The Odd Billionaire

Traizle

“Traizle, will you really buy me a toy?” Layzen kept on asking me.

I decided to buy things we needed in our house and also to treat them at the mall.

Before we went to the mall, I told him I would buy him toys. This is our first shopping after a few years.

“Does it sound like a joke to you?” I asked Layzen.

“If he does not believe you, then don’t buy him one,” Lyndon commented, gaining a frown from our youngest. “Then stop asking Traizle. She will buy you one.” he added.

“You can buy me after buying the things we need in our house.” Layzen replied.

“Why?” I asked.

“Buying me a toy will cost money. I wanted to make sure that we had the important ones first. If we can’t have anymore, I can give up my toy.” Layzen answered, explaining as if he was an adult already.

Lyndon messed Layzen’s hair up.

“Why are you so matured? Act like a baby, okay? You are only four, but hearing you made us think that you were an adult already.” Lyndon commented.

“Do I sound like an adult?” Layzen asked excitedly.

“Why are you happy about it?”

It’s funny that we are both asking him why he is happy to sound like an adult.

Kneeling to match Layzen’s height, fixing his hair that Lyndon messed up a while ago.

“You should enjoy your youth, house expenses and adult problems is for us to think about” I said, giving him advice.

“But I don’t want to cause you any trouble.” Layzen answered, playing with his hands.

“We will tell you if you are going overboard, don’t worry about us and just enjoy your youth. There are many things that a four-year-old can do if the adults are having a problem, you know?” Lyndon replied.

“What is it?” Layzen asked eagerly.

“For example, hugging and kissing us, getting many stars in school, and acting cute when we are stressed.” Lyndon answered.

Layzen quickly turned his head on me. His face is asking already if he should believe what Lyndon is suggesting.

“He is right. Doing that will help us become less worried and be happy.” I added.

Layzen is looking at his feet, maybe contemplating if he will accept our suggestion.

“Let’s go,” Layzen suddenly said. “Buy me two toys, okay? Or else I will throw a big tantrum inside this mall.” he added.

Lyndon and I can’t help but to smile and laugh at him.

How will a four-year-old Layzen act?

We left Layzen at the playground with the other kids inside to buy the things we needed in our house. There’s a staff who is taking care and watching them, so we are sure that he is safe.

“Traizle.” Lyndon called.

“Why?” I answered after getting a cart.

“I talked to Matthew last night. Did you guys have a fight?” Lyndon replied.

It’s been three days since I stopped working at Grand Finance.

I immediately made a resignation letter after I told Zarsuelo that I wanted to quit.

Lyndon does not know it because I don’t want to talk about it, but it seems like Zarsuelo contacted him.

“Ah, about that, I haven’t worked for him for three days already.” I replied quickly.

I also don’t feel like telling the whole story.

“He wanted to tell you that he was sorry,” Lyndon responded. “That explains why he is not playing with us these days. I texted him to ask if he was busy, and then he told me the story.” he added.

So, I really don’t have to tell him because he knows it already. I guess they are really close now to sharing anything whatsoever.

“Where are you working now?” Lyndon asked as we got the things we needed.

“Snack Bar.” I replied.

I have been working there from seven in the morning until nine in the evening.

“What are you using for the delivery?” Lyndon asked in wonder, because the motorcycle I am using is at the junk shop already.

“I am renting a bike to deliver them.” I answered.

It is a good thing that the bike rental owner is not that hostile. He is simply strict when it comes to his bike, as he does not want it scratched or involved in an accident.

“He wants to talk to you, why aren’t you answering his calls or text messages?” Lyndon asked.

“I don’t have any reason to answer his calls or messages. He should just let go of me.” I answered, pushing the cart to the other stalls.

“He kept on asking me to tell you he was sorry and he wanted you back at Grand Finance.” he replied, showing his phone to me with Zarsuelo’s ton of messages.

“Just don’t mind him or better yet, block his number.” I commented.

“That’s mean. How will we play if I will block his number?” Lyndon answered.

I sighed.

“Then don’t tell me anything about what he wants to say,” I retorted. “I don’t want to talk about him, I just want to rest my mind and put it at ease.” I added.

Lyndon didn’t say anything after that. We just quietly got the things we needed before going back to the playground where Layzen was.

“Zac?” I called the man who was looking from the outside.

He looked like Zac from afar. “Oh? You are really here?” I told him when I confirmed that he was really Zac.

“I thought I just saw Layzen inside. I tried to search for you guys, but I couldn’t find you,” Zac explained. “Then you called me. Now I am sure that the boy inside is really Layzen.” he added.

“Went for groceries as well?” Lyndon asked, eyeing him.

He showed us his plastic bags that were full of art materials.

“No. I was short of art materials, so I decided to go out.” he answered.

“You are using digital devices for your comics, right?” I was confused. “Do you still have to draw on the papers?” I added.

“I just want to. When I don’t feel like using the tablet, I will draw with these.” Zac explained, referring to his art materials.

“Zac!” Layzen suddenly exclaimed while he was walking out of the playground. “What are you doing here?” He added excitedly.

“I bought some art materials,” Zac replied. “How about you? Are you having fun?” He asked.

“Yes! I have new friends inside. This playground is fun. I wanna go back here next time, can we?” Layzen asked me cheerfully.

Ruffling his hair. “Of course! We will, but for now you have to say goodbye to your new friends. We will buy your toys now.” I told him.

He immediately headed back inside the playground to bid his goodbyes to his new friends. Lyndon and Layzen asked Zac to come along with us.

Zac quickly accepted their invitation. He said he was not that busy.

We also eat at a fast food chain where Layzen wants to go before going home.

Layzen is one of the happiest people today. I asked Lyndon if he wanted something, but he told me he didn’t want anything. I should increase his pocket money.

“Lyndon and Layzen, I will go now to the Snack Bar.” I told them, wearing my shoes.

“Aren’t you working at Matthew’s company?” Layzen asked as he stopped playing with his new toys.

“Something happened and I ended up working at the Snack Bar again.” I responded.

“Will you go home late again?” Layzen asked again.

“Every weekend, I will be going home late.” I answered.

“Take care on your journey, Traizle.” Layzen said.

“You guys, text or call me if there’s an emergency.” I reminded them before leaving.

Before going to the Snack Bar, I went to the bike renting shop to rent one. Renting a bike is cheaper than the gas I have to pay at the gas station for the motorcycle.

“Traizle, good thing you are now here.” The owner said, handing over the two plastic bags to me.

“Nice timing!” I responded. “I will go now, tell Kelvin I am here already. Thank you!” I shouted as I headed out of the Snack Bar.

The owner said that the Snack Bar is doing good lately. It seems like our customers are now loyal. They keep on calling us to order. Sometimes they go to the Snack Bar to eat. The owner is thinking of hiring one delivery boy and an assistant.

I am happy that it is doing good. Before, we couldn’t have too many customers, but now we couldn’t rest for a few minutes because the call kept on ringing.

“This one is new, huh?” I told myself as I pulled over the bike to the side.