When Era entered the building that was left to crumble on its own or be eaten by the earth, whichever came first, a man smoking in the corner checked her out.
She walked with her back straight, letting her body language show that she was meant to be there. Although she still waited for the man, he didn't. He just gave her a once over and continued smoking in the shadows.
She exhaled a relieved breath. Her contact here had explicitly explained that this race was an over-the-top hush-hush race because a big shot was going to be there.
She agreed, not really thinking of the best shot that would participate tonight. She's just here to earn easy money to meet their needs at least up to the end of the week. She didn't want her mother to worry too much. A few basic groceries in the pantry would help her ease her worry. And that's her aim in being here.
She grinned to herself when she reached the end of the building, successfully avoiding being flat on her ass as she walked on the gravel dirt in the dark and saw the asphalt two-lane back road hidden by tall grass, growing wildly on the sides.
She slowly made her way to the small crowd, gathering over some cars.
"Hey, glad you came!"
Era snapped her head to her right and saw her contact.
"Hey," she extended her arm for a shake but she was pulled into a tight embrace instead.
"Don't act so cold. Are you ready to meet your car?"
Era grinned widely with excitement. The car was just the standard Corolla but she knew that its engine was fixed into something that would make it illegal to drive on the street.
However, in this secret race, anything goes with a few rules thrown to keep everything in place. She had been doing this race as early as sixteen or was it younger? She didn't exactly remember.
But it was her father who nurtured her love for cars. He allowed her to be behind the wheel of his taxi on her eighth birthday. And since then, she was in love.
Thinking of her father, Era swallowed the bitterness in her mouth. She could not think of her father without feeling depressed and frustrated. She clenched and opened her fist, breathing deeply to clear her mind. She could not afford to think of sad things right now if she wanted to focus on the race and win.
She met the car's owner and formalities were exchanged and before long, she was inside the car, sitting behind the wheel, watching the girl with a white flag in her hand, waiting for it to drop.
And when the girl who was wearing a triangle top paired with leather shorts that barely cover her lower body let go of the piece of white cloth in her hand, Era flew on the asphalt, thinking of nothing but winning.
Hence when she won, she didn't feel surprised but relieved. She's going to get home with good cash.
However, her relief was short-lived because when she went to the restroom to relieve the nervousness in her bladder she received a text from her brother, showing the latest computation of their father's medical bills at the hospital.
Her shoulders slumped as she sat on the plastic toilet bowl, frustrated with the fact that despite paying a big chunk of her winning money from the international race, it did not make any difference, instead, the bills just got bigger since their father had to be checked by some specialist and undergo more chemotherapy.
She got out of the portalet, dizzy with the amount of money she needed to support her family. The small ounce of happiness she was feeling from winning tonight disappeared because the money that she won tonight won't be going to their groceries for the week nor to her brother's needs but to the hospital.
"Hey watch out!"
"Sorry," she mumbled under her breath not looking up to see the person she bumped
"Are you that empty-headed?"
Era creased her forehead when she heard the mocking tone. She slowly looked up ready to release her frustration into whoever the bastard was only to suck in her breath in shock.
She was standing in front of Seven!
'What the hell is he doing here?' She asked herself as she gawked at him, still could not believe her eyes.
"Kiddo, stop looking at me like it's your first time to see a good-looking man," he said, clicking his tongue and shaking his head as he looked down at Era.
"Hey, Green, I've been looking for you! Oh, you two met?"
"Green?" Seven eyes widened. "You're the driver of the winning car?" He asked in disbelief as he seized her up with his eyes.
Era rolled her eyes. She hated her street name Green. When she started coming to these races years back, she had to give a fake name and she could not think of another name to give than Green because her real name is Emerald and emeralds are green.
She grimaced inside with how much she cringed with that name that got stuck.
"Seven, don't be like that. You saw her in action. Don't underestimate her just because she's a goth kid," she said, giggling and caressing Seven's arm who wasn't even looking at her.
Era rolled her eyes inwardly. She liked Berry, her contact because she knew a lot of people but always recommended her whenever someone was looking for a driver. But right now, with the way she giggled and batted her fake lashes at Seven, she didn't like her very much.
"Green, she was looking for you and wanted to invite you to the after-party," she said with excitement in her voice.
Era remembered the stories she heard about the after-parties that Seven threw and she could understand the excitement in Berry's voice but she was not interested.
"Forget about it. I don't need a goth kid," he said, pushing Berry's hand from his arm and then giving Era a disgusted look before turning around.
Era scoffed, clicking her tongue. "I don't want to be invited to some boring after-party."
She watched Seven stop and slowly turn around.
"Boring? Where have you been to calling my parties boring?" He asked with his eyes narrowing at her with annoyance.
Era smiled sarcastically at him, shrugging her shoulders, and walked away. She felt satisfaction, hearing Seven cursing behind her back. It felt good to put him in his place.