Xiran’s jaw was clenched and although Aselia couldn’t see it, she had a feeling he was tensed. One hand on the gear other clutched the steering wheel so tightly that she could see his knuckles go white. The veins were popping out from his hand right up to his arm. He shifted the gear and pressed the accelerator.

~Whoosh!!!~

The car thrust forward and they were off. Aselia felt her pulse quicken as the crowd cheered behind them for their favourite car to enter first in the narrow winding path ahead.

"You better not lose," Aselia told him flatly.

"I won’t," there was determination in his voice as he stared ahead.

He was extremely focused and his only goal was to reach the path first, the speed was increasing rapidly as they were leaving other cars behind.

120Kph

140Kph 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

160Kph

The speedometer was almost about to touch that sweet yet exhilarating point of 200Kph. There was another car right at their tail but Xiran wasn’t going to let anyone take the lead today.

Crushing the accelerator under his foot he felt adrenaline rising in his body. A few more seconds and they will be on the path.

Their car swirling like a bullet along with their hearts pumping, heat surging and breath rising andddd they entered the path at full throttle.

Aselia felt her heart had jumped in her mouth as she heard breaks screech behind. Other cars had to wait to get in and a few of them collided with each other causing a loud bang and commotion. Surviving cars entered in a file behind them.

"Wooooo Hooooo!!!" she shouted excitedly. And, his eyes became warm again, and a smile crept up on his hidden face.

The metallic road was flat and narrow and only two cars could barely overtake each other. Both sides of the road were surrounded by brownish-grey mountains with scarce greenery covering them. Soon the snow will engulf them.

The landscape whooshed past them as the car moved at 220 kph. A convertible portrait green car with silver bumpers was tailing them. It sped up and tussled to overtake them. Aselia turned her head to see the driver and it was the girl with the tank top. She had a cat mask on her face and her whole focus was on overtaking them.

A cut was coming ahead, they saw a road sign indicating: ’Sharp turn at 100m.’

Both cars reduced their speed by a notch and swerved at the bend but Green car took the lead by a fraction of a second. Aselia held on to her seat as Xiran swung the steering wheel sharply.

They came out of the turn and the Green car had taken the lead. The path was getting winding now instead of keeping straight and she wasn’t giving them space to surpass her.

"Do it on the bend Xiran, keep to your left," Aselia told him calmly. He couldn’t believe how calmly she was giving him instructions as if it was something regular for her.

Xiran kept tailing the green car but she didn’t give him much space on the first bend as well. It frustrated him but he kept at her tail and on the second turn as the cars skidded again, Xiran sneaked past her barely staying away from the railing along the roads, separating the mountains and the road.

They were in the lead again and Aselia let out a breath she was holding onto for a long time. Her heart jumped up and down in her chest with excitement. She side glanced at Xiran and he was extremely focused. His eyes were on the road and his hands moving swiftly over the wheel. Two more cars were on their tail now and the tussle to overtake continued.

Sometimes they would fall into the second spot but Xiran would take the lead back in no time. This showed her that he was an expert on this track and knew where the turns and bends were.

It was the first time that he actually wanted to win instead of just enjoying the race. Every once in a while he stole a glance towards Aselia and her eyes would be twinkling, which showed she was enjoying every second of this race. There was no trace of fear in those turquoise eyes of hers as the car skidded, swirled, and drifted along. Nor did her head hurt from the sharp turns and exhilarating speed of the car. It seemed to excite her more.

Xiran took another quick turn and the car behind slightly bumped into them as he didn’t give it any space to overtake them. Aselia jerked forward and winced in pain as the seat belt forced her back and she got slammed into the seat.

"Are you alright? I am sorry." He gritted his teeth in annoyance.

"I am fine, Xiran. Focus on the race." She reassured him and turned to look back at the cars trailing them. The green car and an orange car were right behind them.

Coming out of the turn, Xiran sped up. The track was becoming straighter and wider now. They were nearing the end. He felt an adrenaline rush inside his body, the other cars were coming head to head as they aligned behind him trying to get ahead.

"Aselia, sit straight and hold tight." He instructed her before pushing the accelerator harder. He was gonna hit the maximum speed. The engine roared, the tires screeched and everything around him became a blur. There was a ringing sound in his ears and only one goal in his mind, to reach the finish line.

The track has taken the detour and they were approaching the same clearing. Aselia could see the crowd at a distance. They were fast approaching the finish line, but the green car was not very far behind them. They were almost neck to neck.

A few more seconds left... the earth seemed to shake from where the cars passed, moving at such high velocity. The crowd was cheering in the distance but everything seemed to be happening in a tiny fraction of a second.

In the very final moments, Xiran’s car accelerated to its maximum. The pressure they both felt was immense but the thrill it brought was enough to satisfy their need for speed.

As they crossed the finish line amidst the roar of the crowd, they both felt an immense release and satisfaction.

Xiran completed a 360-degree drift, tires screeched and smoke filled the air around their car.

"Woahhhh!!! Hurrayyyyy!!!" Aselia shouted at the top of her lungs. Xiran placed his head on the steering wheel and took a deep breath. His heightened senses made all this experience even more thrilling for him. She patted his back and he turned his face to look at her. He wanted to see her face right now but he restrained himself.

The crowd outside waved at him and he waved back without getting out of the car. Then there was a knock on his window. It was the cat girl. He rolled down his glass.

"Hey! you got some real moves man." She bent over to talk to him.

"Thanks, you are such a skilled driver. It was thrilling to race with you." Xiran replied warmly.

"Thank you, and likewise. I am Rishia by the way. And I am indebted to you for earlier, I would have asked you for a drink but I don’t think your girlfriend would like that." She winked at him.

"We have someplace to be, so if you will excuse us," Aselia spoke before Xiran could while giving the girl a deathly stare. She instantly backed off while Xiran lowered his head trying to stifle laughter.

The Manager arrived with the money Xiran has won. Xiran told him to give it to Rishia as he didn’t need it. He also informed him that someone from Mayor Mazitine’s office will contact him so they can sort out how to proceed with races in the future.

After that Xiran started the car and they were back on the road.

"You did great, I am happy we won." Aselia finally spoke.

"I am glad you enjoyed yourself," Xiran replied with a smile.

"So were you a little too much in the end?" Aselia snickered.

"Ahhh, seems like someone is burning from jealousy." He turned his full attention to her.

"From cringe, not jealousy. My eyes were burning, seeing two of you trying to flirt with each other." Xiran’s laughter echoed in the car as he banged his hand playfully at the steering wheel. He looked at her and spoke:

"You didn’t even feel a tinge of jealousy?"

"No, was it your ultimate goal to make me jealous?" She asked flatly, shaking her head.

"Hmm, maybe," Xiran shrugged his shoulders.

"Well, you failed to accomplish it." She leaned towards him and pulled his ear.

"Ouch!!! what was that for?" He asked, taken aback by her sudden action.

"For trying to make me jealous." He laughed again at her answer.

And then she slid her mask down and pecked him on his temple, making him almost crash into the side fence...

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