It was a calm Saturday morning in Agra, the day of Taniya’s birthday.

Era sat in the backseat of a sleek black helicopter, its blades slicing the air as it rose above the city. His gaze drifted out the window, watching the miniature buildings below as they became nothing more than dots.

Hmm… neither Mom nor Dad has called, he thought. Alright then, what should I get for Didi? What does she even like?

The helicopter soon descended, landing smoothly on the rooftop of Mathura’s N Mall. Era stepped out, adjusting his jacket, and made his way inside.

He entered the lift and pressed for the ground floor.
She likes painting… should I get her colors? No, maybe a proper painting… or something made of glass. Like a little palace? Or a bear? He shook his head. No, that doesn’t sound right for a birthday gift.

The elevator chimed and opened directly into the gift section.

Should I call Mom and ask? Era thought. Then dismissed it immediately. No, she’d just tell Didi. And Dad… well, he knows even less than I do about her preferences. A dress? Nah, she already has too many.

“Sir, may I help you?” A polite voice interrupted his thoughts.

A young store worker stood there, smiling professionally.

“Hm? Yeah, I need a gift for my sister… but I’m not sure what to buy,” Era admitted.

“Oh, what are her interests?” she asked.

“She likes colors. And… painting. Probably.”

“I see. In that case, you could get her a painting. Or—if I may suggest—you could gift her a full paint set.”

“That’s actually a good idea. How much for one set?”

“We have three full sets. Which would you like?”

“What’s the difference?”

“Well, Set 1 doesn’t include golden paint. Set 2 doesn’t have the premium kit. Set 3 has fewer paintbrushes, and those are of lower quality.”

“And the prices?”

“Set 1 is ₹30,000, Set 2 is ₹34,000, and Set 3 is ₹40,000.”

Era tilted his head. “That’s cheap. I’ll take all three.”

The worker froze for a second, then quickly calculated. “Alright sir, your total is ₹1.04 lakh. How would you like to pay?”

“Pay?”

“Yes, sir,” she replied carefully. “If you’re buying, you have to pay. That’s… normal.”

“Oh, no, I don’t need to pay.”

Her brows furrowed. “That’s… not how this works.”

“Just give it to me, I need to go,” Era said casually.

“Sir, please pay first and then you may leave.”

Era sighed. “Can you just call your boss?”

“This isn’t a matter for the boss. Please pay.”

Era’s tone sharpened. “Are you calling your boss or not?”

“Sorry, sir, but I can’t bother my boss with this.”

“Alright then,” Era said, pulling out his phone. “I’ll make the call myself.”

Within seconds, A2 walked in—followed closely by the store manager.

“What’s going on here?” the manager asked.

“Boss, this customer refuses to pay,” the worker complained.

The manager froze when his eyes landed on Era. “S-sir, ah… it’s fine. No problem at all!”

“No problem?” A2 shot him a sharp look. “How is this no problem?”

The worker frowned. “Exactly, Chairman!” Then she blinked. “… Wait, what did you just say?”

A2 tilted her head. “Do you know who this is?”

“Chairman, this is a new worker here,” the manager explained.

“I see…” Era and A2 said in unison, their expressions flat.

“Who… is he?” the worker asked cautiously.

The manager sighed. “This is the owner of N Mall. Leader Era.”

“Leader?” she repeated in disbelief.

(Writer’s note: Many workers in N Mall still don’t truly know what N Mall actually is.)

“I mean… Founder Era,” the manager corrected.

The worker’s face went pale. “S-sorry sir, my mistake!”

“It’s fine,” Era said with a small smile. “You’re new, and I should’ve introduced myself or brought someone with me. No problem.”

“Founder, shall I have the sets delivered to your house?” the manager asked.

“No, I’ll take them myself.”

“As you wish.”

A2 glanced at Era. “Alright, I’ll head out now.”

“Okay, bye.”

Era left the mall with the three paint sets in hand. He hailed a taxi and headed home.

When he arrived, he rang the doorbell. No answer. He tried again. Still nothing.

“Hm? Is no one home?”

He placed his hand on the door—and it swung open slightly.

“… Why is the door unlocked?”

He stepped inside. The moment his foot touched the floor, his eyes locked on a dark stain spreading across the tiles.

“… Blood?!”

The gift slipped from his trembling hands, clattering onto the floor.

“M-Mom?! Dad?! Didi?!”

[Chapter 19 – End]