What the f***?
"What does that word even mean?"
Maya's innocent question nearly caused a disaster at the dining table.
Arif choked on his food so violently that he had to clutch his throat. Rick wasn't in any better condition. Both of them coughed as if they had swallowed fire instead of rice. Maya stared at them with wide, confused eyes.
"What?" she asked, genuinely puzzled. "Did I say something wrong?"
Arif kept coughing, his face slightly red. Rick cleared his throat awkwardly, avoiding her gaze.
Arif finally managed to speak between coughs. "Brother Rick… maybe you should explain."
Rick shot him a glare. "Why me?"
Maya leaned forward curiously. "You were the one who said it earlier. So what does it mean?"
Rick forced a stiff smile. "It means… telling someone to go away. Like, asking for space."
Maya blinked. "So if I want someone to go away, I can say that?" F****
Rick nodded too quickly. "Yes. Exactly. That's all it means."
Arif coughed again. "Please focus on eating before I lose my life over vocabulary lessons."
Rick slapped Arif's shoulder playfully. "Before you die, sign your property over to me. You can't take it with you anyway."
Arif narrowed his eyes. "You've been eyeing my property, haven't you? Traitor."
Rick smirked. "You just realized? I was born a traitor."
Maya watched them carefully.
They were joking.
Or were they?
Later that night, Maya stood alone on the small balcony of her room.
The glass railing only reached her waist; beyond it, the winter night stretched endlessly. Centramony stood in a mountainous region of America, isolated and silent. Behind the mansion lay a vast maple forest—untouched, almost wild. The trees had shed their red leaves, carpeting the ground in crimson. Under the dim lights from the house, the forest looked hauntingly beautiful.
But Maya's mind wasn't on the scenery.
Her phone call earlier echoed in her thoughts.
AS4 had not been pleased.
Four days. Four days, and she had gathered nothing substantial. The mission was stalled. Funds were being spent—especially on her university enrollment, which had required a significant "donation" instead of a scholarship. Every day without progress was costly.
"You are falling behind," AS4 had said sharply. "Focus."
He had also given her new information.
Every Sunday, Arif and Rick attended underground bike races.
Every Sunday.
Not for fun.
For something else.
Their "partners" also participated.
Tonight was Sunday.
If she wanted answers, she had to go.
There was more.
Centramony's basement.
AS4 believed something important was hidden there. A secret that could change everything. Maya needed proof.
Every detail mattered. Even small jokes at dinner.
Arif's property.
Rick calling himself a traitor.
Were they truly joking? Or was there truth hidden beneath laughter?
She couldn't ignore it.
Another thought disturbed her.
Arif and Rick were not foolish men. They were sharp. Powerful. Resourceful.
So why hadn't they uncovered her background?
Or… had they?
What if they already knew?
What if they were pretending too?
A chill ran down her spine.
Until she knew for certain, she had to keep acting.
Keep smiling.
Keep playing innocent.
"Hello, little bird."
Arif's voice behind her made her jump—though she quickly masked it as surprise.
Little bird.
She had heard that name before. From his mother. Apparently, when they were younger, Arif used to call her that whenever she pouted after he teased her.
She didn't remember.
Or maybe she did, faintly.
She pointed toward the forest. "What are those red trees called?"
"Maple."
"Are they always red?"
"Only in winter."
Her eyes sparkled. "I want to see them up close. Can you take me?"
"No."
Her face fell. "Why?"
"It's not a garden. It's practically a forest. You're not going."
"I won't go inside. Just look from the edge."
"Can't you see from here? I'll buy you glasses if you need."
She pouted.
Then suddenly—
"Come."
She blinked. "Where?"
"You wanted to go."
"At this hour?"
"Night or day, what's the difference?"
She hesitated. "It'll be too dark. Tomorrow during daylight."
He shrugged. "Your wish."
A maid approached silently with coffee. As always, her face was partially covered by a triangular black silk veil. All the maids in Centramony wore it. Not for modesty—only to hide their faces.
Why?
And why did they mostly stay confined to their rooms?
Another mystery.
Arif sipped his coffee while staring at her.
She shifted slightly. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
His voice lowered. "You're beautiful."
The words hit her like electricity.
Her heartbeat spiked.
Her breath caught.
"It's not new," she said softly. "Everyone says that."
He stepped closer. "How many said it like I did?"
She couldn't answer.
For a moment, the world narrowed to his gaze.
Then—
A notification sound.
Arif frowned and checked his phone.
Rick: I'm downstairs with the bikes. Race starts in 30 minutes.
Arif looked back at her.
"Coming with me?"
Her heart skipped—this was it.
"Where?"
"Bike—"
"Let's go," she said too quickly.
His eyes sharpened.
She swallowed. "Actually… maybe not."
"Wait two minutes."
He walked away.
When he returned, she almost forgot to breathe.
Black leather jacket. Dark fitted jeans. Heavy boots. Gloves. Mask. Helmet in hand.
He looked like a professional rider.
"Come."
She followed him outside, struggling to match his long strides.
Another rider waited beside a sleek black bike.
Rick.
Two motorcycles.
Arif handed her a helmet and secured it for her himself.
She sat sideways.
"Are you trying to fall?" he snapped. "Sit properly."
She quickly adjusted.
Rick's voice came through his helmet. "You're bringing her?"
"Yes."
The engines roared.
And then—
They flew.
The speed stole her soul.
Wind screamed in her ears. The highway stretched endlessly under cold night skies. The bike's engine vibrated like thunder beneath her.
She clung to Arif, panic flooding her veins.
In her helmet, she whispered frantic prayers.
"Please let me survive… I'll never ride again…"
Arif increased speed.
She screamed.
Ten minutes later, they stopped near a tunnel entrance.
Other bikers were already there—men and women dressed in racing gear.
Her legs trembled when she tried to stand.
The world spun.
Arif removed her helmet and froze.
Her face was pale.
"Maya."
She collapsed slightly against him.
Elizabeth approached. "What happened?"
"Water."
Within seconds, he splashed water on her face.
"Maya. Open your eyes."
She blinked weakly.
Then suddenly burst into tears like a child. "I'm never riding again. Take me home."
He wiped her tears. "Okay. Calm down."
The race had been scheduled for midnight.
It was postponed to one.
Arif and Rick were top racers. The event couldn't begin without them.
But there was more at stake than pride.
Rick spoke quietly. "We shouldn't leave her here. Jack is present."
Arif's eyes flicked toward a man laughing with his group nearby.
"You think I'll race without thinking?"
"You can't race with her either."
Arif ran a hand through his hair. "Today's deal is big."
Rick's jaw tightened. "If we lose this—"
"We can't lose."
Arif looked at Maya, sitting near a fire with Elizabeth.
Her breathing had steadied.
But danger lingered in the air.
Underground races weren't just about speed.
They were about power.
Money.
Deals.
And secrets.
Arif's voice lowered.
"No matter what happens… she stays in my sight."
Rick nodded.
The tunnel lights flickered in the distance.
Engines began to rev.
And somewhere beyond the forest, beyond the red leaves, something darker waited.
Tonight wasn't just about racing.
It was about a deal.
And Maya had just stepped into a world she didn't understand.
The countdown began.
And this time—
There would be no turning back.
(To be continued…)