Nathan made his way into the first jewellery store he could locate which was like twenty minutes from his initial location—the shopping complex.
The jewellery store stood like a hidden gem on the quiet street, its elegant façade of polished stone gleaming softly under the rising moon. Tall glass windows showcased dazzling treasures inside, where diamonds caught the light and sparkled like the stars currently in the night sky. The door, framed in gold, opened to a space bathed in warm, inviting light that danced off the sleek, dark wood counters.
Inside, the air carried the soft scent of vanilla and cedar, mingling with the cool metallic undertone of precious metals. Display cases, lined with velvet, held rings, necklaces, and earrings like delicate works of art, each piece seeming to shimmer with its own story.
"This is it!" Nathan chuckles in anticipation. He could see himself hitting the jackpot here within minutes.
Chains of platinum gleamed under the soft glow of overhead lights, while gemstones of every color—the deep blue of sapphire, the fiery red of ruby, the lush green of emerald—captivated his eyes.
The walls were adorned with framed sketches of custom designs, offering a glimpse into the craftsmanship that took place here. It wasn't just a store—it was a sanctuary of luxury, where time seemed to slow down as each customer was gently enveloped in the quiet promise of something timeless and beautiful.
Standing in a daze, Nathan was called back to reality by a sweet feminine voice that made him forget to breathe for a moment.
His attention was drawn to the reception counter made of glass that revealed multiple watches and necklaces. "Hello, good day and welcome to Kath's Jewellery Store. We offer luxury items and limited edition…"
"I'd like a limited edition wristwatch. Nothing too expensive… Yet." Nathan cut through her words with words of his own and a smile to back it up. He swiftly made his way toward the lady who had a computer system mounted on top of the glass counter. How handsome features made the lady forget to pay attention to his request and instead stare at him.
"Pardon?" She asked, snapping out of her brief moment of fantasies. A person was allowed to fantasize, right?
A small smile formed on Nathan's lips when he noticed she was staring at him. He playfully replied. "You're pardoned."
"Like I said earlier, I'd like a limited edition wristwatch. It doesn't have to be anything fancy or too shiny. It also doesn't have to be too expensive. I just want something… Limited." Nathan rephrased his request and the lady went. "Oh!"
She stared at him for a moment before speaking again. "Could you at least tell me your budget so I can show you a list of watches that fit into that budget?"
"Around $10,000 give or take. No, make it eleven. That way, I can get something even better." Nathan stared at her and noticed the name tag on her shoulder.
"Is it okay if I address you as 'Miss Emily?" He asked, pointing to the tag on her left breast pocket in case she asked how he'd come to know her name.
"No, it's not okay. This isn't my nametag. My colleague and I mistakenly swapped tags during the shift and now that she's gone, I have to bear 'Emily' till the next shift. Comical, isn't it?" The lady shook her head with a slight chuckle.
Click! Clack!
Her hands alternated swiftly between the keyboard and mouse in front of her as she searched the digital catalogue for watches within Nathan's price range.
"Oops. My apologies then." Nathan said, scratching the back of his head. "And no, it isn't comical. I think it's brave. I wouldn't have been able to wear that if I was in your shoes." He added, his eyes fixed on her long brown hair and deep black eyes.
"Thank you. "She replied with a warm smile and clicked the mouse one last time. "Here you go. The list of available luxury watches within the price range of $11,000." She turned the rotatable monitor screen facing Nayhan so he could get a good look at the items and select which one he wanted.
There were over twenty different watches but most of them were over $15,000 and Nathan only had just over $13,000 in his bank account. As he went through their designs and prices one by one. Nathan found a wristwatch that fit his budget perfectly.
"That one." Nathan pointed at the screen, turning it face the lady once again. "I'll take the Blancpain Villeret that costs $12,000." Nathan stated, making his order known.
The lady stared at it and then took another look at Nathan. He did indeed seem like an individual who could afford it. Little did she know that the backpack he was holding on to also had gadgets worth over $6,000 inside.
"Give me a minute." She said, rising up from her seat and disappearing through the door just behind the counter.
She appeared from another door and only then did Nathan see her fully. Her flare dress did little to hide her curves and smooth skin. She walked toward one of the show glasses in the room and inserted a key into the keyhole. She opened the showglass and took out a unique square shaped green flat box embossed with the brand's logo. A box package crafted from polishes dark wood.
"The Blancpain Villeret watch. A luxury leather watch that sells for $12,000." She muttered as she placed the box on the glass counter before Nathan.
Upon opening the box, the interior was lined with plush cream or black leather, offering a soft, protective cushion for the watch. The Blancpain Villeret rested on a custom-fit pillow, its sleek leather strap and polished case carefully secured in place. "Around the watch were compartments discreetly holding a certificate of authenticity, a warranty card, and a booklet detailing the meticulous craftsmanship behind the piece." The lady explained with a glorified voice.
Nathan's heart leaped for joy as he watched her market the item. "I'm buying." Nathan didn't know when he said those words but since he already had plans to buy it, it didn't seem strange.
"Cash, card or mobile transfer?" She asked, closing the box once more and walking away with it. She went through the door she'd used to come out of the reception counter and seconds later, she pushed open the other door that led into the 'U' shaped glass counter.
"Mobile payment please." Nathan requested and she nodded. "She pressed a few buttons on the keyboard and soon, a QR code was generated on the monitor.
Within a word, Nathan scanned the code through his bank app, showing that he was familiar with such a payment method.
The store's details appeared and Nathan confirmed the payment. Within a few seconds, she received a payment of $12,000 in Nathan's name.
She smiled and wrapped his watch in a special custom-made bag. "Thank you for purchasing from Kath's Jewellery Store."
Ding!
[You have spent $12,000. 2x Hit! Received $24,000 as payback. Money has been sent to account XXX-XXXX-XXX]
The system's notification was all Nathan could hear. The bank alert followed right after and Nathan grinned.
But then…
Ding!
[Requirement met: Spend $10,000 or more to upgrade system's tier]
[System Tier Advancement in progress…]
"Huh?" Nathan was dumbstruck as he watched the panel in front of him.