The morning sun spread gentle golden hues across the city, filtering through the blinds of the Reyes family's modest rental unit for the final time. The attitude within had changed—it wasn't sluggish or dismal. There was motion. Excitement. Bags are being packed. Boxes are being sealed. The aroma of cooked food wafted from the kitchen, where Elian's mother moved briskly, fueled by purpose.
Elian stood calmly in his father's room, gently putting him into his wheelchair.
"Are you sure about this?" " his father inquired, his voice scratchy from weeks in the hospital.
Elian tightened the strap carefully. "We aren't staying here anymore, Dad. I promised you a better life, and today it begins."
His father chuckled softly, his fingers grasping the wheelchair armrest. "You really did change, son."
"I had to."
Knocking interrupted the moment. Outside, Elian's aunt barged in, accompanied by her son, Jayson—the self-proclaimed future IT manager of their extended family's dreams.
"Elian, Elian," she sang as she stepped into the corridor with confidence. "There's no need to rush out like that. We just stopped by to wish you good luck. Jayson has recently been regularized at his employment. Six months of probation and now full-time! Great pay. Ten thousand per month. Amazing, right? "
Jayson sneered behind her shoulder, arms folded, sunglasses still on inside. "Stability is the key, cousin. "Not wild dreams."
Elian gave a slight nod, hiding a grin. "Congratulations."
The aunt did not stop. "Your mother should be grateful that Luis is around. You've been gallivanting there and are now suddenly moving? Must be renting a cramped condo? "
Elian strolled casually passed them, rolling up the garage door and clicking his car key.
A Toyota Fortuner 4x4 2.8L LTD, black and shining in the sun with morning rays bouncing off its shiny bonnet, blinks and unlocks with a faint beep.
His aunt froze. Her lips moved, but no sound emerged. Luis's jaw relaxed somewhat.
"We're not renting," Elian stated easily. "We're moving into our own house."
"You bought —?" "
Elian unlocked the passenger door, assisted his father inside, and then turned to face them. "This is a Camella residence. Fully paid. Furnished. "Safe and secure for my family."
Luis finally discovered his voice. "It must come from your girlfriend or a side hustle. "People like you cannot afford that on their own."
Elian approached, took out a sealed document from his backpack, and opened it in front of them: a signed copy of his NovaTech Core Alpha Team Lead Contract, replete with remuneration package, and stock option bonus declaration.
"I build systems now," Elian explained. "Front-line projects. NovaTech made it official. This isn't just an internship anymore."
His aunt's face was distorted with a thousand unspoken emotions. "You're bluffing."
He didn't respond. Instead, he gave his mother an envelope.
She opened it and found ₱500,000 in nice, crisp cash.
"For you and Ate," Elian explained. "Groceries, household necessities, whatever you want. I will handle everything else."
His mom's hands trembled. "Elian... "This is too much."
"It's only the beginning," he said.
They rode away softly.
The Camella development was hidden in a quiet hillside enclave outside of the city, where the noise decreased and trees stood vigil along the paved roadways. Security greeted them politely after scanning Elian's registration. The gate opened like a doorway into a new life.
When they arrived at their flat, a two-story Camella Freya model, the family was astounded. Warm beige walls, an arched entryway, a two-car garage, and a yard with real grass. Inside, there's wood-accented furniture, gentle LED lighting, and a kitchen his mother could only dream of.
His sister dashed to the upstairs balcony, squealing. "Kuya, this looks like the houses in the movie! "
Elian's mother wailed quietly, hands covering her mouth.
"You and Dad will stay here now," Elian murmured softly. "Live peacefully. I'll make frequent visits."
But what about you? " his mom inquired.
"I'll be working long hours at the company," he explained. "They expect a lot from me. So I'm going to stay near the office. I intend to live on my own.
She seemed apprehensive.
He stretched over and took her hand. "I will not leave you. I'm merely building our future on the front lines."
His father rolled forward and nodded. Let the boy go, Maria. "He has a purpose now."
Later that afternoon, after settling into their beautiful new Camella house, Elian persuaded his mother and sister to take a little nap.
But the day hadn't ended yet.
"We need to stock up," Elian explained as he grabbed the car keys. "Everything, including groceries, cookware, linen, and cleaning supplies. "We are starting over from scratch."
His mother seemed uncertain. "Maybe tomorrow—"
But Elian softly shook his head. "Ma, let's do it now. "I want tonight to feel like home."
So they proceeded, the three of them, to the city's biggest hypermarket.
The automatic glass doors slid wide, letting the family walk into a sea of lights, shelves, and choices. His sister grabbed the first cart and headed for the produce aisle. His mother remained undecided, intimidated by the size of the store.
"Anything you want," Elian said. "There's no budget tonight."
They were careful at beginning, focusing on the necessities. However, as the minutes passed and his mother grew to believe that this was true, she began to add items she had previously overlooked: new pots and pans, high-end rice cookers, imported oils, and bulk household supplies.
After one hour, they had five carts.
Another 30 minutes? Ten carts. Overflowing with food, home goods, new appliances, and items they never had the opportunity to get before.
They weren't simply shopping.
They were establishing a new life.
As Elian was conversing with a service member about arranging delivery to Camella Heights, a sharp, familiar voice cut through the aisles like a dagger.
"Well, what do we have here?" "
Aunt Marissa was wearing large sunglasses indoors and a shirt that demanded attention. Jayson, her son, stood behind her with his arms crossed and a bored expression on his face.
She gave a little, cynical giggle as she surveyed the ten trolleys.
"I thought you were only going out of the neighborhood, not to a palace? "
Elian initially did not answer, instead focusing on ensuring their delivery timeline. But she kept going.
"Ten carts for only three people?" " she stated. "Isn't that a little..." much? "
Jayson smirked. "Are you planning to feed the entire barangay?" "
Elian's sister placed a bag of expensive detergent in one of the carts. "No," she replied bluntly. "We're just living the life you told us we'd never have."
Aunt Marissa rolled her eyes. "Tsk. What a waste. People who have received fresh money are prone to excessive spending. "You should be saving rather than pretending to be wealthy."
Right on cue, the store's assistant manager approached them with a clipboard and a respectful demeanor.
"Sir Elian," he announced. "All ten carts are prepared for delivery to Camella Heights. The trucks will arrive at 6 p.m. Would you like to go to the VIP check-out? "
"Yes," Elian said, handing up his corporate card without hesitation.
The cashier started scanning the products. The numerals on the screen rose steadily.
₱312,000…
₱428,000…
₱493,020.88.
₱543,021.21.
The final sum flashed on the screen.
Aunt Marissa gasped aloud. "543,000 pesos?! "
Jayson's smirk disappeared.
They both stood motionless as Elian quietly accepted the receipt. He then reached into his backpack, retrieved a big envelope, and handed it to his mother.
Jayson blinked. "That's... Is that half a million pesos? "
Elian gazed at him calmly and steadily. "You warned me five months ago that I would wind up leeching off my folks again. That I would amount to nothing."
He took a silent step forward. "Now, my salary alone makes that sum appear modest. And I'm in charge of a multimillion-peso project that your entire staff may not be qualified to support."
Jayson looked away, face flushed.
Elian turned back to the assistant manager. "We're done here. Please proceed with the delivery arrangements."
[Hidden Mission Completed: "Shelter the Ones Who Waited"]
Reward:+Smart Condominium Unit (15M Market Value) – Skyline Residences, Tech Valley Zone
His eyes expanded.
"Looks like we have another home," he murmured.
He did not inform them right away.
He let them rest.
Later that night, while his mother unloaded cookware and his father slept peacefully for the first time in weeks, Elian strolled out onto the balcony.
The stars above them glimmered gently.
He looked at the metropolitan skyline in the distance, where NovaTech's office tower pierced the clouds.
And as the wind blew softly through the leaves, he closed his eyes.
A whisper from the system echoed within him:
[New Mission Incoming…]"Project Genesis – Week 1 Countdown Begins"
He smiled.
"Let's begin again."