Dex Restaurant.
[rit Points: 1,280,000]
Hehe.
That was a lot of points. More than enough for him to live like a king in this hellhole known as the South Side.
Dexter grinned. No ssing around. Ti to open so chests.
He went straight for the Diamond Chests. He had points to burn, so why not be a little reckless?
[You opened a Diamond Chest. Congratulations! You won $990,000 USD.]
Hiss. Damn. You really do get what you pay for.
That was a lot of cash. Enough to buy at least ten houses around here.
He was one step closer to owning the South Side. Not bad.
[You opened a Diamond Chest. Congratulations! You won a Gatling Gun with Blue Fire and Unlimited Ammo.]
Whoa. That thing is a beast. Too bad it's not exactly practical for daily use.
[You opened a Diamond Chest. Congratulations! You won the Complete Mastery of Northeastern Cuisine, plus ten sets of ingredients for every dish.]
Chicken stew with mushrooms? Iron pot goose stew? Pork stew with vermicelli?
Sounds delicious.
[You opened a Diamond Chest. Congratulations! You won a Suicide Party Card. Using this card, you can invite fifteen people to a party. Within the next 72 hours, all fifteen attendees will end their own lives in various creative ways.]
Voila.
400,000 rit points well spent.
Dexter smiled brilliantly. But the smile looked... incredibly evil. At least, that's how it looked to Vivian.
Watching Dexter grin like that, Vivian's brow twitched. She was thoroughly confused and couldn't figure out what kind of twisted thought had just crossed his mind.
Dexter chuckled to himself for a bit, put away the system interface, and went back to business as usual.
A little while later.
His phone vibrated. Bianca sent a text: [Dinner together, night after next? Just you, , my parents, and my sister...]
So, the ti had co.
Looking at the text, Dexter recalled Bianca's sister, who had briefly appeared in the original show.
She was pretty hot.
As for Bianca's parents... he had t them before. Interesting folks.
[What's in it for ?] Dexter texted back with a smile.
A long mont passed before Bianca replied: [What do you want?]
[Can't think of anything right now. Put it on my tab. I'll let you know when I decide,] Dexter replied.
[Dexter, you're too much!] Bianca texted back, feigning anger.
They bantered back and forth for a bit.
---
2114 North Wallace.
Frank stood outside the yard, staring at the dilapidated house. The smile on his face vanished rapidly, replaced by distinct misery.
Even without seeing Peg, just knowing she was inside... Frank was in agony. He felt like this house was a pit of suffering.
"Fck!"
Frank really didn't want to go in. But he couldn't quite bring himself to turn around and leave, either.
After struggling with himself for a good while, he cursed viciously, smoothed back his hair, gritted his teeth, and forced himself to walk toward the house.
Peg was sitting in the living room, watching TV, drinking beer, and smoking. Hearing the knock, she was confused. "Door's open."
Hearing this, Frank took a deep breath, pushed the door open, and walked into the living room.
Seeing Frank, Peg smirked coldly. "That bitch Monica leaves, and suddenly you show up?"
Frank twitched his lips into a bitter smile. He ignored the jab and put on a concerned face, asking the question he cared about most. "Your cancer. What did the doctor say?"
Peg looked away, too lazy to keep looking at Frank. "Doctor says it's great. I've got another week or two."
Jesus!
That long?
Frank felt a wave of disappointnt. But it wouldn't be right—or safe—to show it in front of Peg. So he kept up the act, playing the good son. "Is there anything I can do for you? Help pick out a cetery plot? Choose a coffin? Give so money, and I'll go handle it right now."
Peg had guessed Frank was here for money the mont he walked in. Hearing this, she wanted to laugh. "Truly my good son."
"You want to help ? Fine. Give a bath, cut my nails, trim my hair, and then push to the Alibi."
Frank had zero interest in doing any of that. His ugly face fell, and he went silent.
Peg glanced at Frank. She knew exactly what to say to hook him. She imdiately launched into her performance. "Son, I've been thinking a lot these past two days."
"I'm dying. We should let go of the hate. In the end, I am your mother, and you are my son."
"I plan to leave a portion of my money to you. As long as you take good care of for the next week or two."
"What do you say?"
Hearing this, Frank's heart raced. His excitent was plastered all over his ugly mug. "How much money?"
Peg smiled faintly. "How does ten thousand dollars sound?"
Frank's eyes darted around. "Twenty? I will take excellent care of you! I promise!"
Peg smiled, pretending to think about it. After a few seconds, she nodded. "Fine. Twenty thousand it is. I'm dying anyway; money's no use to ."
Holy sht!
Twenty grand!
Think of how much beer and drugs that could buy!
Frank instinctively started fantasizing about the good life. He couldn't stop beaming. Filled with sudden motivation, he rushed to Peg's side. "Mom! Let help you with your bath!"
Look at that.
What a harmonious picture of maternal love and filial piety.
---
The sun began to set. Another workday ended.
Sweating and slling ripe after a long day, Fiona turned on the tap at her workplace and splashed so cold water on herself. She didn't dare waste ti. She hurried ho, planning to grab a quick bite and then head back out to hit the bars and clubs, hoping to find another waitressing gig.
In Fiona's mind, the kidnapping incident was almost half a month ago. Theoretically, people should have forgotten by now...
After all, Chicago is huge. Weird sht happens all the ti.
And bars and clubs are chaotic places. Who would still care about a case from over two weeks ago?
Holding onto this hope, despite being dead tired, Fiona walked fast.
She sat on the L train, staring blankly out the window. After getting off, she walked another ten minutes and arrived ho.
Lip was doing exactly what he did yesterday: sitting on the couch, smoking, drinking beer, and watching TV. Seeing Fiona, he smiled slightly. "Work go okay?"
Fiona smiled back. "Yeah. Just dirty. I'm gonna go shower, then co down and make dinner."
"I already made dinner. Just shower quick and co eat," Lip said, exhaling a puff of smoke.
Fiona was shocked. She stopped in her tracks, eyes widening as she looked at Lip. "You made dinner?"
Lip smiled. "Do you have to be that surprised?"
Getting confirmation, Fiona paused for a mont, then smiled genuinely, touched. "Your leg still isn't great. Don't do it again. I'll cook. I'm your big sister."
Lip smiled but didn't respond to that. "Go shower."
"Okay," Fiona agreed, practically skipping upstairs, her steps much lighter.
Lip watched Fiona's back, zoning out for a second.
Making dinner tonight was essentially an act of appeasent.
Lip had already decided he wouldn't tell Fiona about the Canada trip in three days. He wouldn't give her the chance to worry.
So, in a way, Lip planned to make Fiona as happy as possible for now. That way, even if she found out later and got mad... maybe this would offset so of her anger.
Soon.
Gallagher House, Dining Room.
Fiona, Lip, and Liam sat around the table, eating dinner.
The atmosphere was nice. Harmonious.
As they were eating.
Ian ca downstairs and appeared in the dining room.
Instantly, both Fiona and Lip perked up.
Ian tried to force a smile. "Is there any dinner for ?"
"Of course! Sit down. I'll get you a plate," Fiona was overjoyed and scrambled to get up.
When it ca to caring for Ian and the family, Fiona was giving it 100% right now. You couldn't fault her effort.
Monts later.
With Ian at the table, the atmosphere felt even warr.
Fiona ate her dinner, smiling happily as she watched the scene. Then she thought of Carl...
In a while, when Peg died, Carl would have to co back.
Then, except for Debbie, the Gallagher family would be reunited.
So good.
Debbie...
Thinking of Debbie, Fiona decided she would find ti in the next few days to visit her.
As for Debbie saying she didn't want visitors...
Fiona chose to forget that part.
Family is family. Nothing can tear them apart.
After dinner, having chatted concernedly with Ian, Fiona felt great. She walked out the door with a spring in her step to go job hunting.
She had a premonition that she'd get lucky tonight and find a waitressing job.
---
The Run-Down Apartnt Building.
Dexter had a cigarette dangling from his lips and a tenant list in his hand. He started knocking on doors on the first floor.
Before long.
Scratch, scratch.
Two junkies on the list were circled.
Soon after, as Dexter knocked on more doors, more nas on the list got circled.
Thirty minutes later.
Six people circled. Done. Dexter lit another cigarette and headed downstairs to leave.
Just then.
A pair of lesbians—actually quite attractive ones—who had just walked into the building appeared in Dexter's line of sight.
Dexter thought for a mont and rembered their nas: Nessa and l.
Nessa was a decent woman.
l... was a pure, unadulterated bitch. But she was hot, and she had legs for days.
Thinking this, Dexter looked them over.
l noticed and raised an eyebrow, annoyed. "What are you looking at?"
Nessa recognized Dexter and was surprised. "You're the owner of Dex Restaurant? What are you doing here?"
"I'm the new landlord of this building. Nice to et you," Dexter said with a smile.
"What?" Nessa knew the building had changed owners a few days ago, but she never expected it to be Dexter. "I don't get it. Your restaurant is doing so well. Why would you buy a dump like this?"
"I didn't know why before either. Now that I see you, I know the reason," Dexter liked Nessa; he thought she was fun. On a whim, he teased her with a smile.
Nessa laughed.
l glared, her face full of bitchiness. "Hey! Nessa is mine!"
"For now," Dexter smirked, tossing out a provocation. As he walked past, he said to Nessa, "See you around. Feel free to co by the restaurant."
Nessa smiled back. "Too expensive. Can't afford it."
"Simple. I'll give you fifty percent off," Dexter said without stopping.
"Then we'll definitely co," Nessa agreed cheerfully.
l looked like she was about to explode. "Hey! What the fck are you two talking about?"
Dexter ignored her and walked away chuckling.
Nessa was a pure lesbian and had no interest in Dexter like that. She laughed, watched him go, then pulled l toward the stairs. "Relax. We were just joking around."
l puffed up her cheeks, still pissed.
The two started bickering playfully.
Dexter got in his car and drove off.
Only six people on the list so far. Still needed nine more.
He had to complete the list.
Not a difficult task.
After all, this was the South Side. There was plenty of trash that needed taking out.
---
A Large Bar.
The manager, a handso guy who had just turned thirty, actually recognized who Fiona was.
But...
On one hand, it had been a while. Fiona working here wouldn't really cause that much of a stir.
On the other hand, Fiona was hot, and she had a great body. Her chest was a little small, but that wasn't a dealbreaker.
The manager was interested. So, he agreed to let her work there. "Co in tomorrow at 7:00 PM. No base salary, tips only."
Fiona bead. "Thank you! I'll work really hard."
The manager smiled and nodded. "See you tomorrow night."
"See you tomorrow night." Dropping that line, Fiona turned around happily to head ho.
Just then.
Two figures appeared abruptly in Fiona's field of vision.
Fiona saw them and instantly froze. She couldn't move a muscle.
The reason was simple.
Those two figures were Jimmy-Steve and Estefania!
Fiona stared blankly at Jimmy.
Jimmy had actually spotted Fiona a while ago. Facing her gaze, he gave a small smile—a smile filled with nostalgia.
Living with Estefania, the trophy wife, these past months... Jimmy found it increasingly boring. He was about to lose his mind.
No chemistry ant no chemistry.
You can't force that kind of thing.
But with Fiona? Jimmy had a lot of chemistry.
The truth was:
Seeing Jimmy suddenly after so long, Fiona felt that nostalgia too... Of course, alongside the nostalgia was anger.
Their eyes locked. One second, two seconds, three seconds... Neither looked away.
For a mont, the chaotic noise of the bar seed to fade into background hum. The idiots gyrating on the dance floor beca re wallpaper.
The whole world seed to shrink down to just the two of them.
After a good while.
Jimmy blinked. He took the initiative, stood up, and walked toward Fiona.
Fiona trembled. Watching Jimmy approach, her mind was a ss. She didn't know what to do.
"Long ti no see, Fiona," Jimmy said softly, standing in front of her with a faint smile.
Hearing his voice, seeing his face inches away.
Fiona's brain was buzzing.
After buzzing for a few seconds, Fiona snapped out of it slightly. Then, she made a decision. She knew what to do.
The next second.
Fiona wound up and punched Jimmy right in the face.
Thud. A dull impact.
The second after that...
Fiona took two steps forward, grabbed Jimmy's head with both hands, and kissed him.
Nearby.
Estefania: "??????"
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