Chapter 4The Sneaker Flip

Brad didn't speak.

I could only hear his heavy breathing and the faint sound of the girl trying to comfort him in the background.

After a long while, he squeezed out a sentence in a hoarse voice:

"Chloe, something urgent came up. I have to go..."

The moment he hung up, a notification popped up on my Marketplace app.

"Hey! Are you there?! Urgent!"

"Do you still have the shoes you just bought from me? Don't open them! I'll buy them back! $500? $1000? Whatever!"

"Please!"

I typed back slowly:

"Just finished dinner. Was about to open them. What's up?"

He replied instantly:

"Don't open it! There's something really important in the box!"

"What is it?"

He typed for a long time, the dots dancing, before sending:

"Actually, these shoes were a New Year's gift from my girlfriend. There's a handwritten letter inside. It's not worth money, but it means a lot to me. If she finds out I sold the shoes and the letter, she'll break up with me. Please, have a heart. Sell them back to me. I'll pay $2000. Okay?"

I stared at the words "handwritten letter" and laughed.

First it was a gift from a friend, now it's a girlfriend.

Lying without blinking. Clearly not his first rodeo.

I deliberately didn't reply. He panicked.

"Why are you like this? I said I'd pay extra!"

"Give me your address, I'll come pick it up right now!"

"If you don't reply, I'm calling the police!"

I took a screenshot of our chat where he said “Whether it's broken or not has nothing to do with me” and sent it to him.

"Police? You said it yourself, once it's sold, it's not your problem! What, changing your mind now? Selling a gift your girlfriend gave you... you must be desperate for cash. I feel sorry for her!!"

The typing indicator flashed for ages. Finally, he blurted out:

"How much do you want to give it back?"

I thought for a moment and typed a number: "$5,000."

I expected him to curse me out and haggle.

Instead, he agreed instantly.

"Fine! Five grand! Done!"

I raised an eyebrow. Seems a seventy-thousand-dollar watch is worth the investment.

I reposted the listing. Brad bought it instantly.

After paying, he sent a flurry of messages.

"Use Uber Connect! I'll pay for the ride! Hurry!"

"Pack it well! Don't let it get damaged!"

I had Sarah's family driver call a courier. In front of the courier, I put the shoe box back into a bag and sealed it.

I recorded the whole process and sent it to Brad.

"Sent. Remember to confirm receipt when you get it."

He replied, "Ok."

After the courier left, I switched back to text messages and messaged Brad:

"Babe, did you find the watch?"

"Do you like the style? Should we exchange it for something else?"

"Why aren't you answering? Are you busy?"

He didn't reply to a single one.

An hour later, the app showed delivered.

A notification popped up: "Transaction Successful."

Almost simultaneously, Brad's text came through:

"Babe, I found the watch! It's beautiful! Suits me perfectly! Thank you! Love you!"

I smiled.

He probably hadn't opened the box yet and just wanted to stall me.

Unfortunately, his peace only lasted ten seconds.

Ten seconds later, my Marketplace inbox exploded.