Rising Towards Supremacy

Episode 7 : Tick.Tick.Tick.

Rex pushed open the door of his room and he walks in very slowly. Gael and Emilio were still reading when he arrives.

Rex pulled off his tie and tosses it away then he flopped on his bed dejectedly.

" What's up? Khalil bothers you at the party again? " Gael asked.

" Maybe he makes out with Pearl before him " Emilio replied instead, turning briefly to stare at Rex who sat still.

" Guys I have this strange feeling. I think... I'm Riley's grandson "

Upon hearing Rex's confession, Gael and Emilio burst into fitful laughter.

They laughed so hard that speaking becomes uncomfortable for them later on.

" You ..you can't be serious. What! Riley is a Quadrillionaire " Emilio exclaimed crazily. " His only grandson is Khalil and his granddaughter is Sheila "

" Rex you must have had more wines than necessary at the party " Gael concluded between chuckles.

" I didn't take anything at the party actually " He corrected.

" Then what? " Gael asked.

Rex stays muted for a while. He turns slowly to the wall clock and shrugs his shoulder.

Earnestly he began to tell the Story of Louie and how he feel connected to him.

" He called my name. He mentioned something about this wristwatch "

" So what do you think about it? Surely you won't be trusting a mad man's speech "

" Shut the hell up, Emilio. Louie isn't a mad man " Rex retorted. He look around to see his friends staring at him oddly and that brought him back to Reality.

" I mean... He isn't a complete madman. He is just still grieving "

" For twenty-one years" Gael mutters weakly. " I think the watch might give us a clue "

Rex pulled off the old wristwatch and stare at it longingly. From where Emilio sat gazing at the old jewelry as well he gasped.

Both his two friends turn to him in confusion.

" Yes? " Gael asked with his eyebrow raised.

" You both remember my aunty Celine? " Emilio asked and the two nodded.

" The one who Storm this room when you failed your course? "

" Come on Rex, I'm trying hard to forget that part in my life. Well yeah, Aunty Celine. I think she has this identical wristwatch but I might be wrong "

" Aunty Celine had many pieces of jewelry, Emilio. You are definitely mistaken " Gael finished. He made to lay back on his bed when Rex said softly.

" I think we should visit her tonight to be sure "

" Well, I think you might have gone crazy Rex. You got training to do and it's already midnight. The race track competition is tomorrow. How will you cope? "

" I can cope Gael "

" By not caring for your body. You still got some broken ribs man "

" Gael, please! " Rex exclaimed softly. " Don't scold me right now. We should all go to Aunty Celine and see if she has this identical wristwatch "

" Ugh... You are not helping my situation Rex " Gael mutters as he gets off the bed.

Emilio also dressed up and in no time the three young men walks to their new car.

Emilio took the wheel this time and he drove out of Rainbow Core College.

After a long drive, they all arrived at a bungalow house. They all alighted and walk forward to the door.

" I don't think Aunty Celine is around. I can't see any light on " Rex whispered but Emilio shrugged.

" Aunty Celine likes the darkness "

" More like a vampire " Gael mutters.

" How can you tell? Probably you are one of the Dracula descendants " Emilio replied sarcastically.

They arrived at the door and Emilio pushed open the door.

" Aunty Celine? " Emilio called out loud in the darkness. Everywhere seems creepy and the three Friends choose their steps cautiously. " Aunty Ce..."

Emilio's call was interrupted when the lights were immediately turned on. Before them is a thin lady with ruffled hair.

The three Friends immediately back off in shock but then stop when they recognized her.

" I nearly have a heart attack. Fuck! " Rex mutters softly. " Come on Aunty Celine, you can't just do that to somebody "

" I think she's still asleep " Gael whispers when the lady refuses to walk forward.

" Aunty Celine sometimes sleepwalks. Sorry, I didn't tell you about it " Emilio apologized.

Rex and Gael quickly exchange glances and then nodded.

" Good to know. Well let's go straight to the point " Rex walks towards the lady and extended the wristwatch to her. " Aunty Celine, have you ever seen this watch? I mean...any identical one? "

The lady looks around sleepily. Her gaze finally fell on the watch and she whispers.

" Yeah. I saw one, years ago at an accident scene so I took it "

Upon hearing this the three Friends were stunned. They exchange glances in astonishment.

" What! " Rex exclaimed softly but then Aunty Celine regained her full sense.

She glances down at the wristwatch and smiles.

" Oh, guys. You are here. Yeah, the wristwatch is uh...I bought it in..."

The guys have heard what they wanted and it's been sealed. Rex holds the wristwatch so tightly and he sighs.

***

The knock came softly at first but then firmly later after no response.

Sheila's patient withers away and so she opens the door of Rex's room and walks in.

But abruptly she stopped in the doorway when she saw them all still sleeping.

After returning from Aunty Celine's house the previous night they retired to bed but Rex had gone along to train for some time too.

" I can't believe this Rex. You have a competition today! " She exclaimed in awe as she made her way to his bed.

The room was a little bit wide and three beds were in it. Painted blue and white.

Each of the boys has their spot. Rex was sprawled on his bed with the bed coverlet over his body.

" Rex come on..." Sheila urged, shaking him gently.

" I still got some hours before the... competition started Sheila " He mutters softly before covering his face with the sheet.

All of a sudden the ticking sound he alone could hear began in his ears.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

" Daily challenge. The sum of twenty million dollars should be spent before the day ends. You got hours left to complete your daily task. Tick. Tick. Tick. "

Instantly Rex sprang up from the bed at this voice. He saw the system displayed before him and he realized the time has already started counting down.

A new challenge of the day has to be accomplished. Rex turn to Sheila and cocked up an eyebrow.

" Is there anything you wish for? Financially? "

Upon hearing this question Emilio and Gael sprang up from the bed and so the preparation to go for another splendid shopping began.