Chapter 107_ Quitting racing?

“What's wrong?" Arya asked when she noticed the pale look on Kane's face. Kane looked at Arya, then back at the map.

“The circuit includes the portion of the highway where my mom died,” Kane answered in a low voice, and the room fell into a hushed silence as everyone looked at Kane. He continued, “I had never driven through that point since the accident. I always take a detour because I get lots of scary thoughts in that curve, and the day I lost her would play back in my head like a haunting nightmare. Every detail, every sound, every emotion I felt that day — it all comes rushing back, overwhelming me. It's like I'm reliving that tragic day over and over again, and I just can't face it.” He revealed, his voice choked with emotion.

Arya blinked as she looked at Kane with an emotion she couldn't describe. She had always been afraid of cars and even driving in them, but after meeting Kane and being with him, he had helped her overcome her fears and the inner demons of the tragic incident involving her parents’ death. She had been selfish all this while, not realizing that Kane had also witnessed his mother's death and had been in the same car with her. He was also battling his own fears and nightmares. ‘Oh, God! How could I have been so blind not to see his pain?’ Arya thought, her lips trembling as tears gathered in her eyes.

“He hardly slept at night after it happened, you know? Kane could only turn to liquor, which led to rebellion, partying, racing on the track, and frolicking with women. That was his coping mechanism and the only way he could piss off his father and make him feel the pain he had unknowingly caused him and his mother,” Alonso chimed in as he looked at Kane with a wistful smile while Kane glared at him for revealing his secrets and making him so vulnerable in front of the women, especially his Tigress.

Suddenly, Arya lunged herself into Kane’s arms as muffled sobs racked through her. “Oh, Kane. I– I’m so sorry.”

Kane sighed as he wrapped his arms around her and rubbed her back. “Don't cry, my love. It's not good for the baby. It's alright, I’m fine. As long as you're with me, I can face anything, even my own fears, okay? I just need you and our baby to be safe and sound,” Kane said, and Arya's sobs intensified as she rubbed her face against Kane's chest, wetting his shirt, but Kane didn't mind that; he was instead worried for her and the baby. He looked at Chloe and Alonso with panicked eyes.

Chloe stood up from her seat and went to sit beside Arya, gently pulling her away from Kane and into her arms. She comforted, “It's alright, Arya. Kane is fine now. Now stop crying, or my God baby will be a crybaby when it's born." Arya chuckled amidst her tears and nodded her head. “Come, let's get you to rest for a while. We’ll leave the boys to go through the plan.” Arya said nothing as she stood up and followed Chloe as they both went upstairs together.

Alonso and Kane were left alone now, and Kane let out a sigh of relief. "What happened to her?" Kane asked, looking at Alonso with furrowed brows.

Alonso shrugged as he stood up and moved closer to Kane. “She's probably feeling so emotional because of the baby," he said, then placed a comforting hand on Kane’s shoulder. “You don't have to go through the race alone, buddy. We're here for you every step of the way.”

Kane smiled at Alonso and nodded at him. “I know. Thank you, Alonso," he replied while Alonso waved him off, and then both of them looked at the map once again, going through the details.

“Oh shit!" Alonso cursed and pointed at the final part of the circuit, which runs through the rocky mountain range north of town. “These are all narrow roads and impossible curves. One mistake and you're off the cliff,” he said, glancing at Kane with a worried look.

“To be honest, that's my favorite stretch of the race. That's where driving skills will really make a difference. The rest of the race is mostly down to who has more horsepower,” Kane said, then looked behind him to check if the coast was clear before he moved closer to Alonso and whispered, “I don't want the girls to know about this. I don't want to worry Arya more than she already is, okay?"

“Of course, my lips are sealed," Alonso said, bringing his index finger to his lips, mimicking a zipper being pulled across them, and then gave a reassuring nod.

Suddenly, Kane’s phone vibrated in his pants pocket, and he dipped his hands inside and brought the phone out. His brows pulled together when he saw that the caller ID was his father.

Despite wondering why his father might be calling him, Kane pressed the answer button and placed the call against his ear. His father's worried tone sounded on the other line, “What do you think you're doing, Kane Maranello? Pull out of the damn race immediately, and where is Arya? Why wasn't I informed that my son has decided to put his life at risk?”

“Dad, please. I don't know how you found out about what is happening over here, but Arya has nothing to do with this. I'm a grown man who can make decisions for himself, and I won't be a coward by dropping out of the race because you asked me to. What? Don't tell me you're worried about me?" Kane said, while Alonso leaned closer with curious eyes.

“I do, son. I really do. If this race is about money or you trying to act carelessly once again, please, son… don't do it at the expense of your safety,” Franko said, and Kane fell silent, surprised that his father had said that to him.

His face softened, and he said, “Dad, this isn't about you or the money. You know I can survive on my own even without Maranello Enterprises behind me. I promise this will be the last race I’ll participate in, and then I will make an announcement to the world that I am quitting racing.” He said, while Alonso widened his eyes at his words. ‘He wants to quit racing?’ he thought.

On the other side, Franko’s eyes watered for a long moment before his trembling voice resounded on the phone. “Goddamnit, son! You're exactly like your mother.”

Kane’s eyes watered too, and he said in a trembling voice, “That's… that’s the best thing you've ever told me.” After a very long time, both of them felt like a father and a son once again.

Franko sniffled over the phone and said, “I won't try to stop you; I know it's futile. I could lock you in a dungeon, but I'm sure you would escape. So, all I can do is wish you good luck. Be careful, son.”

Kane smiled, feeling like all the grievances he had been holding in his heart toward his father had been lifted, and he said to him, "Thank you, Dad."

“You're quitting racing?" Alonso asked as Kane immediately ended the call and dropped his phone on the table.

“Yes, Alonso. I think this is the end for me. It's time for me to take over the company and relieve my father of his burden,” Kane said, a thoughtful look etched on his face.

"I'm glad you made up with him, Kane. And I support your decision,” Alonso said, and then a mischievous glint shined in his eyes as he teased, "It seems Arya's work as your babysitter will be coming to an end as well since you're no longer behaving like a spoiled brat, huh?” Kane scowled and glared at Alonso as he threw a playful punch at his arm.