The Billionaire’s Burden
By Cuong Tran
Chapter 1: A Dollar Short
Alex slouched into the coffee shop, squinting at the blinding sunlight streaming through the
window. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee mocked him as he reached into his pocket. The
cashier waited impatiently as Alex counted coins, his hands trembling slightly.
“Sorry,” Alex muttered, placing the last of his change on the counter.
“That’s $3.75. You’re 50 cents short,” the cashier said without sympathy.
The line behind Alex grew restless. Someone snickered. With a forced smile, Alex stuffed the
coins back into his pocket and fled the shop, cheeks burning.
Outside, he leaned against the brick wall, staring at his worn sneakers. It was another reminder of
his endless failures. Rent was overdue, rejection letters were piling up, and now he couldn’t even
afford a simple cup of coffee.
His gaze wandered to the neon sign at the corner store: “$2.4 Billion Jackpot Tonight!” The
number seemed surreal, glowing in bold red letters.
Alex hesitated, then walked into the store. He placed a crumpled dollar bill on the counter.
“Lottery ticket, please,” he said.
The clerk handed it over with a bored shrug. “Good luck.”
Chapter 2: The Winning Numbers
The news came three days later. Alex was sitting in his cramped apartment, scrolling through job
listings on an old laptop. His phone buzzed. It was Casey, his best friend and the only person
who still believed in him.
“Did you check the lottery results?” Casey’s voice was breathless.
“No, why?” Alex asked absently.
“Just check! I think you won!”
Alex froze, heart pounding. The numbers were still open on a browser tab. He grabbed the ticket,
his fingers trembling as he read the numbers aloud.
“12, 19, 27, 34, 41, and … 7,” Alex whispered.
“That’s it! That’s the jackpot!”
The ticket slipped from his fingers as he stared blankly at the screen. It couldn’t be real. A billion
dollars? He hadn’t even been able to afford coffee.
“Alex? You still there?” Casey’s voice brought him back.
“I … I won,” Alex said, the words barely audible.
Chapter 3: A New World
The press conference was overwhelming. Cameras flashed, reporters shouted questions, and
strangers tried to push forward for a handshake or photo. Alex felt like a deer caught in
headlights, smiling awkwardly as lottery officials handed over a massive check.
Later, Casey dragged Alex to a luxury car dealership.
“Come on, Alex, live a little! You’re a billionaire!” Casey urged, pointing to a sleek sports car.
“I don’t know …” Alex hesitated.
“Alex, you bought me dinner last week with a coupon. You deserve this.”
It was hard to argue with that. By the end of the day, Alex had a shiny new car and a growing list
of extravagant purchases.
The initial euphoria was intoxicating. Alex paid off his debts, donated a million to his old high
school, and even rented a mansion. Finally, he set up a state-of-the-art office to write the novel
he’d always dreamed of.
But as the days turned into weeks, cracks began to form.
Chapter 4: Cracks in the Foundation
“Hey, can we talk about a loan?” Alex’s cousin asked during a family dinner.
“What kind of loan?”
“Well, it’s not really a loan. I need $50,000 to start my business,” the cousin said, eyes glinting
with expectation.
Alex shifted uncomfortably. “I’ll think about it.”
Family requests soon turned into demands. Meanwhile, Casey had been growing distant,
canceling plans or showing up late.
It all came to a head one night when Alex found an article online: “Billionaire’s Secrets
Revealed by Best Friend.”
Alex’s hands shook as he read the details—personal anecdotes, spending habits, and even private
conversations. Casey had sold him out for a quick payday.
“You’re selling my life to the tabloids?” Alex shouted during his confrontation.
Casey crossed his arms defensively. “It’s not like you’ve been around much lately. All you care
about is your money.”
“Because everyone wants a piece of it!” Alex snapped. “Even you.”
Casey stormed out, slamming the door behind him. Alex sank onto the couch, his head in his
hands.
Chapter 5: Breaking Point
Things spiraled further. A distant cousin sued Alex, claiming he’d been promised part of the
winnings. The IRS audited his accounts, revealing unpaid taxes on investments.
Alex moved out of his mansion to avoid the paparazzi, settling into a modest apartment while his
assets were frozen. Alone in the dimly lit space, he began writing again, pouring his frustration
and heartache into words.
One day, an email from Maria, a scholarship recipient, arrived.
“Dear Alex, I wanted to thank you. Because of your generosity, I’m going to college to become a
doctor. You’ve changed my life.”
Alex stared at the message, tears streaming down his face. For the first time, the money didn’t
feel like a burden.
With renewed purpose, Alex reached out to a trusted financial advisor. Together, he created a
plan: liquidate unnecessary assets, settle lawsuits, and establish a foundation for education and
debt relief.
Chapter 6: A Legacy Built on Purpose
Months later, Alex stood on stage at the launch of the Burden Foundation. Maria, now a
freshman in college, gave a moving speech about how the foundation had changed her life. The
crowd gave a standing ovation, but Alex’s smile was quiet, contemplative.
After the event, Alex walked through the city alone, stopping at the coffee shop where it all
began. A sign on the counter caught his eye:
“Free Coffee Fund Courtesy of A Generous Donor.”
Alex ordered a coffee, taking a long sip as he gazed out the window. The weight of his wealth
had lifted, replaced by something much greater: purpose.
