Chapter 20

Ari closed the door behind her with a big sigh.

She raised her head to stare at the blue sky, as tear after tear fell from her eyes.

She started crying, her back against the wall.

She shed tears, until her knees had no strength.

Until, she sat on the ground unable to hold her feelings.

She hid her face with her trembling hands.

She screamed in a silent voice.

Her entire body kept shaking as she whimpered and sniveled.

Kale was listening behind the door, standing quietly with a plastic bag in his hand.

He didn't move or make a sound.

Ari didn't stop until about half an hour passed by.

She was still on the ground cleaning her tears, and only then did Kale knock on the door.

She froze for a moment before standing up in a hurry.

"Ehem," she cleared her throat, "who is it?"

"It's me," he answered.

"Oh," her hand ran through her hair fixing it before opening the door. "Yes?" She didn't want to meet his eyes.

He stood there without saying anything for a moment.

She could feel his gaze on her face. She slightly turned her head hiding it with her hair.

He held out the bag for her. "Groceries for your dinner."

"It's okay, I don't feel like cooking. I will just grab something."

"Put it in the kitchen, I will come around dinner time to cook for you."

"Y-you don't have to."

His hand shook, signaling for her to take the groceries.

"Take it, and go rest on your bed. The ground is cold."

To Ari's surprise, hearing his words made her hand freeze.

"I will be back," he closed the door on himself.

Ari held the plastic bag, her eyes staring at the ground.

She was left standing there for a few minutes before she finally decided to walk to her house.

Ari gently placed the groceries down without even looking at them and directly went to her room upstairs.

She placed her head on her pillow, staring at the ceiling quietly.

She kept reminiscing about today's events.

Frankly speaking, she was glad he was that strong.

Her hand ran to the pillow she usually hugs.

She was glad...

Otherwise...

Her fingers hugged it tightly.

Her mind became curious about Kale, about his family. What kind of people were they?

He had to protect them, he said.

What's Kale's true identity? Why does it seem like he never lied to me, that he would never?

Why does he look at me as if I am so special? Why is he treating me like this? Why? And why me?

Why me when he can go for anyone? Does he want the power of a strong family to do something? Is that why he is investing in me to grow for a bigger purpose? No, he didn't seem to care. So it's mainly about me.

Why me? What's so special about me anyway?

She questioned herself.

But slowly Ari's eyes changed, "For now he is expecting something from me. He is offering strength and investing his time. I don't know what he is planning but with him being here I can speed up things."

Even if Ari wasn't sure what Kale was up to, she still had to achieve those things whether it was part of their deal or not. With him here she can approach matters boldly.

She raised her hand towards the ceiling and clutched her hand to a punch. "I will show them."

Ari, was not planning on going back on her words.

She didn't waste much time and got out of her bed, looked for her computer and started working.

Kale on the other hand was not in his house, but in a car dealership, looking around.

A red car suddenly caught his eye. Ford Mustang Boss 429.

It only took him one look, and he left with it.

This will suffice for now, he thought.

As soon as the car took a turn it turned all black with tainted windows and different wheels.

Even its engine sounded a bit different. Nevertheless, it sounded like a monster even when he was only sitting at the red light.

Now this, was a comfy car.

He sped up and made his way to a highway on a mountain hill, a place known for car meetings in this country's car community.

As soon as he made his way there he found about three people already drifting sideways behind each others going down.

Kale's car was tuned with his magic for drifting so he tagged along the line.

The three cars in front of him were confused.

This was their training session in order to shoot a video on this highway later on, but he joined them all of a sudden.

They were pretty sure they had never seen this car in any car event nor heard of this unknown driver pulling up on them.

Needless to say, Kale's control was outstanding in following their lead and following closely behind.

After a few minutes, they were at the bottom of the mountain.

The three of them got out of their cars, two women and a man.

They thought he would do the same but he sped up and left the area, leaving them staring blankly at the heavily tainted windows.

It has been a while since he had done something like this. He was always a fan of cars, especially the designs of humans in the many universes he visited as they were what attracted him the most. And now it seems like he won't be that bored staying here.

He took the normal highway and kept riding.

His hand laid outside the window, his hair dancing with the wind. Only him and the sound of his car alongside the warm breeze of the sunset.

Yeah, maybe he should start collecting cars on this planet too.

This ride took his mind off things a bit.

Kale may not have shown it, but ever since he gave Ari the grocery, ever since he heard her cry, he wasn't feeling the same.

He had, to take a breath.

Ever since he left her, his earring has been glowing purple and his eyes darkened.

---

After a few hours.

Ari was working in her room, again outside her balcony with a small table this time.

She had asked her secretary to bring her some papers home and she hadn't moved since she sat there.

Gradually she heard the loud car's engine ringing in her ears.

Her eyes turned to look at the black mustang parking in front of her house.

She was pretty confused until she saw Kale getting out.

"Is that the car?" She asked herself still very puzzled about the situation.

Kale looked over, nodded slightly, and went to his home.

Ari's had a questioning expression stuck on her face, looking at the car for a moment.

"Well it does match his vibe," she shrugged her shoulders and got back to her work.

But suddenly she froze in thought as she started reading.

Didn't he say he was coming to prepare dinner?

She looked at the hour on her phone.

If he's coming to prepare, then isn't he coming now?

And before she could finish her thought she saw him holding a case and walking out of his door.

"He's coming," she turned pale.