For several seconds, the family remained silent as the shock from the amount they were seeing froze them in their spots.
Suddenly, Olivia squealed like a little girl as the realization of what she was seeing finally hit home and woke the others from their shocked state.
"Please tell me you're serious," Olivia asked just to be sure.
And the nod Alex gave was the final straw as Olivia shot up and jumped in joy.
Ignoring her, Alex turned to the surprised expression of his Mom and Dad and assured them of the legitimacy of what they were seeing.
"Are you really sure the academy awarded this huge sum to you?"
Anyone would understand the kind of shock both parents were feeling as in all their lives, they had never seen so much money at once before.
'My son really earned this much just as an award?' Willaim narrowed his eyes, clearly suspicious of the amount.
It was too huge a sum to be a gift, and unless he received confirmation from the academy, he was not sure if he should accept it.
Of course, he didn't doubt his son as it could be an error on the part of the academy to gift him this much when they meant it to be little.
An amount of almost $ 100,000,000 was no joke! Anyone would have been sceptical.
"Yes, Ma. I'm certain." He said and looked at his father who stared at him with a profound gaze.
"I confirmed with the principal myself and she mentioned it was no mistake."
It was indeed an award he got from coming out on top. The only thing he didn't mention was that, aside from the principal and a few others, no one knew what Alex got as a prize.
"So, this money is for you, brother?" Aaron was old enough to know how much weight that amount carried.
"Exactly…" Alex replied with his eyes focusing on his father. He knew he was the one he had to convince.
"Dad… you okay?"
"Oh, yeah… I'm good." He came out of his thoughts and nodded.
"What are you worried about? Your actions appear as if you don't trust Alex." Olivia finally regained enough composure to understand how her parents were feeling.
Olivia knew her brother and understood his nature very well. So, she found it difficult to understand why her parents who gave birth and raised him felt otherwise.
Sarah felt a pang in her chest when she heard what Olivia mentioned and began to feel guilty for doubting her own son.
'What am I doing? A son I raised myself earned this much from his efforts and brought it home and I can't even say a simple well done?'
She realized that Alex could have kept that sum for himself and never revealed it to them. With the attitude she and her husband displayed right now, they might one day push him to do just that.
Sarah and her husband exchanged a glance as they both saw the guilt in their eyes and understood their mistake.
Turning back to Alex, Sarah moved closer to him and gave him a warm hug that carried all her emotions.
"I'm so sorry, Alex. I couldn't accept the reality in front of me and made you feel like your efforts weren't appreciated."
She added as she placed a kiss on his head.
"It's okay, Ma. I understand how you must feel as I was equally shaken." He was bothered by the way they received the reveal as he had imagined something completely different.
Still, so far as they had accepted it, it was all good.
Looking at the mother and son, Olivia felt good about herself and moved to hug Aaron. Of course, the boy was beginning to feel the realization after seeing his parent's changed expression.
Willaim feeling left out went in for the hug as well and they embraced each other; the parents expressed how sorry they felt and Alex just appreciated their warmth.
Some time later, the trio separated and Alex proceeded with what he had planned for the money.
"Okay, Dad. I'm going to give you 2/3rds of the amount and keep the rest." He suggested and William narrowed his eyes in thought.
"Are you sure, Alex? It's your money and you can do whatever it is that you want."
"I know that and that is what I am doing right now. I can't possibly have all this on me when I pretty much have what I want."
He then proceeded to tell them about the armour, weapon and nanite storage Hunter Zol got him and his friends.
"No way! Really?!" This time, it was Aaron's turn to be blown away and the trick was the mention of Hunter Zol.
"Yes, really." Alex smiled as called forth his armour which appeared to morph out of his skin and cover his entire body.
He stood up to give a better view of the armour to his family and observed their expressions of shock, awe and pride.
Then he retrieved his weapon in its short-staff form and waved it around to give them a glimpse of the skills he acquired throughout the year.
"Awesome! Can I wear it?"
Aaron literally had stars shining in his eyes looking at his brother's heroic figure.
"Unfortunately, no." Alex shook his head. "The armour was designed to recognize my energy signature and will not respond to anybody else."
"Oh, okay." Aaron lowered his head in disappointment as Olivia rubbed his back to console him.
Recalling back his armour and weapon, he went ahead and transferred the amount into his father's account under the excited expressions of Olivia and Aaron.
"Hehehe… we can go shopping."
Olivia turned to Alex and stared at him like some juicy piece of meat ripe for the taking. Her mind completely ignored the sum Alex sent to their father as that was obviously going to be used for the family.
Alex's money, on the other hand, was all hers to do with what she pleased.
"Sure, why not? But I have better news." He smiled mysteriously and then got up to his feet.
"More news?" Olivia furrowed her brows and also stood up, quickly followed by Aaron. No one need tell him that whatever Alex was about to say next would make Olivia jump him.
It was best to create distance before the cat-and-mouse game began.
"Come on, spit it out already." Olivia urged with a bit of frustration, hating how Alex was purposely holding back with the reveals.
Smiling mysteriously, Alex spoke.
"It's about Julia and I…."
He ended it there and ran.
It took Olivia and everyone else a second to process his words and when it finally settled in.
Olivia gasped in shock and surprise which was quickly followed by joy.
"FINALLY!"
She yelled with clenched fists. But then Alex was nowhere to be found.
"Hey, get back here!"