CHAPTER 20: RACING

Braelyn’s POV

I could still feel my lips burn from his kiss. Today was spiralling out of control. Was he always this spontaneous?

The car was silent, the hum of the engine and the soft tapping sound from his phone echoed.

I never knew Lucien was a wild card and completely unpredictable but this was beyond my imagination.

Maybe this fake relationship, as he claims, was a good idea to get my mind off things. My eyes were stuck on the road which seemed strange. I haven’t been in this city for a while and only came back because of the funeral

The roads might have changed but I was certain this wasn’t the route to the estate. "Where are we going?" The question finally slipped out after what felt like over an hour.

Lucien sighed, his voice a bit distant. "We are almost there." His answer made my suspicion concrete. He wasn’t heading to the estate.

The car finally came to a halt in what seemed like a large car park located on the outskirts of the city. "We are here." He hummed. The chauffeur hurried up to open the car for me while he stepped out through the opposite door.

The moment I stepped out, the fresh air. It felt different to make because this was the countryside, but there was this excitement there.

The sound of drumming engines of cars racing hit me, my eyes furrowed as distant chatter reached my ears. Lucien walked up to my side then pulled my hand towards the crowd up ahead.

I was surprised at first but quickly understood the situation. It was an illegal racing club at the outskirts of town. The sky was already tinted orange as the sun was about to set

The free roads were filled with cars and people in tattoos and leather. Definitely the type of crowd I expected him to roam with. I was a bit nervous. I wasn’t used to this crowd. The scent of cigarettes and alcohol felt a bit repugnant.

He felt my tension and glanced at me; the look in his eyes softened. Lucien’s lips brushed my ears and my heart raced strangely..

"There is no need to be jumpy. It’s just a racing arena." He teased then backed away for a while. "It seems like you haven’t had fun in ages. Once in a while you should get your mind off things." He suggested

He brought me here to cheer up. The thought felt sweet but I didn’t know I would enjoy this crowd. "I am more of a karaoke girl." I laughed softly, the tension in my shoulders related.

"I know, but tonight we will try something different," he said. I glanced at his tall frame against the evening light. My mind tried to figure him out.

A shrieking call rang and a girl threw herself into Lucien’s arms. She was grinning wildly. "I wasn’t expecting you to show up. Isn’t today your pops’ funeral?" She chimed.

Lucien smiled then chuckled. "When did you get touchy, Amber?" His laugh was soft. The girl he called Amber was a brunette, and she was almost the same age as me

At most a year older. She broke their hug and tried to throw a punch at Lucien, which he avoided. "Still a jerk as always. The roads have been calmer without you." She snapped.

Lucien was still laughing. His hand wrapped around my shoulder. "Don’t ruin my image, Amber. I am here with important guests. Make her feel at home."

Amber’s brown eyes finally fell on me. Something flickered in it before she smiled. "You snuck away from your dad’s funeral with a fling. Still the Lucien I know." She shook her head, not bothering to hide Lucien’s reputation.

So he was a serial Playboy. This was getting hilarious. The air around Lucien darkened. Amber realised immediately, fright running through her eyes.

"Be mindful of your words, and besides, she isn’t just any girl." Lucien corrected. Amber seemed to have realised she had made a mistake.

"She is my girlfriend and it’s serious," he declared, giving me a tender look no one would guess was fake. He was indeed a seasoned actor

Amber’s eyes sparkled, and she instantly hooked hands with me. "You didn’t tell me. She was our sister in law." She chirped to have a 360-degree attitude change.

"You should introduce her to rest. Besides, when is the wedding?" She started rambling pulling me towards the crowd to the front

From a distance, I could see cars racing towards us. Everyone was cheering for them while others placed bets. Lucien shook his head but didn’t correct her

"That depends solely on her. She still thinks I am not sincere enough." He said exasperatedly. They spoke like I wasn’t stuck between them. My lips twitched but I hopelessly smiled

If this was an act he wasn’t the only one who could act. "What do you expect? Your reputation precedes you. " I finally chirped in and Amber laughed.

A black car was leading the race. It crossed the finish line and everyone cheered for the driver. The door was pushed open and a tall figure with brilliant blonde hair stepped out.

Amber smiled, waving at him. He noticed her and jogged. "Guess who showed up with his girlfriend." She chimed

"The one and only Lucien." He laughed, giving Lucien a side hug. "Looks like you still own the road, Joey." Lucien chimed

Joey chuckled, "There isn’t any noticeable competition, and by the way, won’t you introduce me to the lovely lady. " Joey chimed, reaching out for my hand, but Lucien snatched it away with a curt smile.

"She is Lynn, my girlfriend." He said with a sharp look. Joey was surprised but he smiled.

"Chill, man, I am not going to steal your girl ", he said with a knowing smile. Joey was charming, unlike Lucien, who spoke of intoxicating danger. Joey was a wisp of sunshine.

He was pretty popular, I deduced from the flirty looks he was getting. They exchanged pleasantries, from their short conversation, they seemed to be close buddies and racing pals.

They were pretty close before Lucien left the city 5 years ago and haven’t returned since then.

"How about we race like old times? Lynn can have a drink while we race." Joey suggested and Amber immediately chirped.

"Come on Lucien. It would be fun." She then turned to me, and our hands were still. "Urge your babe. He is a monster on the tracks."

My cheeks immediately turned red, Lucien glanced at me. "It’s been years. I don’t have the same fire as before." He shrugged.

Joey hissed. "The fire never dies. Are you sure you don’t know how to race anymore or need some motivation?" He teased.

Lucien smiled, "Well, with the right motivation, I might." Their eyes all turned to me. Amber nudged my shoulder.

"Give him a big kiss or something Lynn. It’s going to be fun to watch him race." She urged, my heart skipped a beat and our eyes met

We just kissed in the car, I can’t possibly do that again. Joey laughed, then he and Amber started urging me.

"Fine, I have an idea." I chimed as the distance closed.

I stood on my tiptoes. Lucien leaned forward with an amused smile. Our breath mingled. The tension was intoxicating, our lips barely inches away. "Will a kiss be enough motivation?" I asked him

"It depends on how good a kisser you are", Lucien teased.

The crowd’s cheers faded into static as the space between us vanished.

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