HORDON POV
J U N E . E L E V E N
"Best Racer of the Decade"
That was the title given to me because of the race I won in. Well I am happy with my achievement. But I found more joy in my opponent who could only just give me a dirty look.
As well as seeing Cheska's wide and welcoming smile.
"Jeeeerk, congrats! I knew you could do it!" Cheska welcomed me the moment I got out of my race car and at the same time punching me on my left arm.
"Ouch! You didn't strangle me yet you punched me. I'm exhausted, you know." I said with matching acting.
"You're overreacting. It doesn't even hurt."
The two of us just smiled as we both walk together side by side towards the bleachers where my manager is and other staff who handles me.
After a few picture-taking and signing of autograph session, we left the arena. I then changed into comfortable clothes first before going back to the hotel where we stay.
"I'll be going back to Korea tomorrow. Are you coming?" I asked Cheska.
She shook her head, "no because I have to take care of something. I'll maybe follow after a week or two?"
I frown a bit at what she said but I understand her. "What a waste. I want to celebrate with you."
"Then go and celebrate once you got back. Then you can celebrate again when I come." Cheska suggested. I nodded.
"Promise?"
"Of course. You won and we have to celebrate that." She smiled.
I also smiled at what she said. Of course I'm happy because the person who I was with through all my tough times is still here in my successful days. Although she wasn't there since the beginning, I'm still happy that I met her.
———
⁅ J U N E . T H I R T E E N ⁆
When I arrived at Incheon Airport, my fans and supporters greeted me and welcomed my arrival. I smiled and thanked them. There are others who also gave me gifts in which I gladly accepted them. I actually wanted to stay longer but I'm afraid that it will get too crowded in the airport and this is not even a meet and greet.
My driver then sent me home here in Seoul. Back then, I only live in the squatter area and I did a lot of bad things. But that was back then.
Now, not anymore. I worked hard on my own to get my own house as well as my riches and popularity. Indeed, life is like a wheel.
When I arrived at my home, I immediately went to sleep due to the exhaustion I got from the flight and the sudden change of timezone. I slept throughout the whole afternoon in my bedroom and I woke up at 8pm.
Because I was gone for two weeks, my refrigerator was empty that I have no choice but to eat outside. I decided that I will also go directly to the bar after dinner that's why I already wore something decent.
Once I had my outfit on, I was ready to hit the club.
And eat too.
I'm hungry since the last time I ate was at lunch time in the airport when I just got back here in Seoul. That's why that is the first thing I did; to eat.
After that, I contacted my friends that resides here in Seoul. Because I contacted them out of the blue with no warnings, most of them were busy except for one.
"H.I.J!"
"Riko, my man!" We greet each other before giving a bro-hug.
Riko is one of the members of the gang that I was in back then. Among the members of that gang, he was my closest friend. He's always with me back then. Since I was incredibly young compared to the others, he would always help me and guide me.
He's also one of the people I am always thankful for. If he wasn't there, I wouldn't know what would happen to me back then.
"Congratulations to the best racer of this decade and to more decades!" RIKO congratulated when our drinks arrived and offered a toast.
"Thanks, hyung." I said before we clinked our glasses.
I drank the alcohol after that. Immediately I felt my throat get hot as it come in contact with the alcohol and flows down to my stomach. But this was just nothing for me as I already tasted a lot of alcohol that is stronger than this. And besides, I don't have any plan on getting drunk. I just got here. I don't want to get a hangover while I still haven't recovered from my jet lag.
However, Riko ordered a strong one. He said it's fine though. He also needed to unwind because of the trouble that his gangmates caused.
Back then, Riko and I are also ordinary members in a gang and Boss Pablo was our leader. Until I quit because I decided to pursue a legal job instead of causing trouble with the gang. And Boss P retired not too long after that because he also wanted to live a quiet life which will be good for his family.
From all of the original members in our gang back then, Riko is the only one left as well as the gangster leader.
"The original members of the gang are better than now. We barely even got caught by the police, man. We always get away with it too. I think we only got caught three or four times." He ranted.
"Maybe that's just you." I teased him.
He raised his fist as if he would punch me. But even though I know that he would never do that even if he's drunk (except during training), I still avoided it. Instincts, I guess. And I still have it in me.
"I'll just go to the comfort room," He said.
"Okay, hyung."
While he was gone, I admired the interior and ambience of The Red Bar & Club.
I was at the Bar side of The Red although I want to have fun and dance at the club and fool around but I prefer to just chill around. I'm not in the mood and I'm still a bit exhausted.
From observing, I saw how everyone were purely having fun. Of course, given that this place is where you party or celebrate. Or sometimes people just like to party for no reason.
But unlike the clubs we would go to, the people here are not as wild because most of the people here are with class. Because the clubs we went to people would make out even on the dance floor.
I also see important people as well as celebrities. Well it's because The Red is for high class people. A middle class who could enter here is considered lucky.
I know almost all of the people here. Except for one woman.
This girl is not just ordinary. I saw a lot of beautiful girls in my lifetime. Both locals and foreign. But her beauty was captivating and alluring and at the same time mysterious.
I couldn't help but divert my attention towards her and observe her. Everything seems normal. She's just like an average woman who wants to have fun. She's not familiar though. Is she maybe a rising model or actress or something? Am I that behind? Even if I was only gone in Korea for two weeks and trained for three months.
I just continued looking at her and saw her order something at the bar. After that, it seemed like her phone rang and she immediately answered it. She said something to the bartender before she left and went out.
Well, after awhile Riko got back and my attention from the woman vanished. Until I saw her enter again. However this time she wears a mask that covers the lower part of her face and even wore black velvet gloves to pair with her dress.
My attention went away from Riko's words and it transferred to the mysterious woman again. She got the drink that she ordered awhile ago then after that I thought she would find a table and seat, but no.
She went towards the dance floor, which I know it's not allowed to bring it there. My eyebrow raised at what I witnessed.
She then sets the cocktail glass down which is still full on one high top table and left it there. Then she walked awhile until I couldn't see her anymore.
At the exact moment when her silhouette disappeared into the sea of people, something happened that made everyone shocked and yell.
But not from the party music.
But from fear.