Beyond The Event Horizon (Rafayel x Reader) - Love and Deepspace

Chapter 3: What's The Catch?

Notes:

Rafayel brings you around Linkon City to get your basic needs sorted out and you investigate some things regarding your appearance into this world. Meanwhile, you wonder what's the catch with Rafayel?

Getting a little sciencey this chapter. After all, this story's about dimension travel so I do have touch on this topic quite a bit!

Chapter 3: What's The Catch?

After picking up your supplements at the pharmacy, Rafayel pays for your medical bill with his card. The number '1,000 D' flashes on the cashier's screen, and you assume 'D' must signify currency of this world. You cringe inwardly. That looks expensive.

"Thank you," you say to Rafayel.

"Hey, don't worry about it. This is nothing," Rafayel dismisses you. "Alright, first things first, we need to get you a new phone."

"Huh? No, wait, you don't have to–"

"Tut, tut. If we ever get separated or you plan to go out on your own, at least I'll have a way to contact you," Rafayel shuts you up with a wave of his finger.

You want to protest, but Rafayel's already marching towards his sports car. A phone is necessary for you though, so you follow him wordlessly as he drives you to a shopping mall. When you enter the shopping mall, you're in awe at how well-designed the building is, yet there is an odd feeling in you that you can't seem to brush away.

Being here, there is a strange sense of foreignness that feels completely different from being in a new city or country. The floating holographic ads still catches you off-guard, and so did the mechanical whirs of surveillance robots. Men and women incorporated all sorts of high-tech gadgets into their daily wear, such as holographic watches and interactive glasses. You feel an alienating sense of disconnect, as if you are a mere observer in this unreal, sci-fiesque dimension.

It feels even more bizarre to see Rafayel, a stranger in this world, offer such kindness and hospitality so easily. Back home, stumbling upon a stranger ready to provide his home as shelter and help with medical expenses was nearly unheard of, let alone buying a new phone. Rarely does anyone willingly go out of their way to assist a stranger in such a generous manner. Despite him telling you to accept help when you need it, you can't help but wonder. What was the catch with Rafayel?

Even with your own parents, there existed expectations that often demanded reciprocation. What they give, you must return. Whether it was excelling in academics as a way to reciprocate their 'investment' in your education, or landing a high-paying job to contribute financially to the household, these were the kind of people you grew up with.

Not to mention your boss or colleagues at work, where relationships were purely transactional and surface-level. Someone helped you with a task? You better have lended a hand in their next project to avoid being talked badly about.

You observe Rafayel curiously as he picks out a phone model for you as if he's choosing cereal brands from a supermarket. An uneasy twinge forms in your chest as you imagine Rafayel's kind eyes turning dark and menacing should there come a time when you might disappoint him.

"I'll get this one, please," Rafayel points at a phone display at the shop employee. "Is it available? Also, can I get a prepaid SIM card as well?"

"Yes it's available!" the employee says. "Alright, I'll be right back!"

You don't recognize the phone model or brand, but it looked similar to an iPhone. Moments later, the employee comes back and Rafayel pays with his card. This time, it was 2,300 D.

"Here's your new phone, unbox it!" Rafayel hands you a box. "It's the latest Flux Phone 15."

"Flux Phone 15?" you say as you eye the box curiously. You open it and take out a sleek white phone. He could have gotten you something cheaper.