Ayshe.
~
We have done museums and art exhibits, eat foreign foods, and meet with world travellers..
But we scrap all of that and spend the day inside the Balton. A Martell family hotel where Oliver had a master key.
It wasn't all just naughty stuff. We also eat and start a TV series. Now that's a commitment.
Around 7 pm, we arrived at some larger run down stadium on the outskirts of the city.
I have been getting texts all day from my sister and her shadows. Some funny, but mostly calling me clever names.
Oliver was talking to Asin earlier, and he told us they are away.. practicing.
" Where are we. .
The sounds of an engine sounded ahead of us.
" Don't tell me? " I looked at Oliver.
" Asin comes here sometimes to keep himself limber before races. " he explained.
" But that stadium? "
" We bought it. The land.. this place was abandoned after an incident causing a few unfortunate deaths caused by safety issues.. anyway, we use it because it's far away. "
I wasn't even surprised. At this point, I was fully on board and enjoying the fruits of their labour.
Inside the stadium, we saw a slick black Aventador crawling around the track around 10mph.
" Oh Marie.. " I laughed.
" Come on, let's join them. "
I turned around and saw the place previously used for the team, and the coaching staff was converted into a large garage, which, after opening, revealed 2 identical cars.
Same as their 3rd brother currently doing its best to crash in the safest way possible.
Oliver held a key and offered his hand.
Here we go ..
~
I soon regretted making fun of my sister.
These weren't cars at all but space ships.
" Oh my God.. " I exclaimed, sitting inside.
" We spend a lot on R&D and tuning when it comes to these. Asin favourite design and colour.. but everything else is custom made by our crew. "
I kept touching things and pulling my hand back in fear of turning something on, I shouldn't.
There were too many little buttons .. maybe one even a self-destruction switch.
" So .. how you turn it on? " I asked.
" It's already on. " He pointed at the dashboard.
Oh .. I was so lost in the buttons I didn't even notice.. also, it purred without almost any noise when standing stationary.
Oliver closed the door, and I felt my chair adjust itself, lifting me in a perfect position. I felt the acceleration and the brake with my feet .. they both were just in the right position.
" Now .. put your hands over here. "
He pointed at the screen in the middle of the dashboard.
I done as he said.
The car came alive! Its light fully came up and showed me all the information needed to apply for a job at Homeland security .. that included my current work and blood type.
" Hahaha.. this is insane. " I felt out the wheel.
Felt comfortable. The whole car felt perfect. Asin had good taste, and the team did an excellent job.
" Now it's got your vitals and information stored. Next time, it will start with you alone here. Now, have you ever driven before? "
" I appreciate you asking even though I know you read all about it .. and know my favourite books as well. " I smiled, reading it off the screen.
It would've been scary in another situation.
" Alright then .. as you see, we have the space, so go ahead. " he pushed a button on my wheel.
An automated seat belt wrapped around my waist securely tightened, and when it was done, I felt the engine shake the car a little.
" This is wild .. "
I stepped on the acceleration and we were away.
——
Marie.
~
" .. Yeah, we .. we can go a little faster if you like. "
" I b-believe we going fast enough. "
I checked the screen .. 30mph is breakneck speed.
Asin was surprisingly calm even with my non-existent confidence in my ability.
" Calm down, my love. You can't actually crash it in safe mode .. " he kissed my cheek, startling me.
" W-what does that mean? " I asked too afraid to take my eyes off the road.
" Haven't you noticed we been going 30mph even with you pushing the acceleration like a mad woman? "
I immediately released the pressure of the acceleration and noticed the speed declined immediately .. I was pushing it as far as it let me.
" Oh .. well, you could've said that earlier. "
His laughter rang our inside, and it made me relax. Saw my sister and Oliver earlier and them getting inside an identical car like ours.
" .. How did you start racing? " I asked while doing my 6th lap.
" The old man was asked to participate. They were losing, and Maya thought it could be a good way for me to .. be relevant. " he adjusted his seat on the sides. " I turned out to be decent. There's nothing like it. "
I dared to take a look at his expression, and as expected, his eyes were shining with such fiery passion. I knew all my worries were for nought.
He will continue to race no matter my feelings. As much as I would love to keep him from such dangerous activities, I also accepted him as is.
" Have you ever lost? " I asked.
I wasn't particularly paid attention to their world before we met. I heard and had a mild interest like most but not a superfan like Lilly.
" Not live ones .. " he smiled mysteriously.
I bet he had quite the story collection. Wished to see him back at the beginning.
We were passing my sister, who decided to come out as well. Seeing her behind me from my rear view mirror gave me a tiny taste for what he must've felt racing.
What a glorious excitement it was!
" Hahaha.. "
I was vaguely aware Asin making faces beside me after my sudden out burst but ignored it.
" Can we take off the kiddy mode? "
" Slow your horses, Mario. This is your first time. We can set up something for you two in the future. " He leaned forward to face me. " But I'm happy to see my prediction was on point. "
I remembered the first question he ever asked.. and he was right.. I had a feeling I'm going to love this.
~
The race didn't happen.
But all the same we had a lot of fun. Asin took over, and I experienced real thrill.
He was so fluid behind the wheels, taking those daunting turns with absolutely ease and with perfect control.
On the long stretches, he let the car sing.
The feeling of reaching those speeds was something dangerously addictive. The pressure slowly pushed me into my seats, and my heart was racing seeing the number on the dashboard clim ever higher.
Asin was locked in. I felt safe.
Wanted to touch and kiss him.. but held back, considering the speeds we were taking those laps.
Spent 3 minutes, and we've done 4 laps. And I felt a pleasant heat radiating from my entire body getting out and hit with a cool summer breeze.
I was sweating, and my heart was trying its best to jump out of my chest. I didn't even hear Asin sneaking up behind me.
" You okay? " He whispered into my ear.
I was speechless.. but did my best to show my exact feelings.
Oliver and Ayshe came and stood around awkwardly until I climbed off of him.
" How was it? "
Oliver didn't ask me, but Asin.
" Like riding a bike, brother.. Ayshe wanna try it? " he asked.
She shocked her head and locked her arms around Oliver.
" You are missing out! " I exclaimed. " It's nothing like you imagine it right now, I promise. "
I was confident everyone would get a kick out of it, at least trying it once.
" I'm fine with regular speeds.. how do you do this in normal traffic? " She asked Asin.
He shrugged and looked aside.
I never thought about it, but it was an incredible thing he did .. especially that police chase when he took that fatal looking left turn.
It was still dangerous, but .. damn impressive, and I wasn't even some expert.
Oliver nodded to my husband, and they walked away a little further.
I hated these. What could he tell him?
" I'm surprised you're that into it. I thought you climbe out, wetting yourself. " Ayshe tapped my shoulder.
" Haha .. very funny. I was seriously enjoying it. As terrifying as it was, I felt .. safe. "
She nodded and looked like she completely understood what that's felt like.
" So ... spending all day and night with him. When will you two set a date? " I asked.
She went red but didn't deny it.
" I always wondered about a winter wonderland wedding. " She smirked.
" That's a lot of W's .. but yes, I can see you two getting there by then. "
We had 4 more months until then. They were already glued together every day.
I wonder what our lives look like then?
" What about the company? " She asked. " I actually missed being there. "
Couldn't tell if her interest was genuine or not considering playing hooky for 2 days now.
" Uh huh.. right. "
~
" Babe? "
Asin looked at me. " Hmm? "
" Does Kol have .. like a secret girlfriend? "
He closed his eyes and started counting.. it was already bad.
" ..9 .. 10. Fueh .. Let me guess.. Lilly wants us to play matchmaker? " He asked, looking like he had already accepted.
" Well, yes, and here's the thing..
He interrupted me as he did.
" The thing is you already agreed since she is your friend and sense they can't just run into each other you ..
" Oh, stop it! " I hit his knees.
I hated it when he did that. Explaining my steps without knowing them made me feel like he had spies following me.
" I want to help her. And find someone for Henny as well. Otherwise, it would be sad .. don't you think? "
" Yes, dear. " he said robotic.
I felt a vain pop in my head.
" You're not going to annoy me, you know? "
" Yes, dea..
" ASIN! "
He clicked his tongue, acting confused.
" Tchtch.. I can't be obedient or smart .. I tell you what. " he took my hand. ".. from now on, I'll ask you how to act starting each day. How's that? "
" You're such a child. " I huffed, turning away.
" You're such a child ... mehmehmeh.. " he mocked me.
After a full minute of silence, he gave in.
" Fine .. hey! .. look here. " He turned me towards him. " We do what we can to start their journey.. but won't be a part of it. Understand? Same with Henny.. "
" Deal! .. I wouldn't wanna meddle anyway. " I said after a thank you kiss.
Ayshe and Oliver came after us. I saw their headlights looking behind us.
" You think Oliver .. want to get married young? "
He turned silent for a minute before he answered.
" I think he is in love. But also cautious. He was hurt from his previous relationship, but .. It looks like he recovered now. "
For some reason, there was a certain sadness in his eyes I couldn't place anywhere hearing his words.
" Was it bad? "
I didn't have time to ask Ayshe how much she knew about ex-girlfriends .. and was terrified to ask Asin. If I ever ran into them ..
" Pretty bad. Sudden as well. I thought they'd last. But she couldn't accept our lives. Hated how we embraced it. Eventually, it became too much. "
The way he said it, I could tell it held some bad memories for him as well, so I didn't push further.
" Listen.. tomorrow I'll be away most of the night. We will having our meeting. " he looked serious.
" .. why most of the night? " I asked.
" They hold the meeting different places every time. This time, it's miles away at some random hotel. Usually, last an hour or two .. "
" I see. "
I rested my head on his shoulder and waited.
" .. that's it? " he asked.
I smiled.
" Yeah .. I mean good luck and be safe. Bring some souvenirs if you can. "
I did my best to sound nonchalant. It worked.
" Right.. you are so smart. " he shifted away a little to force eye contact. " Using some kind of reversed..phys.. psychological.. you know exactly what you are doing! "
I couldn't help a smile seeing his sudden burst of anger and annoyance.
Man act annoyed when we were worried and annoyed if we're not worried enough.
——
Asin.
~
The next day was spent as I lived before marriage.
I woke up without my wife trying to kill or hurt me. Eat my favourite breakfast inside my room, gone to the gym, and got a massage.
All in peace.
Why?
Because I turned my phone off the second, I opened my eyes.
Oliver and Ayshe dealings lately
Lilly gets herself entangled with one of ours.
Maya's impending arrival.
Old Ivan pushing his ring on me.
My birthday is looming around the corner.
Our next race on the horizon.
Marie is trying to get on my nerves with bad acting.
My headaches became consistent.
And now ..
" Aunt, why I'm here? "
I was standing still for a while as Aunt Derya signed some papers her assistant brought.
Her name was Michelle, and she had eyes like a hawk.. Eagle? .. she had eyes like an eagle.
The right hand of the true brains in the family.
She kept eye contact, and I indulged her because..
" Michelle, stop ogling my nephew and take the rest .. I will sign them later. "
She messed up her rotation and caused my aunt to dismiss her.
No gossip for you.
After the door closed behind her sour expression, my aunt pointed at the chair front of her table.
" .. You are not going to lecture me about something, right? I'm having a detox today. " I sat down.
" Detox from lecturing? " She asked.
" From problems dear Aunt. But you sounded serious on the phone. "
She got up and walked to the edge of her table, sitting on it.
" We were thinking about the diamond ceremony.. your grandfather wants it to happen on your birthday. " She gave me the rundown.
" Okay .. so I guess we accepted my Marie now? "
She rolled her eyes.
" It wasn't about distrust. Her family background is noble..ish Her family received what they wanted, and now everything settled. It's just that you haven't shown interest since the Lambert girl. "
" Ancient history.. but yeah, I suppose it was a little abrupt. " I admitted it. " .. all the same, it ends with diamonds. "
I smiled thinking about the journey until now.
" I already explained how important this gesture for her .. I doubt she needs to be told again. Also since I'm the true keeper of the family money you can turn me when you want to buy some random companies.. right? "
" You are a Queen my beautiful Aunt.. I'll kiss you hand. " I got up.
" Stop it you .. " she laughed. " Any special request for your birthday? " She nudged me.
If anyone can do it..
" I have a little something.. "
~
I felt considerably lighter leaving the office and walked straight over to Elgemen-Martell cosmetics.
My phone was still off, and I wondered how annoyed she was.
Finding the office nearly empty was a little bit of surprise.
I asked the receptionist, and she informed me that most of them were away on a photoshoot, the one they mentioned last time.
Things sure moved fast around here. Marie was either going to swim or sink. She succeeded.
Maybe it's better to take a break from her until tomorrow morning.
Have to meet with Oliver anyway.
~
" .. is there something to do in Kimir? " I asked.
" Umm .. Leyla said something. Either a maze or .. Maybe.. maybe a big zoo? "
We were heading for the meeting this time, taking place in a town called Kimir. 40 plus kilometres from our home .. and we are going to spend some time in a maze or a big zoo apparently.
I was tapping to the rhythm of the music on the dashboard, seeing the final 10km on the navigation.
" Have you not going to turn on your phone for the rest of the day? " asked Oliver. " .. I'm tired of not answering mine when ..
" But you won't answer. You won't. Your best friend takes precedent over girlfriends of any kind! "
He sighed and put his phone away.
" You are a child. Marie probably worried sick. "
" That's the plan. " I smiled.
He let out a long sigh, and I continued to enjoy his talent on the mixing table.
I don't know what kind of games she was playing, but if she is not worried enough .. she will be.
..yeah, maybe I was a little bit childish.
~
Hotel Dumas was an enormous 5 star hotel, the only one in the city. So it was obviously owned by a mobster who was also tonights host.
Massimo 'The Mountain' Marazano.
As usual, we had to arrive first. As non official members but stand ins for Old Ivan, respect must be shown.
" That zoo .. it was okay. " I mentioned looking out into the distance. " You don't see live feedings anymore. "
" Those lions tore that goat apart. What surprised me are the children cheering it on. " Oliver pointed it out.
Youth was disturbing.
I checked my watch. We still had a few minutes, and of course, they'll be fashionably late.
The weather was with us tonight, and the sky was crystal clear. On the top floor of Hotel Dumas was converted into a Roman themed bar and dinner.
Obviously, we weren't in costumes. The council preferred suits.
" C-can we get you anything else? "
I looked behind us and faced a young girl .. too innocent looking to be here tonight.. she came over fidgeting.
" Sweetie.. how old are you? " I asked.
" Umm.. 18. I just turned 18. " She said quietly.
17 it is.
I gave Oliver a quick look, and he understood and made a call. I turned back to .. Hazan.. I read from the name tag.
" Listen here carefully. You will go and leave this place but before that you will give your bank details to my friend here so we can appropriately compensate you. However, this needs to happen now .. go on. "
I was a little surprised how quickly she reacted and grabbed her phone, walking over to Oliver.
" This should be enough to .. do whatever you need and college tuition as well. " Oliver put his phone away.
Soon, the girls got a notification that wobbled her a little.
" I .. I d-don't know what to say.. " she stuttered.
" Then it's often best to say nothing. Now remember your promise. Not a word to anyone. Leave now .. no,no .. fire exit, please. " I asked.
She gave us one more smile and left without drawing attention.
" She is a lucky girl.. not everyone gets 7 digits for a cup of coffee. " he smiled, taking a sip.
" Can you imagine her being around them .. after a few drinks and without anyone stopping them? No .. better if she never seen by them at all. "
The stomach turned, thinking what they would force her to do and how she might've ended up after tonight.
" You're a good man .. "
I looked up and saw a rare teary-eyed Oliver in front of me. What is going on with him lately?
" Yeah .. we both are brother. "
From his look, I understood that sometimes I needed to remind him. Remind myself as well.