The Champion Boy!

Hot day with a bright sun in the sky, two more racers had their last match on the track; they competed to the finish line. Meanwhile, all spectators shouted their names, and the louder one was coming from one and only, Artemis Brajamohan's fans.

"ARTE ... WE LOVE YOU, AAAHHH!" exclaimed all the girls on each side of the tracks when the racer did his last way to the finish line.

The racer was straightened his body on the bike while still riding it. He put both his hands in the air to do the victory fist up.

"Whoooa!" he yelled from his full-face helmet. No one could beat this guy on the bike race of the National Superbike championship. He's the underdog who won the race this time. Starting from the bottom, regional Road Race Championship, he elevated himself to the higher level of racing.

That man was Artemis Jericho Brajamohan. Artemis stopped at his pit and took off his helmet afterward. In no time, everybody crowded to congratulate him. Some people gave him a big pat and grinning face to the new champion of this year.

His team leader also came and gave him a big hug. They were so proud to have the trophy even though it was individual, but the team performance backed him up.

"ARIEL!" shouted Artemis to his best friend. Ariel smiled at him on the back of these unknown people who praised Artemis's out loud. Ariel just raised his hand and nodded. It meant that he did not want to get involved in the victory celebration. They would do it off stage.

Artemis went up to his podium and received the neck garland before he had the trophy. He hanged the medal on the air and everyone exclaimed his name. The cheers and whistles sounded everywhere to his victory.

Next, an umbrella girl gave him a bottle of Champagne for the stage celebration. He took and popped the bottle to hose his team members with the bubbles. They were laughed at and gave him more tossed.

With his confidence, Artemis drank the Champagne and kissed the umbrella girl before shouting to his people.

"I thought you're gonna stay by my side on the stage. This is our victory!" said Artemis to his best friend, Ariel, in their garage. Ariel smiled at him and nodded.

"I know you'll win this race. I told you I never have any doubt to you," replied Ariel calmly on his table to get ready to go home. The day now changed into dusk, and the night would come. Ariel had to go home so he could get rest to do his job tomorrow.

"Yeah, but I also want you on the podium with me. The bike is your masterpiece anyway!" Ariel huffed and grinned.

"That's not important. The essential thing is you are safe, and I always have to ensure it. Now let's go home. I need a bath and starving like hell!" Artemis chuckled and grabbed Ariel shoulder's to went out together.

"Don't forget your trophy, bud!" Ariel pointed at the winner trophy that Artemis put on the table.

"Oh yeah, I forgot it!" Ariel was shaking his head at his best friend's acts. He always forgot everything as if nothing was important.

They finally got into Ariel's car together after putting all their things on the back, including the trophy.

"Where do you want to eat? I'll treat you!" said Artemis while turned his head to Ariel, who was driving.

"Somewhere close. I can't wait to eat." Artemis nodded and have a thought about where to find their dinner. They stopped at one of the seafood restaurants and enjoyed the meal together. Some people, mostly girls, came to ask for Artemis's signature and taking some pictures. And like usual, Ariel only smiled faintly to see his friend.

"Thank you, Arte ... oh, you're so handsome!" praised the girls on him straight forward. Artemis only grinned and nodded in high self-confidence.

After few minutes of fangirling, the fans finally let him go to continue his dinner.

"I can see that you're enjoying the spotlight, dude!" Ariel said to Artemis after the fans left.

"Why not! Everyone loves me!" Artemis shrugged his shoulders with a dumb look.

"Do you think so? I don't want to steal your happiness. But you should know that they like you as Artemis, the biker, not the real person," replied Ariel while stirring his juice and staring at his friend with a severe expression.

"You always put me down!"

"I'm telling you the truth so you won't get hurt one day. Everyone has their own deal with you. If you have those spotlight star syndrome, you'll get nothing but the loss at the end," he added more. Artemis agreed and nodded. Ariel was always right. He still the one who backed Artemis up and, more often becoming his shield. Artemis would never know what happened to his life if there wasn't for his best pal. He probably died on the street.

"Are you going home?" asked Ariel after a few minutes. Artemis snorted in annoying but have to nod.

"Good boy, I'll drive you home!" Artemis sulked his pretty lips on him but had to drag himself to the car. He already promised to go home after the racing. It has been a week he stayed at Ariel's place.

"See you tomorrow!" said Ariel with his thin, calm smile at Artemis from the car's window. Artemis did not say anything but raise left his hand on air and went inside.

The big mansion of Brajamohan was his boring place to stay tonight. He did not hate the house, but that place has no different from a cemetery park. It was such a quiet boring palace as if under the watching of a dragon.

"Arte?" someone's voice echoed from one of the rooms. Artemis frowned and turned his body to see behind him. Okay, maybe it was too creepy that the lone house finally had heard someone's voice echoed.

"Where have you been?" a man with a frown on his forehead asked Artemis, who just arrived. He scanned the look of Artemis, who still had his racing uniform under his black leather jacket and shaking his head eventually. While Artemis was grinning with his innocent's face, he always put on.

"Hi, Dad! Long time no see!"