Rising Towards Supremacy

Episode 9 : The man in a wheelchair

For the third time in just a few days Rex woke up in the hospital bed. This time he didn't make any effort to walk out.

He only opens his eyes and lies still with his chest bandage fully. The door of his room ease opens and Pearl walks in.

He wasn't surprised to see her. He knows she will eventually come crawling at his feet.

Though he never thought the time will be now. Pearl dressed up just as beautifully as she usually does.

She shows a little more cleavage to seduce Rex but the Latter wasn't focusing on that anymore.

With her eyes gleaming with pretentious love and tears, Pearl walks to the bedside and sat down on it.

" How are you feeling now? " She asked softly and the young man look up into her eyes.

" I feel better now that I have put the past behind me. I feel energetic and ready to beat your... boyfriend once more in the other competition "

At this Pearl frown a little.

" Rex I think we should talk... about that part " She began shakily and he listen. " You see... You were right. Khalil never loves me "

" Like hell... " He mutters.

" No, listen... " She urged with her lips quivering. " Khalil only get me at that moment just to hurt you "

" And he succeeded because you are a glutton. Pearl my dad died due to your betrayal. I was lost and in sorrow but you never shows any sympathy "

" No Rex. I did..."

" Will you shut the hell up? " He thundered gently and that makes the lady to back off in fear. " You never love me! you only come back because of the money I got "

Pearl was taken aback by this. She had never thought Rex would be as adamant.

" Rex I thought you ...would always love me. You made me that promise "

There was desperation in her voice that keep her close to tears.

" That was when I was still blinded by your pretentious acts. Now I can see the light. You said you only cope with me because I am also your errand boy. Remember? "

Pearl slightly shivers upon hearing this. She bites her lower lips for some time then sigh.

" I apologized for that but guess what, I'm ready to turn a new leaf Rex "

" A new leaf? Why? Because I won the competition? "

" No, come on "

" Get the hell out of here Pearl. I got nothing to say to you "

Tears of frustration finally brim in her eyes. Slowly she made to touch him but the voice came firmly.

" Don't you dare "

Pearl saw clearly that he is done with her. Now she began to feel regretful for dumping him.

After she heard the rumors from her friends that Sheila has been taken shopping by Rex she feels threatened.

" Is this because of that chubby old witch? " She asked angrily, her tone already harsh. " If this rejection of yours is derived from that old chubby..."

Her words were put to a stop when the whimper suddenly came from the entrance.

Rex and Pearl turn slightly to see Sheila standing by the door. With the fallen expression on her face, Rex knows she had overheard Pearl's hurtful words.

Swiftly Sheila made to walk out but Rex immediately sat up from the bed.

" Stop right there Sheila. Don't you dare... Take a step " He ordered firmly.

Then he turn to Pearl and glared at her before whispering.

" Apologized to her "

" For what? The heck? "

" Damn! Will you fucking apologies to her now for calling her old witch? " He thundered, scaring Pearl for the second time in forever.

The lady sagged her shoulder in defeat but she never obey Rex. Instead, she said.

" She is an old chubby witch and on the competition day, I will leave her crying when I won "

With these words Pearl dashes out, walking past Sheila with a glare.

Silence fell for many minutes until Sheila bursted into tears and Rex rolled his eyes tiredly. Slowly he get up from bed, limp towards her and He pulled her into his embrace.

" Hey I'm sorry " He mutters softly to her but Sheila ceased to be smoothened with just a little word.

She pulled back and dabbed the tears which have been trailing down her cheek.

" The limo is waiting for you out there. Grandpa said it's time for your wish to be granted. You will be allowed to meet Uncle Louie tonight "

Rex's emotions changed instantly after hearing this. He step back and headed towards the window.

He peered down to see the shiny limo waiting already. Now he will meet with the man who claimed to be his father.

The door opens and Rex's roommates walk in. They brought him new clothes and sneakers.

Rex left to dress up and the nurse came later to inject him. At last, he is ready to go.

" Your medal " Gael whispers as he pulled out the shiny medal and extended it to the rightful owner.

" We jubilated for you Rex. You made us proud and I'm sure your dead Father will be as well " Emilio whispers. " Now thousands of messages are popping out from my cellphone. Every guy wants to be your friend while the girls want ..."

Gael gently nudges Emilio and signals him to stop speaking.

They all turn to Sheila and Emilio immediately understands.

" Ahem! I mean...uh...the girls want to be your friends as well "

Sheila turn around abruptly and left the room while slamming the door shut.

" Geez. Did I speak so much? I screwed up, right? "

" Shut up Emilio. She's not my girl " Rex corrected.

" So ignorant Rex. Well the girls in RCC now love you "

" Fuck them. When I was an errand boy no one wants me "

" Well you are not anymore " Gael replied.

Rex left the room and finally goes to the limo. He bid his friends goodbye and the journey to Riley's mansion began.

After a long silent drive, the limo stops before the Mansion. Sheila alighted with Rex and they both enters the house.

Rex had to hold his breath when he enters the grandiose living room to see all the family seated.

Pa Riley didn't speak though. He only smile at Rex and then pointed out the way for him.

Without any words, Rex took the tiny path with his heart thudding. After some minutes he arrived at a large balcony.

There he saw a man in a wheelchair. The man was busy fiddling with a piece of paper.

Rex walks slowly to him and stares down at his face.

" Hello? " He greeted the man softly as he pulled away the piece of paper in his hand.

He get on one knee before the man and pulled out the watch from his pocket.

" So tell me, did you know about this watch? "

Strangely Louie didn't reply. He only wheel his chair and entered his room gently.

Rex had to follow him since he had no choice but upon stepping into his room of Louie he met another man entirely.

Not the deranged or grieving man from earlier but a man who is scheming and calculative.

Louie stood up from the wheelchair and whispered.

" Shut the door and bolted it. The door is soundproof "

Rex was stunned totally by this. Before him is another man entirely. Then he began to wonder.

Why would Louie do this? Why would he stoop so low and acted insane for many years?

The question hung up in Rex's mind but since the night is still young he knows he will be getting his answers.

Slowly he shut the door and he turns to the bearded man.