|| RUTH||

I took a deep breath as I remembered those days of agony and torture.

I shake my head and remove my wig and the contact lenses from my eyes. ''There's something about blood that makes me feel uneasy,'' I thought as I stared at my bloody hands.

My phone rang as I received a text from Lucas: Good job, Danan.

I smiled at the text, but I didn't reply yet as the Uber driver told me that we had arrived.

I paid the Uber driver, went inside the building, and walked towards my apartment's door. I unlocked the door and went inside.

As I came inside, I threw my bag on the couch and went to the bathroom to quickly wash my hands and face, hoping to get rid of the lingering blood odour. It's a small price to pay for the satisfaction that comes with vengeance.

I changed into something comfy and went to the kitchen to make myself instant noodles because you've got to eat to survive, right?

right. I went to the kitchen and boiled the water in a kettle. Why in a kettle, you may ask? Well, the simple answer to that is that I am too lazy to take out a pot and do everything. After the water boiled, I put the noodles and the sauce packet in and stirred them for a few minutes. Once they were done, I put the noodles in a bowl and went to my room.

''Are you done''? I texted Lucas as I sat down on my bed.

''Yeah, I just got home.'' He texted me back after a couple of minutes.

''What are you doing?'' I texted him.

''Living in bed, you?'' he replied with a smirk emoji.

''Same in bed; what happened back in the club?'' I texted him back.

The usual panic in the crowd—people screaming while the enemies' men draw their guns—what about your side?'' he texted back.

Haha, well, the same men are so stupid sometimes. With the easy pin to the wall and the knife in and out, I texted him back.

''Jesus, you scare me sometimes. I laughed at his text.

'' Are you okay with the blood?'' he texted in seconds.

As I read that text, I felt as if someone hugged me. Haha, stupid feelings, but I'm glad that he remembers such little things that I've told him. At least he listens and cares. "Yeah, I'm good, thanks for asking''. I responded to his text.

''Stop playing Danan'', he texted back.

''I am not, anyway; I'm tired. I'm going to head to bed; sounds good?'' I replied.

''I am still not convinced that you are okay and not a crying mess," he sent an audio message.

'' I'm a big girl; I can handle myself, professor''. I sent one back as well.

''Aww, shut up, and call me if you need anything.'' Another audio text I texted him goodnight and drifted to bed.

I woke up to the sound of my alarm. RING RING RING

UGHH!! stupid alarm. I fucking hate mornings. I took my phone and turned it off. My eye fell on a WhatsApp notification from Fallon,'' ' ''Hey D, How about a ride today around 2 ?".

Fallon was another girl who had been serving Marcs, she was sixteen at that time but someone bought her six months ago, and she was allowed to roam around the city on Sundays. We would hang out sometimes. She was two years younger than me. I loved her; she was like a little sister, and if I could, I would protect her from everything that was happening to her because even if she says that she's doing good the bruises and scars say something else.

but a race on a Sunday? Do I have the energy for that? I'll text her after a coffee.

It's already 1 in the afternoon.

I put my phone aside and got up to go to the bathroom. After coming out, I went to the kitchen and made myself a cup of coffee.

I sat down on the couch and turned on the TV. Let's see if I make it on any news channel, I thought to myself.

Oh wow, that murder is on every channel, just like all the previous ones.

I deserve an Oscar for that. Come on, is there no award for seducing a man and then killing him with a pocket knife?

I grabbed my phone and texted Fallon back,'' Sure, Cya soon.

I finished my coffee and walked towards my room to pick out an outfit to wear. I paired denim jeans with a black crop top and a black leather jacket with boots.

I grabbed my keys and left my apartment around 1:30 p.m., then walked up to the parking lot and unlocked my Norton V4. The only good thing about being an assailant and a part-time slave is the money. I saved for five years and worked extra hours to get this bike. It's simply stunning.

I started my bike and drove outside. The destination I was supposed to go to was seven miles away. As I revved the engine, the wind blew through my hair, and I felt the power of the bike beneath me. I couldn't help but feel a sense of freedom and exhilaration as I rode down the street. Riding my Norton V4 was more than just a way to get around; it was a way of life.

How much I missed this feeling. Whenever I'm out for a ride, sometimes I forget who I am and who I have to be in this world. I feel free.

When I got to the place, it was already crowded. I parked my bike and walked towards the crowd. They were screaming someone's name, and when I paid attention to what everyone was saying, it took me seconds to realise that they were chanting Miles!

He was one of the really popular guys, whom all the girls wanted to be around; he was a muscular, cute guy, and he was awfully rich.

He was the type of guy I'd kill just for pleasure, but I don't have any beef with him; we hardly speak to each other. As I pushed my way through the crowd, I caught a glimpse of Miles standing on a makeshift stage, surrounded by his adoring fans. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy for his seemingly perfect life.

I was busy in my thoughts when someone back-hugged me and screamed in my ear, You're here!

I turn around and see Fallon; her orange hair is tied up in a ponytail, and she is wearing shorts and a top.

''Hey, Jesus, fall on my ear!'' I cried as she hugged me.

''Sorry, how are you?'' she laughed.

''Oh, just the same, what about you?'' I asked her.

Well, I'm great now, but it won't be when I get back home and serve that asshole, she said while laughing.

I changed the topic. I want to escape this slavery for a minute.

''So miles is the new big thing here?'' I asked her.

''Yeah, you know him?'' she asked.

We went to high school. "We went to high school together," I replied.

''Wait, really?'' she asked.

Yeah, wait, I will challenge him for a race, I said, winking at her.

''No, he is Miles Aestos; you can't just go to him, Ruth.

And I am Ruth Danan; my name has more power than his. I blew a kiss at Fallon and walked towards the little stage where Miles was standing.

I stood on the stage, and I could already feel Miles smirking at me. We crossed paths four months ago when I was at a bar. We didn't talk much, but he promised that once I paid a visit here, he would race with me. The only thing I didn't know was that he was a professional. It's not like I'm new at this; we used to race each other in high school and college, but he was the best friend of the guy who used to bully me through high school until university. He never intended to hurt me, but he wasn't my friend either.

a neutral, I would say.

Miles has blond hair and a sharp jawline; he's gotten a lot more muscular since I last saw him, or perhaps I wasn't paying attention to his body at the time. I couldn't help but notice the confidence in his voice, but I was determined to rub some dirt on his face, I couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement and nerves.

"Ruth?" he inquires.

''Aestos! I said it emphatically.

''You came,'' he says as he walks towards me.

''Well, you challenged me to a race; how can I refuse? So are you going to keep your promise or what?" I raised my eyebrows.

''I'll keep my promise, but be prepared to lose,'' he said. I smiled back, trying to hide my own nerves. We took our positions at the starting line and waited for the signal to begin.

Before we took off, I looked to my right and saw a guy dressed up in all-black clothing; his hair was wavy, and he was smiling at me, but why? He is kind of cute, though, not gonna lie. His eyes seemed familiar.

The sound of the whistle echoed in my ears as we both took off, determined to win.