Capítulo 18: Payback Time 1

Ebilade stood in front of the garage door, his heart racing with a mixture of excitement and reluctance. He hadn't been out of the house since moving in, mostly content with lounging around and exploring the perks of the Sign In System. But now, something pulled him—an unshakable urge to finally step outside.

Taking a deep breath, he pressed the button to open the garage door. The mechanical hum filled the air, and as the door lifted, the sleek, glossy body of a Tesla Roadster came into view. Ebilade's jaw clenched for a moment, the light reflecting off the car's polished surface casting a soft glow over his face. He hadn't allowed himself to come face-to-face with the car until now, knowing full well that the second he saw it, he wouldn't be able to resist taking it out.

And here it was—his Roadster. Midnight black with a hint of metallic shimmer under the lights, the car looked like something out of a dream. Every curve was sharp yet elegant, the aerodynamic design practically screaming speed. The sleek LED headlights were like piercing eyes, giving the car a predatory look. It was low to the ground, a beast ready to roar at a moment's notice.

Ebilade stared at it, his lips parting slightly as he let out a low whistle. His hand instinctively reached out, fingers brushing over the cool, pristine surface of the hood. "Damn," he muttered, more to himself than anyone. The car was perfect, a piece of art that also promised raw, exhilarating power.

Behind him, Ebipade followed, stopping just inside the garage. His eyes widened at the sight of the car. He had known about it, of course, but seeing it up close was a different experience. His fingers tightened around his tablet, and for a moment, he said nothing—just letting the car's presence sink in.

"You've been hiding this?" Ebipade finally said, his voice low with awe. His gaze swept over the Tesla's sleek lines, taking in every detail as he walked around it slowly. "I knew you had a car... but this? You've been holding out, bro."

Ebilade grinned, running his fingers along the side of the car before turning to face his brother. "I wasn't holding out," he replied, still staring at the vehicle with a mixture of pride and excitement. "I just knew the second I laid eyes on it, I'd want to take it out. And I wasn't ready for that yet."

Ebipade nodded in understanding, though his fingers absently tapped the edge of his tablet as he leaned closer to inspect the car. "Well, it's a good thing you waited. This thing is a beast." He paused, lifting an eyebrow as he straightened up, his gaze shifting to Ebilade. "Where are you headed now, though? Seems like a big moment if you're finally taking this bad boy out for a spin."

Ebilade's grin faded slightly, replaced with a more serious expression as he unlocked the car with a smooth flick of his hand. The lights blinked in acknowledgment, and he opened the driver's side door, taking in the plush leather interior for the first time. The fresh scent of new leather filled the garage as he sat down in the seat, running his hands over the steering wheel.

He glanced up at his brother, his eyes holding a spark of something darker now. "I've been cooped up for a week," Ebilade said, his tone quieter but filled with resolve. "It's time to get my payback."

Ebipade's brow furrowed, the casual admiration for the car quickly replaced by concern. He took a step forward, crossing his arms as he leaned against the side of the Tesla. "Payback? For what? What are you planning?"

Ebilade buckled his seatbelt, turning the key to bring the Tesla to life. The engine purred, smooth and quiet yet full of potential. He took a deep breath, gripping the steering wheel tightly before looking at his brother again. "For what happened at the diner. You remember that guy, right? The one Grace was all cozy with?"

Ebipade's eyes narrowed. He hadn't expected this. "Wait, you're going after that guy? Come on, Lade, is this really necessary? You have everything going for you now—this apartment, this car, the system. You don't need to—"

"I know," Ebilade interrupted, his voice sharp but not angry. His gaze flickered to the dashboard for a moment before returning to his brother. "But this isn't about needing to. This is about wanting to. I'm not going to let someone disrespect me like that. Not when I have the power to do something about it."

Ebipade sighed, running a hand through his hair, clearly conflicted. He had always been the more cautious of the two, and while he understood Ebilade's frustration, he couldn't help but feel uneasy about where this was heading. "And what are you going to do? Beat him up? Make a scene? You know how these things can spiral out of control."

Ebilade's lips curved into a smirk, though it lacked the lightness it usually carried. "No need to worry about that, bro. I'm not going in blind. I've got the system, remember? I'll handle this."

Ebipade watched his brother for a long moment, his eyes filled with both concern and a reluctant understanding. He knew Ebilade wasn't someone to back down once his mind was made up, but still... this felt different. Darker.

"Just... be careful," Ebipade said quietly, stepping back as the Tesla's engine revved softly. "You have a lot going for you now. Don't throw it all away over something like this."

Ebilade nodded, his smirk fading into a more serious expression again. "I'll be careful. But I'm not backing down."

With that, he hit the accelerator, and the Tesla glided out of the garage with barely a sound, disappearing into the night. Ebipade stood there for a long while, watching as his brother drove away, the unease gnawing at him.

He glanced down at his tablet, the system novels still open, showing page after page of protagonists who gained immense power only to be pulled into darker, more dangerous paths. His fingers tightened around the device as he muttered to himself, "There's always a price, Lade. I just hope you know what you're doing."

As the garage door slowly closed, Ebipade couldn't shake the feeling that something big was about to happen—and that the carefree days of lounging on the couch might soon be a distant memory.

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