Multi-Dimensional Merchant System

Oliver stared at the mostly empty closet with a lost look on his face. Three pairs of jeans, five t-shirts, dress pants, a nice button down shirt that he rarely wore, and a light jacket barely took up any space at all. Even with his spare shoes in a line on the closet floor, it held barely anything at all. And, aside from the spare clothes he kept in the system warehouse, it was basically all he owned.

Though, he supposed that meant he could easily store his instruments in the closet too.

“Does having your own closet here really throw you off that much? You already have a drawer in the dresser... Though I did offer you another if you need it. Is that really all of your clothes?”

He could here the hint of teasing laughter in her words and shook his head slowly. A small smile played across his face before he pulled her into a hug. “I'm... adapting. I know we were basically living together before I left for work, but... It just feels more real now, you know? I've never really done the cohabitation thing, so it's all new and... confusing, kinda. Not bad confusing, just that I don't really know what to do or anything.”

One shoulder lifted in a half shrug before he kissed her quickly. “And yes, that is almost all of my clothes. I still have some scatter about, like at my apartment and at my mom's house, but most of them are right here.”

Polina shook her head in mock sadness at his answer. “You poor thing. So handsome, but with no sense of fashion. We really need to take you shopping for some new clothes. Maybe a nice suit for when your working?”

Oliver plopped down on the bed even as he nodded his head. “Yeah, that sounds good. We can hit the thrift store tomorrow before dinner with your mom, if you want.”

Polina took his hand and sat down beside him, arching a single eyebrow in his direction. “Oli, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to, but you said your job pays well... How much are you making each week?”

Oliver's head titled in confusion, not understanding where the question came from. After a moment, he shrugged. “I don't mind telling you. I make something like a couple thousand a week, though I get a little more as a bonus when I pick up one of those side jobs like I just did. Why?”

Polina pondered for a moment as she quickly did the math in her head before turning to him with a stunned look on her face. “Hon... You're making over a hundred thousand a year? You have a six-figure job?”

He considered it for a moment, not having really thought to deeply about it before. While he regularly converted credits to dollars in order to buy things for the commissions, he still made sure to leave a thousand or two in his bank account each week to account for his 'paycheck'. And to have money on hand in case he needed it without having to do an emergency transfer from the system. Though most of that was just to maintain the appearance that he was a paid employee, and keep the existence of the system better hidden.

“Yeah, I guess that sounds about right.”A thought hit him suddenly, and he shook his head with a frown. “I can help with bills and stuff, hon. I should help with them, and I should have thought of that a month ago with how much I've been staying here. I don't know why it never occurred to me.”

Polina snorted in laughter before kissing his cheek. “Oli, you sweet goof. You can certainly help with the bills, but that isn't what I was thinking about. Part of it was that I'm surprised at how much you're making, and part of it is that you shop at Goodwill. There's nothing wrong with that, my mom and I use to buy our clothes there when I was growing up too. But it wouldn't hurt for you to buy something actually new.”

He nodded along with her as he thought about it. “That's a fair point. I'm just used to being on a budget, and haven't really adjusted to having money to spend.”

Oliver got a faraway look in his eyes for a moment before he turned to face Polina. “Why don't we make a day of it tomorrow? We can shop for some new clothes for me, and some stuff for you if you want. Maybe invite your mom along and spend the whole day with her?”

Polina's wicked smile almost worried him... and her words deepened that worry. “You poor, sweet man. You have no idea the trouble you just got yourself into.”

Oliver smiled awkwardly in an attempt to hide the bewilderment he felt. While Polina's mother, Rosalita, looked very similar to her daughter, if a bit older and shorter... Her whirlwind of energy swept him away faster than he could follow. Where Polina was calm and reserved, Rosalita was enthusiastic and unrestrained as she led him from store to store, intent on helping find the perfect clothes for him. All while she chattered away without pause.

“Poli told me of how you met.” She said while eyeing him from the side, a knowing smile on her face. “Confident. Bold. And no hesitation at shutting down that nasty woman. Your suit should match that. Something powerful, maybe black on red?”

A thoughtful look crossed her face as she glanced around at the well tailored suits on display. “Or maybe something soft and gentle, like your love for my baby girl? Powder blue and gray?”

She turned suddenly to look him up and down. “Both would look very handsome... Maybe gold and black? No, too gaudy and vulgar. You're not the type to show off like that. More reserved...”

Muttering to herself, she continued to browse through the option even as Oliver turned a wide eyed glare towards his girlfriend... Who struggled to hide the laughter that danced in her eyes. Polina leaned in close to whisper to him. “I warned you, hon. I just hope she doesn't scare you off.”

Oliver glanced over at Rosalita bustled about the store, his face slowly relaxing into a gentle smile. “No, she's wonderful. Just... a bit excitable?”

Oliver didn't argue when Rosalita selected a dozen suits for him to try on, or when she picked the three that she thought were best and asked which one he liked. He just smiled and bought all three. “Why choose when they are all perfect?”

Though when the focus finally shifted to new clothes for Polina, he heaved a silent sigh of relief. He liked her mother, as she truly was a sweet and kind person, but he was easily overwhelmed by her unfaltering energy. The woman was nearly a force of nature, sweeping them both along without a hope of resisting.

She reminded him a bit of his own mother.

Though very different women, they were alike in their love for their family. Both carried a strength of their own, driven to care for their children and give them the best life possible. It may have taken his mom time to get him away from his father, but it was a goal she had worked towards for years even as she protected him from the worst.

He knew his mother would be happy to see Rosalita accept him so readily, even treating him almost like a son. Or son-in-law.

Lost in his own thoughts, he missed most of the question directed at him. His mind still on memories of his mother, he spoke without really thinking. “Whatever you want mom. All I care about today is us spending time together.”

Realizing what he had said a second later, he shifted awkwardly in place. His mouth opened and closed twice, worried he may have upset her and unsure of how to fix it. Before he could come up with anything, Rosalita smiled brightly and patted his cheek tenderly. “I'm so glad my Poli found a good man.”

A small smirk flashed across her face as she glanced at Polina. “Just as long as you're married before you give me grand-babies.”

Spinning around quickly, she ignored the panicked looks Oliver and Polina exchange and focused on their shopping trip. A single thought flashed through her mind. 'Maybe I won't have to wait too long for them!'

Thankful to have avoided anymore talks about marriage or children, Oliver was waiting patiently while the duo tried on some outfits when his cell phone rang. Pulling the phone from his pocket, he glanced at the screen and quickly picked up. When the duo exited the changing room, he was just hanging up again.

“Everything ok Oli?”

A victorious grin stretched across his face and he pulled Poli into a tight hug. “My lawyer called. He finally got the police to back off.”

Placing a quick peck on on her cheek, he leaned back, a concerned look briefly crossing his face. “He's also encouraging me to sue them for harassment, and the university for wrongful dismissal. I'm not sure what all that entails though. And I don't want to cause problems for you with your job.”

Polina shook her head slightly as she leaned in to his embrace. “It may cause a few minor issues, but I doubt they would retaliate for fear of facing another lawsuit. And they did go overboard with how they were treating you. Not sure if you would get anything from it, but its a good idea to sit down with your lawyer and discuss it.”

Oliver hugged Polina again. After a moment, he reached over and pulled Rosalita into the hug as well, much to her surprise and obvious joy. Maybe he could get his life back on track...

Glancing between the mother and daughter pair, he considered for a moment that maybe it would be even better now.