CHAPTER 3

“Noooooo!” I screamed at the top of my lungs.

“Hey girl, can you please calm down?” Kendra hissed.

Glancing at her unbelievably, “ Look Ken that Coleman was crazy!”

“Alright, so he wants you?” Trinity asked this time.

Slamming my forehead, I drank up the remaining wine on my glass as I faced the city. We’re on the rooftop of Kendra’s father’s building, and I can visualize from a distance the Coleman Empire. I felt my blood instantly boils up to my head when I remembered him.

“He said he’ll be back after a week,” I replied to Trinity.

“Like, who does he think he is? Am I a puppy that he’ll just ask from my parents?” My tantrums were eating me, completely ruining my day.

“Come on Jada, chill. He’s probably kidding.” Kendra suggested which made me glare at her.

“No, he’s not. He even accused me of trespassing and attempted murder? For real, in front of my parents.” I shot back still gritting my teeth.

“Well, I wonder what the reason why he wants you. Remember how he despised women?” Trinity asked.

Me too, I don’t know. But my eyes suddenly gazed at my tattoo. My forehead creased when I remembered that night how shocked he is when he saw it, just before I collapse. Shaking my head, I walk to the table where the wines are and poured another shot on my glass again. I don’t see anything else why he would have an interest in my tattoo, it’s not the reason I think. But I can’t think of any reason why he wants me. Was it because I witnessed how he jerk his member off? I haven’t even had the chance to stare at it. I felt my cheeks instantly heated, damn, what am I thinking?

Does he plan to assassinate me? Make me a slave? Or make me a crocodile’s food?

“Hey, Jada!” Taken aback by my thoughts when Kendra screamed my name.

“What?” I asked annoyed.

“You’re on planet mars again, we’re asking you what your parents said?” Kendra asked.

Facing the woman, I smiled bitterly.

“Guess what?” I asked.

“Uhm of course they won’t agree right?” Kendra shot back.

“You’re their youngest child Jada, no matter how they neglect you, you’re still a Turner.” Trinity asserted this time.

Stared at them for a while and face the city lights again, as the cold breeze embraced me so I closed my eyes.

“Come on Jada, don’t tell me?”

“Yeah.” I chuckled full of bitterness. I don’t want to open my eyes, it’ll only cause me to regret having that warm liquid lingering around it. Being emotional is the last thing I would do, not unless I couldn't hold back anymore.

“That’s insane,” Trinity whispered but good enough for me to hear.

Yeah, they really are. I was asking myself what did I do wrong when I was a child to deserve such hate and such treatment from my own family. To the point that they’re willing to let that man get me, for the stake of my older sister's safety and the company’s stability. Are they really for real?

If I didn’t run upstairs and lock the door, Coleman probably dragged me out of the mansion and do whatever he wants. But I won’t let him.

“So what are your plans? Hide? That’s should not be in your option Jada, you have no idea how powerful Achilles Coleman is. Even if you hide in your mom’s underwear, he’ll still find you.”

Frowning at what Kendra mentioned, I turned my body to face her.

“Chill, I’m just kidding.” Kendra chuckled, so as we did. Killing the mood of sadness seconds ago. I know what she’s trying to do, but it won’t take my grudge away from my parents and to that assh*le.

“How about going to the States? I have a penthouse there Jada, you can use it.” Trinity suggested.

To be honest, I truly appreciate these two, and I’m not sure if I’ll be able to survive without them.

“Sounds good, but I will be having a race in a week. Maybe after that, I’ll schedule a flight.” I replied.

“So you’re still thinking of that race despite the situation huh? You’re unbelievable.” Kendra shot back.

“Foreign racers will participate, Ken, I can’t let this opportunity pass.” A line of grimace flashed on my face. I won’t let them win this time.

“So you’re up for your revenge now huh? They’re veterans Jada, you can’t just eliminate them one by one. Besides, you’re a woman, aren’t you afraid?” Trinity asked continously.

Looking at her in dismay, “So you’re saying that we women weren’t capable of winning over them?” I asked.

“No, that’s not what I mean Jada. Racing is for men…”

 I cut her off.  “No. I’ll win.”

As an image of a 16-year-old slowly flash in my memory.

***

“You know what kid, better try your luck next time. Or maybe just don’t try and quit racing.”

“This isn’t for you.”

I was looking at the Russian racer who won the race against me. I was sitting on the ground and leaning on my car unbelievably. I made a wrong maneuver on the wheel and ended up my car colliding on the railing and losing my momentum.

“So see you after 4 years baby girl.” He added winking at me annoyingly.

As my hands slowly formed into fists, I cursed him to death in mind. I’ll f*cking crush him in the racing track.

***

“I’ll make him remember everything he said to me and experience what he made me feel that time,” I growled as I didn’t notice the glass that has been crushing by my own hands. Slowly glancing at it when I felt the pain entering my core as the blood continously ran out of it.

Quickly removing my gaze at it, I shift back to the city lights and glance at the Coleman Empire. I’ll set him aside for the meantime, once the race is done then I will settle this mess. Flying to the U.S is the only escape plan I have, and I might accept Kendra’s company offer on me regarding that modeling thing after Dad cut all his credit cards on me.

“Hey Jada, sit here with us. Don’t think too much, you still have us, we won’t let you eat some porridge.” Kendra joked around. Shaking my head in disbelief with this woman’s humor, I walk closer to them.

“H-hey your hands were bleeding,” Trinity mentioned with eyes widened as she slowly panics  

“It’s nothing,” I replied as I slowly sat on the couch next to her and removed the broken glasses digging my hands.

“Damn Jada, you’re such a stupid and hard-headed woman.”Trinity bellowed helping me remove the broken glasses.

It’s dramatic to hear, but I was much more broken than these glasses. Keeping the thought for myself, I wrap my hands with the moist towelette and stand up.

“W-where are you going? Stay here!” Kendra exclaimed echoing at the rooftop.

“Stop being so loud!” I shot back and continously walks out as my smile slowly fades.

Where the f*ck I am going? I decided to go home because I don’t have a place in mind. I can’t stay with those two and burden them with my own problems, they have their own things to battle with.

“You can’t go back here until you aren’t fixing this mess, Jada! If you have to kneel in front of Achilles Coleman do it! Don’t drag us with your troubles.” Mom exclaimed as she throw my things out of the mansion before slamming the door.

I glanced at the closed door coldly, she’s hopeless. Slowly picking up my things, I noticed that a pair of eyes were staring at me, from my peripheral vision I glance at the veranda of my older sisters. Seeing grimaces on their faces, they seemed satisfied with what they witnessed. Raising my brows at them, I stick my middle finger for them to see how fine I am, and I smiled sweetly before carrying my things inside my car.

I even manage to stick around my tongue around them to annoy them more before entering the driver’s seat. That’s the last thing I could do. I won’t let them see me beg nor cry, it’s not on my league of characters.

Now where the f*ck I am going?

At the thought of nowhere to go, I ended up drinking inside of the club my friends and I used to go to.

“Surprising to see you alone here, where’s Kendra and Trinity?” A familiar voice echoed followed by his presence beside me.

“What’s shocking about this Martini?” I shot back not glancing at him.

“Have some problems?” He asked again ignoring my words.

“Cut it. I went here to drink and not to brag about my problems.” I coldly stated and started to pour another shot of margarita on my glass.

“Fine then.”

I want to thank him for not asking again. But after a couple of minutes, my forehead creased when he speaks again.

“Are you ready for the race next week?” Martini asked which made me chuckle and glance at him.

“You witness how I prepared myself for this event to happen Martini.” I shot back.

“I know Jada, that’s why I can’t wait with it.” He replied nodding.

Then I remembered the favor I was about to ask Kendra. I wanted to slap myself for forgetting it. Should I just call her about it? No, I’ll just visit her again tomorrow.

“Russo is also rooting for you.”

Taken aback by the name that Martini mentioned, my hands automatically folded into fists. That Russian name is a curse for me.

“Well, he must be expecting for me to do the same mistakes I did before. But of course, I won’t let that happen again. I’ll make him eat everything he said.” I grunted. Feeling the rage inside me, I drink my margarita to calm myself.

“I love the confidence there, I just hope you prove him wrong this time Jada. I hope.”

I didn’t reply to him and stood up when I felt a bit dizzy, I didn’t notice that I was drinking a lot, plus the fact that I drink earlier with Kendra and Jada.

“Hey, where are you going now?” I heard Martini ask.  

“Home,”  I replied and wave my hand at him shortly without glancing.

I stop for a moment when I realized that I don’t have a home to go to. I was too occupied at the thought that I wasn’t able to notice the man in front of me. My face instantly crumpled in disgust, when I smelled a combination of cigarettes and alcohol from him.

“You smell sh*t.” I blurt out and look at him in his eyes straight. I saw how he got pissed at what I said as his teeth gritted displeased.

“What did you say, woman?” His big voice echoed as I felt the surroundings stop for a moment and focus on us. Does he want attention? Fine, I was too eager to release my emotions inside since earlier, he seemed a good distraction.

“You’re too feisty but you shouldn’t test my patience.” He mocked me facing me on my level.

I move closer next to his ear.

“Punch me then,” I whispered before flashing a wide grin for him to see how not feared I am.

His forehead creased as I can feel his rage building up, and raised his arms for a punch. But I quickly avoided it.

“Come on don’t embarrass yourself,” I stated, letting everyone hear. 

“I’ll kill you!” He bent out of shape which made this situation interesting.

“I’m pleased to hear that.” I scorned out.

With his huge body, he managed to uplift me strangling my neck. I notice how the audience became stiff and shocked at the view.

I smiled.

“What a wretched.” I managed to say in between my words as I hardly speak.

Before he could throw me on the table, I quickly punch his face hard enough to release me, I gasped a breath for a while but quickly stood up and kick him onto his member, which made him twist in pain.

“You’re dead!” He screamed and glared at me, but before he could recover I kick him straight on his face this time making him fall off the ground, and put asleep.

“You haven’t had any sweats.” Martini commented from a distance. I ignored him and was about to leave the place when my attention was caught by a muscular man wearing his usual business attire looking at me in awe. As he keeps on circling the wine on the glass he was holding. I noticed how his face formed a small grin on me when he caught me staring at him in surprise.

What’s Achilles Coleman doing here?