Tyler was about to say it wasn’t necessary, but more messages popped up in the group chat, and this time, they tagged him directly.
“Tyler, don’t let us down, man. If even a notorious player like you settles down, the rest of us will have to start behaving and go home to marry our girlfriends.”
In their circle, Tyler had always been the cautionary tale—the one their families used as an example of what not to become.
If even the cautionary tale started behaving, the others would be in trouble. Without him as the comparison, their lives would only get harder.
Tyler quickly replied.
“Just wait. She’s saved up three million, and she says she wants to spend half of it on a watch for me.”
Bert responded with a thumbs-up emoji, and the others quickly followed suit with their own reactions.
Tyler felt a faint sense of satisfaction. He figured he’d just give Athena six million later as compensation, so his conscience was clear as he sent her a photo of the $1.5 million watch.
Athena forwarded the message to Doris. Doris used to work directly with luxury brands and knew exactly where to source high-end items.
But when Doris saw the model, she noticed immediately it wasn’t a women’s watch. She called Athena right away.
“What’s going on? Isn’t this supposed to be for you?”
“No, Tyler says he wants it.”
“Athena, have you lost your mind? Sure, $1.5 million might be nothing to him, but think about how hard you worked to earn that money. After everything you’ve done for him, now you’re planning to foot the bill too? Come on, there’s no way Tyler’s some kind of Adonis who’s got you completely under his spell. How about coming with me to a party tonight? I can introduce you to guys way hotter than Tyler.”
“Doris, how soon can you get the watch?”
Doris was so exasperated by Athena’s stubbornness she could practically feel her blood pressure rising.
“Athena, you’re always scrimping and saving for yourself, but you’re throwing money at him like it’s nothing? He doesn’t need your charity—he’s just taking you for a fool!”
“I know, but I want to spoil him. Just tell me when the watch will be here.”
Doris was at a loss for words and let out a long sigh.
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