The taxi stopped in front of the playground and Tyler got down. He told the driver to wait while he got get Devin.
On his way to the playground, he decided that instead of just taking the taxi to the playground, then walking home with Devin, he would have the taxi take them home.
His reason for this decision was because of comfort. Tyler noticed that carrying the laptop around was very inconveniencing.
Also, with how big it is, it's would be very obvious to anyone who saw it. And one thing that Tyler doesn't want is attracting attention to himself.
Walking into the playground, he saw Devin seated in his usual spot, waiting for him. He smiled, walked to him, and ruffled his head.
"Hey, buddy. Did you wait long?" He asked.
"No. A few minutes at most," Devin replied, standing up from the swing.
"I'm sorry," Tyler sighed, with a small smile.
"Come on, let's go. There's a taxi waiting," he said, pointing to the taxi at the front of the playground.
It was only that Devin noticed the taxi. He hadn't noticed it when it parked before, because he was busy watching other kids playing.
But he found the situation to be very strange.
A taxi? Why? Where did his brother get the money to take a taxi? Where could he be possibly coming from that he had to take a taxi?
Tyler's saw how intently Devin was looking at the taxi and he knew that the kid had questions. And he intends to answer them.
"I know you have questions, buddy. You can ask them when we get home," he said, opening the taxi's door.
They both got into the car and the driver started driving them home.
...
A few minutes later, Tyler and Devin walked into the house and made their way upstairs, to their respective rooms.
Tyler walked into his room, walked to his bed and gently dropped the laptop, and the phone bag on it.
"I need to make lunch for before doing anything else," he muttered slowly.
He left his room and went to Devin's room to tell him that he will be going out to get groceries for them.
After he had done that, he left the house and made his way to Tony's store.
...
Some minutes later, he was back and already done making lunch. He served himself and Devin, and they started eating.
"Ate you taking lunch to mom today," Devin asked, as they ate.
"No. I have something important I want to work on after this. So, I can't go," Tyler replied.
"Ohhh... What is it you're working on?" Curious Devin added.
"It's something big. Something that will make us a lot of money," Tyler replied, with a bright smile.
"I see... But how are you going to tell mom about the lottery?" Devin asked.
On their way home, Tyler had told Devin everything about the fact that he won a lottery.
He told him because he made Devin promise not to tell their mom. And because Devin was very good with keeping secrets.
About him telling his mom, he had thought about it and he felt that it was the only reasonable thing to do.
Though he won't tell her exactly how much he won. He would just tell her that he won some money and that he's giving her what's left after using part of it to buy a laptop which he wants to use for work.
Tyler was aware that his mom would be worried about what sort of work he needs a laptop for.
This wasn't the future where remote work had become more popular than 9-5 jobs. But he was sure that he would convince her.
There's also the possibility that she might not believe his lottery story and refuse the money, but he won't have to worry about it as he has someone to corroborate his story.
"I'm sorry, David," he smiled.
As for how much he would be giving his mom exactly? $5,000.
He would love to give her more but anymore might start giving her sleepless nights, as she might worry that he has gone into drug.
Also, he still need money to set up the things he would be needing soon.
He previously had $20,000 after the $10,000 for the 1 System Point was deducted. And after purchasing the laptop, phones, including the taxi fares and groceries, he's now left with a little over $16,000.
But the amount should be enough for what he intends to do next. He hopes...
Back to Devin's question, Tyler thought about it for a moment, before answering.
"If she doesn't look stressed, I will tell her tonight."
"Ok," Devin gave a small nod, and continued eating his food.
Tyler smiled and continued eating his food.
After they were done, they both quickly did the dishes, and got back to what they were doing.
Devin went up to his room and just when Tyler was about to make his way upstairs, the cordless phone on the table started ringing.
"Who could be calling?" He asked, picking up the phone.
"Hello, Reyes' residence. Who am I talking to?" He asked.
"Ahh... Tyler, is that you," a familiar voice came from the other end.
Tyler was slightly surprised by the familiarity of the voice. He quickly went down memory lane, trying to put a face to the voice.
"Ms Avery?" He asked a few seconds later, with a bit of surprise, questioning and suspicion.
"Yes, it's me, Tyler. It's Ms Avery, your homeroom teacher," the female voice replied.
Tyler smiled t confirmation.
"Is your call related to my absence from school today?" He asked, even though he already knew the answer.
"Yes. That and something else," Ms Avery replied.
"Ohhh... What is the other thing?," Tyler asked, with his brow slightly in curiousity.
He could already guess what it is but he wasn't sure, and wants to hear it directly from Ms Avery.
"In light of your actions against Travis," Ms. Avery continued, "the school has decided to place you on a two-week suspension. Effective immediately."
There was a short pause.
Tyler didn't respond at first. He simply stared at his phone, with an unreadable expression on his face. Then, slowly, a smile curled at the corners of his lips.
"I see," he said, his voice completely unfazed. "Two weeks... for defending myself, huh?"
On the other end, in Avery's office, she closed her eyes, sighing.
"Tyler, I know it's unfair. Believe me, I do. Multiple students backed your side of the story—Travis instigated it, just like always. But…"
"But his mother is a major donor," Tyler finished for her, his tone still composed.
Ms. Avery didn't respond, which said everything.
"I'm not saying what you did was wrong," she added quietly. "But the school... has politics."
"Of course it does," Tyler said, with a scoff
"But there's always a price for not bowing to people like them."
There was a pause on the line. Then Ms. Avery softened her voice.
"This won't go on your permanent record. Principal Walters made sure of that. But I thought you should hear it from me first, before the official letter gets sent to your mother."
"Thanks for the heads-up," Tyler said. "I'll be sure to prepare for the storm when she gets it."
Ms. Avery hesitated. "Tyler… if you need someone to talk to—"
"I'm good," he cut in, polite but firmly, "I've got it under control."
Another pause. Then, quietly, Avery said, "Alright. Take care of yourself, okay?"
"I will. Thanks, Ms. Avery."
Tyler ended the call and set the phone back on its base.
For a moment, he stared into the distance with his vision focusing on nothing in particular, then scoffed softly.
"Two weeks off school, huh?" He smiled, his eyes sharpening with a dangerous light.
"Guess that just gives me more time to build the future."
With that said,he rushed to the stairs to get to work on creating his money making bot.