Chương 123: X5
Dr. Chen's office was bathed in warm, golden light as the late afternoon sun slanted through the venetian blinds. Arell sank into the familiar leather couch, his fingers tracing absent patterns on the armrest. The air was thick with the scent of lavender from the diffuser on Dr. Chen's desk, a subtle attempt to create a calming atmosphere.
"Welcome back, Arell," Dr. Chen said, her voice soft but firm. "How have you been since our last session?"
Arell's gaze flicked to the window, watching dust motes dance in the sunbeams. "Alright, I guess. Busy with the mixtape, you know how it is."
Dr. Chen nodded, her pen poised over her notepad. "And how about things with India? You mentioned last time that you were planning to visit her in LA."
A flicker of emotion crossed Arell's face, there and gone in an instant. "Yeah, about that..." He trailed off, his jaw tightening almost imperceptibly.
"What happened, Arell?" Dr. Chen prompted gently.
Arell's fingers drummed a restless rhythm on his thigh. "I, had uh... I got a DNA test done- the baby is mine, but… still."
Dr. Chen's eyebrows rose slightly, but her voice remained neutral. "That's a big step. What led you to that decision?"
Arell's laugh was sharp, brittle. "I don't know. Paranoia? Trust issues? Take your pick."
"Let's explore that," Dr. Chen said, leaning forward slightly. "What were you feeling when you made that choice?"
Arell was quiet for a long moment, his eyes fixed on a point somewhere beyond Dr. Chen's shoulder. When he spoke, his voice was low, almost reluctant. "Scared, I guess. Overwhelmed."
Dr. Chen nodded encouragingly. "That's understandable, Arell. Becoming a parent is a huge life change. It's normal to feel overwhelmed. But I'm curious about the fear. Can you tell me more about that?"
Arell's posture stiffened, his hands curling into fists on his lap. "It's just... I was thinking…what if it's not mine? India initially tried playing with me for her show and everything. I juts wondered, what if she's just using me again?"
"Has India given you any reason to doubt her?" Dr. Chen asked gently.
Arell shook his head, frustration evident in the set of his shoulders. "No, not really. It's just... I can't shake this feeling, you know? Like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop."
Dr. Chen made a note on her pad. "Arell, we've talked before about your trust issues stemming from past betrayals. Do you think those experiences might be influencing how you're approaching this situation with India?"
Arell's eyes snapped to Dr. Chen's face, a flash of defensiveness in his gaze. "What, you think I'm just projecting or something?"
"I'm not saying that," Dr. Chen replied calmly. "I'm asking you to consider how your past might be shaping your present reactions. It's something we all do, often without realizing it."
Arell's shoulders slumped slightly, the fight draining out of him. "Maybe," he admitted reluctantly. "I just... I don't want to get played again, you know?"
Dr. Chen nodded sympathetically. "That's a valid concern, Arell. But I want you to think about something. By automatically assuming the worst, by not allowing yourself to be vulnerable, what might you be missing out on?"
Arell frowned, his brow furrowing. "What do you mean?"
"Well," Dr. Chen said, her tone gentle but probing, "have you had any moments of joy or excitement about becoming a father? Have you allowed yourself to imagine a future with this child?"
Arell's silence was answer enough.
Dr. Chen pressed on. "Have you done any of the things expectant fathers often do? Talking to the baby, resting your head on India's belly, planning for the future?"
Arell shifted uncomfortably, his gaze dropping to his hands. "No," he admitted quietly. "I haven't... I haven't done any of that stuff."
"Why do you think that is, Arell?"
Arell's laugh was hollow, devoid of humor. "Because what if it all goes away? Gone, just liek that."
Dr. Chen leaned forward, her eyes filled with compassion. "Arell, that's the risk we all take when we open ourselves up to love and connection. But by not taking that risk, by keeping yourself closed off, you're denying yourself the possibility of something beautiful."
Arell was quiet for a long moment, his face a mask of conflicting emotions. "I don't know how to be... soft."
Dr. Chen's voice was gentle. "What does 'soft' mean to you, Arell?"
Arell's hands clenched and unclenched in his lap. "Vulnerable. Open to getting hurt."
"But is that really what softness is?" Dr. Chen challenged gently. "Or is it about allowing yourself to feel, to connect, to love without reservation?"
Arell's eyes met Dr. Chen's, a hint of uncertainty in his gaze. "I... I don't know."
Dr. Chen smiled encouragingly. "That's okay, Arell. This is a process. But I want you to try something for me. I want you to allow yourself one moment of softness with India. It doesn't have to be big. Maybe it's a lingering hug, or a gentle touch to her belly. Just one moment where you let your guard down, and I'm not talking about sex... I genuinely loving moment. Can you do that?"
Arell nodded slowly. "I'll try."
As the session wound down, Dr. Chen made a final note on her pad. "Arell, I want you to remember something. Strength isn't about never being hurt or never being vulnerable. True strength is about having the courage to open yourself up to love and connection, even knowing that you might get hurt. That's the bravest thing any of us can do."
…
Arell stepped out of Dr. Chen's office, blinking in the bright sunlight. Her words echoed in his mind as he made his way to his car. The session had left him feeling raw, exposed, but also strangely lighter. He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. Today was the day his X5 was finally ready.
The shop came into view, glinting in the afternoon sun. As he stepped out into the lot, the shop owner, Mike, emerged from the building, a wide grin on his face.
"Arell! You're in for a treat," Mike called out, wiping his hands on a rag. "She's all ready for you."
Arell followed Mike into the shop, the scents of oil and leather filling his nostrils. And there it was - his X5, transformed into something straight out of his wildest fantasies.
The matte gunmetal grey paint job caught the light, giving the SUV a stealthy, aggressive look. Gloss black accents on the grille, mirrors, and roof rails provided a striking contrast. The Vorsteiner body kit had completely reshaped the X5's silhouette, with a sharp front splitter, muscular side skirts, and a rear diffuser.
"Damn," Arell breathed, circling the vehicle slowly. His eyes were drawn to the massive 22-inch Vossen wheels, their satin bronze finish a perfect complement to the grey paint.
Mike grinned, enjoying Arell's reaction. "Wait till you see what's under the hood. But first, hop in. Let's see how she feels."
Arell slid into the driver's seat, inhaling deeply. The interior was a perfect blend of luxury and sportiness. The Recaro Sportster CS seats hugged his body, their leather and Alcantara surfaces feeling both plush and supportive. His hands gripped the flat-bottomed BMW M Performance steering wheel, its Alcantara wrap and carbon fiber inserts adding to the race-inspired feel.
"Go ahead, fire her up," Mike urged.
Arell pressed the start button, and the X5 roared to life. The Akrapovič exhaust system gave voice to the beast under the hood, a deep, aggressive growl that sent shivers down his spine.
"That's the Dinan Stage 4 upgrade talking," Mike explained, raising his voice to be heard over the engine. "We're looking at over 600 horses under that hood now. Want to take her for a spin?"
Arell didn't need to be asked twice. He eased the X5 out of the shop, immediately noticing the responsiveness of the steering and throttle. As they hit the street, he couldn't help but grin at the heads turning to watch the SUV glide by.
"Let's head to the highway," Mike suggested. "There's a stretch where you can really open her up."
Once on the highway, Arell found a clear stretch and pressed the accelerator. The X5 surged forward with a ferocity that pressed him back into his seat. The upgraded ZF 8-speed transmission shifted seamlessly, keeping the engine in its power band as the speedometer climbed rapidly.
"Holy shit," Arell laughed, easing off the gas as they approached other traffic. "This thing's a rocket!"
Mike nodded, clearly pleased. "0-60 in about 4.5 seconds. Not bad for a luxury SUV, huh? And the KW V3 coilovers are keeping everything nice and planted."
They exited the highway and found some twisty back roads to test the X5's handling. Arell was impressed by how flat the SUV stayed in corners, the upgraded suspension allowing him to push harder than he'd ever dared in a vehicle this size.
As they made their way back to the shop, Mike ran through some of the other upgrades. "We've got the Brembo GT big brake kit - 6-piston front, 4-piston rear. Essential for stopping all this power. And of course, the whole thing's bulletproofed as requested, weighed it down a bit but nothing that couldn't be fixed with a few mods."
Back at the shop, they popped the hood to admire the engine bay.
"Want to test out that bulletproofing?" Mike asked with a grin.
Arell raised an eyebrow. "For real?"
Mike nodded, leading him to a separate area of the shop. He produced a handgun from a locked cabinet. "We use this for demonstrations. Low-caliber, but it'll show you what we're dealing with."
They positioned a sheet of the same glass used in the X5's windows. Mike fired three shots in quick succession. The glass spiderwebbed but held firm.
"Damn," Arell murmured, running his hand over the impact points. "That's impressive."
As they walked back to the X5, Mike continued his rundown. "We've got the Bang & Olufsen sound system installed. Top of the line, perfectly integrated. And all the interior trim has been swapped out for carbon fiber."
Arell slid back into the driver's seat, taking it all in. The LCI LED headlights and taillights gave the X5 a more modern, aggressive look. Every detail, from the custom stitching on the seats to the carbon fiber accents, spoke of great attention to detail.
"So, what do you think?" Mike asked, leaning against the door frame. "Everything you wanted?"
Arell grinned, his hands caressing the steering wheel. "Man, it's beyond what I imagined. This is... this is perfect."
…
Arell cruised down the highway, the powerful BMW X5 purring beneath him. As he pulled up to the address Geoffrey had given him, Arell's eyebrows rose in surprise. The building was larger than he'd expected, with modern architecture and tinted windows. He parked the X5, giving it an appreciative pat before heading inside.
Guitars of every shape and size lined the walls, their polished bodies gleaming under the soft lighting. Violins hung delicately from specialized racks, and in one corner, Arell spotted a small trampoline surrounded by various exercise equipment.
Before he could take it all in, Geoffrey appeared, a knowing smile on his face. "Arell, perfect timing. I have something to show you."
Geoffrey led him to a computer station and pulled up a chart. Arell's eyes widened as he took in the information.
"Fair Trade... number one on the rap charts… number 10 Billboard…how?" Arell breathed, disbelief coloring his voice.
Geoffrey nodded, his smile widening. "Congratulations, Arell. You've done it."
Arell blinked, then quickly accessed the system in his mind. Sure enough, there was the notification he'd somehow missed. He quickly checked the rewards.
[Ding! Reward Unlocked: Chart-Topping Momentum]
["Riding the Wave: Sustained Success" (Epic)]
[You've achieved a major milestone with your first #1 hit and Billboard top 10 single. This reward package includes:]
[Fan Loyalty Boost: Your core fanbase's dedication increases by 50%, leading to more consistent streams and purchases.]
[Industry Respect: Gain a 15% boost in collaboration requests from established artists.]
[Infinity Brand Amplification: Infinity, receives a 40% boost in recognition and sales.]
[Song Structure: "Work" by Rihanna ft. Drake]
[Song Structure: "Intentions" by Justin Bieber ft. Quavo]
Arell's mind raced as he processed the rewards.
This is all good but… Rihanna. System why would you give me a song with Rihanna of all people?
Now, Infinity, that caught his attention. He turned to Geoffrey. "So apparently we now have a 40% boost in Infinity sales and recognition."
Geoffrey's eyes gleamed with calculation. "Interesting. I suppose we'll have to accelerate our plans. This boost may be a replacement to the catalyst, that would be your mixtape."
"You think now is the time to send Ak that video." Arell asked.
Geoffrey grew a wide smile. "Within a weeks time… yes."
As Arell's excitement grew, Geoffrey gestured to a door on their left. "Now, let me introduce you to your new team."
They entered a large, open room where two individuals stood waiting. Geoffrey pointed to each in turn. "This is Mia, your vocal coach. Next to her is Jamal, your dance coach-"
"Dance?" Arell interrupted, confusion evident in his voice. "I only asked for vocal coaching."
Geoffrey's smile turned enigmatic. "Trust me, Arell. You'll thank me later." As he turned to leave, he called over his shoulder, "Oh, and your instrument coach will be here next week. We're starting with piano and guitar."
And as if he hadn't dropped enough surprises, he spun back. "Oh, Oh, one more thing, you're name is coming up in Grammy nominations for Top New Artist. You're in competition with 5 seconds of summer for a spot apparently. Bye."
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