Tom had recently been having money problems. When he checked his account, the numbers didn't look promising. Every moment at home, the same questions plagued him: I need to make money. But how?
He spent the entire day in his room, staring blankly at his computer screen. Bills were piling up, he couldn't go out with his friends, and he couldn't buy the things he wanted. The situation was really getting to him. Lately, even Carolina's behavior seemed strange. It was as if she knew everything but did not want to say anything. Her looks alone were frustrating.
Then something Derek had said recently came to mind. Last week at school, while smoking a cigarette, Derek had grinned and said, "You know, little man, some people really don't know how to make money. Like you. There's a treasure right in front of you, but you don't do anything about it."
At that moment, Tom hadn't quite understood, but Derek continued, "People don't have to make money by working hard. Take me for example... Where do you think I get my money?"
Tom had assumed it was just another one of Derek's tall tales. But then Derek showed him a picture on his phone and everything changed. On the screen was Isabella, one of the most talked about teachers at the school. Her outfit was too daring for a teacher, and the camera angle accentuated her curves. Tom's eyes widened and Derek laughed as he pulled the phone away.
"That's why some people turn into gold mines without knowing it. I just know how to take advantage of those opportunities."
Earlier that day, Tom hadn't really understood what Derek meant. But now, sitting in his room, drowning in money troubles, those words echoed in his head: Some people unwittingly become gold mines.
Questions began to form in his mind. Was Derek really making money? If so, how? Tom had never thought of anything like this before, but his financial troubles forced him to explore new possibilities.
He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought. Could I do something like this? But where do I even begin? As these thoughts swirled in his head, he suddenly reached for his phone and called Derek. After a few rings, Derek answered, his voice as mocking as ever.
"Well, well, little man, did you finally need me?"
Tom bit his tongue before deciding to cut to the chase. "I've been thinking about this teacher thing... Do you really make money at it?"
Derek's tone changed immediately. He chuckled slightly, but this time there was a hint of seriousness in his voice. "It got your attention, huh? I knew it would. You'd never ask if you didn't need something. So tell me, Tom... Do you really want to make money?"
Tom swallowed before he answered. "Yes. But I don't know how it works."
Derek let out a sigh, then spoke in a playful but firm tone. "Well then, little man, it's time to teach you a few things. Get ready - we meet tonight."
When the call ended, Tom's heart was racing. Was he really going to do this? A mixture of curiosity and unease tore him in two. But one thing was for sure... Tonight, Derek was going to show him how money was really made.
Night in the park
Tom walked through the quieter part of the park, his hands in his pockets against the cold night air. Moonlight filtered through the scattered leaves, casting pale streaks across the dark ground. It was late, and this side of the park was deserted. A few distant figures sat on benches, their silhouettes barely visible, but here, away from the noise of the city, it was quiet - isolated.
He spotted Derek immediately. As always, he was sitting casually on a bench, lighting a cigarette with his usual indifference. The smoke curled into the cold air and drifted into the sky as Derek looked up and smiled at Tom.
"So you're really going through with this, huh?"
Tom tried to suppress the nervous energy bubbling inside him as he stepped closer. "I want to learn," he said in a low voice.
Derek twirled the cigarette between his fingers and chuckled. "You know, little man... people usually go one of two ways when it comes to making money. Either they work their whole life for someone else, counting every damn penny, or they figure out the system - learn how to exploit its cracks and play their own game."
Something stirred inside Tom. The cracks in the system... The phrase intrigued him.
Derek flicked the ash from his cigarette to the floor and turned to him. "Look, kid. You're asking yourself, 'How do I make money? The answer is simple. People are perverts. All of them. No exceptions. Especially when it comes to certain women - they won't hesitate to reach for their wallets. Those who know how to use it always win."
Tom's throat went dry. "So... how exactly do you do it?"
Derek couldn't help laughing. "Good question. But the answer is even better." He pulled out his phone, scrolled through a few screens, and then held it up for Tom to see.
The pictures made Tom's eyes widen. Isabella. One of the most talked about teachers at the school. But these pictures... They were clearly taken without her knowledge. A fleeting moment when her skirt had risen slightly as she walked down the hallway. A shot taken unnoticed in a crowded room. A moment when she had leaned against a desk, her outfit unintentionally revealing more than she realized...
Tom's heart pounded.
"These... how did you take them?"
Derek winked. "That's not the important part. What matters is who I sell them to."
Tom swallowed hard. Was it really that easy?
Derek continued, "Listen, kid. This is an art. You have to understand what makes people tick. If you give them just a little something to work with, their imagination will do the rest. So you don't even have to go too far. You just... capture the right moment."
Tom clenched his fingers. A storm of emotions raged inside him. On the one hand, he thought about how easy it sounded to make money. On the other, the fear of getting caught gnawed at his insides. What if someone noticed? What if someone reported him?
Derek noticed his hesitation. He tilted his head slightly and studied him. "You're scared, aren't you?"
Tom tried to deny it, but he knew he couldn't hide anything from Derek.
Derek took the last puff of his cigarette before tossing it aside. He stood and placed a hand lightly on Tom's shoulder, leaning in to whisper. "Want to know a secret?" His voice was deep, almost hypnotic. "You know who makes the most money in this world? Those who can silence their conscience. If you really want to get rich, you have to forget the fine line between right and wrong."
Tom looked into Derek's eyes. A war was raging inside him. Could he really be this kind of person?
But at the same time he thought about the few coins in his pocket - and the money this opportunity could bring him.
Tonight would be a turning point in his life.
But which side he would choose... even he didn't know yet.
Tom's Curiosity Grows
Though Tom was skeptical of Derek's words, an undeniable curiosity grew within him. Could it really be that simple? Were people really willing to pay for these photos? And most importantly, was Derek the only one doing this?
He ran a hand over his chin, his expression thoughtful, before he pushed the phone back into Derek's hand. "You said you sell these. So... who buys them?"
Derek's grin widened as he slid the phone back into his pocket. "Ah, little man, I'm glad you asked that question. Because this is the best part."
The cool night air in the park made the moonlight stand out even more, casting sharp shadows on Derek's face and accentuating the wicked glint in his eyes. He crossed his arms and fixed his gaze on Tom. "You know, people are stranger than you could ever imagine. What seems worthless to some can be worth gold to others."
Tom frowned slightly and tilted his head. "What do you mean by that?"
Derek pulled another cigarette from his pocket and placed it between his lips. As he flicked the lighter, he murmured in a low voice, "Treasure is always right in front of you, but you don't see it. The trick is to notice where people's eyes go."
An odd feeling crept through Tom. Derek's words felt less like casual conversation and more like a cryptic code - a secret knowledge he was only beginning to understand.
Derek took a deep drag, exhaled the smoke into the night sky, and continued. "Let's say you want to take a picture of someone. What is the first thing you need to know?"
Tom thought for a moment. "I don't know... Where they are at any given time?"
Derek shook his head. "Wrong. First you have to understand who wants to see them. That's where the real money is."
Tom swallowed hard. "Like teachers?"
Derek grinned and nodded. "Exactly. Take Isabella, for example... Almost every guy at school thinks about her, but nobody dares to say it out loud. That's where we come in."
Tom kicked a small stone near his foot as he thought about Derek's words. A cold shiver ran down his spine, but at the same time he wanted to know more. "So where's the safest place to take them?"
Derek looked around the trees in the park, silent for a moment. Then a slow smile formed on his lips. "First rule: People are most vulnerable where they feel safest. Never forget that."
Tom sighed. "Meaning?"
Derek gave him a sly look. "Gyms. Cafeterias. Empty hallways. Sometimes even libraries. When people feel safe, they let their guard down - and that's when you see them at their most vulnerable."
Tom's heartbeat quickened. Derek's words made sense, but there was something deeply unsettling about them. Were humans really so vulnerable in these moments? And more importantly, was it even ethical?
Almost as if sensing his hesitation, Derek lowered his voice and adopted a more reassuring tone. "Relax, little man. If you do it right, no one will ever know."
Tom still didn't know if he wanted to be a part of this... but one thing was clear: his curiosity was growing by the second.
Tom at a crossroads
As Tom pondered Derek's words, he found himself caught between doubt and curiosity. On the one hand, he knew this was dangerous and wrong, but he couldn't help but wonder if, as Derek suggested, there was a treasure right in front of him - one he had never noticed.
Derek took the last drag from his cigarette, flicked it to the ground, and crushed it under his shoe. He must have noticed the conflict on Tom's face, because he leaned forward slightly and gave him a friendly but unsettling pat on the shoulder.
"Little man, don't overthink it. Look around you... you don't have to go far. Sometimes treasure is so close you can touch it every day, but you don't see its true value."
Tom noticed the way Derek looked at him. There was an implication in his words, something unspoken - but Tom couldn't quite make it out.
"What are you trying to say?" His voice dropped to almost a whisper.
Derek cocked his head and grinned. "Really, Tom? How much more do I have to spell it out for you?"
Derek shoved his hands into his pockets and strolled toward the shady part of the park. Tom hesitated a moment before following. Derek glanced around as if to make sure no one was listening, then spoke in a voice that was both mocking and indifferent.
"I know you don't think your mother is very special. But don't you ever notice how people look at her?"
Tom's stomach turned. His eyes widened as he turned to Derek, whose grin had taken on a sinister edge.
"What the hell are you talking about?" His voice came out sharper than he had intended.
Derek laughed. "Relax, man. Don't get me wrong. But from an outsider's perspective... things might look a little different. Remember, it's not what you think that matters - it's what they see."
A cold chill ran through Tom's body. Carolina's presence at home, the way she dressed, the way people's eyes lingered on her... For a brief moment, unbidden images surfaced in his mind. But he quickly shook his head and pushed them away. He didn't want to think about it.
Derek sensed his discomfort but continued to press.
"Ohhh, okay, so you get defensive when it comes to your mom. Fine. But think about it... Even those closest to you can be part of the game. Take Scharline for example... That pretty face, those curves... Do you really think she dresses like that without knowing?"
Tom took a step back. The unease inside him grew, Derek's words dragging his thoughts into darker territory.
Derek smiled, clearly enjoying his reaction.
"You're scared, aren't you? But you're forgetting something, Tom... Fear is not always your enemy. Sometimes it wakes you up. Sometimes... it sets you free."
Tom clenched his fists, forcing himself to suppress what was rising inside of him. He wasn't ready to accept what Derek was saying, but the confusion in his mind kept pulling him deeper.
"That's enough," he muttered, avoiding Derek's gaze.
Derek nodded slowly, brushing the ash from his cigarette. "All right, little man. But let me tell you one thing... If you really want to make money, there's only one rule: Find the right people in the right place. And believe me... they're not as far away as you think."
Tom's mind was a mess. He wanted to walk away from Derek's words - but something inside of him refused to let go.
Tonight had been more than a conversation.
He was at a crossroads.
And he had no idea which way to go.
Tom's struggle
Tom's face tensed, his eyebrows furrowed, and he shot a sharp glare at Derek. "Leave my family out of this, Derek. Especially my mother."
There was an undertone of anger in his voice, harder than ever. This was a line he was not going to let Derek cross. Derek could turn anything into a game, but Carolina would never be a part of it.
Derek smiled and shook his head in mock surrender. "All right, all right, calm down, little man. I'm just saying... things might not be as innocent as you think. You don't notice certain things because you're too close to them. But from the outside? That's another story."
Tom clenched his fists and took a deep breath. Discomfort grew inside him, but he refused to give Derek the satisfaction of a bigger reaction. "Drop it." His tone left no room for discussion.
Derek seemed to realize that pushing further wasn't the right move - at least not yet. Instead, he changed the subject. "All right, then, let's talk about you, Tom. Do you really want to be a part of this? I mean... how far are you willing to push your boundaries?"
Tom didn't answer. He just stared at the floor, lost in thought. Derek's words disturbed him, but they also opened a door in his mind.
And then...
A memory surfaced.
Scharline. On vacation. Lying on the sand, under the sun. That white bikini, water droplets running down her skin. That moment-when Tom had pretended to film the scenery, but had actually been trying something. He had taken a few shots that Scharline hadn't noticed.
At the time, he had dismissed it as a joke.
But now, after everything Derek had said... Was it really just a joke?
He relived the moment. Looking through the screen of the camera, seeing her face... her body... how perfectly she fit into the frame. And in that moment he had felt something strange.
Not guilt.
Something closer to excitement.
Derek's words echoed in his head. "The treasure is right in front of you, but you don't see it."
A chill ran through Tom's body.
Now he understood. This was what Derek had been talking about. "People are most vulnerable when they feel safest."
Had he really done this unconsciously? Or had some part of him known exactly what he was doing?
He shook his head. "No," he thought. "That's not who I am."
But then...
Why was his heart racing when he remembered?
Derek watched him closely. He could see the storm raging in Tom's mind. His grin widened slightly. "See what I mean, little man? Sometimes people start doing things without even realizing it."
Tom's breathing became uneven.
There was fear in him.
But the curiosity Derek had awakened... was stronger than the fear.
Pushing the limits?
Tom's mind was a battlefield. Rational thoughts clashed with emotions, creating a storm he couldn't control. He had always thought of himself as someone with clear boundaries - someone who knew right from wrong.
But now?
Now he wasn't so sure.
Derek leaned forward, his voice almost a whisper. "You feel it, don't you?"
Tom clenched his fists. "Feel what?"
Derek chuckled, his grin widening. "That little spark inside of you. That thing you won't admit is there. You've already started, Tom. You just haven't accepted it yet."
Tom wanted to deny it. He wanted to tell Derek that he was wrong.
But the problem was - Derek wasn't wrong.
His mind kept circling back to that moment. The line. The camera. The rush he had felt.
He had told himself it was harmless. Just a joke.
But now, standing under the dim glow of the park's streetlights, he was forced to ask himself...
Was it really?
Derek took a slow drag on his cigarette, exhaling the smoke into the cold night air. "The real question is how far are you willing to go, Tom?"
Tom's throat felt dry. His heartbeat was steady but heavy, like a slow, rhythmic drum in his chest.
How far?
He didn't know the answer.
But the fact that he was even thinking about it...
That scared him more than anything else.
How far can you go?
Tom stood frozen, his thoughts spiraling to a place he had never imagined.
Derek's words clung to him like a shadow, creeping into the cracks of his hesitation.
"The real question is how far are you willing to go, Tom?"
The worst part was... he didn't know the answer.
He had always believed he had limits - lines he would never cross. But tonight those lines weren't clear. They were blurred, shifting, tempting him to step forward and see what was on the other side.
Derek flicked his cigarette to the ground and crushed it under his boot. His eyes never left Tom.
"You think you have limits," he said slowly. "Everyone does - at first."
Tom swallowed, his throat dry.
"But here's the thing, little man..." Derek grinned, his eyes gleaming in the moonlight. "Boundaries? They're just ideas. Nothing more. And ideas? They change."
Tom's breathing was uneven.
This was a test.
A challenge.
How far could he go?
Could he silence the voice inside that told him to stop?
Or had he already crossed the line without realizing it?
The real question wasn't if he could.
The real question was - would he want to stop?
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