The sight behind him was unscientific. That was the only thought in Kris' mind as his eyes looked ready to jump out of their sockets.
The SUV had already performed illogically enough, swinging its weight around the many corners and bends of the track. But that could be attributed to Alex's skill, and the modifications he had put his car through.
However, for it to go from around three seconds of acceleration to obviously less than two, that was not supposed to be possible! Not when everything seemed to have been bet on versatile performance and handling!
Kris' heart pounded, as the heavy black beast made a mockery out of the light Corvette. It was like it was coming to crush the latter, and even the German tanks from the second world war might not have been more fearsome.
Kris looked at the finish line in front, and at the road. He gritted his teeth, considering the possibility of taking the middle of the road to force the Range Rover back, before he gave up.
It was not out of pride, but rather out of fear of his cousin, that smiling devil.
He took a deep breath, and pushed down deeper on the accelerator, taking the only path left, which was to see who would win after everything came down to pure speed.
100 meters
The SUV ate at the last bit of distance between the two cars, the dark, gleaming bumper contrasting with the sky blue of the rear wing.
70 meters
The two cars ran neck to neck, the Corvette looking tiny beside the Range Rover.
50 meters
The SUV started taking the lead, and started leaving the supercar behind.
20 meters
The SUV passed the supercar, leaving Kris gritting his teeth in anxiety and frustration.
10 meters
Kris finally saw the cause for his despair. He saw the blue flames coming out of the exhausts of the dark SUV, and his eyes widened, both due to that, and also due to the finish line that was crossed before him.
The two cars flash past the radars at the finish line, their speeds keeping them running and making them become red dots in the distance before they started to slow down.
The crowd exploded at the gathering where the race had started. The race was exhilarating, making the night feel worth it, especially, as Lance said, they had witnessed the bet of the year, and its outcome, leaving only the aftermath to enjoy.
The happiest of them all was Lance, who raised his mic with a wide grin and announced:
"The race is over, with the victory of Alex~ Lenner~!!! Now everyone who has made a bet, come and pay up!!! Those who bet their cars, bring the keys here!!! As for the rest, I know where to find every one of you!!! Remember to wire the money at the earliest tomorrow if you don't want me to visit you!!! As for those who have made the right bet, we made it BIG!!!"
"Ohhhh!!!"
"Woooo!!!"
"Yeahhh!!!"
Some wept while some laughed. But overall, it was indeed the peak of the night.
Ron smiled at the scene, only for his focus to be pulled back by the a voice close to him:
"The key."
The calm but distant voice was beautiful, and Ron turned to find its owner closer to him than before, her hand held out toward him to demand her due.
Ron smiled at the blue-eyed and threw the key upward, as he spoke:
"I lost, so my car is yours. But can you at least tell me your name?"
The blonde intercepted the key before it could fall back onto Ron's open palm, and calmly looked at him, then at the car behind him.
Ron could only smile and comply to the wordless demand by moving to the side. The blonde sat in the car, and as she closed the door, a bit of helplessness bled onto Ron's face.
So when the window of the car was lowered, his face brightened up with hope, and he held his palm below the key held out toward him without any hesitation.
"Take that rental back, and maybe you might get what you asked for."
Ron raised his eyebrows in surprise, then immediately showed a wide smile he thought charming enough:
"I will! I will also learn your name, and I will find you!"
The blonde's blue eyes showed no ripple, neither interest nor disregard. She simply turned away and raised the window back, started the engine, and turned the car around.
As she made to leave, her gaze fell on the large connected screens, on the face of the pilots being displayed, one angry and frustrated, the other calm, with a wisp of a smile on his smile, carefree and mildly excited.
As she maneuvered the car, her gaze moved away. She carefully navigated her way through the gathering, before pushing the accelerator down once the road was free from any obstruction.
The Chevrolet growled, and moved into the distance, leaving only its red taillights for Ron to look at, until it disappeared.
His smile deepened, along with the interest in his eyes, as if the indifferent treatment had stirred something more than the simple desire to taste something different.
He inhaled and pushed down the heat in his heart, then turned to Lance, the center of the excitement.
_ _ _
_ _ _
The Range Rover Sport slowed down and stopped. The blue Corvette got the cue, stopped beside the dark beast, and Kris lowered his window in response to Alex lowering down his.
He gave his elder cousin a dark, dispassionate look, and asked flatly:
"What, now? Ready to gloat?"
Alex placed his arm on the door of the SUV, and looked down. He didn't care about his younger cousin's guarded tone, and he did not gloat, like the latter was expecting. He only stated one fact with a carefree smile that showed none of the adrenaline from the race:
"You lost."
Kris gritted his teeth and replied sharply:
"Don't worry, I will honor our bet."
"Oh? I don't doubt that, but I don't feel the need to take care of more cars, so let's do something better."
While Kris furrowed his brows, Alex continued:
"Sell your collection and donate the money to the pediatric department of the family's hospital."
Kris' eyes widened in shock:
"You!!!"
Unfortunately, he was not allowed the time to voice his shock and anger. With one last uncaring smile, Alex pressed on the accelerator as he raised back the window on his side.
Only his voice lightly floated over, like fuel for the flame he had lit up:
"Alright, see you, cousin."
There was a moment of silence, then Kris slammed his hand on the wheel in front of him and exploded:
"DAMN YOU, ALEX! DAMN YOU!!"
He angrily glared at the camera installed in the car, harshly pulled it, and threw it outside before slamming another palm strike onto the steering wheel.
After taking the time to breathe heavily and calm down, somewhat, he restarted the Corvette, and drove away.