Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Nothing noteworthy or extraordinarily significant happened during Kendall’s reconnoitering of Grayson’s whereabouts. To make it worst, she barely managed to get close to him as the young, obnoxious man was simply too elusive for her to get any information.

Adding to that, Chief Spencer kept on pressing her relentlessly regarding her progress with the entitled, and insufferable swot, Grayson Hoffman. With that bug-bearing thought bothering her, Kendall knew that this would probably compromise her mission, or even worse, become the demise of her career.

She couldn’t let that happen, whilst letting a young man be the reason for her career’s downfall. Kendall believed that if you couldn’t swing it in the most mundane and traditional way, then you would have to seize it by fair means or foul.

So, she decided to come up with an idea to leverage Grayson’s pretensions toward her. By the time the weekend had arrived, she went to the nearest automobile repair shop across the street. Kendall knew the shop as they were known for servicing car modifications and alterations. She had already met the owner, Atlas Miller, when she had them clean the carburetor and repair the coolant on her Tarazon Harley-Davidson bike.

Spotting Altas below the Hannasey pickup truck, she knocked on the hood of the car. “Sup, Atlas. You’ve been quite busy these days, eh?”

A tan-skinned guy with disheveled black hair instantly rolled out from underneath the car. Daubing a quite charming smile, he removed the knitted gloves, wiping his greasy palms on his dark-green overalls. “Hey, Kels! Didn’t notice you there. So, you decided to beef up your baby?”

Kendall bent her lips upward. Looking back at her black Davidson parked on the railings, she replied, “Nah, not now, Atlas. Got other things I have to attend to first.” She then turned back to him. “Anyway, I need your help with something.”

His arms crossed over his chest, making the veins on his tattooed biceps pop out. “Sure, fire away, officer. What do you need?”

“I need a car. Well, not just any car, Atlas.” She stopped to point at the Rimac Nevera wrapped around a silver car cover. “That car.”

Following her index finger, Atlas crooked his head to the side. “For what? Are you planning to go dicing?” he asked while moving towards it. “You know this is my girl, Kendall. I don’t just let anyone take a ride on it.”

She sighed with dejection as she walked toward him. “I know, Atlas. Just this once, please. I promise I’ll give your baby back once I’m done.”

Atlas’s eyebrows dished down, raking a few strands of his hair falling over his eyes. “Is this another one of your confidential cases? Did you remember when you completely shattered the front-rear of Old Joe’s mustang? He was shitty for days, Kels.”

In an instant, Kendall remembered that day when she used Officer Joe’s car amid a car chase. She did, not with any intention, crash the mustang with the suspects’ car along the intersection road.

“Okay, that was an accident, Atlas. Besides, this case is different. I have to teach that git some lessons.” Shoving her hands into her back pockets, she added. “Can you please help me with this? I promise I’ll pay you for renting your baby.”

Atlas breathed out with a slight restraint. There was a pregnant pause for a moment when he went back to his office. Kendall waited for a couple of minutes for him—and as soon as she saw him getting back to her, she noticed the keys in his hands.

“Here.” He threw it at her with slight hesitation. “Just make sure she’ll be back with no scratches, Kels.”

Kendall grinned ear to ear. “Perfect! Of course, Atlas! I promise. In the meantime, can my baby stay here for a while? You can use it whenever you want.”

“Deal!” He agreed, with no objections.

She went to the Nevara extracting the cover above it. Kendall walked around it, checking if it was in good condition for racing. Checking its tires, brakes, and steering wheel, she asked Atlas again, “Hey bro, Can I hit up your baby beyond the limit?”

He scoffed while propping his arms against the car’s roof. “You shitting me, Kels? This baby is souped up with turbochargers, highflow filters, exhaust headers, a remapped ECU for an internal combustion engine, and a RE-71R tire for traction. This is a fucking greyhound. You will never go wrong with my baby, Kels.”

Her lips went wide with glee. “Excellent! Can’t wait to drive this around.”

“Oh, also, I upgraded the clutch to a short-throw shifter. It will be easier to shift the gear lever for a maximum rotational speed,” he explained while his arms were perched on the windowsill.

“Got it. Anything else I have to remember?”

Atlas’ molten honey-glazed eyes turned into admonition. “Bring back my baby in one piece.”

...

Grayson Hoffman exited the Caesaere Restaurant with a lady hooking on his left side. Alongside him was his girlfriend for a year, Abigail Vanderbilt, who was famous for being the only Milanon model who’d worked together with international and luxurious brands.

Like her boyfriend, Abigail was raised in a privileged society. Both of her parents also owned a multi-million dollar company that dealt with expensive and exclusive brands. It was also the reason why Abigail could easily get gigs or shows at the latest Milanon Fashion Week.

“My driver won’t be able to fetch me, babe. Will you mind if I get a ride with you?” she requested as she gazed at him.

Grayson responded to her with a faint beam. “Sure!” Looking at his watch, he added, “It’s five pm. Would you like to go back now?”

Abigail pouted. “It’s too early. I thought we were still going to watch a movie? You said you’ll reserve some seats.”

'Fuck!' Grayson muttered as he grabbed her slender and smooth fingers to intertwine with him. “Crap, so sorry, babe! Totally slipped my mind as I was reviewing for the midterms.”

She heaved a sigh. “It’s fine. I understand. Our finals are also coming up, but I still have a few weeks to do that.” Pulling him to her side, she continued, “Anyway, let’s just see if there are still available seats in the cinema. I’m pretty sure there are still vacant seats.”

Same as Grayson, Abigail was also in her second year. Though, unlike him, she’s taking Mass Communications at Rydell University, which was a well-known private university for students who can afford expensive tuition fees.

“I really can’t today. I gotta review for Econ. How about tomorrow, babe? I’ll pick you up in the afternoon.” Grayson frowned as he held tight to her hand.

To be honest, he felt lucky to have her. The first time he met her was at one of his friend’s parties. He knew that the first time he laid his eyes on her, she was the perfect girl for her. She was beautiful, tall, understanding, and patient. Even his grandfather adored her very much because he was close to her father.

“Really, Grayson? That is just so unfair! You barely have time with me! Also, you’re always out with your friends, and you don’t even respond to my calls or texts. Sometimes, I just think that you’re not really invested in our relationship like I am,” she burst out, having enough of Grayson’s excuses.

“God, no Abigail! I-I'm... Shit! I want what we have.” He gulped as he started to feel the sweats on his forehead. “It’s just I’m so cramped up these past few days with requirements and deadlines.”

His girlfriend bit her lips. “Tch, fine! But please promise you’ll make it up to me after your exams.”

Delighted by her response, he smirked. “I swear, babe.”

Abigail then tiptoed to reach him for a kiss. As she damped her full lips on his cheeks, she said, “I’ll keep that promise.”

Meanwhile, Grayson was shocked by her action. Even though they were together for a year, they hadn’t done it yet. Abigail might seem liberated by the way she dressed, but she was still a conservative woman. She’d never given herself to Grayson fully. They had make-out sessions once in a while, but that was only that.

“I will. Swear to God,” Grayson added as he nipped her lips, trying to appease his girlfriend’s sulkiness.

It was a rare sight to witness him being mushy to anyone. People around Grayson knew him to be a bit aloof and standoffish. Nonetheless, it was different when he was with Abigail. With her, Grayson was more cordial and agreeable.

He loved and respected his girlfriend. Even so, despite this fact, Grayson still would frequently sleep with another woman as his way of indulgence. In his defense, he wanted to enjoy his youth as early as possible. Live life the way he could before time ran out.

As they walked out of the mall, Grayson told Abigail that he would drive her home. It was still early for them to go back, but Grayson still had some other things to do.

“Let’s go. I’ll drive you home.”

“Can we go back later? I still want to stroll around.” Abigail expressed dismay because she wanted to spend more time with him.

He exhaled lightly. “I would love to, babe, but I still have to study for Monday.”

Convinced by his explanation, her face went down in disappointment. “Pfft, fine. I guess we have to go back.”

Grayson clutched her hand again, damping his lips to her warm, delicate skin. “Thank you for understanding, babe.”

Abigail understood and knew how much Grayson cared about his studies. Knowing that he was the next in line to his grandfather’s position, Abigail fathomed that Grayson must be equipped to handle their business. Besides, a multi-billion-dollar company wasn’t like any other small enterprise.

As soon as they were at her place, Abigail suddenly brought up something. Grabbing the car’s door handle, she asked, “Before I go, I just remembered... One of my friends saw you last time at the racetrack with another girl. Is that true?”

Immediately, Grayson remembered that night when he had sex with Sandra. It was also the day when he ignored her texts and calls. He felt uncomfortable with her question, so he rubbed the back of his neck.

“No, I was at home studying. Maybe she saw someone else.” He shrugged, sucking up to his lie.

Abigail stared at him pensively. “Are you sure? She did say that it was really you.”

“I promise, babe, that was not me. I was studying at that time for exams,” he explained, firmly denying it to his girlfriend.

She huffed. "Okay, fine, I believe you. Just—Can you please tell me if you’ll go out somewhere with your friends so that I know where you are?”

Trepid with hesitation, he replied, “O-of course! I will. Sure.”

Abigail didn’t ask any questions after that. She went out of the car and walked towards her house. After reaching the place, he dropped her off, and she got inside.

By the time she was out of his eyesight, Grayson released a heaving sigh of relief as she had almost caught him.

'Whew, that was close.' He thought. It was a good thing that he had an alibi to tell her, or else he would definitely be in a boiling pot of water.

When he got back to his car, Grayson’s phone rang inside his pocket. Grabbing it out, he accepted the call.

“Yep?”

“Where are you, Grayson?” Indistinct yet lurid noises were dominant in the background.

“I’m on my way. Will be there in a buck.”

Minutes later, he had gotten to the racetrack. There were a lot of people already, as music boomed throughout the entire place. Cars were already docked in the open space, and random girls in tight clothes were clinging to their beaus.

Rancid smoke filled the air as the night was brimming with the endless perspiration of vulgarity. Grayson smiled in bliss as he was back in his jungle.

“Hey man! Sup!” Anton called him on the left side of the track.

He then ambled towards his friends while girls at the sideline greeted him with fervor. Of course, a man like him with needs would flirt back either with a smile or a hug. He made his way to his friends immediately as he passed along the way.

When he got to where they were located, Will threw him a beer. “Good that you’re here, bro. You almost missed the fun.”

Grayson jeered. “Fun never starts without me, Will. You know that.”

Will, however, just laugh it off.

He was about to open the beer when another girl approached him. She walked toward him with delight and excitement. It was Agnes, who was one of Grayson’s girls.

“Hi, Gray! Glad you’re here again, baby boy,” a girl wearing a mesh mid-drip cooed.

“Course, where would I be other than here?” he coyly smirked.

She teased, “In me?”

Grayson then pulled her closer to him, kissing her languidly on the lips while brushing his palms to her firm derriere. “Later, babe,” he wooed, before giving her another peck on the lips.

“You promise, Gray?” Her eyes fluttered, alluring him to get on with her.

“Course, sweetpea.” Grayson traced his thumbs on her plump, rosy lips.

Agnes only nodded at her and walked back to her place afterward.

His friend Chester, who was beside him, suddenly snaked his arms to Grayson’s shoulder. “Damn, bro. You’re in it again. You know, since we’re friends, why don’t you give us some tricks on how to get some hot chicks?”

“It’s innate, Chester. You don’t need—” he was cut off when a loud revving of the engine blared in their ears.

All of a sudden, the said car parked in front of them. In a minute, the door automatically opened and a woman in a black leather jacket and tight pants came out of it.

Shocked was engraved on everyone’s faces when they saw Kendall standing in front of them.

As Grayson’s eyes widened, he couldn’t help but release an irritable yell. “Huh? It’s the nosy woman! What are you doing here?”

Kendall inhaled pettily. Placing her hands on her hips, she simpered. “I hear you’re undefeated.” Moving closer to him with a gap of a few inches between them, she added, “You up for a race, Hoffman?”

Anton wooed. “Do it, bro! There’s no way she can beat you!”

On the other hand, Will murmured to him, “Shit bro, the chit got a Nevera. That fucker can kill your car in just a minute. I don’t think your Bugatti can top it.”

'Agh, fuck! I know. If I only just brought my Forza! Nevera is one of the best dragsters with its high-powered combustion engine as an AWD. Damn, that thing can cover the dragstrip in less than 3.7 sec with a speed of 330 mph. I might be able to outrun her, but that will depend on her RT.' He grumbled inwardly.

“You fucking sure about that? I don’t want to get your hopes up, but you can’t beat me,” Grayson confidently replied.

Kendall's eyebrows raised as she devilishly smirked. “Why? Are you scared you’d lose? If you’re that good, then prove it.”

'This girl is driving me nuts! However, if I do it right, I can maneuver her with an early pre-take and maintain my tracking speed to low-down the torque of my engine. Fucking hell, this chit is really annoying!'

Grayson’s fury slowly ignited. “Fine! What are you going to bet then?”

Her eyes flicked back to her car. “If you win, I'll give you my car. But if I do—” Leaning closer to him, her eyes landed on his, challenging him even more. “I'll be a part of your squad."

“Oh shit, Grayson! If I were you, I’d go for it, man!” Chester commented.

“She’ll lose anyway, bro. You got this,” Anton patted his shoulder.

Grayson found her deal quite beneficial to him. If he won, he would get her Nevera which he could add to his collection. He knew that it was an easy win as the girl was entirely clueless about how to drag race.

"Deal!" he said.

Their talk ended briefly as both of them started to burn out their cars in the open space. As soon as both of them were ready, the oval race track was prepared. Bystanders cheered while Grayson and Kendall's cars were next to each other.

The instructions for the race were easy. They just had to complete five laps, and whoever got to the finishing line first would win. Grayson had done it in the past, and surely he could win this without difficulty.

Before they got inside their respective places, Kendall left him with a statement. “Don’t go easy on me, Hoffman. I don’t wanna win it the easy way.”

Grayson scoffed, finding her declaration quite ridiculous. “Even if I go easy on you, you’ll still lose.”

Kendall didn’t respond after that as she went inside her car. A woman wearing a sexy bodysuit appeared in front of them as she waved the flag on the drag street.

“Play it easy, guys!” She reminded them before dropping the black flag.

In an instant, Grayson pushed his gear to launch his car. Luckily, his car moved fast, leaving her behind. While keeping in mind to maintain his fast speed, he paddled the pedal in between with his clutch as he slightly shifted his gears.

Meanwhile, Kendall, who was at his back, didn’t budge to move ahead. She kept her pace at a distance of two to three meters away from him. Grayson laughed at this thought, knowing that there was no way in hell she would reach him before the last lap.

“Knew it. The chit doesn’t know anything,” he muttered while his hand was on the steering wheel. He continued his fast pace, minding the balance of traction on his car's wheel-spin. He didn’t want to throttle his car in an instant, as it might take a toll on him later.

“Go, Grayson! Prove to her you’re the king of the track, fucker!” He heard one of his friends cheer him on the sidelines.

Grayson only smiled at them while keeping his focus on the dragstrip.

A few minutes had passed, and the match was intense. Grayson was still leading after four laps, while Kendall was still behind him. With this in mind, as he got to the start of the fifth lap, he boosted his car, accelerating immensely to 450mph, leaving Kendall behind for over seven meters.

“Fuck yes,” he said triumphantly while tapping his fingers on the steering wheel.

'Easy peasy, baby.'

His consistent speed continued for half of the lap, making him the lead on the front line. Grayson felt that victory was already at his fingertips. The Nevera would soon be his, and the chit would stop bothering him. Everything was going according to his plan when suddenly—“Fucking shit!”

Grayson noticed her car was running beyond the maximum limit. Kendall reached him in no time, overlapping his speed like a child’s play. His annoyance with her grew stronger as he challenged her speed.

Pushing his pedal harder, he half-clutched and switched gears to maximum speed. When his car reached the Nevera, he tried swerving it to hit her bumper, but, soon, was disappointed when Kendall easily maneuvered his attack.

"Ugh, Shit!"

When the driveway beside Grayson opened, the Nevera briskly rushed swiftly towards the finish line. He tried to reach her speed, but to his distress, his car had already reached its capacity. He knew it would blow out soon if he tried pushing it beyond.

To his utter demise, Kendall completed the laps first before him, making her the indisputable winner.

Grayson was dumbfounded. He couldn’t believe that she had won. He thought the chit knew nothing about racing, or at least was clueless about it. Trying to process it through his brain, he couldn’t swallow the bitter pill that had punched him unexpectedly.

He then got out of the car in disbelief as soon as he saw Kendall moving out of hers.

Still shocked, Grayson stood there, frozen, as Kendall strutted towards him with a cunning smirk.

"Bull’s eye! Got you, Hoffman.”