HYPER

004

From the chaotic exterior, it turns out inside it's actually pretty nice.

“Wow, this is really great,” Lona said.

“Do you like it?” Ares asked.

“I like it,” Lona replied.

“Sit here,” Ares said, inviting Lona to sit beside him.

“Drinks are here…” Leo arrived with various drinks and snacks.

“Hey, dumbass, why did you bring this?” Bobby said when he saw alcohol among the drinks.

“Huh, why not?” Leo replied, confused.

“Well, Lona is here—what, don’t you care at all?” Bobby said.

“It’s okay if I want to drink, just chill,” Lona said calmly.

“Yeah, I remember. Let’s go again,” Lona said. “I was just joking earlier, Ares,” Lona continued because Ares was still silent, staring at Lona as if he was really enjoying the moment.

“Are we not going to the mall after all, or anywhere—whatever you want,” Ares said, starting the car again.

“Why are you acting like that—don’t be mad, okay? I’m sorry. I promise I won’t joke like that again,” Lona said.

“Okay, but remember—no flirting. You’re mine,” Ares said firmly.

“Okay, geez, yes Ares, I promise,” Lona replied.

After arriving at their destination, Ares and Lona were immediately greeted by the kids there.

“Hello boss, who is this?” Leo asked.

“You tell him—who’s the boss? So clear,” Bobby said.

“Hi, I’m Lona,” Lona introduced herself because Ares remained silent.

“Hi Lona,” Bobby and Leo greeted her.

“What about the others?” Ares asked.

“They’re in the back, boss,” Bobby said.

“Where’s Rey?” Ares asked again.

“Rey hasn’t come yet. He said he was taking his mom shopping earlier,” Leo said.

“That kid is acting up out of the norm,” Ares commented.

“I had no choice, boss. He refused earlier, but obviously mom outranks him,” Leo said.

“Boss, who is he to you? A cousin?” Bobby asked.

“He’s mine, so don’t get handsy,” Ares replied.

“WOAH SERIOUSLY BOSS?” exclaimed Leo and Bobby in surprise, because their boss has never been easily swayed by any woman before.

“Yeah, so don’t go messing around—or I’ll skin you alive,” Ares said.

“Yes boss, don’t worry,” Leo replied.

“We got this boss, everything can be arranged,” Bobby added.

“Hmm…”

“Alright, let’s go in,” Leo invited, and they all went inside separately.

Actually, she (Lona) has seen it before and even drank a few times—only a few times—because if her mom found out, she could be removed from the family registry, which wouldn’t be good for her.

“Lona, just chill. Here, have some juice,” Leo said, handing her a bottle of juice.

“Thanks, Leo,” Lona said.

“You’re welcome, beautiful Lona,” Leo said, instantly earning a sharp glance from Ares.

“Hey boss, that’s too mild—come on, say sorry!” Leo said.

“Hey boss, later tonight there's a race—are you going to join?” Bobby asked.

“What’s the prize?” Leo asked.

“Probably a girl,” Bobby answered.

“I wouldn’t agree if that’s the prize,” Ares replied.

“Hehe… yeah, you’re right, boss. But boss, you said there will also be that street queen tonight?” Leo chimed in again.

“Ah-choo… cough…” Lona suddenly choked on her drink.

“Hey, take it slow, Lona,” Ares said, patting her shoulder until her cough subsided.

“How are you, Lona? Okay?” Leo asked.

“I’m fine, really,” Lona replied.

“So, boss, how about this street queen? You’re not planning to join? We’re curious who this street queen is—seems so mysterious,” Leo said.

“Yeah, I’m curious too. I saw her race once—it was crazy. I admit, she’s awesome, boss. No wonder they call her the street queen,” Bobby added.

“And what are you guys so curious about?” Ares asked.

“Well, boss, her face, body posture… she’s attractive, so boss, what does she look like? Must be super pretty, maybe I’d fall for her,” Bobby giggled.

“Huff… I’m not interested in racing with girls,” Ares replied.

“Why?” Lona asked.

“It’s fine—don’t bother with it,” Ares answered.

“Are you looking down on girls?” Lona asked, a bit offended because Ares had dismissed the street queen—and in essence, downplayed Lona herself.

“No, I’m just not into racing against girls,” Ares replied.

“But that street queen is cool, you know?” Lona said.

“Let her be if she’s good. It has nothing to do with me,” Ares said casually.

“You know about racing too, huh?” Leo asked.

“You guys wanna come watch tonight?” Bobby asked.

“What? No way,” Ares said.

“Why? Don’t you like girl racers?” Lona asked again.

“They’re okay. If they’re good, I guess,” Ares replied.

“Why?” Lona pressed again.

“Well, you’re a girl, Lona—ah geez, that’s obvious,” Ares answered.

“Ares, are you going tonight?” Lona asked.

“Don’t know. Why? Are you not letting me go? Or do you want to go?” Ares asked.

“No, if you want to go then go—no problem. But can I come with you?” Lona asked.

“No,” Ares replied.

“Why?” she asked again.

“Too many guys,” Ares answered.

“Well, it's a race spot, of course there’ll be many guys—surely there’ll be girls too,” Leo interjected.

“Fine, then don’t come with us to these things,” Ares said.

“If I came to these things, would you feel uneasy?” Lona asked.

“You come to these kinds of events?” Ares was surprised—despite her tough demeanor, Lona carried herself with grace, and he couldn’t imagine her at such a place.

“Let's say, hypothetically…” Lona began.

“Uh-huh.”

“Why just 'uh-huh'?” Lona said, tapping Ares's right thigh.

“What?” Ares asked, confused.

“Answer my question from earlier,” Lona said.

“What question?” Ares still looked puzzled.

“I’m really curious—if I joined that race, would you feel uneasy or not?” Lona asked, clearly itching to know.

“Wait—so you come here after class?”

“Um, yes, after class,” Lona replied.

“Okay, now let’s head home.”

“Okay.”

“I’m outta here.”

“Alright, bye Ma’am Leader,” Leo said along with Bobby, both giggling when they noticed how patient Ares was with Lona.

“I’m surprised—Ares is so unbelievably patient with Lona,” Bobby remarked.

“Yeah, you don’t see this often unless you really have feelings,” Leo added.

“Maybe it’s love at first sight or something,” Bobby suggested.

“Yeah, that… Hey, get ready for tonight. Who knows, the street queen might get knocked off!” Leo said, referring to the earlier mention of the mysterious racer.

“Why so stiff around guys all of a sudden?”

“Eh, it’s fine. When I’m there with you, I feel safe—so I’m not worried about you,” Ares said.

“You worry about me?” Lona asked.

“Of course—I mean, you’re my future wife. If anything happens to you, who will I marry later?” Ares asked.

“There are so many girls,” Lona responded.

“But you already chose the part of me nobody sees—so you have to take responsibility,” Ares said.

“What part?” Lona asked.

“I’ll tell you when we’re married,” Ares answered. Leo and Bobby both caught on immediately.

“Oh…” they said.

“What do you mean?” Lona pressed.

“That’s it…” Leo started, but stopped at Ares’s sharp glance.

“No, Ares was right—just wait until the wedding,” Leo said, finally admitting the truth.

“Okay then, get ready tonight,” Ares told Lona. “Let’s go home.”

“Why go home so soon? I haven’t even gotten to know all your friends,” Lona said, feeling comfortable chatting with Leo and Bobby—they were on her wavelength—but Ares was already heading out.

“We’ll do that tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? Really tomorrow?” Lona asked excitedly.

“I mean someday,” Ares replied.

“Let’s go,” Ares said as he stood up, even reaching out his hand—but Lona didn’t return it. She stayed seated, pretending to be reluctant to leave.

“Tomorrow, alright? Now we’ll go home. I need to go to my dad’s office, then I’ll drop you off,” Ares said gently, crouching in front of her as if coaxing a small child.

“Tomorrow?” Lona asked.

“Yes, tomorrow,” Ares replied.

“Aren’t you going to class tomorrow?” Ares asked.

“I have classes during the day,” Lona answered.

“Right, classes.”

“But it’s daytime, Ares.”

“Yes, tomorrow morning I’ll pick you up—or…”

“Ah, forget it, I’m going to sleep now so I’ll be ready for tonight,” Bobby said as he flopped onto the sofa.

“Eh, just go sleep then,” Leo said too, lying down on the sofa in front of Bobby.