One Click Billionaire

Adam gave a nod. He already knew the details of Mrs. Gold's bank account. When he first moved in, he had discovered them preserved in a text message on his phone. He pulled out his new phone. 

Holding it gave him a weird feeling of power. He launched his banking app. He started the transfer. In one transaction, he sent the whole year's rent. The sum was $120,000. The action was straightforward, but the numbers seemed unreal. A couple of screen taps.

Mrs. Gold's phone rang with a notification a moment later. It was in her apron pocket. She frowned suspiciously as she took it out. She glanced at the screen. As she read the confirmation message from her bank, her eyes grew wide. 

She had the money in her account. One hundred twenty thousand dollars in total. She raised her gaze to Adam. Her stern face softened slightly. She simply shook her head slowly, as though she was unable to understand.

"Just stay here quietly," she said. Her voice was much less severe now. "I don't need anything more from you."

Her words made Adam smile. A tremendous weight was lifted off his shoulders. Tension was physically released. His greatest and most pressing concern was gone. For a whole year, he had a home.

Mr. Gold approached Adam. His expression was one of genuine curiosity. He appeared fascinated by Adam's unexpected turn of events than by the money. He inquired, "What kind of company are you working for now?" He spoke in a gentle tone. "You used to work at a hotel, correct? That is what I recall."

Adam smiled remorsefully. It was a reflex of nerves. He was unable to respond to that question. He could not reveal to them that he tapped a screen to earn the money. "I actually have some work to do right now," he stated. 

He completely sidestepped the question. "I am heading to my room to finish the tasks that need to be carried out next week." He quickly turned away after making the evasive excuse. He made his way back to the main entrance of the building. He did not turn around.

Mrs. Gold watched him leave. He was still acting oddly. He's justification was feeble. She became a little suspicious. However, her suspicion was insignificant in comparison to the substantial amount of money that was currently in her bank account. For a full year, her rent had been paid. That was all she really cared about. She returned her attention to her garden.

Adam felt good as he climbed the apartment building's main staircase. Although the exchange had been awkward, the outcome was flawless. He was light. He was safe. Then he noticed two individuals entering through the front gate.

It was Sophia.

She was with her first-floor friend. Monty was the friend's name. Sophia was grinning as she and Monty strolled. Her friend had said something that made her laugh. She appeared content. She exuded beauty and relaxed.

Adam's heart began to race. He desired to speak with her. Their brief exchange in the hallway had been on his mind all day. In a very gloomy morning, it was the only ray of light. He experienced a slight boost in self-assurance. Millions of dollars were in his possession. The rent for a year had just been paid. He had changed since this morning.

However, he saw more people entering behind them just as he was ready to speak. Sophia and Monty were being followed by two boys. They were friends of Monty's. Monty's boyfriend was one of them. 

Together, they were laughing and conversing. They were a cheerful bunch. Sophia was laughing with them right in the middle of it.

Adam's newfound confidence was shattered when he saw this. It vanished into thin air. The thrill left his chest. A familiar coldness took its place. His expression dropped. An old wave of insecurity washed over him.

It made no difference how much money was in his bank account. He turned to face the boys. They had nice clothes on. They were giggling with quick peace of mind. They appeared to belong in a world he could only imagine. A world in which Sophia lived. He turned away, lowering his head. He resumed his ascent up the stairs. He desired to vanish.

Sophia had just walked into the building. She and Monty were having a conversation. She smiled and waved courteously at Mr. and Mrs. Gold, who were still standing in the yard. Then she looked up at the stairs. She noticed Adam approaching. He had his head lowered. He slouched his shoulders. He appeared to be totally defeated. 

Sophia had an idea. How about I go speak with him? The ice had already been broken by her. This was an opportunity to expand on that modest beginning. She was curious as to what was wrong. She hoped he would smile once more. 

She looked over at Monty. She remarked, "I just remembered something important I have to do." She spoke quickly. "I will see you all later." She hurried over to the stairs.

Adam had already arrived at the second-floor landing. He made his way to his door down the dim hallway. He was absorbed in his own thoughts. Her footsteps behind him were not audible to him. He arrived at his door and started to fumble with his keys.

Behind him, he heard fast footsteps on the stairs. The sound was approaching. He glanced behind him. Sophia was running toward him. His heart jumped. He experienced a brief, glorious moment of hope. She was on her way to speak with him.

Then he recalled what had happened at the gate. He recalled her laughing with those two boys. In his mind, the image was clear and sharp. He told himself, I am just thinking too much. The hope vanished as swiftly as it appeared. Sophia and I are not comparable. 

His old sense of inadequacy weighed heavily. He was merely Adam, whom his own father had expelled. She was intelligent and attractive. He assumed she had a boyfriend. Her boyfriend is most likely one of those guys.

His chest hurt extremely at the thought. He was unable to confront her. Knowing that she belonged with someone else, he was unable to stand there and engage in small talk. He faced his door once more. He held the key in awkward hands. He inserted it into the lock. He was unwilling to speak with her. He did not want to experience that particular rejection. At last, he managed to turn the lock.

He opened the door and hurried inside. Just as she got to the top of the stairs, he firmly closed the door behind him. The quiet hallway echoed with the loud press of the deadbolt locking. He closed his eyes and rested his back on the cool door wood. He was out.