missing again

I immediately started to maneuver my Ford Mustang when Luther lowered the race flag. Cholo did not give up and his Porsche also fired up and accompanied me on the race track.

We have a close fight. There are times when he overtakes me, but I easily get the advantage again.

I grinned when he lowered the window and shouted at me. “Dude, just chill! Don’t take it too seriously! You might even burn your car. You’ll have to pay me for that!”

“Keep on dreaming, man!” I shouted back.

I changed my gears and accelerated my speed. Just a few turns and downs before we see the finish line. In the distance, I saw Luther sitting on the ground while taking pictures. The guy is into photography these days. Tomorrow, maybe his hobby will be different.

Just another lap is remaining before the finish line, so I’m comfortable that I’ll win. Cholo is close behind me, but I can still widen our gap.

The ringing tone of my cellphone on the dashboard distracted me in a good way. I immediately smiled at the thought of Femella. Using my other hand while the other was on the steering wheel, I picked it up and read her message. It was just a smiling emoji in reply to my statement earlier, but it was as if I was floating in the sky in joy.

I shook my head. “You’re crazy, Maverick.”

When Cholo suddenly overtook and got ahead of me in line, I just laughed and stroked the car I had just bought.

“Goodbye, friend.”

I was still shaking my head when I crossed the line and parked the car next to Cholo’s.

“Looks like you’re in rust, pal,” Cholo yelled at me as I approached them at the finish track of the race. He leaned against his Porsche next to our grand marshal, Luther. Instead of being annoyed, I just shrugged it off.

“Today is not my day.”

I took the key from my pocket and threw it at him, which he immediately caught.

“As we agreed, my Ford Mustang is already yours.”

He rotated the key with one finger.

“Okay! I’ll take this baby tomorrow to an event.”

I grinned. “With the number of cars you have in the garage, this is what you’re going to brag about.”

He just grinned before looking at the car with pleasure.

“It’s different, man. It’s a trophy. I got this because I beat you. I finally got my revenge for my Ford that you got last month.”

I smiled and remembered my friend’s sad face as he handed me the key to his custom-made car. With regret, I looked at my newly purchased car.

“What happened there, man? You suddenly slowed down,” Luther commented.

I remembered the emoji Femella sent me. It was as if I could still see it throwing a heart sign at me.

“I just received a very important message, so I need to respond.”

“In the middle of a race?” he asked.

“Yup. That’s how important it is.”

Cholo elbowed Luther. “Have you heard about the hottest news?”

“What’s up?”

Luther strapped the camera strap around his neck.

“Maverick brought his girl to an event last night. Almost everyone already knows that. Where are you hanging out at this time? In La Vida again?”

“I’m from Japan to take care of our joint project with Maverick.” Luther turned to me. “That’s why you are distracted. Who’s the girl?”

“Femella Alcantara,” Cholo replied before I could answer his question.

I was punched in the stomach by Luther.

“Woah, that’s why you’ve been going crazy these past few days. You’re a different man! Finally, you got her.”

My face darkened at what it meant.

“What do you mean got?”

He raised his palms as if surrendering to a police operation.

“Chill, man. I don’t mean anything bad there. What I mean is that you finally got her as your girlfriend, and it looks like you’ve been hit by the love virus as well. Is that true?”

No doubt, I nodded.

“Yes, of course. I’m already planning to propose to her.”

Last night while Femella was sleeping in my arms, I made my decision that I would propose to her. I might have no idea how she will react, but I need to let her know that I respect and treasure her. My intentions towards her were clear. I don’t want her to think that I’m taking advantage of the fact that she’s living with me. I want it to legally bind to her. I can’t wait for her to be a mother to our children.

“Woah, my man! Congrats right there! Now I have to look for the grandest gift ever.”

Cholo just laughed before falling silent again.

“I’m going to ask for this car as a gift so take care of that,” I joked.

“No chance, bro. I’ll take this baby home with me.” He went inside the car. “I’ll just do some tests on this baby. Congrats, man! Your honeymoon’s on me.”

And then he sped away like a child who had his first toy.

Luther and I just followed him with a sigh.

“Maverick, about the construction of the capsule hotel, did you like the design my team submitted?” Luther asked as we walked towards the bleachers of the stadium.

“I have yet to make a decision. So far, I liked the plans you have sent me. I’ll ask my assistant to contact you if I have the final decision.” I sat down and opened the bottled water. Luther also took a drink.

“Which assistant are you referring to?”

My forehead furrowed at the hint in his voice. “Of course I’m talking about Ivan. Who are you thinking of?”

He grinned and shrugged. “Well, I have a particular person in mind.”

“Don’t get me wrong, man. Don’t mess with Christine. She’s innocent. Don’t play with her.”

He tapped me on the shoulder before standing up.

“Your secretary is an adult, man. She can decide for herself.”

He parted his hair and showed me the cut on his forehead.

“Did you see that? She did it to me. That vixen. So aggressively innocent. You know me, Maverick. I like a challenge.”

The corner of my mouth rose. “Remind me to give her a raise. She deserves it by tainting your face. I didn’t really make a mistake in hiring her.”

“You’re a real friend, Maverick.”

I just grinned at him.

Our conversation came to a halt when my cell phone rang again in my pocket.

I stepped aside and answered it.

“Hello, Jex.”

“Sir, the security force that you assigned for Ms. Alcantara has lost her. They reported that she can’t be found in the dressing room of the mall, sir.”

“What?!”

My chest throbbed with worry and fear.

“Check the place. Check every CCTV. Call me right after.”

“Yes, sir.”

My mind came into a race when I looked at Luther.

“What was that?” he asked.

I sighed in frustration before answering.

“Femella’s missing. Can I ask for a favor, Luther?”

He nodded and immediately took out his cellphone.

“Do you have a connection with Interpol?”

My cellphone rang again. “Wait a sec. Hello.” I didn’t even bother to see who was calling.

“Maverick.”

“Who’s this?” I read the name before putting the cellphone back to my ear. “What is it Butch? It’s not the best time, man. I’m having an emergency.”

“I know where Femella is.” He said it so calmly that it was as if he had just told me what he had eaten earlier. I see red immediately.

“You fucking! Where is he!” I screamed. I grabbed the key from Luther’s hand and ran to his car. “Don’t hurt her. If it’s related to—”

“Relax. She’s not with me.” He cut me off.

I saw Luther come over and take the key from me. He motioned for me to the car. I complied. With my state now, I will definitely met an accident on the road.

“Where is he?” I asked, trying to calm myself.

“Before I tell you, I just want to remind you that this is your chance to take over the management of the group. Then coerced him to give back Femella’s sister. It’s the only way I see, Maverick. For the safety of your loved one.”

I didn’t ask him about the fact that he knew about Femella’s sister. It’s more important now that I know where Femella is.

“You’re not my father, Butch. Don’t decide for me. When I find out you have something to do with this, I will make sure you will pay for this. I can’t forgive you if ever. Where is she?”

He answered me. I turned off the call and threw the phone.

I hit the dashboard and closed my eyes. “Damn. I’m coming for you, Femella.”

Luther accelerated his drive. Minutes later, I’ve made a hundred calls to save her, to save the other piece of my life.

“Hang in there, Fem.”