Chapter 3 - Midnight Engines
765 Words
The evening sky slowly darkened as classes ended across Saint Valencia University. By the time Ophelia finished her café shift, the city no longer looked warm and alive like it did during the day.
Streetlights flickered awake one by one.
Neon signs reflected against rain-soaked roads while distant music echoed from hidden corners of the city. Expensive cars replaced crowded buses, and the quiet night air carried the dangerous energy Valencia City became known for after midnight.
Ophelia pulled her hoodie tighter as she walked alone beneath the glowing lights, unaware that the night was about to show her a completely different side of Liam Castillo.
Rain lightly drizzled over the streets as Ophelia stepped out of the small coffee shop near midnight.
The neon sign above the café flickered weakly while she adjusted the strap of her bag tiredly.
Her shift had lasted longer than expected because one of the workers called in sick.
"You should head home already," Chloe Benitez said while locking the café door behind her. "It's getting dangerous out here."
Ophelia smiled softly. "I'll be okay."
Chloe gave her a suspicious look. "You always say that."
Ophelia laughed quietly before waving goodbye.
The streets were colder at night.
Cars passed occasionally, their headlights reflecting against the wet pavement. Ophelia pulled her hoodie tighter as she walked toward the bus stop.
But halfway there-
A loud engine roar echoed through the distance.
Then another.
And another.
Ophelia paused.
The sounds weren't normal traffic.
They were louder.
Faster.
Dangerous.
Curiosity pulled her toward the noise before she could stop herself.
She followed the sounds through narrow side streets until flashing lights suddenly appeared ahead.
A crowd gathered beneath an abandoned bridge outside the city center.
Motorcycles.
Sports cars.
People shouting.
Music blasting through giant speakers.
Ophelia's eyes widened.
An underground race.
Her heartbeat quickened as expensive cars lined the street like predators waiting to attack. Men exchanged cash while girls stood on car hoods cheering loudly.
The atmosphere felt wild.
Illegal.
Exciting.
And terrifying.
"What is this place..." Ophelia whispered.
Then the crowd suddenly erupted into screams.
"He's here!"
"Castillo!"
"No way-"
A black car rolled slowly through the crowd.
The moment Ophelia saw the driver, her breath stopped.
Liam Castillo.
One hand rested lazily on the steering wheel while the other tapped against the open window. Streetlights reflected against his sharp jawline and dark eyes.
He looked completely different here.
Not like the quiet boy from school.
Here, Liam looked alive.
Dangerous.
Like he belonged to the chaos.
Girls crowded around his car instantly.
"Liam!"
"Race tonight!"
"You better win again!"
He ignored most of them.
Meanwhile, Theo Ramirez leaned against another car nearby laughing loudly with Ethan Velasco and Marco Villanueva.
"Thought you weren't showing up tonight," Theo called.
Liam stepped out of the car calmly. "Changed my mind."
Ophelia quickly hid behind a concrete pillar before anyone noticed her.
She knew she should leave.
This place screamed trouble.
But she couldn't stop watching.
A girl in a red dress climbed onto the center platform holding a flag.
"Rules are the same!" she shouted through a microphone. "First to finish wins!"
Money exchanged hands rapidly around the crowd.
Engines growled violently.
Then Liam pulled on black racing gloves.
The crowd practically worshipped him.
Ophelia stared silently.
How could the same person who sat quietly in class become someone this fearless at night?
The racers entered their cars.
Music blasted louder.
The flag lifted.
Three...
Two...
One-
The flag dropped.
Cars exploded forward instantly.
The sound nearly shook the ground beneath Ophelia's feet.
People screamed excitedly as the racers disappeared down the dark highway.
Ophelia stepped closer unconsciously.
Her eyes searched for Liam's black car weaving dangerously between traffic at impossible speed.
"He's insane..." she whispered.
But somehow-
She couldn't look away.
Minutes later, engines thundered back toward the finish line.
The crowd pushed forward excitedly.
A black car shot across the finish first.
Liam.
Everyone erupted into chaos.
Money flew everywhere while people shouted his name.
Theo laughed loudly while slamming his hand against Liam's car roof.
"I told you idiots he'd win!"
Liam stepped out calmly like risking his life meant nothing.
His knuckles were slightly bleeding again.
But he didn't seem to care.
Ophelia stared at him from the shadows.
And maybe that was her mistake.
Because suddenly-
Liam looked directly toward her hiding spot.
Her stomach dropped.
Their eyes met instantly.
Cold dark eyes locked onto hers through the crowd.
Recognition flashed across Liam's face.
Ophelia panicked.
Before she could turn away, Liam started walking toward her.
- Writer
