"Yes, yes, yes! This all sounds amazing!" I said, barely containing my excitement.
I nearly burst out laughing. Like hell I'm paying back a single cent. The banker's hesitation made it even funnier. If only he knew how little this deal actually mattered. With a smirk, I ended the call sweetly, "Thank you so much for your services. Take care!"
The moment the call ended, my grin lingered, but the weight of reality crept in.
Six days.
That was all the time I had. I took a slow breath, my excitement dimming as my gaze drifted around the room. This was the past, my past, but it already felt suffocating.
The thrill of easy money faded as I stared at my reflection.
I walked over to the mirror and looked at my reflection. The face staring back at me... it wasn't just younger, it was a version of me I had long forgotten. A face untouched by scars, unburdened by the choices that had once defined me. A boy who had yet to make those mistakes. A person who still had a chance to fix the future.
For the first time in a long time, I smiled.
"I won't waste this," I muttered to myself. "Not this time."
"Let's not mess up this body again," I muttered to myself, still smirking at my reflection. Thinking back to the mess I used to be, I sighed. I really was good for nothing... so blind to all the blessings around me.
"ALBERT, COME DOWN HERE NOW!" my mother's voice boomed from downstairs, instantly wiping the grin off my face.
... Shit. Rose must've told her about the interview. A wave of dread crashed over me. I hope Mom didn't tell Dad…
But I needed to face this. I clenched my fists, steeling myself. This is for them. It's for their well-being.
Reluctantly, I left my room and made my way downstairs. The dining room came into view, and there they were: Mom, sitting stiffly on the couch, with Rose and Dougie next to her. And Dad... Dad was in his favorite chair, staring at me with the unmistakable look of disappointment. "Sit down, Albert," my mother said, her voice cutting like a blade.
I took a deep breath and sat in the chair they had clearly set out just for me. Looking around at their concerned faces, I quickly noticed someone was missing. "Where's Eddy?" I asked, trying to delay what I knew was coming.
Dad sighed. "He's not here, and that's not important right now. What's important is that you didn't go to your job interview."
Mom's frown deepened as she crossed her arms. "Albert, when are you going to take life more seriously?"
"Yeah, dude," Rose added, her voice softer than Mom's but equally worried. "We're just... worried about you. You've been jobless for years."
I couldn't help it. Looking around at my family, all gathered for my little "intervention," I started to smile. They were so worried about me, but if they only knew... If only they knew what was coming.
"I love you all," I said suddenly, catching them off guard. "And I'm sorry. I mean it.... I'm really sorry for not taking my life seriously before. But I'm changing, starting now."
Silence. Complete and utter silence. They stared at me like I'd just confessed I was an alien or something. I scratched the back of my head awkwardly. "Wow, is it that shocking to hear me apologize?"
Rose snorted a little, and I shot her a look. "Well," she said, trying to stifle a giggle, "you never admit when you're wrong, Bert."
Mom and Dad quickly turned to give her a stern look, and she instantly tried to melt into the couch. "Sorry, sorry! I didn't mean to say it out loud."
I shook my head, suppressing a laugh of my own. "Alright, alright, everyone chill. Look, I know I've been a real piece of work, and I'm not going to lie... I've screwed up a lot. But I'm going to change now. Just have a little faith in me, okay?"
They were still in shock, but Dad leaned forward, suspicion in his eyes. "Okay, Albert... I'm willing to listen. So what's your plan? How are you going to get your life together?"
Mom nodded, a tiny bit of hope sneaking into her face. "We're happy to hear you're turning a new leaf, honey. But what's next?"
I grinned, but beneath it, my heart pounded. They had no idea. No idea what I was planning. No idea what was coming.
But I did, and that both thrilled and terrified me.
"Give me six days," I said, leaning back in my chair, forcing a smirk past the knot in my stomach. "Six days, and I promise you will see a whole new world."
Their eyes widened as they exchanged uncertain glances. Doubt. Curiosity. Hesitation.
My fingers tightened slightly against the armrest. What if I failed again?
No. I could not afford to think like that. My smile grew wider, stretching into something almost wild.
This time, I would not lose.