Tom had recently started having money troubles. When he checked his account, the numbers didn’t look promising at all. Every moment at home, the same questions plagued him: I need to make money. But how?
Spending the entire day in his room, he stared blankly at his computer screen. Bills were piling up, he couldn't go out with friends, and he couldn't buy the things he wanted. This situation was really getting to him. Lately, even Carolina’s behavior seemed strange. It was as if she knew everything but chose to say nothing. Her looks alone were frustrating.
Then, something Derek had said recently popped into his mind. Last week at school, while smoking a cigarette, Derek had smirked 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 your eyes, yet you do nothing about it.”
At that moment, Tom hadn’t fully understood, but Derek continued, “People don’t have to make money by doing hard work. Take me, for example… Where do you think I get my money from?”
Tom had assumed it was just another of Derek’s tall tales. But then, Derek showed him a photo on his phone, and everything changed. On the screen was Isabella, one of the most talked-about female teachers at school. Her outfit was too daring for a teacher, and the camera angle highlighted her curves. Tom’s eyes widened, and Derek laughed as he pulled the phone away.
“This is why some people unknowingly turn into gold mines. I just know how to take advantage of these opportunities.”
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 unknowingly turn into gold mines.
Questions started forming in his mind. Was Derek really making money from this? If so, how? Tom had never thought about anything like this before, but his financial struggles were forcing 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 start? 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, do you finally need me?”
Tom bit his tongue before deciding to get straight to the point. “I’ve been thinking about that teacher thing… Do you really make money from it?”
Derek’s tone changed instantly. He chuckled lightly, but this time there was a hint of seriousness in his voice. “It caught your attention, huh? I knew it. You’d never ask about this unless you needed something. Now, tell me, Tom… Do you really want to make money?”
Tom swallowed before answering. “Yes. But I don’t know how any of this 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’re meeting tonight.”
When the call ended, Tom’s heart was racing. Was he really going to do this? A mix of curiosity and an unsettling feeling tore him in two. But one thing was certain… Tonight, Derek was going to show him how money was really made.
Night at the Park
Tom walked through the quieter part of the park, shoving his hands into his pockets against the cold night air. Moonlight filtered through the scattered leaves, casting pale streaks onto 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 city's noise, it was quiet—isolated.
He spotted Derek immediately. As always, he sat casually on a bench, lighting a cigarette with his usual air of indifference. Smoke curled into the cold air, drifting toward the sky as Derek looked up and smirked at Tom.
“So, you’re really gonna go 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 follow one of two paths when it comes to making money. Either they work their whole lives 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 his cigarette’s ashes onto the ground and turned to him. “Look, kid. You’re wondering, ‘How do I make money?’ The answer’s 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. The ones who know how to use that always win.”
Tom’s throat went dry. “So… how exactly do you do it?”
Derek couldn’t hold back his laughter. “Good question. But the answer’s even better.” He pulled out his phone, swiped through a few screens, and then held it up for Tom to see.
The images made Tom’s eyes widen. Isabella. One of the most talked-about teachers at school. But these pictures… They were clearly taken without her knowledge. A fleeting moment where her skirt had ridden up slightly while walking down the hallway. A shot captured unnoticed in a crowded space. A moment where she had leaned on 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 this easy?
Derek continued, “Listen, kid. This is an art. You have to understand what excites people. If you give them just a little something to work with, their imagination does the rest. That’s why you don’t even need to go too far. You just… capture the right moment.”
Tom clenched his fingers. A storm of emotions raged inside him. On 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. Tilting his head slightly, he 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 drag of his cigarette before tossing it aside. He stood up and rested a hand lightly on Tom’s shoulder, leaning in to whisper. “Wanna know a secret?” His voice was low, almost hypnotic. “Do you know who makes the most money in this world? The ones who can silence their conscience. If you really want to get rich, you need to forget that fine line between right and wrong.”
Tom looked up into Derek’s eyes. A war was raging inside him. Could he really be that kind of person?
But at the same time, he thought about the few coins in his pocket—and the kind of money this opportunity could bring him.
Tonight was going to be a turning point in his life.
But which side he would choose… even he didn’t know yet.
Tom’s Curiosity Grows
Even though Tom was skeptical of Derek’s words, an undeniable curiosity grew inside him. Could it really be this simple? Were people actually 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 pushing the phone back into Derek’s hand. “You said you sell these. So… who buys them?”
Derek’s grin widened as he slid his 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, emphasizing the wicked glint in his eyes. Crossing his arms, he locked his gaze onto Tom. “You know, people are weirder than you could ever imagine. What seems worthless to some can be worth gold to others.”
Tom frowned slightly, tilting his head. “What do you mean by that?”
Derek pulled another cigarette from his pocket, placing it between his lips. As he flicked his lighter, he muttered 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 wander.”
A strange feeling crept through Tom. Derek’s words felt less like casual conversation and more like some 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. “Now, let’s say you want to take a picture of someone. What’s 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 need to understand who wants to see them. That’s where the real money is.”
Tom swallowed hard. “Like teachers?”
Derek grinned, nodding. “Exactly. Take Isabella, for example… Nearly every guy at school thinks about her, but no one dares to say it out loud. That’s where we come in.”
Tom kicked a small rock near his foot as he mulled over 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 glanced around the trees in the park, silent for a moment. Then, a slow smirk formed on his lips. “First rule: People are most vulnerable where they feel safest. Never forget that.”
Tom sighed. “Meaning?”
Derek shot him a sly look. “Gyms. Cafeterias. Empty hallways. Sometimes even libraries. When people feel secure, they let their guard down—and that’s when they’re seen in their most exposed state.”
Tom’s heartbeat quickened. Derek’s words made sense, yet there was something deeply unsettling about them. Were people really that vulnerable in those moments? And, more importantly, was this even ethical?
Almost as if sensing his hesitation, Derek lowered his voice, adopting a more reassuring tone. “Relax, little man. If you do it right, no one will ever notice.”
Tom still didn’t know if he wanted to be part of this… but one thing was clear: His curiosity was growing with every passing second.
Tom at a Crossroad
As Tom pondered Derek’s words, he found himself caught between doubt and curiosity. On one hand, he knew this was dangerous and wrong, yet 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 final 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 in slightly and gave him a friendly—but unsettling—pat on the shoulder.
“Little man, don’t overthink it. Look around you… You don’t need to go far. Sometimes, treasure is so close you can touch it every day, but you don’t see its real value.”
Tom noticed the way Derek was looking at him. There was an implication in his words, something unspoken—but Tom couldn’t quite grasp it.
“What are you trying to say?” His voice dropped to almost a whisper.
Derek tilted his head and grinned. “Really, Tom? How much more do I need to spell it out for you?”
Shoving his hands into his pockets, Derek strolled toward the shadowed part of the park. Tom hesitated for a moment before following. Derek glanced around, as if checking to make sure no one was listening, then spoke in a voice both mocking and indifferent.
“I know you don’t think your mom is all that special. But don’t you ever notice how people look at her?”
Tom’s stomach twisted. His eyes widened as he turned to Derek, whose smirk had taken on a sinister edge.
“What the hell are you saying?” His voice came out sharper than he intended.
Derek laughed. “Relax, man. Don’t get me wrong. But from an outsider’s perspective… things might look a little different. Remember, what you think doesn’t matter—it’s what they see.”
A cold shiver ran through Tom’s body. Carolina’s presence at home, the way she dressed, the way people’s gazes lingered on her… For a brief moment, unbidden images surfaced in his mind. But he quickly shook his head, pushing them away. He didn’t want to think about this.
Derek sensed his discomfort but pressed further.
“Ohhh, okay, so you get defensive when it’s about your mom. Fine. But think about this… 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 was growing, Derek’s words dragging his thoughts into murky territory.
Derek smirked, clearly enjoying his reaction.
“You’re scared, aren’t you? But you’re forgetting something, Tom… Fear isn’t always your enemy. Sometimes, it wakes you up. Sometimes… it sets you free.”
Tom clenched his fists, forcing himself to suppress whatever was rising inside him. He wasn’t ready to accept what Derek was saying, yet the confusion in his mind kept pulling him deeper.
“That’s enough,” he muttered, avoiding Derek’s gaze.
Derek gave a slow nod, brushing the ashes off his cigarette. “Alright, 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 trust me… they aren’t as far away as you think.”
Tom’s mind was a mess. He wanted to walk away from Derek’s words—but something inside him refused to let go.
Tonight had been more than just a conversation.
He was standing at a crossroads.
And he had no idea which path he was going to take.
Tom’s Struggle
Tom's face tensed, his brows furrowed, and he shot Derek a sharp glare. “Leave my family out of this, Derek. Especially my mother.”
His voice carried an undertone of anger, harsher than ever. This was a line he wouldn’t let Derek cross. Derek could turn anything into a game, but Carolina would never be part of it.
Derek smirked, shaking his head in mock surrender. “Alright, alright, calm down, little man. I’m just saying… things may not be as innocent as you think. You don’t notice certain things because you’re too close to them. But from the outside? It’s a different story.”
Tom clenched his fists, taking 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 argument.
Derek seemed to recognize that pushing further wouldn’t be the right move—at least not yet. Instead, he shifted the topic. “Alright 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 bend your limits?”
Tom didn’t respond. He just stared at the ground, lost in thought. Derek’s words disturbed him, but they also opened a door in his mind.
And then—
A memory surfaced.
Scharline. During the vacation. Lying on the sand, under the sun. That white bikini, water droplets trailing down her skin. That moment—when Tom had been pretending to film the scenery but had actually tried something. He had taken a few shots Scharline hadn’t noticed.
Back then, he had brushed it off as a joke.
But now, after everything Derek had said… Was it really just a joke?
He relived the moment. Looking through the camera’s screen, seeing her face… her body… how perfectly she fit into the frame. And at that moment, he had felt something strange.
Not guilt.
Something closer to excitement.
Derek’s words echoed in his mind. “Treasure is right in front of you, but you don’t see it.”
A shiver 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 it unconsciously? Or had a 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 did his heart race when he remembered?
Derek was watching him carefully. He could see the storm raging inside Tom’s mind. His smirk widened slightly. “See what I mean, little man? Sometimes, people start doing things without even realizing it.”
Tom’s breathing grew uneven.
There was fear inside 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 seen himself as someone with clear boundaries—someone who knew right from wrong.
But now?
Now, he wasn’t so sure.
Derek leaned in, his voice almost a whisper. “You feel it, don’t you?”
Tom clenched his fists. “Feel what?”
Derek chuckled, his smirk widening. “That little spark inside you. That thing you don’t want to admit is there. You’ve already started, Tom. You just haven’t accepted it yet.”
Tom wanted to deny it. Wanted to tell Derek he was wrong.
But the problem was—Derek wasn’t wrong.
His mind kept circling back to that moment. Scharline. 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 from his cigarette, exhaling 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 inside his chest.
How far?
He didn’t know the answer.
But the fact that he was even considering it…
That scared him more than anything.
How Far Can You Go?
Tom stood frozen, his thoughts spiraling into a place he never imagined they would go.
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 anymore. They were blurring, 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 gaze 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 smirked, his eyes gleaming under the moonlight. “Limits? 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 him telling him to stop?
Or had he already crossed the line without realizing it?
The real question wasn’t whether he could do it.
The real question was—would he want to stop?
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