Novel Sweet
29
29
“Scratch cards?” Camila was unfamiliar but had heard of them. The only time she had bought a lottery ticket was when a classmate persuaded her, a two-dollar welfare lottery ticket. She randomly selected a set of numbers. Each number was just one step away from the lucky numbers, yet so far apart like miles between.
As she reminisced, she found herself standing inside a lottery store.
Erica had never bought one either, but had seen some fun videos online. She quickly bought a total of 500 dollars of scratch card.
The owner smiled broadly as he took the money.
“I just take one of these,” Camila said, pointing to a five dollar scratch card among a de
money into the water.
array. After all, it was just throwing
The owner slightly frowned, barely noticeable, and put out a few unpopular ones in front of her. Camila picked one at random. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
Erica, after reading the rules, became engrossed in a round of scratching. “Not a win… another miss… won $20…” After ten minutes, she only got $80. It proved to be just a money pit.
She leaned bored against the glass counter, playing with her phone. “Camila, try scratching one.”
Seeing her win rate, Camila was glad she only spent five dollars on this. She finished scratching amidst the friction sounds of the coating and the scraper. “Erica, can you check if I won anything?”
Enca took her scratch card, and her previously distracted eyes suddenly lit up. She excitedly exclaimed, “Holy cow! You won ten thousand
The store owner immediately stretched his neck to get a better look at the ticket, his eyes stretching wide in disbelief. He quickly came over to Camila, completely taken aback. He had been running this store for many years, and the largest amount ever won on that particular ticket was a mere twenty dollars. This situation was unimaginable and he looked at Camila, utterly stunned.
Camila looked puzzled at the owner. “Really?”
“You won! Congratulations! You are so lucky!” The owner was thrilled, smiling from ear to ear.
“Camila, your luck has really changed!” Erica hugged her excitedly, not forgetting to turn to the owner. “Sir, we’d like to cash this.”
This needs to be exchanged at the issuing center,” the owner informed them with the detailed address and instructions.
“It has to be on a weekday?” Camila was incredibly busy with work, and now with this huge windfall from Connor, she was prepared to go above and beyond. She wondered if taking a day off to claim the prize would be frowned upon by him.
Erica immediately transferred ten thousand dollars to her via message. “I’ll go claim it. Here’s the money first.”
“Erica, how can you be so kind?” Camila was deeply touched.
“I’ve got to treat you right. Can’t let Connor outdo me,” Erica raised an eyebrow.
“Let’s go for a buffet tomorrow,” Camila smiled, giving her a reassuring gesture.
*Deal! I’ll take you home. Big meal tomorrow.” Erica chuckled
Perhaps due to exhaustion, Camila slept soundly in her new home, waking up refreshed at dawn.
After stuffing themselves at the buffet, Erica suggested they go shopping. Stopping at a luxury brand store, Camila paused in front of the display window.
“What are you looking at?” Erica followed her gaze, spotting a men’s tie.
“I think I’ll buy a gift for the boss, to thank him for his help,” Camila said.
“That’s thoughtful,” Erica agreed.
Camila picked a simple tie, made of deep blue silk, with the brand’s logo discreetly placed at the large end, understated yet luxurious.
“Does it look good?”
“Beautiful!” Erica affirmed.
“Please wrap it
it up.” Camila felt this tie was just Connor’s style.