I WON THE LOTTERY!!

The commotion didn't die down. In fact, it only grew louder, rising with the tension thick in the morning air. People were still processing what they had just heard, the disbelief in their expressions only fueling their outrage. Fredrick's regular customers, many of whom had spent years buying sandwiches from him without seeing anything out of the ordinary, now looked at Jack with narrowed eyes. They weren't laughing anymore. The mood had shifted from mockery to suspicion, and beneath that, anger. To them, Jack was just another smooth-talking freeloader who had tricked a kind old man into giving away free food. That was the story they were clinging to, and nothing could convince them otherwise. They had seen too many like him, people who lied for sympathy, who promised to pay later but never did.

As Jack quietly sipped from his drink, his fingers loosely holding the paper cup, he let his eyes wander across the crowd. He wondered what they would say if they knew the full truth. What would they do if they found out Fredrick had not only fed him but let him sleep in the food truck overnight? What would their reactions be if they discovered he had been locked inside the van, curled up among pots and pans, trying to stay warm while the rest of the world ignored him? Would they pity him, or would they label him a dangerous criminal who might have stolen the whole vehicle and disappeared into the city? Jack didn't know. People often chose the story that let them feel superior. And right now, they needed someone to look down on.

Just then, a sleek black car pulled up behind the crowd. The engine purred like a lion, and the tinted windows made it look like something out of a luxury magazine. The car was a Rolls-Royce Ghost, elegant and imposing, its surface shining like glass under the morning sun. The vehicle parked gently, and the driver's door opened. A woman stepped out, and all eyes turned toward her. She wasn't just beautiful. She was mesmerizing. Her skin was smooth, radiant under the soft sunlight, and her face was almost unnaturally symmetrical, like a portrait painted by a master artist. Her lips were full, her eyes sharp, and her presence demanded attention without needing to speak. She wore a fitted office coat and a tight black skirt that hugged her hips perfectly. A crisp white blouse peeked from beneath the coat, doing little to hide her full figure. Her black heels clicked softly as she stepped forward, scanning the crowd with silent precision before pulling out her phone.

The men who had been badgering Jack only moments ago seemed to forget what they were doing. Their voices lowered, their heads turned, and suddenly, Jack was invisible. One of them tapped his friend on the shoulder, eyes glued to the woman.

"Who is that?" he whispered, unable to look away.

"She's insanely gorgeous. Do you think she's one of Fredrick's customers?"

"If so, this old geezer's cooking must be something else. Fredrick, come on man, you have to introduce us."

Fredrick looked up from behind his counter and squinted at the woman. He frowned slightly. He didn't recognize her. He had seen many people over the years, regulars and strangers, but this one didn't ring any bells. Just as he was about to ask Jack if he knew her, he saw the boy glance behind and smile.

Jack's face relaxed. The pressure of the moment lifted off his shoulders like a weight falling to the ground. Ava had arrived. And right on time. As soon as her eyes met his, she lowered her phone and began walking toward him. The men closest to Jack stood frozen.

"She's coming this way!" one of them said, trying to keep his voice steady.

"I know what I'll do," another man declared. "I'll offer to buy her food. She won't resist that."

"You don't even have enough cash for a combo sandwich. Let me handle it."

The group of young and middle-aged men started arguing in low voices over who would make the first move. Each of them imagined himself charming her, impressing her with a kind gesture. The idea that she might ignore all of them never even crossed their minds. Jack watched them with an amused smile. The same men who had mocked and ridiculed him only minutes ago were now tripping over themselves to impress someone they didn't even know. It was ironic. He couldn't help but chuckle, the sound low and genuine. One of the larger men near him noticed and didn't appreciate it. His face twisted into a scowl as he stepped forward and grabbed Jack by the collar, pulling him slightly forward. "Hey, mister millionaire, what are you laughing at? Do you want to get punched?" Jack didn't move. He kept his calm. He looked the man in the eyes, steady and quiet.

Another voice added from the side, "You still have the guts to laugh after your lies have been exposed? Sit down and shut up before someone shuts you up."

Before anything else could happen, Ava reached the edge of the crowd. Her pace was unhurried, but her presence parted the sea of people like royalty. No one stopped her. Men and women alike moved aside as if compelled to give her space. It was as if she were untouchable, too high above them to be spoken to unless invited.

Jack stood his ground as she approached. He couldn't deny she was stunning, and even though he had seen her before, she always carried herself like someone from a higher world. But while she was beautiful, Jack didn't see her the way the others did. To him, Samantha had once been just as beautiful. Maybe more. These men didn't know that beauty could lie. That even the softest face could carry the coldest betrayal. So, while he appreciated Ava's presence, he wasn't blinded by it. Little did he know that in a few months, Ava would probably be number 20th on the list of pretty women he knew. The men around him, however, were stunned into silence. Their faces warped with disbelief when Ava walked straight past them, not even glancing at anyone else. She didn't look left or right. She walked directly up to Jack and stopped just in front of him. Her voice was clear and respectful.

"Sir, I'm here as you requested."

The men looked like statues, their mouths slightly open, their eyes darting between Jack and Ava. One of them actually took a step back, unable to process what had just happened. The same man they had mocked, shoved, insulted, and laughed at had just been addressed with formal respect by the most beautiful woman any of them had seen in real life.

Fredrick blinked hard, his lips slightly parted. He looked at Jack, then at Ava, then back again. It wasn't a joke. She was here for him. There was no camera crew. No setup. Just raw truth. Jack simply nodded and replied, "Thank you for being on time."

The men who had tried to belittle him now stood in silence, unsure of what to believe anymore.

Jack didn't have to say anything. He had said enough already. Ava's arrival had spoken volumes.