Throughout his life Ethan Cole maintained the belief that steady effort would lead to his desired success. After working for five straight years at his corporate position he only gained black rings under his eyes together with an elusive promotion. He maintained a constantly crowded inbox and twice-booked schedule while all his personal engagements vanished from his life.

Ethan spent a solitary evening at a 24-hour diner during that night since he had worked fourteen exhausting hours. He kept himself busy by stirring cold coffee. A impeccably dressed man picked the empty seat in front of him. People naturally paid attention to him because he brought an understated sense of leadership that people noticed before they knew it.

Without hesitation the stranger noted Ethan needed additional time according to his friendly expression.

Ethan chuckled dryly. “Don’t we all?”

The man leaned in. "Time is currency,” the man said, his voice smooth and knowing. “And I know how to trade it. The right financial transaction enables customers to obtain unlimited hours according to this offer.

Ethan hardened his expression because he thought the person was using a motivational speaker trick. “And what’s the price?”

The man answered with two words “A simple trade” then continued. Through agreeing to provide the man with your future years the agreement will grant you additional hours daily to dedicate to your tasks so you can achieve your career goals.

Ethan scoffed. “That’s absurd.”

The way this man presented himself left the young man undecided. What if this was real? He constantly found himself in last place since he maintained a permanent battle with time constraints. Additional time would lead to faster career advancement and improved work execution along with an opportunity for achieving his dream life.

“How much?” Ethan asked.

The man’s smile widened. “One year of your life for two extra hours every day. A single purchase of ten years grants you the luxury to always have spare time.

Ethan hesitated. Ten years was a long time. I waste my life every day by staying in a path of average existence. The outcome would bring him the advancement he always sought.

His response to the deal was a quick handshake with the man.

After waking up Ethan felt like he had no barriers in his path. He moved faster, thought clearer. The overwhelming workload that used to control his schedule had transformed into simple organizational capabilities. During his extended hours he finished work better than others and earned sufficient time to meet targets before his colleagues which caught the eye of his superior.

A month after joining the company the organization fulfilled him with a promotion. Portions of his department management began shortly after he received his promotion to run his own department. People at his workplace pursued him for his efficiency and his supervisors acknowledged his strong dedication to work. His entire lifetime aspiration was now creating a perfect alignment.

Eventually the gaps manifested in his life.

He accidentally met an aged university companion who completely failed to remember him. The confused man asked with hesitation "Am I supposed to know you?"

The discovery of an aged photo album took place during an exploration through his mother's house. The photo album showed crucial periods of his life had been removed from existence in a way that made them disappear forever. His mother demonstrated aloofness because memories from her past appeared partially faded.

Ethan brushed it off. Maybe he was overthinking. Maybe success required some sacrifices.

During a corporate gathering he became aware of his coworkers discussing work on a project which he distinctly remembered handling. The coworkers stared at him without recognition when he tried to mention the work he had done.

Your name appeared nowhere in their team records according to his colleagues' mindset.

His heart pounded. Memories of long work nights while developing the project came back to him. But no one else did. His work contributions seemed to have vanished entirely from documented records.

Panic settled in. He needed to find that man.

His heart raced while he returned to the diner. The straner already occupied the diner seat while enjoying his coffee in a posture that implied waiting for Ethan's arrival.

“What did you do to me?” Ethan demanded.

The man sighed. “You paid the price, Ethan. By giving away your life’s years you also forfeited everything inside those periods. Your past was rewritten. People, memories, moments all gone.”

Ethan’s stomach dropped. “But I didn’t agree to that.”

“You agreed to give up years. Time exists beyond the counting of numbers because it represents all personal experiences and relationships combined with the whole of your lived life. The exchange of your past years secured your future existence.

Ethan’s hands trembled. “Then I want them back.”

The man gave a sad smile. “Time doesn’t work that way. A deal is a deal.”

Ethan shook his head. No. He devoted too much of his life to hard work and numerous sacrifices. He refused to allow all his accomplishments disappear.

He begged to find some way out of his predicament.

After a brief examination the man delivered his reply that just a single exchange remained. You can recover your stolen time through a sacrifice of your entire upcoming life.

Ethan froze. “What does that mean?”

Your former life will remain yours yet you will continue nowhere. The agreement denies you any promotions or achievements leading to the consumption of your future aspirations.

Ethan’s mind raced. Wasn’t this what he wanted? To reclaim what he lost? If that was the case then all his labor had been pointless. If he accepted the trade he would find himself exactly where he began.

He looked down at his hands, the hands of a man who had climbed the corporate ladder, who had tasted success. Could he really throw it all away?

Finally, he exhaled. “No deal.”

The man nodded, as if he had expected this. “Then use the time you have wisely, Ethan. Because now, you have less of it than you think.”

As Ethan walked away, he felt the weight of his choices settle on him. He had everything he ever wanted but at what cost? And when the time he had left finally ran out, would he look back and wonder if he had truly lived at all?

The weeks that followed were different. Every moment felt fragile, every interaction precious. He started reconnecting with old friends, making time for family, stepping away from the endless grind. The hunger for success still burned inside him, but now, he saw things clearer. Time wasn’t meant to be owned it was meant to be lived.

One day, as he sat in his office, staring at the city skyline, he smiled. He didn’t need more time. He just needed to make the most of what he had left.