Chapter 9 That's Not Much

“You’re here for what? A car?” Jimmy’s raised his voice out of surprise. Josh heard Jimmy and other salesmen trying their best to withhold laughing out loud, for there had been no customers dressed like Jimmy in their store. “Josh, this is a Lamborghini 4S shop, we sell luxuries, not bicycles.” Said Jimmy, still trying not to laugh out. “So? I’m here to buy a car, what’s wrong about it?Am I not welcomed here?” Said Josh, frowned. “No, no, it’s just...are you sure you can afford one?”Said Jimmy, with a sneering smile. The other salesmen sneered along:”Every car here costs at least more than one million, kiddo!” “Come on, you don’t look like someone that can afford a Lamborghini at all!” They just found it possible that a man dressed in that way would have that much money to buy a Lamborghini. “Bunch of snobs...” Whispered Josh, people like those salesmen were what Josh resented the most? “You were saying, kiddo?” Josh’s words pissed the salesmen off, they were willing to bow as many times as possible to the wealthy, but they wouldn’t even lower their voice talking to someone dressed like Josh. “It’s okay, guys, his my old friend, I’ll take care of this.” Said Jimmy as he waved the other guys away. “I don’t think he’s worth your time, Jimmy, are you sure?” Asked one of them. Jimmy walked up to them and whispered:”He’s just pretending, let’s keep the drama going and see what he would do.” To Jimmy, Josh was there for a job in the shop, his words of buying a car was just trying not to feel embarrassed when he found Jimmy was there. He didn’t buy Josh’s words and decided to play along and wait for the ending where he could humiliate Josh as much as he wanted to. He soon turned to Josh, smiled and asked:”So which one are you interested in?” “Lamborghini Aventador.” Said Josh without a second thought. “Aventador?” All the salesmen were surprised, and soon began trying to hold back their laughter again. Aventador cost at least seven million, only the super wealthy silver-spoon would be able to afford one. After suprssing his laughter, Jimmy said to Josh:”Alright, I’ll show you around first then.” Then Jimmy led Josh to the exhibition hall with all the other salesmen in tow, and soon arrived at a white Aventador. “You gorgeous baby...” Just like the one Josh saw before, he marvels at the beauty of Lamborghini every time he lay eyes on one. And now there he is, standing right in front of what he had dreamt of so many times. “How much?” Asked Josh. “Seven million and five hundred and fifty thousand!” Said Jimmy as he tucked his sleeves up, waiting for what Josh would say next since he thought that the price would at least shock Josh. “That sounds reasonable.” Said Josh as he shrugged. “Reasonable?” Murmured the other salesmen, holding back their laughter as usual. Jimmy didn’t even bother doing it this time:”Come on, Josh, do you have any idea how much that is?” “I do, it’s not that much.” Now everyone around was laughing out loud, including Jimmy, for Josh’s words sounded like he was just being pretentious just to escape from embarrassment. “Just cut your crap, Josh! Not much, is it? Then show us the money! I shit you not, Josh, I’ll resign my job here if you really have that much money!” “Yeah, show us the money!” The other salesmen sneered along. Josh knew clearly what was Jimmy thinking about, he took his card out of his pocket and said:”May I use credit card?” “Is that....the diamond card?” The laughter of salesmen stopped, they were all shocked. It’s required to put at least ten million in the diamond someone applies for it, and it’s the VIP card of the highest esteem in the bank. There were customers in their shop that used this card to buy a car before. And Jimmy? He found himself numb from head to toe. So Josh was not a ghetto boy but a wealthy millionaire, no, even wealthier. “I’ll take it, let’s just skip the bargaining.” Josh handed Jimmy the card. “You...” As if shocked by some scary monsters, Jimmy failed to reach his hand out and take the card but stay standing as if lost, staring at Josh in great disbelief. “Jimmy? Come on, take the card!” “Ye....yes!” Said Jimmy, grabbed the card with his trembling hands, looking pale, fearing that any wrong step he could would piss Josh off, and ran to he manager’s office. Josh turned to the other salesmen, who were all in shock and fear since they weren’t nice to him either, and none of them was able to bear the consequence if Josh decided to get back at them. Soon a fat mid-aged man ran out of the office and got near Josh and greeted him with a big warm smile:”Greeting, sir! I’m the manager of this shop, welcome!” “Welcome? Ask you salesmen whether they’ve at least given me a cup of water, I was met with their sneers and spite from the very moment I got in here, and now you’re here saying welcome?” Josh shook his head and sneered. The manager’s face got stern, he turned to she salesmen and said:”What the hell is wrong with you all? Apologize to this our customer, quick!” “We’re deeply sorry, Mr Lin!” The manager continued:”You’ll have no year-end bound or any other bonus reward this year! Now get Mr Lin some coffee!” “Yes, sir!” Said the salesmen and quickly ran away. Jimmy got back to them with the card in his hand, looking extremely embarrassed and worried. “Finished the payment?” Asked Josh indifferently. “Yes, yes Mr Lin, seven million and five hundred and fifty thousand in total.” Said Jimmy as he handed back the card, head down. It may be the worst moment in Jimmy’s life, and what’s left in his heart was nothing more than fear and worries. Josh took the card and said:”I remember you saying that you’ll resign your job if I show you the money, is it?” Jimmy’s face was twitching, what Josh might say next could literally decide his fate. He replied carefully,”I’m sorry, really, My Lin! I was just joking! We are old friends, you know I’m just joking!” “I don’t think I knew you enough to call you my friend back in those days, so don’t bother!” Said Josh as he turned to the manager,”Get this man out of my sight.” “Sure!” Said the manager, nodding. He turned to Jimmy and said:”I’ll do you a favor and save you from the trouble of applying a resign: you’re fired! No get the hell out of here!” “F...fired?” Jimmy had never been more regretful than that moment, he lost a job he worked so hard for because of his snobbishness. The manager call the security who later kicked Jimmy out of the shop. “So can I just drive my baby away now?” Asked Josh to the manager. “We still have some paperwork to run here, we’ll inform you when everything’s ready, usually it would take one day.” “Okay then, send the car to my place when you’re done with your work” Said Josh. “Sure, you’re always welcomed here, Mr Lin!” Said the manager as he walked with Josh until he left the shop.