Asin.
~
Everything was ready.
3 hours from now we need to be back .. and I let Marie drown me into the waters.
I felt bad misleading her.
But tonight was just one of 3 and I planned to use our fight resulting from tonight.. to use it as an excuse for the others.
We were on the yacht and about to pull off my escape.
Oliver was coming 15 minutes after me.
The plan was to swim to shore where the cars had already waited.
Oliver will be picked up by some of the crew led by Kol .. his first task .. on a quit row boat to be ferried across..he can't swim that well.
After its basically routine.
" Alright.. " I put my empty cup down the table. " I will return soon. Don't forget to order for me dear. "
Marie had a strange smile.
" Absolutely .. don't stay long. "
She waved as I walked away. Strange women.
Oliver gave me a look, and I was away.
Grabbed the backpack filled with essentials, comfortable clothes, my lucky shoes, water, dried watermelon I ate before my first race, a key chain with my family picture.
Essentials.
I climbed down the rail and into the cold water.
I felt the adrenaline kick in..
Come on, Asin .. reach.
——
Oliver.
~
The plan was going well.
Marie and Ayshe were over the moon happy, and Asin was probably reaching the shore by now.
We asked the captain to stop at a specific point on the water to make everything easier.
" What dessert you'll have? "
Ayshe question pulled me back.
" Strawberry cheesecake should hit the spot. What about you guys? "
Marie kept taking looks where Asin disappeared, the woman was obsessed.
" I take the Lemon cheesecake. Marie ordered for your husband. "
She looked at the menu one last time.
Just in time for the signal to arrive.
Kol was on the water.
I have 7 minutes.
" I think I will check on Asin. " I got up.
Ayshe hand stopped me.
" Wait.. I'm sure he is fine. Let us chat.. until he returns. " She smiled..little scary.
" Sit down, Oliver. " Marie said in commanding voice.
I felt the strength leaving my legs and sat back down.
Asin.. they know!
~
The next five minutes passed without them asking anything.
My time was literally up.
What now? Make a run for it? Let Leyla handle tonight? I can't even text..
My phone was in the backpack waiting for me in the captain cabin.
" You seem nervous, Oliver. Is there a reason?"
Marie was wearing a satisfied smile.
" I'm.. I'm just thinking about what's up with you two... is there something..
" We know about GOD! "
Ayshe screaming made me jump .. my heart skipped a beat.
" ..The deity or the racing ..
" Stop it, Oliver! "
Marie jumped up and walked around the table.
" Now I'm going inside the man's toilet and see it for myself. What is the truth! "
She trampled away, and I felt myself sinking inside the chair.
And then ..
" Pampam! Hey, talk to me! "
Kol and 4 guys from the crew ran onto the yacht wearing .. what I can only describe as ninja outfits.
The silence was choking the life out of me.
Well.. it's lost already.
" Alright, everyone! .. Kol, you take the boys and head back home. Tell Leyla I be late, but don't let them miss a single beat. Asin CAN'T KNOW ABOUT THIS! Understand!? "
" Y-yes .. yes! "
He turned around and disappeared into the night...like ninjas.. Lord God help us.
" O-oliver .. "
Ayshe walked behind me a little, scared from my sudden seriousness.
" Listen, I don't have time .. but since it came to this. I will tell you what I can. Later. Now sit down and do what I tell you. "
To my surprise, they both gave a synchronised nod and sat down.
I went and talked to the captain.
Tonight will be an even more interesting one than anticipated.
——
Marie.
~
" What was that!? Who were the ninja looking guys!? "
I couldn't answer her because I couldn't believe our plan worked.. and more importantly, we seemed to be right.
When Asin told me his plan to make up with us, I knew .. he was up to something.
He thinks I don't pay attention, but I see more than he imagined.
Sudden little things like his eyes, facial expressions the little changes when he lies.. he is good.. but I see him!
I felt immense satisfaction and was scared all the same.
" Marie? .. you okay, sis? "
" I'm fine .. don't wor..
We suddenly stopped moving, and the boat crew was busy with docking procedures.
Oliver soon came back with a backpack on.
" Now follow me and limit your questions. We are late. "
I almost asked for what? What are we late for? .. But I kept it in.
Ayshe was running. She was so excited.
We were led towards a large bus where he let us in and followed.
" Don't worry, Jiee, they are with me. Take us there..hurry if you can. "
With that, we were away.
I let the silence settle before we attacked him.
He opened his backpack, took out a water bottle, and had a few pills .. probably aspirin.
" Okay .. 1 each for now. "
Ayshe was faster.
" Are you two part of G.O.D? "
Oliver slowly nodded.
" We are G.O.D. "
I was lost for words. They weren't just part ..meaning..
" Asin is masked driver? " I asked.
" He is .. "
He looked .. proud.
The car remained silent for long minutes..
We pulled into an old part of the city. Warehouse hundreds of them.. the sign said 9th ward warehouse district.
Suddenly, I saw people all in black strategically placed around one of the smaller warehouses.
" Drone operators. " Oliver spoke up.
Drone operators? .. look at that.
" You use them to scout around .. in case..
Oliver cut off Ayshe.
" Yes .. for protection. Come and don't say a word or stop. "
He got out and made his way towards the abandoned property.
We followed close as the large steel door slowly opened, revealing a scene from a movie.
First of all.. the place looked desolate from the outside alone.
Inside was more like a space station with all the people running around with tablets, a bunch of people wearing VR googles looking busy.
" Mr Aster!? "
I saw .. the girl from that night.. Leyla. The personal assistant ran down the stairs, leading to what looked like an office.
I looked at my sister and saw the same realisation in her eyes.
" Asin? " He asked.
I paid attention as her face filled up with the memories with us, but she quickly concentrated.
" Leading .. comfortably. Sir .. these ladies..
" Later, Leyla .. everybody back to work! "
He reminded those who stopped and stared at us. They quickly recovered and moved along.
He made his way upstairs with the three of us close behind.
The office was small but very efficiently arranged.
3 guys were sitting in the corner watching a large screen.
It was the masked driver .. Asin. He was ahead of a pack of super cars.
Oliver set down and opened his laptop and took the tablet Leyla offered.
" The purse? .. the police? "
" 90K for the purse, and the RAMs haven't been let loose.. in fact, the police are suspiciously quiet. "
She explained, looking at us occasionally.
" RAMS.. Marie, I think they are talking about the police cars. "
Ayshe was even more shocked than I was if she thought I couldn't follow that.
I looked back at the screen on the wall.
His mask now seemed like it was never there. His arms .. the movement he made with his neck.. I even saw his smile under that mask. They were all familiar.
" .. this worrying. "
I looked back at Oliver, studying his tablet.
Walked straight behind him .. but understood nothing.
It was a bunch of data spikes.
" Oliver, what's happening? " asked Ayshe.
He put the tablet down and looked at the screen.
" The police report came .. from us and the public as well. But.. they haven't sent their best yet.. "
I understood little of what he said.
But just as I turned my head back to the screen, the scene changed..
It went from Asin and the drivers to police cars.
" Oh my God.. are those police cars? " Leyla was wondering out loud.
" .. They are now. " Oliver said while he dialled.
" Brother listen .. they got enough horse power to catch up. What? .. Hallo? Asin! .. damn it. "
He smiled and put the phone away.
" Sir? "
He looked at Leyla.
" He doesn't care. " He shrugged and sat down.
What's worst .. Even that, Leyla just nodded comfortably.
" Oliver .. "
I started, but he cut me off.
" Sit down, sister Marie.. don't worry. Listen.. "
We all did .. and heard the people outside shouting and chanting..GOD.. GOD ..
" Do we look or sound worried? "
I turned back to the race.
——
Asin.
~
I ended the call and was back in it.
As we speed through an abandoned property on the outskirts of the city.
It was a sprint.
Driving at breakneck speeds, feeling the gravity pushing you inside the seat. It was exhilarating.
But as all these types.. they ended fast.
2min. 23second. The first one is down.
I took the left on instinct as the navigation was sent to the location of the next race.
Once it's loaded, I allowed myself a little rest. But I was the unlucky one this time.
The new models that looked like a spec'd up Formula racing car were not only kept up with the bottom feeders, but one managed to come right after me.
Now we're talking.
I released my instincts and let the neon lights of the city pass me by.
My phone was ringing .. I knew it was Oliver.
Sorry brother, whatever you see on screen, I experience it first.
I narrowly took a right allowed my momentum, throwing me in place before I stepped on the acceleration again and released the manual break.
I smiled, seeing the fake formula racers slipped out and couldn't quite take the turn, slamming into the pole.
That must've hurt.. that car was fast but lacked any sort of safety.
I hope he didn't die.
Soon, some of the others who followed me on this route went into single file behind me and made our way together towards the next race.
Circuit.
——
Ayshe.
~
My brother in law is a crazy son of bitch..
Made Marie tear out some chunks of her hair until I stopped her.
The cars the police sent were fast.. but the drivers mattered.
He took such a turn it was downright magic.. narrowly avoiding a post.. that split his opposition almost in half.
It was like a scene straight out of a action movie.
" Sir .. these numbers are incredible. 40 million streaming and counting. 40. 34. 40..
" Yes Leyla.. I get it. "
Oliver was calm .. at least on the outside.
The people downstairs were screaming encouragement at Asin as he lead 4 drivers on the freeway towards the next location.
" Unbelievable.. I break his hands and we will see than ..
My sister was lost in her threats ..
" Let's keep better eyes on the police.. if you spot those .. new ones .. yes stay there. "
Oliver called someone and his phone rang immediately.
He ignored it first but looked back and got up.
" Girls .. I need to take this. "
He walked outside and we were left with her assistant her started it all.
To her credit she looked scared when she meet my eyes.
Thanks to her .. my sister was picked.
I took a look at her .. she was standing 10 inch from the screen which showed Asin looking like having a nice relaxing ride.
" Khmm .. sorry. "
I looked at her.
" Just doing .. Olivers bidding? " I got straight to the point.
Her silence was taken as a yes.
Funny enough this little news didn't even made the top 5 tonight.
Oliver came back and sat down looking years older.
" You okay? "
I walked closer.
" .. it's quite a night. You guys handling it.. " he took a look at Marie still watching the screen. " ..Well enough. "
If well enough meant pushing the limit of our sanity.. sure.
I still couldn't wrap my mind around it, all these people, it was an insanely large operation.
They had a small army.
Leyla kept saying numbers.
They used their own crypto currency called GOD coin or GC. It made an appearance a year ago and been on a steady rise with their activities.
Now each worth 100s dollars. They were making millions here.
It was too serious to believe two pre 20s someone's run such a criminal empire.
Yet here we were, standing in the middle of it.
" Ayshe? "
Oliver was talking to me and it took 5 seconds to reach me I was literally lagging..
" I'm here .. sorry repeat that? "
He took a deep breath. " The second race is about to start. "
I looked at the screen and the cars were in racing positions.
The location was in the middle of the dessert surrounded the city.
The drones were able to work around the clock giving the viewers from every angle.
Funny how all other drivers used similar Masks now .. like Asin's. I watched these videos before and it's the first time.
" It's called a circuit, 2 identical lap, first one wins the lot. " Oliver walked forward. ".. Leyla start the bets. "
" Yes, Mr Aster. "
They obviously controlled the betting but I never paid much attention.
Now hearing the numbers, doing simple math .. these boys here are probably richer then some oligarchs.
The website streaming started stuttering making the people downstairs voicing their dissatisfaction.
" Leyla! .. "
She disappeared probably working on a fix.
The 3 people in suits were just as interested in the race as the rest of us.
" Who are they? " I asked Oliver.
" The CCTV team.. they are responsible for the exit. ..turn off public cameras hacking into systems to make sure Asin can disappear without a trace. "
He explained seeing my confusion.
" Can he dissappear? "
We both looked at Marie. Hey eyes weren't pretty.
" W-well yes .. obviously we work around ..
" Listen here! "
She grabbed his jacket and shook him a little.
" And if you fail!? Huh!? "
" Marie..Marie please.." I tried to get her off of him.
One of the CCTV guys walked up.
" Khmm .. Mrs Martell? Hello. "
She regained her composure noticing the man.
" Go on .. "
Marie.. she did loved being called Mrs.
" My name is Michael and I'm the Head of the Close circuit team. I can guarantee we take our jobs very seriously. The boss is in good hands. "
He talked with the kind of confidence that only came with the skills to back them up.
" Thanks .. "
Even Marie was convinced, at least let go Oliver.
Just in time for Leyla to return.
" We fixed the latency issue Sir..
" Good .. close the bets. "
Oliver seemed experienced and had the right people in place. Suddenly he dialed the phone.
" Asin? " I asked.
" Hmm .. forgot to call him. Hallo? Talk to me brother.. "
He pointed at his mouth looking at Marie who dramatically closed it with an imagined zipper.
" Good.. nice turn. ...I sound fine.. don't know what you mean. " He lied. " We talk after we win tonight. Good luck. "
He quickly ended the call banging against his forehead.
" He will kill me .. "
" Pfft .. he won't " I laughed.
He kept shaking his head.
" He will .. and leave my ashes somewhere shitty that I hate. " He laughed.
" Don't be ridiculous.. you about to win a huge one.. and the first double race. "
I tired to calm him.
" One of 3 nights.. "
" W-what? "
He looked up desperately. " This is first night .. tomorrow and Sunday.. I don't feel so good. "
He leaned back.
" 2min warning Mr Aster. "
" Thank you.. you have talk to Marie. " He turned to me.
" What about? "
" To soften the blow when he arrives.. " He grabbed my hand.
I looked at Marie still listening to stories told by the CCTV team hungry to hear someone who was here when they happened.
Look at her quickly became a GOD fan now that her husband running the show.
" I will.. she be fine since.. you know ammunition. " I said it plain.
" Ammunition? "
" Yes .. don't.. worry. " I said slowly.
He kept nodding without true understanding but I knew my sister.
She will use tonight to gain the back what she lost that night I spurred her on.
Oliver didn't know but this secret I believed will build that bridge she felt missing in between them.
" The race count down .. "
We followed Leyla words and looked at the screen.
——
Marie.
~
Through out the race I heard a bunch of nonsense numbers I didn't understand, people were celebrating like lottery winners.
And my husband winning that circuit with ease.
It was hard not to be impressed. Driving wasn't easy .. but to drive against people who were making careers out of it?
Asin had God give talent.
Oliver was so happy he hugged my sister spinning her around and they both came over and buried me.
" What now? " I asked.
Looking back at the screen.
" Now it's our turn Mrs. Martell. "
That man named Michael gave a confident smiled and all three got glued to their screen as their fingers typed furiously.
" Marie don't worry.. we been doing this for a long time now. " Oliver started. " .. and Asin is pro when it comes getting away. "
He went and called him again.
As much as I wanted to unload on him over the phone just didn't do it for me.
Seeing him disappearing into the desert night gave me a strange comfort.
" He is coming here .. listen girl. I need you to take it easy on him "
Oliver came over almost pleading.
I wanted to retaliate immediately but the noises from the downstairs became increasingly louder.
" Are you not afraid someone hear you guys?" I asked to break the silence.
" Don't worry .. we using materials the are sound proof..also we have people on look outs for miles. "
He was suddenly very accommodating.. afraid and want to make good with me, so I don't blow up.
Oddly I felt ...Great.
The worrying gave way to infinite relief and I let it wash over me.
He was fine.. it's over.
But I might as well get something out of him.
" Oliver listen, I won't unleash hell on him .. but from now on you will tell me about these in advance.. even if he ..
" Deal .."
He came over and offered his hand. I shook it before he changed his mind securing a win.
The sounds of celebration reached a peak and it was ear bursting.
Oliver went pale.
My husband..the secret illegal racing champion.. arrived.