Chapter 8: Ready, Set, Go
I sat inside the Senna, my legs sticking out outside. The doors were up, shading my eyes from the sun. This had to be what they were made for.
Matt sat just in front of me, leaning against the hood of the car. He had his sunglasses on, looking far too relaxed for someone about to watch me race one of the top influencers in the city.
We've been here for a while, waiting and joking, killing time before Mila came.
"Man, you nervous?" Matt asked me with a wide grin. "She's got connections. She could pull up with any car, you know."
I chuckled, shaking my head. "It's not about the car. It's about the driver."
"I call bullshit." Matt snorted. "If my car races against your car, we already know the winner. Driver my arse."
"That's an unfair race from the beginning." I chuckled. "But Mila and I will both be driving supercars. That's different."
"Whatever you say, Senna boy."
We exchanged grins.
"Just don't mess this up. You've been texting back and forth with her for days now. I'd hate to see you blow your shot."
I nodded in agreement. The past few days had been smooth. I'd kept the conversation light, making sure not to mention my last name.
To her, I was just Nico, some guy with a fast car and a bit of charm.
It hadn't taken long to set up the race. Mila loved the idea of filming it, turning it into content for her channel, and I'd agreed without hesitation.
Whatever it took to make this happen. I needed the race for the second step of the plan.
Just as Matt was about to crack another joke, that's when we heard it. The low growl of what had to be the engine of a supercar.
A green Lamborghini Aventador SVJ pulled up, looking like an aggressive beast. Right behind it was a Ford Explorer, loaded with camera equipment.
Mila had brought her crew, just like she said she would.
She parked next to us and I could already see her smiling through the windshield.
She hopped out of the car, looking like she just stepped on the red carpet but with a casual outfit. Being this good looking had to be studied.
One of her friends, also blonde like she was, stepped out of the passenger's seat, following her while two guys came down from the Ford, already recording.
"Nico!" Mila called out, walking towards me with her signature energy. She gave me a side hug, the kind influencers give when they're both friendly and conscious of their image. I returned the hug like the gentleman that I was.
"You ready for this?" She asked with a wide smile.
"Absolutely." I grinned in return before gesturing to Matt who was standing beside me with the awkward energy of a third wheel. "This is my friend Matt."
Matt waved casually, but I knew him well enough to see how much he was holding himself back from making a fool of himself.
"And this is Riley." Mila said, introducing her friend. Matt and Riley exchanged large smiles and just as we planned, he stepped in smoothly to keep her occupied.
No one wants that jealous friend ruining your rizz.
"So," Mila brushed her hair behind her ear, "you think your Senna can keep up with my Lambo?"
"Of course." I smirked, leaning against the door of the Senna. "If you think this is about speed, prepare to lose." I winked.
"It's not about speed?" She laughed. "Then what is it about?"
"Experience." I said cheekily.
She laughed, eating up the banter. "Alright. Let's see if your experience can beat me on the track."
We began prepping for the race and that's when I realized how many cameras will be filming the whole thing.
The camera guys fitted cameras inside the car, outside the car, the curves in the tracks and a flying drone. It's like they're setting up cameras to capture the end of the world.
We'd all been fitted with mics to capture what we were saying clearly.
Mila was already speaking into her phone camera, giving her followers a sneak peek, but her attention kept drifting back to me.
I flirted with her effortlessly and while I knew she was replying to get more content, I could tell she was having fun with it.
But before it was time to enter our cars, I walked up to her, one of the camera guys following closely.
This was it. The moment of truth. "Hey. How about we make this more interesting?"
She raised her brows in interest at my words. "Really? What do you have in mind?"
I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice. It was for show though because the mic would still catch my words.
"How about a bet? Whoever loses has to grant the winner a wish. Anything."
I could see the excitement in her eyes at my words. "Deal. But don't complain when you lose."
I smirked. "Don't complain when I win."
"Racers!" Matt called out from where he stood with Riley, both of them smiling widely. "Enter your cars."
I gave Mila one final smile before turning away. I walked to my Senna and took a moment to watch her enter her Lamborghini before I entered my car.
I couldn't stop the grin that appeared on my face as I started the Senna, feeling the deep growl of the engine reverberating through my chest.
Everyone was excited, even the filming crew.
The track was set and the rules were clear. I gripped the steering wheel tightly, feeling my heart pounding in my chest.
And no, it wasn't from nerves. It was from the pure adrenaline coursing through me. This was the moment.
Riley came to stand slightly in front of and in between our cars. She raised a white handkerchief in her hand.
I revved the engine in anticipation, exchanging a glance with Mila as she revved hers too.
Then, the handkerchief dropped.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone