Chapter 6

“I, uh, haven’t figured it out yet.” I honestly replied, which made her laugh.

“Fine. Take me to your favourite place in Joburg. I’m willing to get to know you better as well.” Kiara stated and stood up. She picked her purse up from the glass table and redid her scarf around her neck. She looked back at me with a flick of her hair and smiled. “You coming?”

“Oh, uh, yeah.” I stuttered and quickly jumped to my feet. Kiara walked off, and I followed behind her. I tried to hide the excitement that she wanted to get to know me better and refrained from happily cheering. A voluminous smile spread onto my face as I quickly looked at Kedwyn as we walked past. He gave me a thumbs up and chuckled to himself.

“We’ll take my car,” Kiara remarked as we walked out of the grocery store. She interlocked her fingers in mine and pulled me towards a blue 1967 Camaro SS Convertible.

This car was a stunning Chevrolet with a rectangular shaped frame. It only had two doors, so the backseat passengers had to climb over the front seats. The car had the original solid white line painted across the front of the bonnet, just above the headlights. The roof could open and close depending on the weather. The interior was covered in white leather and in mint condition.

“This is your car?” I gasped and ran my hand gently over the door.

“Yeah, I have a thing for old cars,” Kiara responded and tucked her hair behind her ear. She looked so damn gorgeous when she did that. It made my heart melt.

“This was my childhood dream car. My Dad used to work at a repair shop, and they had this red Camaro that was never claimed. It just sat there and rusted away over the years as I grew up. I loved that car, but the repair shop owner refused to sell it.” I smiled as I retold the memory.

“I guess you would like to drive then?” Kiara offered and threw the keys at me. I caught them and beamed at her like a child that just opened his Christmas gifts.

“You serious?” I gasped, and she nodded with a giggle. I quickly opened her door, and she climbed into the passenger’s seat. I excitedly jumped in next to her, and the engine roared to life as I started the ignition. The sound was music to my ears.

The roof was open as I dropped the clutch and spun the tires before speeding off.

As I drove, the cold wind blew into my face. I loved speed. I joined in races and accelerated my way past vehicles on the roads every chance I got. I always loved to go fast. When I was younger, I learned how to drive a motorbike before a bicycle. My Dad would often take the vehicles he was working on in the repair shop for a spin. JB and I loved it when he clamped down the accelerate and shot forward.

As I got older, my passion moved more toward cars. My high school memories were mostly of how I stole cars and took them for joy rides. That and many overnights spent in jail and being at the hospital from an accident. The broken bones didn’t stop me for long; as soon as I could, I was back in a car and speeding down the street. I honestly have no idea how I passed the grades. I never studied, and bearly was at school to attend the classes.

Kiara’s laugh made me smile. She seemed excited by the speed I was going. Her silver hair and scarf blew in the wind behind her. I skid the tires as I drifted around a corner, and she held onto my leg with her hand.

“Jason!” Kiara yelled and seemed a bit scared, so I slowed down.

“Don’t worry. I won’t let you get hurt.” I reassured her.

“I don’t trust you enough to believe that.” She shook her head. Her nose and ears were red from the cold. She looked super cute, besides the frown placed on her lips.

“Hey, don’t frown, love. I’m sorry for scaring you.” I stated and touched her leg. I tried to show Kiara some attention while I drove. I had to focus on the roads, especially since I lived in South Africa. The people here don’t know how to drive.

“Just don’t do it again. Where are you taking me in any case?”

“My favourite spot,” I replied sarcastically with a laugh. “It’s an old cabin that my brother and I found when we were younger. I’m pretty sure that it’s abandoned, but we always used to come here and pretend we lived alone.” I added with a smile.

“Let me guess, you bought all your girlfriends here as well.” Kiara raised her eyebrow. I shook my head and drove passed the sign for Emmarentia Dam.

“Well, my brother JB did. It was his hookup spot. I didn’t date much. I was too interested in racing. After my Dad died, we didn’t come here much. So, you’re actually the first.”

“You never bought another girl here?”

“I did. Just not one I liked.” I replied and winked at her.

“You’re sad.” Kiara laughed and looked away from me. I could see her cheeks were a slight pink as she looked away. It was probably another one of her acts to make people think she was a bitch. I shrugged, and a few minutes later, I took a turn down a dirt road.

We went through a woodsy area and past a bunch of barren trees. The road had a few bumps and the overcast sky shined light through the dry branches. In the distance, I could hear the flowing water as it crashed against the river banks. We stopped by our destination, just outside the old cabin.

I hopped out and walked around to open Kiara’s door, but she beat me to it and opened it herself.

“I can help myself, thanks.” She stated and looked around.

The cabin was well hidden, and not many people would be able to find it unless they knew which turns to take. Kiara’s ankle boots pressed against the hard ground as she stood up.

The cabin itself was made of wood and looked like it wasn’t taken care of. The glass of the windows was thankfully not broken, and moss grew on the wood in patches. It had gotten worse since I last saw it.

“It’s uhm… cute. If you like that Forrest type of vibe.” Kiara remarked as we walked towards the front door.

“She just needs some TLC.” I smiled and turned the door handle. The door didn’t open due to the wood swelling at the bottom from the water, so I had to use force to get in. It flew open and broke away from the hinges as I pushed the door. With a loud crash, the door fell against the wooden floor.

“Fuck.” I muttered, and Kiara burst into laughter.

“Maybe you shouldn’t have pushed so hard.” She stated and walked in. Her boots clicked against the wood as she walked over the door. I walked into the cabin behind her and picked up the door to lean against the wall. The hinges were completely rusted and brittle, which is why the door broke off its frame.

I should probably come to fix this place up a bit.

“Sorry, I know this isn’t like the fancy places you usually spend your time in.” I apologized and ran my hand through my hair.

“I don’t mind.” Kiara sweetly said and held up her hand. “Want to give me a tour?” She asked as I took her hand in mine.

“Sure.” I happily smiled. Kiara seemed to like the old cabin as I showed her around. It warmed my heart as this was a place dear to me.