章 11: Money

After finishing her breakfast, Rose returned to her room.

Last night because she came home late, she didn't have time to look at her bedroom. She observed the size of the room, which was not too big. It only fit one single bed in the middle of the room. In the corner of the room near the glass window overlooking the parking lot and a busy street, there is a study table complete with a high shelf for storing books and some photos.

From the window, she can see a tall apartment building from the window that was just completed two years ago. Not only that but her house was flanked from various angles by other tall buildings. There are apartments on the left and right, while office buildings are at the back. Make the streets around her house never empty. Always crowded and lively.

Rose opened her bedroom window and breathed in the fresh morning air. After that, she looked to the other side of the room. There is a bathroom and a wardrobe that is not too big. Her bedroom is dominated by blue and white colors, not much furniture or decoration in the room, and it looks very minimalist.

"It's nice to come back here…" Rose still couldn't believe all of this had happened to her. How could she rebirth like the female lead she watches in drama or read in novels!? It feels unreal for her.

Still in awe of what had happened to her, Rose lay on her bed staring at the ceiling above. But not long after, she remembered her cellphone. Since last night she turned off her cellphone, too lazy to read messages from Dustin.

After finding her cellphone in her backpack, she immediately turned it on. She was surprised because many short messages came in, all from Dustin.

She read a few messages. She was stunned when she found out Dustin was waiting for her to come home last night.

"Did he see that Evan drove me home in the night?" Rose murmurs while holding her cell phone. For some reason, she feels uneasy knowing Dustin came to her house.

Still a little annoyed reading the text message from Dustin, Rose opened another text message from Evan that had just arrived. Instantly she smiled when reading it.

[Evan] I will come to your house at 10. Is it ok?

[Evan] Is there something you want? Let me buy it for you...

[Evan] What is your mother's favorite flower?

Before she could reply to the texts, suddenly, her cellphone rang, and Evan's name appeared on her cell phone screen. Hurriedly she sat on her bed while accepting the call.

"Morning, Evan!" Rose greeted him sweetly.

"Good morning, beautiful… What are you doing now? Did you just wake up?"

Rose blushed, hearing Evan's words.

"Of course not… I've finished breakfast and now am tidying up my bedroom." Rose giggled while laying her body on her soft bed. It felt weird because she had not felt happiness like this since a long time ago. It feels so good. "Evan, have your breakfast?"

"Hmm…same with you. I just finished my breakfast."

"Has anyone sold food this early?"

"Beauty… I cooked it myself." Evan laughs when he hears Rose surprised.

"You can cook!?" Rose was shocked. She thought that Evan was just buying her food or having the chef prepare it for him. How could someone like Evan cook and take care of himself alone?

In her past life, she knew Evan's true identity after she moved to the capital. Evan is not an ordinary person, but he is one of the heirs of the Collins Family, who is affluent and holds significant control of this country's economy.

When he was still studying in this B city, no one knew his identity, including her. But after he finished college, Evan returned to the capital, and his identity was published not long after. The whole campus, especially their class, was in an uproar because they knew Evan Collins was among the wealthiest people in this country.

"Of course, I can cook. I've been living alone in this city for almost four years…."

"Really?" Rose still wasn't sure Evan Collins could cook, even live alone. He must have a personal assistant at his apartment, right?

"Yup! If you don't believe me… how about you come to my apartment tonight? I'll cook for you…." Evan pauses for a moment, smiling happily at his genius idea. "Think of this as our first date as a couple, Rose!"

Rose almost choked with her own saliva when she heard Evan's words. Instantly her face felt warm. She blushed. In a hurry, she hides her face behind her blanket and giggles before she replies to him.

"Alright! We will go on a date after we lunch here. How about that?"

"Hmm… sounds good!" Evan's voice sounded happy and made Rose smile until she felt her cheek hurt slightly.

Rose really wanted to see where Evan had lived all this time, and at the same time, she also wanted to discuss her big plan; she would open her new trading bank account on Monday. Also, she wants to discuss the stocks they will buy in the next few days. Rose plans to involve Evan in her plan to build her business empire. She also wanted to share her knowledge of the future with Evan. But she will do it carefully so Evan wouldn't think she is crazy.

After a quick chat with Evan, Rose immediately tidied up her bedroom as she gathered some documents she needed. While at it, her eyes landed on the blue bank book in her drawer.

She quickly checked the amount in her savings. She was surprised because she had a lot in there. There is $50,000 in her savings. This is quite a lot considering that she didn't have a steady income. All this money she collects from the pocket money that her mother has given her $500 per month since she entered college a few years ago.

Rose had never used this money because she had a full scholarship. And for the past two years, she has been actively earning income from translating documents into various languages. She is fluent in 7 languages, and her professors often ask her to convert foreign language documents into English. She earns quite a lot of money from this freelance job.

Rose and her mother are not well off. Her family's finances only improved in recent years, to be exact, when she was in high school. Before then, their life was not as good as it is now. The area of their house is underdeveloped and deserted. But when she was in middle school, several universities were built in this East City at the same time.

The government builds the city to be an education city. And coincidentally, the land inherited from her mother's parents is located not far from B university. And now, this university has become the leading university in this country and the surrounding area to be boosted economically.

When massive construction took place in this city, the value of her house rose several times. Many companies began to build apartments and office buildings near her home. Her mother often received offers from wealthy people who wanted to buy their house and land. Because the location of their house is very strategic, at a crossroads. They are interested in buying to build luxury apartments.

After discussion, Rose asked her mother to sell some of the land. And keep the rest of the land to build new buildings for rent. Her mother agreed. They received a lot of money to start their new lives.

They built a 3-story building with R Mini Mart on the ground floor and rented it out as a Coffee Shop on the second floor. It has been five years since this building was built. Her mother's business, R Mini Mart, is good enough to provide regular income to use in their daily lives. This business even frees her mother from having to work another job.

Her mother, who is wise in financial management, was finally able to create a minimarket which became a relatively large source of income for them. Now, they no longer live in hardship but have had enough. Sales turnover of R mini-mart currently reaches $ 50,000 to $60,000 per month.

Still holding her savings book, Rose took a deep breath when calculating the funds needed to start her business after moving to the capital. When the calculation was done, she realized something.

"I'm still short of money! If I want to make a quick profit in stock trading, at least I need $1 Million…I need more money!"

But where?

She wanted to borrow from her mother, but if she did that, her mother would surely ask what the purpose was. She didn't want her mother to know that she was planning to enter the stock market and become a swing trader.

As Rose was lost in her thoughts. Suddenly a bell rang.

She gasped. Quickly she glanced at the clock. She smiled because Evan had previously said he would come at precisely 10 o'clock.

It must be Evan! She thought.

In a hurry, she ran towards the main door. She can't wait to meet Evan. There is a sense of longing that she feels deep in her heart. It feels weird, but she likes it.

Before opening the door, she made sure her hair was neatly tied. After calming her heart, she slowly opened the door.

Rose was utterly shocked. Because it wasn't Evan. In front of her, Dustin is standing there, the man she hated so much.