Race

Kai and Logan rode so fast it seemed like they were in a high-speed bike race on the highway for two thrilling hours. Their engines rumbled as the gust of wind whipped past them.

Donovan followed close behind, struggling to keep up with their reckless pace amid rush hour traffic chaos. He wondered how long it would take before the police caught up to them for speeding. More than that, he was puzzled by his cousins' behaviour. Were they genuinely heartbroken over their breakups? He had never thought Harper and Elena were their type, so why the reckless riding?

Luckily, the Trio reached their destination safely without the dreaded blue lights trailing them. They arrived at Fishermann, a private beach in Valtham, accessible only to five elite families. The moment they parked their bikes on the edge of the beach, they were greeted by a peaceful, laid-back atmosphere that sharply contrasted their earlier frenzy.

Rolling their jeans above their ankles, they removed their shoes and socks, stepping onto the warm, soft sand before ambling barefoot into the ocean. The cool water lapped against their feet, washing away their restless energy and replacing it with calm.

A few meters away, surfers took advantage of the manageable waves while palm trees swayed gently in the light breeze. Not a word passed between the Trios as they stood. They were soothing their mind and heart in the gentle breeze.

After some time, Donovan signalled to the hay-roofed beach restaurant to fetch chilled beer cans. Since they were regulars, the waiter already knew their preference and brought a container filled with ice packed with an assortment of beer. He placed it on the dry sand, allowing the Trio to sit and drink while watching the waves.

This was their haven, the place they retreated to when they needed to escape the noise and crowd of their lives. Here, they could breathe.

This was their haven, the place they retreated to when they needed to escape the noise and crowd of their lives. Here, they could breathe, shedding the weight of expectations and obligations that typically tethered them. They didn't have to think about how to teach someone a lesson or stay updated on the latest events happening in the world and underworld. They could set aside concerns about which politician might help their business or who was trying to gain power.

They each grabbed a can, settling into the sand as they cracked open their drinks. One can turn into six, yet they remain utterly sober, their bodies showing no sign of intoxication.

Finally, Donovan broke the silence. "How are you both?"

Kai and Logan exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.

"Freedom!" they declared in unison.

"I feel free after the breakup," Logan added with a grin.

"I think I can finally breathe," Kai said, stretching his legs.

Donovan arched an eyebrow. "Wait… so you're talking about your breakups? Not about finals being over?" His confusion deepened. "Then why the hell were you both riding like maniacs? I thought you were heartbroken!"

Kai smirked and took another sip of his beer. "Well… the sex was amazing with Harper. But that was all it was. I never felt anything deeper for her. I just went along with whatever she wanted because I didn't want to hurt her."

Donovan leaned back, his beer halfway to his lips. "Then why the hell did you keep going until now?"

Kai chuckled smugly. "Did you not hear me? It was for the sex." He flashed a mischievous grin. "But then again, what would you know about that?"

Donovan narrowed his eyes before retorting, "At least it wouldn't be meaningless like yours, Kai."

Logan, who had been quietly listening, took a slow swig of his beer, rolling the can loosely in his hand, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips.

Logan took a swig from his beer, holding the can loosely in his hand. 

"What about you, Logan?" Donovan asked.

Logan took another sip of his beer. The liquid slid down his throat as he mulled over his response. He let out a small, almost inaudible gasp of air.

"She was persistent in approaching me, unlike others who gave up after feeling insulted. I was impressed by her consistency. And I thought, let's give it a try. I was dragging this relationship, but now I am so glad that it's ended. Now that I see her true nature, I am glad it's over."

Donovan still couldn't wrap his head around why Kai and Logan had prolonged their relationship when they were clearly unhappy. What was the point of dragging something that no longer had meaning?

While Donovan tried to understand their perspective, Kai had his own questions. Considering it the right time, he finally asked, "Is Rihana the one for you, Don?"

Both Kai and Logan turned their full attention to him, waiting for his response.

Donovan gulped down another beer, crushed the empty can in his palm, and tossed it effortlessly into the makeshift trash box. The sound of metal clanking echoed in the quiet afternoon.

"I don't know," he admitted after a pause. "She's independent, works hard, and helps her father with his hotel business. There's no-nonsense coming out of her mouth. She knows what she's doing."

Before he could say more, Kai interrupted with a smirk, "So you like her because she's independent, hardworking, and doesn't talk nonsense?"

His voice dripped with sarcasm.

Donovan shrugged. "Pretty much. And she doesn't drag me into pointless dramas." His brows furrowed slightly as a memory flashed through his mind. Or so he thought. He had seen Li slap Rihana. For what?

Logan chuckled. "So, you're looking for a business partner, huh?"

"Maybe." Donovan's lips curled into a smirk. "Better than being stuck in a relationship just for sex, dragging it on without reason, and gaining nothing out of it." His voice was cold and practical—the way any chaebol heir would think.

"Touché," Kai mused, raising his beer in a mock toast.

Before they could clink their cans, Donovan's smartwatch vibrated. The screen lit up with the caller ID: Lady in Black Dress.

Without hesitation, he answered.

"Did you find out?" His tone had shifted, sharp, no-nonsense.

"Yes, Capo dei Capi," a woman's voice responded, deep and unwavering. "According to my sources, Miss Rihana Ritz sent that girl to the B1 basement."

Donovan's fingers tightened around the can, his jaw clenching as her words sank in. Suddenly, he was no longer on the beach, and the crashing waves faded into the background. The call consumed his full attention as if time had stopped and the world around him had vanished.

A surge of anger rose within him, and the nerve started to bulge. He narrowed his eyes. The cool breeze that once felt refreshing now reminded him of the wind carrying gusts of fumes. Kai and Logan, who had been casually listening, stiffened beside him, their eyes wide with realization of what the B1 basement of Season Hotel was used for.

The woman continued. "A student arrived at a five-star hotel carrying a dress for the laundry service but was directed to the basement level, B1. Not long after, a gas utility crew stormed into the hotel with heavy bags, reporting a gas leak. They quickly began evacuating those affected, claiming they would transport them to the hospital. The crew was in and out within five minutes, leaving no time for anyone to ask questions. A few moments earlier, some guests had witnessed the female student angrily storming out of the hotel, clearly upset. She jumped into a cab and drove away."

Donovan remained silent.

"Should I investigate further, Capo dei Capi?" the woman asked.

"That's all. Have a busy day, Lady in Black." Donovan ended the call.

Kai, unable to hold back his disbelief, exhaled sharply. "Did Rihana send Li to her deathbed just because she ruined her dress?"

Logan shook his head in shock, his voice laced with disbelief. "I never thought Rihana could be this cruel. Don, I think you chose the right girl. She'll help us handle underworld matters effortlessly."

He was being sarcastic, but the moment the words left his mouth, Donovan crushed another can of beer in his hand.

He knew about everyone's dirty business. He had never cared. He had never let it get under his skin. It's their business until they don't cross him or his family.

But this? This suffocated him for an unknown reason.

Kai and Logan watched him carefully, waiting for him to say something. Anything. But he remained silent.

Donovan had always been difficult to read, but one thing was clear—he didn't express his emotions easily. Only rage could pull his frustration to the surface, which was why he turned to boxing and fighting. But tonight, he didn't want to throw punches. He wants to burn down every Season Hotel across the world.

Why? Why did this feel different?

He looked at Kai, his voice lower now. "Was Li okay? Was she hurt?" The question caused Kai and Logan to almost choke on the beer. They knew it. Don definitely has feelings for Liora, which he does not want to acknowledge. Even if she was in disguise, without realising, he was so concerned about her. What will happen when he realises that Li is Liora?

Keeping the thoughts aside, Kai said, "No, she looked fine. Angry, like a damn tigress. She slapped Rihana so hard I'm sure you all saw that." Kai scoffed, shaking his head. "And now I understand what those words meant when she confronted Rihana."

His lips curled in amusement. "Honestly? I think Rihana got off easy for what she did to Li."

Donovan didn't respond. He just stared at the horizon.

"What if all of a sudden, boom! There's Liora right in your face!" Logan blurted out, courtesy of the chatty beer, which was now in charge, getting Donovan's complete attention.

Kai masked his shock and attempted to handle the situation. "I think Logan and I are drunk now. We should head back," he said before more drunken mistakes could be made. He didn't want the conversation to spiral any further.

They didn't want to tell Donovan about Liora. They wanted him to figure out his feelings first and recognize what his heart truly desired. If they told him directly, he would overthink and avoid Liora altogether, just like he did back in Italy. 

As they stood up, the men in white suits appeared. They looked alert and serious. One of them approached the Trio. "The car is ready, sir."

*

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Pearl sat silently crossing her arms and her gaze fixed on the passing scenery.

Even though Caspian was usually skilled at lifting her spirits, he found himself ensnared in his own thoughts, preoccupied with concern for Liora.

He replayed the events of the day in his mind, fixating on the girl who had run away.

'Could she have been Liora?' He knew Liora ran every morning, and his grandfather had once mentioned that she was an excellent runner. And the new student? She ran just well as well. Something about her truly caught his attention instantly when he laid his eyes on her in the café. She stood out, just as Liora had when he saw her for the first time.

'She must be Liora. Right?' The uncertainty was driving him mad.

Pearl shifted in her seat but still said nothing. Caspian knew he needed to focus on Pearl, but his thoughts drifted back to the girl in the parking lot. He had to find her tomorrow morning.

Caspian decided he would arrive at college early to clear his suspicions. If that girl was indeed the one slipping letters into his locker, he needed to know. He would catch her in action.

He couldn't wait any longer to find Liora. Seeing what had happened in the parking lot made Caspian anxious, and the thought of Liora being vulnerable to others troubled him.

'What if another guy makes advances on her?'

"Drop me at my parents' home," Pearl said abruptly, breaking the silence and bringing Caspian attention back to her.

"Are you sure?" Caspian asked, glancing at her. Caspian was taking Pearl to his place. Meanwhile, James could not join. He had to leave due to some work at his dad's company.

"Yes." Caspian couldn't care less about Pearl when Liora was racing in his mind.

Without another word, Caspian turned the wheel sharply, making a sudden U-turn in the middle of the road. Tires screeched, and the blaring of horns filled the air as cars swerved, barely avoiding a collision.

"What the hell!" A driver shouted, leaning out of his window and shaking his fist at Caspian's car.

Another car barely missed hitting him. "Watch where you're going!" The driver's face contorted with anger.

Caspian ignored the chaos. His focus was solely on changing direction. Pearl sat rigidly in her seat, gripping the armrest tightly.

"You could have warned me about your sudden U-turn," she muttered in annoyance.

A loud horn blared from a delivery truck that had been forced to slam its brakes. The driver, a burly man with a red face, leaned out of his window. "Learn to drive!"

Caspian glanced in the rearview mirror at the line of cars struggling to recover from his reckless manoeuvre.

Pearl was more annoyed than scared. He hadn't even tried to convince her to come to his place. She fumed silently.

As they continued driving, the sounds of angry drivers faded into the background, but the tension inside the car remained thick.

When they finally pulled up to Pearl's parent's house, she didn't wait for the car to come to a complete stop before unbuckling her seatbelt and opening the door. "Thanks for the ride," she said icily, stepping out.

"Pearl—" Caspian called after her, but she slammed the door shut, cutting him off.

He watched her walk up the driveway and disappear inside without a single glance back.

*

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It was late at night. The sky was clear, stars twinkling against the dark expanse. Most of the city was asleep, and the occasional hum of traffic and distant barking dogs were the only sounds disturbing the silence.

Caspian's house, perched on a cliff overlooking the beach, was calm. The large windows facing the ocean were slightly open, allowing the cool night breeze to sweep in, carrying the scent of saltwater.

Delicate white curtains billowed gently, moving as if they had a life of their own. It was hypnotic, peaceful—except his mind refused to rest.

Lying on his bed, staring at the high ceiling, Caspian found himself lost in thought. The sudden ringing of his phone shattered the calmness of the night.

Sitting up quickly, he grabbed it from his nightstand.

The caller ID read Pearl's Mother.

Caspian's brow furrowed. Why would she call him this late at night?

'What did you do, Pearl?'

He took a deep breath and picked up the call, bracing himself.

"Caspian, it's Margaret," Pearl's mother spoke, desperation evident in her tone. Her voice trembled as if she was holding back tears.

"Pearl... she lost consciousness. She kept mumbling your name. We called the family doctor and found out it was due to an overdose."

Margaret's voice cracked. "I don't understand what's happening. She was fine before she came home. Did you two fight? And where did she even get drugs? Caspian, please tell me what exactly happened?"

Caspian's grip on the phone tightened. 'Overdose?'

He had no answer for Pearl's mother. None.

Instead of replying to her question, he spoke with urgency, "If I have your permission, may I come see Pearl right now? I need to see her. Please."

His voice was calm but filled with concern.

Margaret exhaled shakily. "Of course, Caspian. Let's talk about this at home. And please, let's keep this between us."

Caspian wasted no time. He dressed quickly but chose not to drive himself. Instead, he had his driver prepare the car.

As the vehicle glided through the empty roads, he mentally prepared himself for the questions Margaret and her husband, Peter, would throw at him.

Drugs. The source, the method, how long she had been using—he needed to answer Pearl's parents and present himself as someone who would have noticed if something was wrong.

He couldn't simply say he didn't know. That would be unbelievable, considering how much time he and Pearl had spent together.

He needed to be the perfect concerned person.

The car slowed as they neared the Sinclair estate. The grand iron gates loomed ahead, standing tall under the glow of streetlights.

Caspian took one last deep breath, his mind sharpening. It was time to play his favourite game—manipulation.