I headed to the door and opened it, but before I could step out,
I heard the sound of my tablet ringing from the table.
I quickly turned back, reached for it, and saw my brother's name, Jake, flashing on the screen. Without wasting a second, I picked it up.

"Hello,"

Jake’s familiar voice greeted me.

"Hey, Jake! What's up?"

I replied, leaning against the table, curious about why he was calling.

"Everything’s good on my end. What about you?"

He asked casually.

"All fine here too.

Just the usual,"

I said, smiling, even though he couldn't see me.
"Good to hear. I’ve got something for you,"

Jake said, his voice taking on a more serious tone.
"Really?
What’s that? I’m all ears!"

I said, feeling a mix of curiosity and excitement.
"It’s a job,"

He replied.
"A job? What kind of job?"
I asked, now leaning forward, completely intrigued.
"You’ll be working online for a company here in Taiwan.

The job involves creating blogs and writing content. Sounds like something you’d enjoy, doesn’t it?"
Jake explained.
"Wow, seriously? That’s amazing!"
I exclaimed, my excitement growing.

"I mean, writing is my thing, and creating blogs is right up my alley! But... why me? I mean,
how did you think of this?"

Jake chuckled on the other end.

"Well, you’re the first person that came to mind. Your writing skills are top-notch, Alex. Plus,
I know you’ve been looking for opportunities to showcase your talent."

"Man, Jake, you’re a lifesaver," I said, grinning.
"So, what do I need to do to get started?"
"I’ll email you the details, including the company’s guidelines and expectations.

They’re flexible with deadlines, and the pay is pretty decent.
It’s a great opportunity for someone like you,"

He said.

"Love it! At least now I’ll be getting a bulk payment from two areas,"

I said, grinning from ear to ear.

"But, hey,
how much is my salary exactly?" I asked,
my curiosity kicking in.
Jake chuckled.
"You’re going to love this even more than Ralme, trust me.

The salary is 10k dollars... weekly,"

He said,
letting the number sink in.
My eyes widened as if they were about to pop out of their sockets.
"Wait, wait, wait—did you just say 10k dollars every single week?"

I asked, half in disbelief and half in awe.

"Yeah, you heard me right, kid,"

Jake replied, clearly enjoying my reaction.
"Wow,
That’s insane! That’s beyond anything I ever dreamed of.
I mean, this is... life-changing!"
I exclaimed, pacing around the room.
"You know what? Consider me already signed up for the job.
I’m in, big time!"
Jake laughed on the other end.

"I figured you’d say that. You’re loving this already, aren’t you?"
"Are you kidding me? I’m head over heels for it,"

I said, still grinning like a maniac.

"You’re something else, Alex.
You sound so hyped right now," Jake said, his voice laced with amusement.

"Of course, I am! This is like hitting the jackpot! I’m going to be rolling in cash," I said, dramatically throwing myself onto my bed.
Jake laughed again. "Alright, calm down, big spender.
You’re already in school, right?"
"Not yet.
Just about to head out," I replied, glancing at the clock.
"Okay then. Safe journey, little bro, and have a sweet day at school,"
Jake said, his tone softening a bit.
"Thanks, big bro. Love you, man. You’re a damn legend!"
I said, throwing in a bit of playful exaggeration.
Jake laughed harder this time.
"You’re so extra sometimes, Alex. But I love that about you.
Stay lively, alright? Good day, man!"
He said before ending the call.
I put my tablet down and stared at the ceiling for a moment, letting everything sink in.

10k dollars a week?

Working from the comfort of my home while still handling my writing gigs on Ralme? My life was about to take a massive turn for the better.
"Alright, time to get moving!"
I said, jumping off the bed, feeling more pumped than ever.
Today was already shaping up to be a great day,
and I hadn’t even left for school yet.

"This job must be something," I muttered to myself,
still buzzing from the call.

"I’ll ring Jake later to get more details about it,"
I said, slipping my phone back into my pocket.
With that, I adjusted my bag over my shoulders and headed for the parlor door leading to the exit.
As I approached the door, I called out,

"Bye, Mom!"

My mom appeared from the kitchen, her warm smile lighting up the space.

"Alright, sweetheart.
Have a safe journey and enjoy your lectures today.
Don’t skip your meals, okay?"
she said,
waving at me with her usual motherly affection.
"Got it, Mom. See you later!" I replied, giving her a quick nod as I turned the knob of the exit door.
The sunlight greeted me warmly as I stepped outside our house. The air was fresh, and the familiar earthy scent of our village filled my nostrils.

I paused briefly, taking in the scenery—the towering trees swaying gently in the breeze,
the chirping of birds in the distance, and the calm hum of life that was Greenlake Town.
I made my way through the compound, passing our little vegetable garden that Mom tended to every morning. It looked vibrant today, with dew still clinging to the leaves.
"Mom’s got magic hands," I thought to myself, smiling at the sight.
Stepping out of the compound, I reached the roadside.
The faint sound of vehicles in the distance caught my attention. I stood there, waiting for a taxi to pass by.
While waiting, I glanced around. The road was quiet, save for a few villagers going about their morning routines. An old man was pushing a cart of fresh fruits, calling out to potential customers.

A group of kids ran past me, laughing and carrying their schoolbags, probably heading to the village school.
I checked my watch—time was ticking.

"Where’s a taxi when you need one?"

I muttered,
tapping my foot impatiently. Just then, a faint rumble grew louder, and I saw a bright yellow taxi making its way down the road.
I waved my hand, signaling for it to stop. The driver, a middle-aged man with a friendly face, pulled over and rolled down his window.
"University?" I asked.
"Hop in," he said with a nod.
I opened the door, slid into the back seat, and placed my bag beside me.
As the car pulled away, I leaned back and let my thoughts wander, already planning how I’d make the most of my day.
Between my lectures, my writing, and now this promising job,
life was beginning to feel like it was heading in an exciting new direction.

The taxi drove me straight to the gates of my school.
As it came to a smooth stop, I quickly stepped out, my bag slung over one shoulder.
"How much for the ride?" I asked the driver, leaning slightly toward the window.
"Just 3 dollars,"
he said, his tone casual.
I reached into my back pocket, feeling the crinkle of cash. Pulling out three crisp bills, I handed them to him.

"Here you go,"

I said, watching as he took them with a nod before speeding off into the morning traffic.
Standing by the curb, I took a deep breath and glanced across the road. My destination stood tall and magnificent before me—the gates of Deck Mack University, one of the most prestigious institutions in the United States. I crossed the road carefully, weaving through the sparse traffic,
and reached the gate.
Placing my hand on the cool iron handle, I pushed the gate open, its creak almost ceremonious.
Stepping inside, I was once again struck by the grandeur of the place. The university sprawled out like a kingdom, its towering buildings gleaming in the sunlight.
Lush green lawns stretched out on either side, dotted with students sitting, laughing, and chatting.
The air was alive with energy, a mix of ambition, camaraderie, and youthful exuberance.
Before me stood the main administrative building, an architectural masterpiece with its modern glass panels reflecting the sky. Around it were the other wings of the university, housing various departments—engineering, arts, business, and sciences. Beyond that,
I could see the sprawling sports complexes, each one more impressive than the last: a pristine football field, a baseball diamond, a volleyball court, and even an Olympic-standard swimming pool.
I paused for a moment,
letting it all sink in. Even though I had walked through these gates countless times, the sight of Deck Mack University never failed to leave me awestruck.

"What a place,"

I muttered under my breath, smiling.
As I walked further, I couldn’t help but notice the students scattered across the campus grounds.
Some sat on benches, their heads buried in books. Others leaned against trees, talking and laughing in groups. And then there were the girls.

Oh, the girls.

They were stunning, a diverse array of beauty that seemed almost unreal. Some had the elegance of runway models, their style effortlessly chic.
Others had a simple charm, their smiles warm and inviting, like the first rays of morning sunlight. A few were captivatingly bold, their presence magnetic, turning heads wherever they went.
I slowed my pace, my eyes discreetly taking in the scene.
The way they laughed, the way their hair caught the sunlight, the way they moved—it was mesmerizing.
I felt a light chuckle escape my lips as I thought,
College life doesn’t get better than this.