New Lifestyle

After leaving a generous $10,000 tip at the salon, Drake strolled through the mall, still unaware of the remarkable transformation in his appearance. Years of enduring torment from his colleagues and struggling through poverty had caused him to forget that he possessed the same good looks as his pretty sister.

He couldn't help but feel somewhat awkward and self-conscious, not fully realizing the extent of the makeover he had undergone. Passersby on the mall couldn't resist turning their heads and sneaking glances at Drake's new look.

As Drake made his way through the department store, the reactions from people around him became increasingly noticeable. Whispers, gasps, and double takes followed in his wake.

A passerby, awestruck, said to a friend, "Did you see that guy? He's like a movie star or something."

"Is he a model? He looks good even in those unfashionable clothes," another replied, staring.

"Well, he's in the department store. He's probably here to get better clothes."

"I wonder how he'll look?"

Drake remained oblivious to the attention he was drawing as he continued discussing his shopping choices with the saleswoman. He ran a hand through his freshly styled hair, still getting used to the feeling of being well-groomed.

A lady, glancing at Drake, approached one of the store's staff members and inquired, "Who is that? Is he a regular here?"

"This is his first time in our store, madam," the staff member replied while handing her a store brochure.

"Is he a catch or not?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Based on his looks, I'd say he is," the staff member replied with a mischievous grin.

The woman slyly responded, "Oh, should I reel him in?"

A little while later, as Drake lounged in the lobby area of the store, the woman finally made her move.

"Wanna date?" she asked without hesitation.

"Date? How can you ask someone that so easily?" Drake scowled.

"Why not? I like your looks. Why shouldn't I?" the lady reasoned, confidently flipping her hair. "I'm pretty too. We'd make a good match."

The wrinkles on Drake's forehead became more pronounced as he conversed with the woman, noticing her resemblance to Merlyn more and more.

"Is this how all women nowadays view men?" Drake asked. "Miss Gold Digger?"

"Gold digger?" the lady exclaimed, taken aback by the offensive term Drake had used. "How dare you?"

"Don't talk to me," Drake bluntly stated. He turned away from the lady and approached a store staff member, informing them that he would wait while he looked at the store displays.

The lady's intrusion had soured Drake's mood, so his shopping spree was abruptly cut short. He ended up buying everything that was shown to him and headed home.

"Wow, Drake, what's all of this?" Eleanor asked upon seeing the bags of clothes and items.

"Oh, I did some shopping for clothes and stuff," Drake replied, feeling drained. "You can buy whatever you want too, Ely, just use the card I gave you."

"I have more than enough, Drake," Eleanor responded. "I'm just glad you're finally taking care of yourself. You look really good."

"Was I that ugly before?" Drake joked.

"Nah, my brother has always been handsome," Eleanor adorably replied.

Eleanor's warmth and affection instantly relieved Drake of his exhaustion and irritation. As he sat up, he noticed that she had something to give him.

"What's that?" he asked.

"Oh, I ran into Merlyn at a café this afternoon, and she asked me to give you this," Eleanor said, handing him an envelope.

"Ely, we broke up. Don't talk to her again," Drake said, taking the envelope. Eleanor didn't know the reason for their breakup, so he couldn't scold her either.

"Merlyn looks like she misses you. Why did the two of you break up?" Eleanor inquired.

"Just things happened," Drake replied bluntly.

"Hmm, alright. I won't pry for more details," Eleanor said, getting up. "Anyway, do you have time to hang out with me before you leave for your business trips?"

"Oh, Aunt already told you?"

"Yes."

"Let me know when you're free."

"Thanks, goodnight."

Drake offered a sweet smile to his sister but quickly frowned as he shifted his gaze to the envelope from Merlyn.

Drake found himself torn between curiosity and resentment as he held Merlyn's letter in his hands. He debated internally whether to check its contents or simply toss it away. Ultimately, his curiosity won, and he opened the letter to read its contents.

The letter began with an apology: "Drake, I am sorry for everything I have done these past months. I was not myself when I did all of those unforgivable things. You know me very well, and you know that I love you."

As Drake continued to read, he noticed there were five more paragraphs, but he couldn't bring himself to finish reading them. He felt a rising sense of disgust at Merlyn's audacity to act as if she hadn't been rude and hurtful to him. He couldn't stomach the notion of reading about love in a letter from the person who had betrayed him.

Drake casually tossed Merlyn's letter into the bin and decided to forget that he had ever read it.

A week later, he left the city of Magrao for a business trip in search of reliable business partners for DearBeak Co. His journey took him to Canman, a city with a similar cityscape and ambiance to Magrao. He checked into a hotel with a perfect view of the city's night lights.

"Life has really taken a turn for the better. Now I can even afford to relax and enjoy the night without constantly worrying about making money," he mused, taking a leisurely sip of his red wine.

Drake spent a peaceful first night in Canman. The next day, he dressed sharply to meet with the first potential business partner he needed for DearBeak. He hopped into his Maserati and drove to Gracestone Trading Corporation, where he was warmly greeted by the company's executives.

"Welcome to Canman, Mr. Chwe."

"Thank you very much, CEO Havier."

"Your muse was already in the lobby; she surprisingly arrived earlier than you did."

"Who?"

"Your girlfriend, Miss Spenser, was here earlier. We assumed you both would be arriving together." CEO Havier appeared just as puzzled as Drake.

"Say that again?" Drake blinked several times, utterly baffled by what he had just heard.

"Isn't your girlfriend's name Miss Merlyn Spenser?"

"What?!"