31 The Race (4)

It wasn't long after I had passed by the chicane trail when I saw a black car speeding up on my tail again.

Recalling the man's arrogant attitude and his cheeky smirk, a knowing smile found its way to my lips. I knew my instinct was right. That small incident was nothing to that man. He had easily caught up with me again.

But it was far too late. Smirking, I released another skillful drift at the last consecutive hairpins of The Belle's trail.

I raised an eyebrow when I saw the black car became abnormally fast at the turning point and almost overtook me.

'He's skilled,' I thought.

Fortunately, so was Li Fei. I did doubt she would be as skilled as the man. But nevertheless, the young Li Fei had her share of rebellious year as well and that didn't amount to nothing.

In the end, the utilization of her driving skill was really up to me. Perhaps my disregard of everything was what really boosted my speed.

I did not fear, not until the first collision. But even after that, my blatant disregard towards my safety and the attitude of 'I had nothing to lose' had immediately enveloped my entire being again.

The fear didn't manage to last long before the anger had overshadowed it and a strong bloodthirsty desire had blinded my sight.

Of all the time I had lived, I was sure, I had never felt such intense emotion before. At least not this feeling which could conduce all Hell to break loose.

I scrunched up my eyebrows at the narrow distance between us. Hence, before the drift came to an end, I had already shifted my gear and slammed on the accelerator.

My car instantly widened the distance as it lurched forward at the straight road ahead, though the black car too had almost immediately rushed up.

Upon reaching the finishing line, I saw a group of people had gathered up around the area and one of them was talking with a walkie talkie in his hand as he stared at my direction.

But, my focus was soon diverted to the appearance of the black car beside me. My heart skipped a beat at the sudden appearance.

My eyes narrowed as I combusted the last horsepower that my car could come up with at this instant. My car immediately sped up towards the finishing line.

Both cars flew across the remaining track and in a matter of seconds, arrived at the finishing line.

As my car went passed the line, I felt the air surged up inside me and at the release of a heavy breath, I could feel my body lightened up. Meanwhile, my taut body came to a relax state.

Memories upon memories piled up one after another. Tears began streaming down my face as my heart swelled with emotions.

"Lian-ge! This is it! Hurry cycled your bike faster. Let's speed up down the slope!"

"Geez. For the last time, Airi, sit down!"

A bittersweet smile landed on my lips. My final relief was met at the finishing line and a wave of satisfaction strung up my heart.

The numbness finally disappeared, the emptiness was filled up, and the sadness returned. It was suffocating yet, I felt like I could finally breath and be freed of the eternal darkness weighing on my soul.

'The pain of losing you has finally returned.'

.....

My car came to an abrupt stop and the friction rose a cloak of smoke into the air. But even after I had stopped, my heart didn't. It continued to drum loudly.

I started to breath faster and faster. Immediately, I took off my seatbelt and leaned against the steering wheel. My vision was blurring rapidly and my ears had missed the loud cheering from the outside. An electrifying pain shot up to my head and I fell instantly to the dizziness.

It was at this moment when I heard a knock on my window. I barely mustered up my strength as I glanced at the looming presence outside my car. When he finally bent down, I thought I saw a familiar smirk which I found extremely distasteful.

But then again, it compelled me to unlock my car. As soon as the door at my side was opened, the cold wind blew right through me and I heard the same deep yet playful voice from before.

"Great skill, little one."

This time however, I didn't ignore his teasing. But instead of replying it, I grabbed on his dark coat and yanked him closer. My frail body not shockingly fell against his instead of holding up.

At this point, I was already panting hard and it felt like my chest was going to burst open. Cold sweat was running down my skin.

With the last strength I could muster up, I let out a weak voice that almost sounded like a whisper instead.

"I can't breathe."

I couldn't really decipher what happened next but all I could feel was a touch of coldness which then followed by a warmth breath coming into me. And as if it was the last source of oxygen, I reached out for it and breathed it all in.