It was the perfect Sunday for a track day. The morning sun gleamed brightly in the sky, casting a golden hue over the sprawling race track that lay ahead of Ferdinand and Elara. The cool wind swept through their hair as they arrived at the track, the faint sound of engines revving already filling the air.
Ferdinand felt a surge of excitement. It had been a while since he'd taken his car out for a real spin, and he was looking forward to the day ahead. As they walked toward the pit area, Elara had her phone out, recording every step they took like a professional photographer. She zoomed in on Ferdinand's car, a sleek BMW M540i, its glossy blue exterior reflecting the sunlight.
"I didn't even know you had this car," Elara muttered, still in awe as she circled around it, recording every angle. She shot a quick grin at Ferdinand. "You've been hiding things from me, big brother."
Ferdinand laughed softly, scratching the back of his neck. "Well, you never asked."
Elara shook her head, stepping back to capture the entire car in a frame. "Still, a BMW M540i? You've been keeping this a secret from me all this time?" she teased, and then added, "I can't believe you actually own it."
Ferdinand gave her a half-smile as he leaned against the car. "I didn't mean to hide anything. Some things just never came up in conversation, I guess."
"Sure, sure," she replied, rolling her eyes dramatically. Then, turning the camera toward him, she pointed her phone and said, "Smile for the camera, Mr. Mysterious."
Ferdinand chuckled, shaking his head but obliging. Elara continued recording, narrating little snippets about the car, the track, and how Ferdinand had apparently been keeping secrets from her. Her playful banter was lighthearted, and despite her surprise at learning about Ferdinand's car, there was no real anger in her voice—just amusement.
They made their way to the track's pit area, where Ferdinand was set to take his car out for a few laps. Elara watched with interest as her brother adjusted his helmet and gear, making sure everything was in place before he stepped into the driver's seat.
"You ready to see this thing in action?" Ferdinand asked, glancing over at her as he tightened his gloves.
Elara grinned, her phone already trained on him. "Oh, I'm not just going to see it. I'm going to document it. This is going on my story—my followers need to see what a badass my brother is."
Ferdinand shook his head, laughing softly, though he appreciated her enthusiasm. He slid into the car and revved the engine, the powerful roar sending a thrill through both of them. He gave Elara a quick nod before pulling onto the track.
The next few hours were spent with Ferdinand pushing his car to its limits. Each lap felt more exhilarating than the last. He expertly maneuvered through the twists and turns of the track, his focus entirely on the road ahead. The engine purred like a beast beneath him, and the rush of adrenaline made him feel alive in a way he hadn't in weeks.
Meanwhile, Elara was glued to her phone, capturing every high-speed turn, every drift, and every moment her brother sped past her on the track. She was getting creative with her angles too—zooming in, panning across, and even getting down low to record the tires as they screeched against the asphalt. It was as if she were documenting some professional racing event, complete with commentary and excited gasps as Ferdinand made his way around the track.
"Look at him go!" she exclaimed into the camera, her voice filled with pride as Ferdinand shot past her, the sound of the engine roaring in the background. "My brother, the racing legend!"
By the time Ferdinand had finished his laps and pulled back into the pit, Elara was standing there with a big grin on her face, holding her phone like a paparazzi catching the shot of a lifetime.
"That was insane," Elara said, still filming as Ferdinand climbed out of the car, his helmet under his arm. "You looked like a pro out there!"
Ferdinand took off his gloves, wiping a bit of sweat from his brow. "I've still got it, I guess."
Elara walked up to him, stopping the recording to review some of the footage. "This is going to make for the best reel ever," she said, laughing. "I'll edit it and send it to you later. You might want to show it off to your friends. Maybe even Daisy…"
Ferdinand's smile faltered for a moment at the mention of Daisy. He hadn't told Elara about her, and the thought of his sister poking around in that part of his life made him a bit uneasy. "Yeah, maybe," he said quietly, his tone shifting slightly.
Elara didn't seem to notice the change in his mood. She was too focused on editing her video, humming to herself as she went through the clips.
As the day wore on, they took breaks in between laps, sitting in the pit area and munching on snacks they had brought with them. They chatted about their family, their friends, and the random gossip that always seemed to circulate around Elara's university. It was a rare, peaceful moment between them, one that made Ferdinand realize just how much he had missed spending time with his sister.
But there was also a nagging feeling in the back of his mind—the guilt of not telling her everything. He hadn't mentioned Daisy to her, and a part of him felt like he was hiding something important. As they sat on the bleachers, watching the other cars race by, Elara glanced over at him.
"So," she began, her voice casual, "are you going to tell me what else you've been keeping from me?"
Ferdinand looked at her, raising an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Elara nudged him with her elbow. "You know, your car, this fancy apartment… and I have a feeling there's more you're not telling me."
Ferdinand hesitated. He wasn't ready to dive into the topic of Daisy, not yet. "There's nothing else," he said, though the words felt hollow even to him.
Elara narrowed her eyes playfully. "Sure, sure. I believe you… for now. But just so you know, I'm going to keep digging until I find out what you're hiding."
Ferdinand chuckled nervously, brushing off her comment. "I'm not hiding anything, El."
But she wasn't convinced. "We'll see about that."
As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting a warm orange glow over the track, Elara turned to him with a more serious expression.
"Hey," she said softly, "I know I didn't tell you I was coming, and I'm sorry about that. I just… I missed you, you know? Things have been crazy at university, and I wanted to see you."
Ferdinand looked at her, surprised by her sudden change in tone. He could see the guilt in her eyes, and it tugged at his heart. "You don't have to apologize," he said gently. "I'm glad you came. It's been fun having you here."
Elara smiled, the guilt fading slightly. "Yeah, it has been fun. But I still feel bad for not giving you a heads-up."
Ferdinand shrugged. "You're here now, and that's all that matters."
They shared a quiet moment, watching the cars zoom by on the track as the day slowly came to a close. The sound of engines roared in the distance, but there was a peacefulness between them—a bond that hadn't been broken by time or distance.
Eventually, they packed up their things and headed back to Ferdinand's apartment. As they drove, Elara continued recording snippets of their day, her phone never far from her hand. She even managed to sneak a few more pictures of Ferdinand, much to his annoyance.
But as they pulled into the parking lot, Ferdinand couldn't help but feel grateful for the day they had spent together. Even with all the secrets he was keeping, even with the awkwardness of not telling her about Daisy, it had been a good day. One filled with laughter, fast cars, and a connection that only siblings could understand.