Chapter 19: Back To Work
Vroom! Vroom!
The sleek, silent hum of the Tesla Roadster echoed as Ebilade pulled up to MegaChop Diner. Heads turned almost immediately as the glossy, futuristic car came to a smooth stop right in front of the diner's entrance. The car's sleek curves glistened under the soft glow of the streetlights, drawing murmurs and whispers from passersby. Ebilade casually stepped out, and it wasn't just the car that held their attention.
As the door swung upward in a quiet whoosh, the crowd's attention shifted to Ebilade. He emerged, dressed in a sharp, casual ensemble that somehow made him stand out even more. A tailored leather jacket clung to his frame, his steps confident, as if he owned the ground he walked on. The soft streetlights cast a warm hue over his dark skin, highlighting his striking features. His presence was magnetic. Those who knew him began whispering among themselves, their eyes wide with recognition and disbelief.
"Is that Ebilade?"
"Yeah, that's him! When did he start driving something like that?"
"Didn't he just start working at the diner a few weeks ago?"
Ebilade caught snippets of their murmurs but paid them no mind. Instead, he wore a small, knowing smile, reveling in the attention without overtly acknowledging it. He glanced around, giving a slight nod to a few familiar faces who stared at him in shock, clearly not expecting to see him in a car that exuded wealth. But for Ebilade, this was just another perk from the system—nothing he hadn't already gotten used to.
He took a deep breath, savoring the moment as he opened the door to the diner. The familiar jingle of the doorbell cut through the hushed conversations outside, pulling him into the cozy warmth of MegaChop Diner.
Inside, the diner bustled with its usual evening crowd, the low murmur of conversations blending with the clinking of silverware and the soft chatter from the TV in the corner. The air smelled of grilled meat and freshly baked bread—a comforting, homey scent that always made Ebilade feel grounded. His eyes scanned the room until they landed on Blessing, who was standing at the counter, her attention focused on a customer.
Blessing's tall frame was relaxed, her back slightly arched as she leaned over to take the order of a customer sitting at the bar. Her hair was neatly braided back, and as always, her confident posture made her stand out, even in a crowded room. But as soon as she saw Ebilade walk through the door, her body froze mid-sentence, her eyes widening in shock.
Her lips parted, as if she was about to speak but couldn't find the words. Her hand hovered above the cash register, momentarily forgotten, and her usually sharp, no-nonsense gaze softened into one of pure surprise.
"E-Ebilade?" she stammered, her voice just loud enough for him to hear over the din of the diner. Her posture straightened instantly, her hands now clutching the edge of the counter as if steadying herself. The customer in front of her looked confused, glancing between Blessing and Ebilade, wondering what had caused the sudden shift in her demeanor.
Ebilade's smile widened as he approached, casually slipping his hands into his jacket pockets. He could feel the eyes of several customers on him, their whispers just beneath the surface.
"Long time no see, Blessing," he said smoothly, his voice carrying a casual warmth that made the tension in the room simmer down. He walked with a relaxed gait, each step purposeful but unhurried, as if he had all the time in the world.
Blessing blinked, her shock slowly giving way to a knowing smile, though her brows remained knitted with disbelief. "You... you look different," she managed, her eyes flickering over his appearance—his sleek jacket, his confident aura, and of course, the Tesla Roadster that had just pulled up outside. "And, uh, that car... wow. Since when did you—"
Ebilade chuckled, cutting her off gently. "It's a recent acquisition," he said, his tone nonchalant, as if the Tesla was no more significant than a cup of coffee.
Blessing shook her head, finally letting out a laugh. "You're full of surprises, you know that?" she said, her voice warmer now, the initial shock fading into amusement. "Here I thought you were just hustling like the rest of us, but it looks like you've got something going on I don't know about."
Ebilade shrugged playfully, leaning against the counter. "What can I say? Life's been... kind to me lately."
Before Blessing could respond, another voice called out from behind them.
"Ebilade? Is that really you?"
Ebilade turned, his expression shifting into one of mild curiosity. The voice belonged to a young man standing at one of the booths near the entrance. His hair was neatly trimmed, and he wore a designer shirt that looked too expensive for a casual night out at a diner. The man's eyes were wide with recognition, but there was something else in his gaze—a mix of surprise and something like envy.
"Whoa, man, you've really leveled up," the man continued, stepping closer. "That's your ride outside?"
Ebilade smiled modestly, giving a small nod. "Yeah, it's mine."
The man let out a low whistle, shaking his head in disbelief. "I don't know what you've been doing, but whatever it is, keep at it." He extended his hand, clearly impressed.
Ebilade grasped the man's hand firmly, shaking it with a grin. "Thanks, man. Just taking things one day at a time."
As they exchanged pleasantries, Blessing watched from the counter, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but something about Ebilade had changed in the past few weeks. He was still the same polite, hardworking guy she'd come to know, but there was an air of confidence about him now—a subtle shift that made him seem almost untouchable.
But what caught her off guard the most was how effortlessly he handled the attention. He was always humble, but now, there was a quiet, almost commanding presence about him. She didn't know what it was, but something told her that Ebilade was on a path she couldn't quite see yet.
And from the looks of it, neither could anyone else.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone