The sprawling dining room of the Raettawy mansion was bathed in warm sunlight filtering through the tall windows. The table was set for three, and the polished silverware gleamed against crisp white napkins. Sekh strode in, her fur-lined jacket draped over her arm, her casual confidence evident in every step.
Ra rose from his seat at the head of the table as she entered, a proud grin spreading across his face. "There she is—the terror of the track. How's my precious girl?"
Sekh returned the hug he pulled her into, her smile softening the sharp edges of her usual confident demeanor. "I'm good, Por. How about you? And why the sudden lunch invite? Missing me already?"
"Always," Ra replied, giving her a quick kiss on the temple then gesturing for her to sit. "Besides, I thought you could use a break from breaking records and hearts." Sekh rolled her eyes as she settled into the chair to his left. Toh entered the room quietly, carrying a tray of appetizers. He placed it on the table with his usual efficiency, offering Sekh a polite nod.
"Toh," Sekh greeted warmly. "Still keeping him in line?"
"Someone has to," Toh replied with a faint smile, taking his seat at the patriarch's right. "Hey, I'm right here," Ra interjected, mock-offended. "You two always team up on me. I might revoke Toh's bonus this year."
"Toh deserves a raise for putting up with you for so long," Sekh shot back, her smirk widening. "Flattery will get you everywhere," Toh replied evenly, the smallest hint of amusement in his tone.
As the staff brought out the first course, Sekh turned to her father, her tone growing serious. "I heard about Oh. How's he doing?" Ra's smile faltered, replaced by a shadow of concern. "He's stable. Aset's doing everything she can, but… it's a waiting game now." Sekh nodded, her brow furrowing. "Oh's a fighter. If anyone can pull through, it's him."
Ra exhaled slowly. "Yeah, he is. Reminds me of someone else I know—someone who used to think fighting solved everything." Sekh groaned, immediately catching his meaning. "Por, please don't."
"Oh, I'm going there," Ra said, a teasing grin spreading across his face. "Remember that time in elementary school? That kid made a crack about my bike, and next thing I know, you're dragging him across the parking lot by his collar." Sekh dropped her head into her hands. "I knew you'd bring that up."
"Toh that was a little before you came along but, you should've seen it," Ra continued, clearly enjoying himself. "She wasn't even his size, but she had this fire in her eyes. Like a true lioness protecting her pride."
Toh's lips twitched. "Sounds admirable. But I'm guessing that wasn't how the school saw it?"
"Detention," Sekh muttered, her voice muffled by her hands. "For a week." Ra leaned back in his chair, his expression softening. "You scared the hell out of me back then, you know." Sekh lifted her head, frowning slightly. "Scared you? Why?"
"Because it wasn't just the fights," Ra admitted, his tone serious now. "It was the target you were putting on yourself. People already knew who I was—my racing, my business. I didn't want anyone coming after you because of me." Her brows knit together, surprise flickering across her face. "You never said that before."
"I didn't want to scare you," Ra said. "You were so determined, so ready to fight for what you thought was right. But all I could think about was how one wrong move could've brought trouble to our door." Sekh stared at him for a moment, her expression unreadable, before she let out a soft laugh. "You were always worrying. I could've handled it."
"I know you could've," Ra replied, smiling faintly. "Doesn't mean I wasn't terrified every time you stood up to someone twice your size."
"Which was often, I assume?" Toh added, his tone dry but affectionate. "Thanks for the reminder," Sekh said, shooting him a playful glare. "And let's not forget that time in college," Ra added, leaning forward with a mischievous grin. Sekh groaned again. "Oh no. Which one?" Ra's grin widened. "The courtyard. That guy from the arts faculty called both of us tacky, and before I knew it, you had him in a headlock on the ground!"
Toh raised an eyebrow. "A headlock? How did I not hear about this?"
"I was proving a point!" Sekh protested, her cheeks turning pink. "And he started it."
"To be fair, he did deserve it," Ra admitted, chuckling. "But the look on his face? Priceless. You scared him so bad, I don't think he ever came near you again."
"I don't know whether to laugh or be embarrassed," Sekh muttered, shaking her head. "Laugh," Toh suggested, his voice calm. "It's good for morale." Ra chuckled, his mood lightening again. "But hey, it worked out. You've still got that fire in you, just like on the track. You may be racing cars instead of bikes, but I'm still proud of you."
Sekh blinked, caught off guard by his sincerity. "You are?"
"Of course," Ra said, leaning forward. "You found your path, and you're damn good at it. That's all that matters to me." Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she looked down at her plate. "Thanks, Por. That… means a lot."
"Toh, make a note," Ra said, grinning. "The first time she's been speechless since she was ten."
"Duly noted," Toh replied, his faint smile widening.
The sound of laughter echoed through the warm dining room. Ra was in rare form, teasing Sekh about her primary school and college exploits. Toh sat to the side, his usual reserved demeanor softened slightly by the lively atmosphere. Between bites of roasted meat, Ra recounted yet another story. "And then there was that time you went after that guy at the rally. What was his name again? Oh yeah—Jimmy the Mouth."
Sekh groaned, shaking her head. "Por, please. He deserved it. He insulted my pit crew!"
"And you responded by tackling him in front of his entire team," Ra said, grinning. "Legendary move. But I was ready to pay for his dental work if it came to that."
Toh cleared his throat lightly, his tone even as he jumped into the conversation. "It's clear you've always had a fiery streak, Sekh. Speaking of which…" He leaned forward slightly, his expression casual but his words calculated. "Have you been working on anything new? Outside of racing, I mean?"
Sekh raised an eyebrow, her fork pausing mid-air. "New? Like what?" Toh shrugged, his tone deliberately nonchalant. "Oh, I don't know. Love? Coaching, mentoring, maybe? You seem like someone who'd enjoy teaching, passing on what you've learned." Ra chuckled, not catching the subtle undertone. "Mentoring? You'd scare them off, Sekh. They'd be too busy running laps to keep up with you."
Sekh smirked, shaking her head. "Por's right. Mentoring's not my thing. I've got enough on my plate just staying ahead of the competition." Toh pressed on gently, his tone carefully neutral. "Still, you're one of the best in the game. I imagine plenty of people would jump at the chance to learn from you—if you had the right student, that is."
Sekh tilted her head slightly, narrowing her eyes at Toh. "Are you fishing for something, Toh? You've got that look." Toh gave her a small, innocent smile. "Not at all. Just curious. You've been very busy lately, that's all."
"I've been busy practicing," Sekh said firmly, though a faint flicker of something unreadable passed over her face. Ra, still oblivious to the subtext, leaned back in his chair with a laugh. "See? She's got no time for anything else. My girl's all about the track." Toh nodded, retreating smoothly but making a mental note of Sekh's brief hesitation. "Of course. Racing's what you're best at, after all."
Sekh smirked, her confidence returning. "Damn right."
Ra leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes narrowing playfully as they landed on Sekh's wrist. "Silver, huh? That's a change. You usually stick to gold. What's the occasion?" Sekh glanced at the bracelet, running her thumb over the smooth metal. "It's just a gift from a friend. Nothing special." Ra raised an eyebrow, a teasing grin spreading across his face. "A friend, huh? Not a romantic partner?" Sekh nearly choked on her wine, hastily setting the glass down. "What? No! It's not like that!"
Toh, watching the exchange with a faint smirk, arched an eyebrow. "That was a pretty strong reaction, young lady."
"Because it's ridiculous! Like I said, I don't have time for love!" Sekh shot back, glaring at both of them, though a hint of a blush crept up her cheeks. Ra chuckled, his tone softening. "Relax, cub. I'm just saying, I hope you find someone one day. Someone who'll take care of you, and someone you can take care of in return. You've got a lot of fire, Sekh. It'd be good to share that with someone." Sekh stared at him for a moment, her expression caught between annoyance and fondness. "You're impossible, you know that?"
"Only because I care," Ra replied, raising his glass in a mock toast. "To your future, whoever they might be."
Sekh rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the small smile tugging at her lips. Toh sipped his drink, silently enjoying the banter while making a mental note to keep an eye on that bracelet.
Toh remained silent for the rest of lunch, his sharp mind piecing together the subtle clues Sekh had unwittingly left behind. If she was The Hawk's mentor, she was playing her cards close to her chest—but Toh wasn't ready to dismiss the possibility just yet.
–☀︎–
Back at the practice track, the sun was beginning to set, painting it in warm hues of orange and gold. Sun leaned casually against his bike, the sounds of the pit crew packing up echoing faintly in the background. He spotted Mel lingering near the edge of the pit, pretending to jot something down in his ever-present notebook.
Sun smirked behind his helmet. He'd seen this act before. He strode toward Mel, his boots crunching on the gravel. "Still fishing for a story, you?" Sun said, his voice teasing through the visor. Mel glanced up, feigning nonchalance. "Maybe. Or maybe I just like watching you ride."
"Flattering," Sun replied, crossing his arms. "How about this: I'll give you your story—off the record. But it's gotta be private." Mel's eyebrows lifted in surprise. "Private, huh? Sounds serious. What's the catch?"
"No catch," Sun said. "Just dinner. My treat. You bring your questions; I'll bring my charm." Mel grinned, closing his notebook. "Fine, but don't think buying me dinner means I'll go easy on you."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Sun said, turning toward his bike. Sun hesitated for a moment, then turned back, his voice quieter. "One more thing. Give me your number. It'll be easier to keep in touch—about work." Mel looked at the racer suspiciously but silently took his phone out and handed it to the other. Once Sun had put his number in, he handed the phone back and winked. "Seven o'clock. I'll text you the address."
—
The restaurant was upscale but not pretentious, its dim lighting and plush decor giving it an intimate atmosphere. Mel sat at a corner table, glancing around as soft jazz played in the background. He adjusted his jacket, feeling slightly out of place but intrigued.
When Sun walked in, Mel couldn't help but notice the attention he drew. Dressed in a sleek white button-down and black slacks, Sun exuded confidence. His helmet was gone, but in its place, he wore a black surgical mask, hiding the lower half of his face.
Mel smirked as Sun approached. "A mask? Really? What, are you a surgeon now?"
"Gotta keep the mystery alive," Sun quipped, sliding into the seat across from him. "Wouldn't want you losing interest."
"Bold assumption," Mel shot back. "You're the one who invited me, remember?"
"Touché," Sun said, picking up the menu. "So, Rosscrest, is this strictly business for you, or are you here for more than just answers?" Mel leaned back, his grin widening. "I could ask you the same thing. A private interview at a fancy restaurant? Feels a little… personal." Sun shrugged, his amber eyes twinkling above the mask. "Maybe I wanted to see if you're as sharp off the track as you are on it."
"Careful, Hawk," Mel teased, resting his chin on his hand. "You keep this up, and I might start thinking you're flirting with me."
"And if I am?" Sun said, his tone playful but edged with genuine curiosity. Mel blinked, momentarily caught off guard, but quickly recovered. "Then I'd say you're mixing business with pleasure. Not very professional of you."
"Good thing I'm not a reporter," Sun countered, leaning forward slightly. "Besides, I'd argue this is all part of the interview. You wanted to know what drives me, right?" Mel tilted his head, a spark of amusement in his eyes. "Alright, I'll bite. What drives you, Hawk?" Sun paused for a moment, his gaze steady. "Freedom," he said simply. "On the track, behind the visor, no one knows who I am. No expectations, no limits. It's just me, the bike, and the road."
Mel nodded, his voice softer now. "And off the track?" Sun leaned back, his fingers tracing the edge of his water glass. "That's what I'm still figuring out. Maybe that's why I invited you here—to see if someone like you can keep up." Mel laughed, shaking his head. "You've got a lot of nerve, Hawk. But I'll admit, you're interesting."
"And you're not bad company," Sun replied. "So, tell me, Rosscrest—are you going to keep trying to unmask me, or are you willing to wait and see where this goes?" Mel smirked, picking up his drink. "Depends. Is this interview going to have a second part?"
"Only if you're up for it," Sun said, his voice warm with mischief. Mel raised his glass in a mock toast. "Here's to keeping me guessing." Sun chuckled, his eyes crinkling above the mask. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
The dinner had mellowed into a quieter rhythm, their playful banter giving way to a more serious undercurrent. Mel, leaning slightly forward, tapped his pen absently against his notebook, sensing there was something Sun hadn't said yet.
"Alright, Hawk," Mel said, his tone softer now. "You've got speed, skill, and mystery. But there's more to this, isn't there? Why now? Why are you pushing so hard to climb the ranks?"
Sun, still masked, leaned back in his chair, his amber eyes flickering with something unreadable. He stared at his water glass for a moment before speaking, his voice lower than before. "Because it's not just about the career," Sun said. "I mean, yeah, I want to make my mark, prove I've got what it takes. But there's something else driving me—something I don't talk about with just anyone."
Mel set his pen down, his gaze steady. "You brought me here, remember? So talk." Sun hesitated, then sighed, his fingers drumming lightly on the edge of the table. "You know about Oh Wesir, right? He's been in a coma for months. He was more than just an idol to me. He's… family. Or close enough. Ra and Seth? They're part of that too. Oh taught me the basics of what I know now."
Mel nodded slowly. "Yeah, I know about him. The crash at Mehen. Brake failure, right?"
"That's what they're calling it," Sun said, his tone hardening. "But I don't buy it. Oh's bike was spotless before that race. It wasn't just a mechanical failure. Someone sabotaged him." Mel's eyebrows shot up, but he didn't interrupt.
Sun leaned forward, his voice now sharp with determination. "I've been digging into it, but everything leads to dead ends. Whoever did it is covering their tracks, and no one's talking. The only way I'm going to get close enough to find the truth is by becoming part of their world—climbing the ranks, earning their trust, making them think I'm just another hungry racer looking for glory."
"And what happens when you find them?" Mel asked quietly. Sun's eyes darkened.
"That depends on what I find. But I'm not stopping until I know who's responsible. Oh didn't deserve this. Ra, Seth… none of them do. And I sure as hell won't let whoever did it get away with it." Mel sat back, crossing his arms, studying Sun for a long moment. "So this isn't just about racing for you. It's about justice."
"Call it what you want," Sun said, his voice steady. "I call it paying back the people who gave me a shot when no one else would." Mel tilted his head, his lips twitching into a faint smile. "You know, for a guy who hides behind a mask, you wear your heart on your sleeve." Sun let out a soft laugh, his eyes crinkling above the mask. "Don't get used to it, Mel. It's a one-time deal." Mel raised an eyebrow. "So you say. But something tells me this interview just got a lot more interesting."
"It's not just an interview anymore," Sun replied, his tone soft but firm. "It's a story. And one I'm trusting you to handle right." Mel nodded, leaning forward again. "Don't worry, Hawk. If there's one thing I'm good at, it's digging up the truth."
"Good," Sun said, his voice dropping slightly. "Because I'm going to need someone like you when things get messy. And trust me—they will."
As they reached the parking lot after the dinner, Sun looked back towards the shorter man "This was nice, maybe we should meet up more often. You know to discuss work of course." Mel smirked, leaning against his car. "Work, huh? Something tells me you're going to use it for other things."
Sun tilted his head slightly, the faintest crinkle at the corners of his eyes betraying a grin behind the mask. "Would that be such a bad thing?" Mel chuckled. "Not bad at all. But you'd better have something more interesting than work the next time you text me."
"Oh, I will," Sun replied, his voice low and teasing. "Trust me—I know how to keep things interesting." Mel laughed softly "Careful, Hawk. I might hold you to that."
"Looking forward to it," Sun said with a wink, stepping toward his bike. "Now, I think it's time to head home." Mel looked at him, a grin still on his face. "You're full of surprises, aren't you?"
"Only the good kind," Sun shot back as he rode off into the night.