Chapter 40: Chapter 40: The Smart Kid and The Green-Eyed Beauty
Ethan was speeding down the road, his thoughts racing faster than the engine. He knew he was already late for the mystery meeting. The frozen peas were starting to melt, leaving a cool, damp patch on his shirt.
[So, what do you think about that service?] the System asked, sounding eager. [It all sounds pretty sweet, huh? Just call a number and get whatever you want.]
Ethan mulled it over for a moment, then shook his head sharply. "It would be the last thing I ever did," he stated.
"Why?" the System sounded confused.
"Because if they control the inside of my house—if they supply the staff—and they also hold all my secrets... they could try to blackmail me, or worse," Ethan replied, gripping the steering wheel.
[Whoa.] The System made a noise of genuine astonishment. [Damn, I guess you actually do have a brain in that little head of yours. You’re absolutely right. How the hell did I miss that?]
Ethan just rolled his eyes, ignoring the backhanded compliment, and sped up.
After a long drive, he arrived at a relatively upscale neighborhood where the familiar restaurant was located. He pulled into the parking lot. He entered, and the pizzeria was exactly as he remembered: greasy, yes, but very clean and organized. Everyone looked happy, laughing and chatting.
He walked toward the counter. A beautiful young woman with striking green eyes was working there, serving customers with a huge smile and loudly calling out orders for ready pizzas.
The moment he saw her, Ethan froze. The little girl he used to see helping her parents had grown up into a stunning young woman. She looked gorgeous in the work uniform, which fit tightly over her curves. As he watched her deliver an order, he couldn’t help but notice the clear lines of her panties visible beneath the fabric of her tight pants.
[Hahahahaha!] The System erupted in roaring laughter. [I didn’t even have to say anything this time, and you can’t take your eyes off that ass! You’re already imagining having her in your bed, aren’t you? You can’t lie to me, kid!]
Ethan smirked, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Alright, alright, you caught me. When we used to come here, I always played with her. We were close. Even when we were kids, I had a thing for her, even though she’s a little younger than me. That’s Lilly."
[Who cares if she’s slightly younger? Fresh fruit is just as good as ripe fruit, and she’s definitely of legal age to get what she deserves, Hahaha!] The System’s voice was full of lewd encouragement.
Ethan chuckled, shaking his head. "Okay, okay, you win. If I wanted to screw her? Who knows, maybe I will."
He took a deep breath, composed his expression—which now held a confidence it never had before—and started walking toward the counter.
Ethan reached the counter. Lilly, who was busy bagging an order, looked up, her bright green eyes widening instantly.
"ETHAN!" she shrieked, dropping the order and launching herself over the counter. She didn’t bother using the aisle; she scrambled over the top, latching onto him like a koala. She hugged him fiercely, burying her head against his chest like a happy puppy.
From the kitchen, another voice yelled, "Ethan?!"
Alfred, a large man with flour dusting his apron, came barreling out. He grabbed Ethan, lifted him clean off the floor in a massive bear hug, and spun him around, laughing.
Then came the beautiful woman from the back, Martha, Alfred’s wife. She embraced Ethan with the warmth of a mother, pulling his head firmly between her enormous, comforting breasts, muffling his words.
"Oh, my boy! We missed you!" Martha cried, pulling back to squeeze his cheeks.
Everyone was laughing, the warmth of the scene filling the greasy, cheerful pizzeria.
[Damn, that’s a hell of a welcome,] the System snickered, clearly enjoying the show. [I bet if you asked, they’d all say yes to a quick screw! All three of them, hahahaha!]
Ethan rolled his eyes internally. Seriously, System? "I would never lay a finger on Aunt Martha," he silently told the System. "Uncle Alfred always treated me and my dad like family, even when I lost everything. They fed me, they offered me a place to live—I never took it, but I know they would have treated me like a son. I couldn’t be such a goddamn bastard as to screw his wife."
The System laughed again. [Alright, alright, you win. You wouldn’t screw his wife. But you’d screw his daughter, though.]
Ethan coughed loudly, trying to look innocent. "Well, well, that’s different. I bet they’d be happy if I hit that."
Alfred gave Ethan another massive, bone-crushing slap on the shoulder that, despite his new boxing knowledge, still hurt a little but warmed his heart immensely.
"It’s so good to see you, son! We missed you so much," Alfred boomed, his eyes shining. "Lilly here wouldn’t stop crying when you left! We missed you, kid. We honestly didn’t know where to even start looking for you. How have you been, son? Tell us everything!"
Ethan’s shoulders were throbbing, but his heart felt full. These people really had always been this kind-hearted, treating him like a son and his father like a brother since forever.
Lilly was still clinging to his arm. "We were so worried, Ethan! You just vanished! Did you finally find a good place to stay? You look... different. You look really good." She ran a curious hand over his new, sharper jawline.
"I found a place," Ethan said, giving her a gentle, genuine smile. "I’ve been busy, building something up. I had to focus, you know?" He turned to Martha. "Aunt Martha, you look as beautiful as ever! What’s the secret? More of that amazing dough, I bet?"
Martha giggled, pleased. "Oh, stop, you sweet talker! Just glad to see your face. We were so heartbroken when you went quiet. You better come back and eat more often. And no more of that ’I can’t accept your help’ nonsense, you hear me? You are family!"
Alfred slapped his back again. "That’s right! Family! Now, come on, you need to eat! I’m putting a ’Capitán Special’ on the house—extra cheese! Tell us everything that’s happened. Why are you suddenly so muscular? Did you join the military?"
The laughter continued, sweet and sincere, making Ethan feel more grounded and more real than any million dollars or Lux point ever could.