Rise of an Adaams

Lauren Dexter.

“Urggh” he slowly sat up on his bed.

“Where am I?” He asked into space.

“Argghh” he groaned as the events of the previous day began flashing through his mind.

He could hear the voices, could feel the pain, but he couldn't clearly remember the woman he saw, all he could feel was her pain, and as he thought about it, a single tear dropped from his eyes.

But how did I wake up here? He thought.

He stood up, stumbling slightly as he felt a little dizzy.

He got to the kitchen looking for edibles, but to his surprise there was already made food in there.

Skeptical about eating it due to its unknown origins he let it be but after a few minutes he couldn't ignore the raging hunger he felt and ate the food to the last bite.

Feeling satisfied he cleaned up and went to school.

“Hey, urggh you look awful” a voice said behind him. He turned and saw Elsie and Jack walking in behind him.

“Morning Els” he said as he shook Jack's hand.

“Didn't you rest enough Chris?” She asked

“On the contrary I had so much sleep it made me look like this” he sighed wearily.

Elsie giggled, “Sorry Chris” she patted his shoulder, he smiled and they went to class.

Immediately they had their seats and settled down a voice boomed over the intercom, “Good Morning Everyone. I trust you all had a wonderful night.”

“Now what does he want to talk about?” Elsie murmured.

Christopher laughed, “Let the man speak Els”

She huffed.

Mr. David continued his morning address but then something caught Christopher’s attention, “...now I'll like to make a special announcement,”

“Huh what does he want to say” murmurs erupted everywhere as that was rare.

Immediately a text dropped in everyone's phone,

There will be a competition in school and the winner will be awarded a scholarship to College. Interested Participants are advised to register before the first day of the next month as the competition will begin on the 3rd day of the said month.

Christopher read the text again, and slower the third time, then paused taking the words in, he laughed, a true and pure laugh. Almost giving up on his dream, this was a blessing and he knew he could win easily he thought as he laid back on his bed.

“Why’re you laughing Chris?” Elsie asked, taking out her phone. “It's nothing Els” I just remembered something funny” he said.

She nodded while checking her phone.

Beep.

He checked his phone again,

First applicant, Grey Causten.

Christopher paused, his face paling as he saw the name on the text.

“Hope you all enjoyed the surprise. Especially you boy” the voice said but this time it sounded different, like the last message was talking to him, and to make matters worse the voice was very familiar, the dominance in it, the edge and coldness.

Christopher looking up at the intercom swallowed as he realized who it was.

“Wow Chris, you can go to college with this” Elsie smiled at Chris.

“And the scholarship literally has your name on it” Jack said.

Christopher sighed, “Didn't you guys get the other text?”

“What text?” They looked confused.

Huh? That's weird, he thought.

“Seems like I'm the only one who got the message,” he said, showing it to them.

They instantly froze, their faces paling immediately.

“Why is he joining this? Aren’t the Clausten’s above this?” Elsie asked

“I think this is to spite Christopher.” Jack sighed.

Grey Causten, Christopher’s rival and the only person who could match Christopher's intelligence.

The outcome when he and Christopher engaged in a competition was always unknown, so much so that it left the whole school guessing who would win but what puzzled the trio was what Grey was doing in a competition like this because the Caustens were well off, having wealth that has spanned for more than 2 generations, they were regarded as an old money family, so the very fact that someone like Grey was entering this competition made no sense and that was what led to Jack’s conclusion.

“Those who are interested can now go and register at the secretary’s office. Also take note that registration time is limited. Thank you”

The intercom went off.

“Haaaa, guess it's time for me to be off then” Chris sighed as he got up.

“Okay we'll be waiting.” Elsie said with a smile.

He nodded.

When he got to the office he was met with a long queue which was surprising as most of the kids were from rich well-to-do families and didn't need the scholarship.

“I guess I'll have to wait then” he said to himself as he stood behind the last person.

After standing on the line for quite a while it finally was his turn. He approached the counter, “Oh I'm sorry we are closed for today, please come back tomorrow” were the words that greeted him.

“Oh isn't there any way to squeeze me in please” Christopher said flashing his charming smile. The lady smiled, “I would have Chris but it's not up to me you know, my boss wants us to end so I can't actually. I'm sorry” she said, her face falling slightly.

“Heyyy Cassey it's no problem I'll just come back tomorrow, it isn't that big of a deal” Christopher said touching the back of her hand.

Cassey was an assistant secretary in the school and also one of Christopher's friends, though their relationship passed that line a couple of times.

He had dated her some months back but due to some issues they had to break up, but even then they were still good friends.

“Thanks for understanding Chris. Are you free during the weekend? I’d like us to hang out.” Cassey said with a wink. Christopher look at her, his lips curling into a smirk, “ Stop it” she said blushing, he laughed she was so naughty, “I would have loved to but this week is going to be very busy for me, but I'll treat you to drinks and more another time” he said with that smirk. She became flustered, “Okay” she managed to say.

“Bye Cassey, catch you some other time” he said as he walked away.

“Bye Chris” she said shyly.

Chris walked away. Cassey always started naughty plays but she became shy the moment the tables turned, making an expression Christopher thought was cut.

Seems the time limit has been reached, I guess I just have to come tomorrow, he thought walking away.

Just then James passed by and chuckled.

Christopher saw him and immediately a stone cold expression devoid of any emotions appeared on his face.

“Relax man, I have nothing to do with this,” James said.

“I really hope so for our sakes" Christopher said in a cold tone earning a smile from James.

As he continued walking towards class he saw Grey. Grey smirked and said, “See you at the finals…if you can even get into the competition” he laughed.

Christopher smiled “Oh I'll be there and I thought I beat you and your gang, how come your mouth’s still spewing trash?” he sighed mockingly as Grey's face burned red “Seems I’ll have to try harder next time, by the way, I wonder what the Golden boy of the Causten family was thinking of when he registered for a scholarship competition. I thought the Caustens were above those kinds of things. Obviously I was wrong, who knows the kind of dipshit your family’s in for their ‘precious heir’ to do such.” Christopher said, laughing as he continued on his way to class.

Once her left there his brows furrowed, It all doesn't make sense, why would Grey register and what was James doing there? He didn't have a good feeling about any of these but he brushed them aside as he reached class.

“How did it go Chris?” Elsie asked as he stepped in.

“Well I couldn't register” He sighed.

“For what reason?” Jack turned in his chair.

“The time for registration closed for today” he sat down.

“Oh well try again tomorrow then” Elsie said, but Jack’s brow was furrowed.

“Hey Chris…” he began but was interrupted as the teacher entered the class.

The trio’s conversation ended as class began.

The bell rang signalling the end of class.

Christopher hurrying out as usual bumped into someone, “Rushing off again?” A voice asked.

He looked up and saw Elsie, “Yeah, sorry I have to go” he went around her.

“Take care” she said faintly.

He knew she wasn't happy but there was little he could do.

Some minutes later he arrived at work.

“Hoo, seems like you might actually survive this” Damien came up to him.

“Urrggh, don't get me started” he groaned.

“Watch out someone just got scolded” Damien chuckled and walked off as Christopher went to change.

“Why did you take so much time in there boy?” a voice boomed.

He turned around it was his boss, Calvin.

“ Good day sir” Christopher put on his most polite smile, “Hmm seems you're a lucky one, but I already have your job termination letter on my desk, one slip and I'll hand it to you with a big smile” he said looking smug.

“Don't worry Mr. Calvin, you won't have such an opportunity, I assure you” Christopher smile widened.

Calvin’s face turned red, “Get to work now!!!”

“Was planning to before you called me aside sir” Christopher suppressed a grin as he walked away.

“ You sure are like your father” Damien said laughing wildly.

“Huh? What did you say Damien, didn't hear you” Christopher wiped his face.

“Uhm…I just said you sure have a ruthless side” he chuckled.

“Well he deserves it, I wasn't the one who scolded him” Christopher huffed.

Damien just smiled and shook his head.

As they continued working Damien asked,

“How are you feeling now?”

“I feel better now.” Christopher replied, “Wait how did you know?”

“Know what?” Damien bent to pick something.

“Know that something happened to me” Christopher stood straight.

“Well…” Damien began, “Christopher, the CEO wants to see you” a female voice interrupted. Christopher turned and saw the secretary, “I'll be there” he said with a frown as she walked away.

“Bye” Damien laughed earning him a death stare from Christopher.

Wonder what he wants now Christopher thought as he approached the office. He knocked twice “Come in” a voice said and he opened the door.

“Welcome Christopher” Dexter smiled, the same smile he had when he proposed the deal, but this time they weren't the only ones in the room. Beside Dexter was a woman in her late thirties, elegant, and beautiful.

“By the way you look awful” he said chuckling, “Honey” she said in a low tone, “Hello I'm Lauren, I'm Dexter’s wife.” she approached him and extended a hand.

Immediately his senses had an instant aversion towards her like they couldn't tolerate her presence. He looked at her hand and then at her, his blood boiling but he knew he had to shake her. The repercussions were too much if he didn't.

He reached for her hand.

The moment their skin touched, his vision blurred.

Lauren smiled.

“Interesting,” she said softly.