisturbed. She secured the drawer and slipped out of the room with practiced ease. Then she inserted the SIM card. As the device booted up, the signal bars appeared. Connected. A victorious smile played on her lips. Now, she had everything she needed. After connecting to the wifi, she quickly bought a recharge plan. With everything in motion, Aurora was in a great mood. Her great mood however didn’t last long, as her stomach started to ache. Aurora wiped the sweat away from her brows and ordered a $90,000 rolex for her father again, using the black card. ’Once the Rolex arrives, the amount will become $180,000.’ Aurora thought. Then she thought about the second part of her plan and searched for actors who could pretend like a rich businessman. She quickly found a few numbers and dialed one of them. Aurora leaned back against her pillows, her new phone cool against her palm as she listened to the dial tone. A deep voice answered on the third ring. "Hello?" "Good evening," Aurora said, her tone poised and confident. "I’m looking for a professional who can play the role of a wealthy businessman for a brief engagement. I came across your profile and thought you might be the right fit." A slight pause. Then, the man chuckled. "Interesting request. What’s the occasion?" "No occasion, you have to play the role for more than 3 years," Aurora said calmly. "I will provide the money, you just have to act as a wealthy businessman." The line went silent for a few seconds before the man on the other end let out a short laugh—one laced with disbelief. "Three years?" he repeated as if to make sure he had heard correctly. "Kid, I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but that’s not how this works. Most of us take on roles for a few hours, maybe a couple of days at most. Three years? That’s a full-time job." Aurora remained unfazed. "I’ll compensate you accordingly." "It’s not about the money," he countered, his tone firm. "Maintaining a fake identity for that long is risky. Too many variables. Too much room for things to go wrong. I’m out." The call ended with a sharp beep. Aurora stared at the screen for a moment before exhaling through her nose. Not unexpected. Still, she wasn’t one to give up easily. She scrolled through her list and dialed the next number. This time, a younger voice picked up. "Yeah?" Aurora repeated her request, keeping her tone even and professional. The man snorted. "Three years? You’re joking, right?" "I don’t joke when it comes to business," she replied coolly. "Yeah, well, neither do I. No way I’m signing up for something like that. Find someone else." The call disconnected. Undeterred, Aurora tried again. And again. Each conversation played out in a frustratingly similar manner. Some agents laughed outright, some scoffed in disbelief, and others simply rejected her without explanation. "The longest gig I ever took was six months, and that was pushing it," one man explained. "Three years? You’d need someone desperate—or suicidal—for that kind of arrangement."