"Is this the place?" David asked as they stood at a distance, looking toward the corner store with a plaque above it that read 'Tony's Store'."
"Yes," Tyler nodded.
David sighed and stretched his hand towards Tyler.
"The ticket?"
Tyler immediately brought it out from his pocket and gave it to him.
"He might ask you some questions because I told him that mom asked me to get the lottery ticket," he said.
He saw a shocked expression flash across David's face, followed by a sigh.
"You're unbelievable," David muttered, walking towards the store.
He couldn't believe how the sweet and responsible Tyler turned into someone who buys lottery ticket and lie by using his mother's name.
"Kids these days..." He sighed.
Tyler could see the disappointment on David's face when he mentioned that he told Tony the ticket was for his mom.
He understood the feeling but the truth is that Tyler doesn't care. As long it doesn't hurt or trouble his family, he would do anything in his power to achieve his goals.
Even if it means manipulation. Even if it means crossing the line, as long as those he cares about aren't hurt, he will do it.
He's not going to be a saint and hope that things would be smooth sailing, and that people won't try to cut him. They will come and trouble would follow, but no matter what he will be the one standing at the end of everything.
Tyler continued watching David and he saw him walk into the store. He would've followed behind David but he doesn't want to give Tony an opportunity to ask him any, and find himself in a tricky situation.
"I hope it doesn't take too long," Tyler sighed, as he continued waiting.
...
A few minutes later, Tyler saw David walking out of the store. He was about to rush towards him but quickly held himself back.
"How did it go?" He asked, when David arrived in front of him.
"I got the money. It was transferred to my account," David replied.
"That's good," Tyler sighed in relief.
He was happy that things worked out fine. That means that what's left to do now was to get the money from David's account and he would be able to unlock a Core knowledge branch.
"Do we go to the bank now?" He asked, looking at David who was looking at him with a strange expression on his face.
David opened his mouth, wanting to say something but he was only able to let out a sigh.
"Let's go," he said, and started leading the way to a branch of the bank he uses.
They decided to walk as the branch wasn't too far from their current position.
On their way to the bank, David unable to hold in his curiosity anymore, asked, "So, what are going to do with the money after you get it?"
"I will give a bit of it to mom. I can't give her everything as it will only cause her to worry instead. I will keep the rest of the money, holding on to it until it's needed. I can secretly use it to fix things around the house and stock the house with food," Tyler replied.
He made sure to give what he feels would be a textbook reply for teenager. This was so that David can stop worrying, as he can can see the worried look on his face.
David paused for a moment when he heard Tyler's response. He would be lying if he said he wasn't surprised.
He knew that Tyler was quite intelligence and matured for his age, but he had at least expected him to say something like he would get himself something cool. But he never expected such a response from him.
'What a smart kid. Helena did a good job raising him,' he thought, smiling to himself.
"I forgot to tell you. You won't be able to collect the whole $50,000. $15,000 will be deducted for tax," David said.
Tyler made a shocked face when he heard what David.
"$15,000 in tax?! Why so much?! Why do I have I pay so much for something that's not theirs?" He asked, making sure to show the shock of a teenager.
He was a financial analyst and he naturally knew everything about the US taxing system. He had already made hus calculations and knew that he would only be receiving $35,000 out of the $50,000 winning.
David smiled when he saw Tyler's reaction. He couldn't blame the kid for reacting the way he did, but there's nothing they can do about it.
"I'm sorry, Tyler. It's just the way things are," he said.
"Forget about. $35,000 is still a lot," Tyler sighed.
Though Tyler knew of this, he would be be lying if he said that he doesn't feel like he's being cheated.
The two of them continued their walk to the bank in silence.
....
Some minutes later, they arrived at the bank and walked in. They didn't dawdle, making their way to one of the counters.
When they got to a counter, David started talking to the female cashier behind it, while Tyler waited.
A few minutes later, after David had processed everything and filled the necessary documents, the lady counted dollar bills, packaged it properly and gave it to him.
After receiving the money, David nodded in appreciation, grabbed Tyler and left the bank.
"Thanks for banking with us," the cashier said, as they left.
Tyler and David didn't waste time outside the bank, immediately flagging down a taxi and making their way home.
$35,000 in cash was too dangerous to walk around with. They weren't naive enough to risk it. And that was why they left as quickly as possible.
The ride home was smooth. Tyler and David sighed in relief, as they walked into the house.
"That was hectic," David said, collapsing into a couch.
"Yeah," Tyler nodded, also taking his seat.
He wanted to catch his breath a little before moving on to the next thing. With the money now securely in his hand, he can finally relax.
"So, are you going home or school?" David asked.
"Home. I still have something I need to do," Tyler replied.
David sighed, hearing Tyler's response. He had expected it.
"Whatever it is you have to do, I hope it's worth getting your mom worried when she receives a call from your school later, about you skipping school," he said.
He saw Tyler smile and gave a smile nod.
"You don't need to worry about that." He heard him say.
Tyler feeling rested enough, sat up straight and picked up the bag containing the money from the table.
He took a bundle totalling $5,000 from the bag and pushed it to David, shocking him.
"Umm... What do you mean?!" David exclaimed.
"Please don't refuse it," Tyler said, too tired to explain.
David was about to refuse but was interrupted by Tyler.
"Please," he said.
Seeing that he won't be able to win against the teenager, David sighed and nodded slowly.
Immediately, Tyler also gave a small nod, standing and taking his leave.
Before he closed the door behind him, he turned to look at David that was still looking at him strangely confused, and he smiled.
"Thank you," he said, and started walking home.
When he got home, he locked the door and made his way up to his room.
Walking into his room, he locked the door behind him, and walked to his bed.
He took out the bundles of money and placed them on the bed.
Six bundles totalling $30,000.
Seeing the neat bundles of money on the bed, a smile crossed his face the following moment, as the happiness of winning a lottery and such a huge amount finally struck him.
This was the first time in both lives that he would hold such a huge amount. And it made him feel extremely happy.
"Enough of that. Time to unlock a Core knowledge branch," he muttered.
He took a deep breath, steadying his emotions before calling up his status screen.
[Name: Tyler Reyes]
[Age: 16]
[Strength: 7]
[Agility: 6]
[Stamina: 5]
[Intelligence: 7]
[Stat Point(s): 2]
[System Point(s): 0]
[Mission: Train Your Weak Body! (Recurring)]
[Knowledge]
....
"System, exchange for 10 System Points."
The next moment, two of the bundles of the cash on the bed, started disintegrating into light.