Bab 6: Box of Wonders 1
A week has passed ever since the embezzlement fiasco at Neo. During which, Veronica and I made sandwiches, baked a cake, and ate at least 5 extra-large pizzas together. The last one was because we managed to use all the food in the fridge before Eleanor came home. In any case, the job was a success and she manage to come home earlier than planned. Veronica was overjoyed.
"So how was working with the Kaleidoscope?" I ask during Sunday breakfast. Today's meal consists of perfectly cooked eggs, bacon, and waffles. I say perfect because they literally are.
"Oh man you wouldn't believe it," she says while placing the dishes in the old, rickety dishwasher. "I've never driven so peacefully in my life! I didn't have to swear as much on the radio or on the road too!"
"You know that last bit is something you can control right?"
"Oh, shut up. It's a jungle out there."
I rest my chin on my hand. "Hmmm."
"What're you looking it?" she recoils.
"Nothing. I'm just curious what you're seeing now. Last week, we were two peas in the pod: two technologically behind people left in this gadget infused world. Now, you're like a totally different person." I feel a tear flow from my eye. "Even your waffles taste different."
She chuckles. "You sure like those crispy waffles and black bacon."
I clench my stomach. "I think those hasn't been digested yet."
Except for the perfect breakfast and efficient cleaning, it seems that the Kaleidoscope hasn't changed her much. To be honest, I was really curious how it'll transform her since this is the first time someone really close to me got the upgrade. But seeing her this stress free and even more confident seems to indicate that Sheriv Nazar has improved many lives with her invention.
As I sip my after-breakfast coffee, I hear a knock on the door. Since the owners of the house are busy bonding over cutting fruit, I delegate myself to open it. Imagine my surprise when I see the backside of the mailman who's been making his rounds in this neighborhood for over 20 years.
"Huh? Daniel? Why are you up here? Don't you leave the mail in the lockboxes downstairs?" Yes, I know the mailman too. Again, it's weird to me how some people can have the same mailperson or neighbors for decades without even knowing their name.
The back of the green jumpsuit finally reveals a gentle smile, grey hair, and the homely beer belly when he turns to face me.
"Oh... Devon." His face is full of confusion as he looks between me, the address on the paper he's holding, and the two doors behind us. "I think they got the address wrong."
I chuckle. "Nah man. I just eat breakfast at my neighbor's house since I can't cook myself."
"Oh..." he cranes his neck to take a peek over my shoulder. "Are you..."
Realizing what he's planning to ask, I shake my head and clear my dry throat. "Anyway, what's the special occasion?"
As if finally remembering an important memory after having amnesia for so long, Daniel jolts back to reality and pulls out a small box the size of a Rubick's cube from his satchel. He hands it to me gingerly. For a man who looks like a blacksmith from one of those RPG's I used to play when I was a kid, he has gentle hands capable of handling the most fragile things.
"Court orders. I had to give it to you personally. If you weren't home, I had to try again later. Give me your thumb."
I inspect the box from all sides while absentmindedly put my thumb on his scanner. "What is it?"
He shrugs. "Whatever it is, it's your problem now. But from my experience, nothing good comes from courts," he pats my shoulder and waves goodbye.
"I guess he's over his divorce," I say quietly before entering the apartment.
"What was that?" Eleanor asks now reclined on the sofa with Veronica on her lap.
I shrug. "It was a court ordered package so he had to give me personally. And before you ask, no I didn't do any crime."
She clicks her tongue. "Live a little."
I flick her forehead and sink on the couch perpendicular to hers. I open the box and immediately regret it when a full blue-light hologram projects from the box and directly into my eyes. I recoil and adjust to read the contents while the girls laugh at me instead of being concerned. Ignoring them, I put my attention to the data before me.
+
[Social Court Level 2: Division of Assets]
As per the request of the deceased, Mitchel Durham, this box is to be given to the recipient, Devon Miller, without being opened. The deceased wife, Rebecca Durham, and their children do not choose to protest this allocation. Thus, the box and the contents within will be fully forfeited to Devon Miller effective immediately. If you have any questions, please contact us at XXX-XXXX-XXXX or visit our Metropolis branch in Central.
Best regards,
Sophia Ramirez, J.
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Well, this is interesting. Uncle Mitchel died half a year ago but it seems the court just finished dividing his assets. Poor Aunt Rebecca. It broke her heart when he died. But for his ripe age of 69 and a drinking problem, it wasn't surprising that his body failed him. I love both of them. When I was new in the city, I had my thumb up my ass and was almost gonna starve to death. Uncle Mitchel introduced me to many workplaces that helped me get to where I am right now and Aunt Rebecca was the one who fed me and clothed me. Oh, and she was also the one who delivered Veronica since she was a midwife until recently. I literally owe them my life and the reason why I have the life I have now. I will be forever grateful that even though I was just a stranger to them, they treated me like their own son. So, I cried when he died. I never thought I would but I sobbed until my eyes were left shrunken and dry. However, over time, those painful memories became bittersweet ones and now, I smile as I admire my uncle's final gift to me.
"Is it something good?" Eleanor breaks through my train of thought with curiosity sparkling in her eyes. Well, actually both of their eyes.
"Let's see."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone