Real Estate Investor

For a while, he sat there in silence, the weight of the this new project was heaving on his chest with anxiety, but not the unhealthy kind, it was the kind that came with excitement.

The mobile kitchen business was thriving, his employees were happy, and he felt like he was in control of his life once again.

The system hadn't let him down yet.

Ti-ring!

~Investment Confirmed~

~Transaction Complete: $80,000~

A map appeared, highlighting several properties in the designated neighborhood.

~Next Step:~

~Visit the properties and assess their condition.~

~Begin renovations with system approved contractions.~

~Prepare for tenant applications~

It was official. He was now a real estate investor.

"Who would've thought…" he murmured to himself as he leaned back into his beddings, staring at the ceiling.

»»»«««

Maximus stood in front of the building he had invested in, the early morning sun casting long shadows over the cracked pavement.

His hands were tucked deep into his hoodie pockets, partly to hold his own against the morning chill.

The building was not the worst he had ever seen, but it certainly wasn't the best or luxurious either. The paints were peeling off in long strips like scabs on a healing wound, a couple windows were broken and their was no electricity and water supply to the building. Even the heating mechanism wasn't functioning.

Still, it was his property. The system made sure of that overnight, completing all the online paperwork, and transferring ownership into his name.

"Quite the fixer upper, huh?"

A voice snapped Maximus out of his thoughts. He spun around to see a man in his late forties approaching his direction, his tie slightly loosened and a clipboard in his hand.

The agent assigned by the mayor had introduced himself earlier as George, and Maximus couldn't help but think the guy looked like he'd rather be anywhere else.

"Its got potential," Maximus replied with a shrug of his shoullders.

George smiled, flipping through the pages on his clipboard. "That's one way to put it. The city's been sitting on this property for years, waiting for someone with enough optimism to take it on."

"I guess that makes me the crazy one…"

They started walking around the perimeter of the building, George pointing out structural issues, city codes that needed addressing, and other details that flew over Maximus's head.

"The foundation is solid, but you'll need to redo the plumbing and electrical supplies. Windows are a huge mess too, and don't even get me started on the roof…"

Maximus nodded along.

"Good new is," George added, "The location is decent. Its close enough to public transport, and there's a park nearby. Once you get this place up and running, you could attract decent tenants…"

Maximus nodded again, "Good to know…"

Just as George was finishing his inspection notes, the rumble of engine caught their attention from behind.

Maximus turned to see a truck pulling up, followed by a couple vans. It was the renovation squad, they had arrived.

A stud man in a protective vest exited the truck with a clipboard in his hand. He looked around, sizing up the building before approaching Maximus.

"You the owner?" The man asked with an incredibly husky voice.

"That's me," Maximus replied, trying to sound as confident as he could.

The man extended a hand telling him that they would be handling the renovation of his new building.

They three men proceeded to enter into the building for further inspection.

The interior of the building was just as rough as the exterior, if not worse.

Dust rode the air like waves and the faint smell of mildew hung around the corners. The floor creaked under the weight of their feet and every step kicked up a small cloud of dirt.

The renovation team moveed into the building with practiced efficiency, jotting down notes and thaking photos on their phones.

The renovation officer detailed the full details of the rebuilding and how long itll take for each section to be completed.

Not long later, the crew sprang into action, unloading tools and equipment from the trucks. Maximus stepped outside to give them space, leaning against the side of the building as he watched them work.

Everything was set now, blueprints spread out on a workbench, new toilets and sink bowls, new roofing sheets and the rest of the equipments needed to change the condition of the building.

This building was his now, and he was going to make it something worth being proud of.

»»»«««

The evening wind was cool as it brushed against Maximus's face as he made his way back home. His steps were jagged and his mind still occupied with the days events.

Overseeing the crew at the renovation site had been more exhausting than he'd anticipated, but seeing progress made it worth it.

The city was alive around him, as it was always, but Maximus tuned down the noise around him with a pair of headphones. Vendors shouted from street corners, kids laughed as they chased each other down the sidewalks.

But, none of it mattered right now. He just wanted to get home, take off his aching shoes and collapse onto his couch.

Maximus reached his building and climbed the stairs two at a time, as he unlocked his door, a wave of relief washed over him.

The small, rickety apartment was just as he had left it. Dimly lit and cluttered with papers, reciepts and notebooks.

He tossed his coat aside and sat down with a huge sigh of relief. But, just as he leaned back and closed his eyes, his phone buzzed on the table. Maximus groaned, reaching for it with reluctancy. He didn't recognise the number, but something told him to pick up the call.

Beep!

"Hello?"

The voice on the other end was all too familiar. "Max? It Marcus. We need to talk."

Maximus sat up immediately, his jaw tightened instinctively.

Marcus was the CEO of the company he used to work for, the man who had stood by and let him take the fall for crimes he didn't commit.

"What a pleasant surprise..." maximus said with a cold, sacarstic tone.

Maximus could hear him clear his throat over the phone, sounding nervous. "Look, Maximus, I'll get straight to the point. The board's been reconsidering your situation. Were willing to drop all the charges against you and bring you back into the company…"

Kpim!

Maximus's heart skipped a beat, "You're joking right?"

"I'm serious," Marcus said. "We know that things got… complicated, but we can make this right. All you have to do is sign a few documents absolving the company of any wrong doing in the mismanagement case. In return, well clear your name and reinstate your position. You'll even get a big fat bonus."

Maximus scoffed, "hold on my dude… let me get this straight, you want me to take the blame for something I didn't do, just so you and your board members can save face? Is that it?"

"It's a fair deal, I suggest you take it." Marcus insisted, though his voice seemed to be shaky. "Think about your future, Maximus. You're talented, you don't want to throw all that away over pride…"

Maximus stood up, pacing to and fro the room as anger built up under his skin, but he remained calm and collected.

"You know what Marcus?" he said finally. "I don't need your deal. I don't need anything from you. And as for the debt you slapped me with? Consider it gone."

"What do you mean?" Marcus asked, a hint of panic creeping into his voice.

Maximus walked over to his table, opened his laptop and with just a few taps of the keyboards keys and swipe of the mouse pad, he pulled up his banking app and transfered the $500,000 he owed to the company's account.

"There," he said, his voice steady. "debt cleared. You don't own me anymore…"

Marcus stammered, but Maximus didn't give him a chance to even respond.

"Lose my number, Marcus. And tell your board they can find someone else to pin their mess on."

With that, he hung up the phone and blocked the number.

For a moment, Maximus just stood there, staring at his phone. A wave of emotions crashed over him like a tsunami. But, just when he was about to crash out, the systems familiar chime pulled him from his thoughts and a notification spread across his field of view.

Ti-ring!

~Congratulations! You have cleared all outstanding debt in your name. Your Reputation Points have increased significantly.~

Maximus stared at the notification for a few seconds before a huge smile spread across his face. Laughing.

"Well, that's one less thing to worry about…"