Oliver
"Excellent work, everyone. That was decidedly impressive."
I genuinely couldn't believe how enthusiastically the drift event was received. Asin won, as is his custom.
I had been severely apprehensive earlier. Whatever transpired with Marie must have truly unsettled him, yet he prevailed—by a significant margin, too. He was two miles ahead by the time the second-place car crawled over the finish line.
I tried calling, but his phone was off.
"Keresley? What is Asin's current location?"
The second-in-command of the CCTV team checked the monitors. "He is... " he looked at me with some uncertainty, "...down at Bilje Beach, 12.6 miles from here."
"Any complications?" I asked.
"No, Mr. Aster. There are barely any CCTV cameras in the town. The local police are only now arriving at the scene of the race," he confirmed.
Hmm. So, he desired solitude.
To hell with that.
"Leyla, I'm going to find him. Pack up the remaining equipment, and then you are free. Send me updates on his location if it changes."
"Yes, Mr. Aster."
~
I found him sitting on the sand, his car parked a few feet away.
Damn it. What happened?
I made a call and arranged for someone to retrieve the car.
I didn't call out to him. I simply sat beside him in silence.
We watched the waves inching ever closer with every splash. After several minutes of shared quietude, I finally turned to him.
"Brother, what occurred?"
He shook his head first. "Reality happened, brother. Destiny made itself manifest. We shall have clarity by the morning."
I gleaned little from that pronouncement, but I could hazard an educated guess.
"Did you... present her with the contract, and she reacted poorly?" I asked with caution.
"How about she reacted poorly... and then I presented the contract," he chuckled darkly.
"Brother, we need to achieve a mutual understanding here. Tell me everything." I tapped his arm.
Then he told me.
"...and then I simply departed before I did or said something that would only exacerbate the situation," he concluded.
There was a great deal to unpack.
"Ayshe, was it?"
I remembered her words. She had spoken to her sister, who then communicated the damage to Asin? You inflicted that darkness upon him?
Damn it.
I was profoundly disappointed and felt a strong pang of guilt.
Looking at my friend, I had never seen him in such an unusual disposition.
I caused this.
"Don't entertain such nonsense."
I looked at him, startled, as if he could read my mind.
"I was enraged at first... but the race proved to be cathartic." He sighed.
I looked down at his knuckles—bashed and bloodied.
"I see."
"It is no longer within our control. She has..." He checked his watch. "...five hours or so to decide her course of action. But Oli?"
"Yes?"
"Let us never again speak of such foolishness."
I remembered our conversation just before the wedding.
"You have my word. Whatever you wish." I gripped his shoulder firmly. "Listen, we can simply leave, you know, if the outcome is unfavorable. Depart for a short while."
He shook his head and tapped my knee. "No, brother. Too many now depend upon us. We can never turn our backs on them now."
He smiled for the first time.
"You are correct. Next time." I joked.
"Next time."
We sat there for an hour, simply talking. At some point, I offered him a ride back to the hotel, but he would have none of it. He chose to swim back to hear her decision.
Watching him take on the ocean waves, his words rang true: whatever happens, happens.
I believe there is nothing you cannot accomplish, brother. Nothing at all that you cannot overcome.
---
Asin
The cold, unyielding water was an experience unlike any other, in the best possible way.
I enjoyed it so immensely that I began to intentionally slow my stroke. Perhaps I simply wished to prolong the silence that was so comfortable—just the waves and the slowly ascending sun above me. I let the currents carry me, my only companions the seagulls who followed, seeming to bless my journey.
I walked inside the room and quietly closed the door behind me.
I surveyed the suite. Marie was sleeping soundly. I saw the contract lying conspicuously by her bedside.
I resisted the powerful urge to check whether she had signed it or not and walked out to the living area.
I sat down on the couch and soon found myself lying horizontally.
What a maelstrom of emotion this past week had been. Too much had transpired too quickly.
I slowly drifted into sleep.
'...Bought me like cattle...'
I turned to the other side, forcefully pushing her voice out of my mind.
Leave me alone. Allow me to rest.
I got married today and won my first drift race, so why do I only hear those wretched words?
---
Ayshe
I woke up with the sun.
The moment I opened my eyes, yesterday's awful events crept in, and the guilt started to settle heavily in my chest.
What exactly had I done in my blind, self-righteous anger?
I had essentially ruined my sister's wedding day and... who knows what else.
Damn you, Slug. Damn myself. I started looking around and grabbed my phone.
It was early, but I tried my luck anyway.
Please pick up tired but happy...
"Yes, Ayshe."
I closed my eyes and tapped my head in frustration. I could immediately tell by her tone that she was in a foul mood.
"What has happened, Marie? Listen, what I said yesterday was... fundamentally unfair, okay? I am truly sorry that I made you..."
"Hush, please. It is far too early for these kinds of discussions. I will call you later."
"W-wait. Marie, did you say something or... do something?"
She waited a moment before answering.
"...I have done plenty, sister. I will call you later."
She hung up.
I slumped back down onto the bed, fighting the urge to tear out my own hair.
What on earth came over me? Why couldn't I simply have waited... just one more day?
She sounded genuinely distressed. Something terrible is imminent, and when her marriage inevitably explodes, I will be held directly accountable.
I mean, it's not as if anything had fundamentally changed from the day our parents accepted this arrangement, yet I allowed my worst impulses to take over. I egged Marie on, fueled her righteous anger... and the worst part?
I did it with deliberate intent.
Damn you, Ayshe.
I was in a terrible headspace.
I couldn't derive any pleasure from breakfast with my deliriously happy family, who informed me that we were soon leaving to say our goodbyes to Marie before she departed for the capital.
"...and then we shall pack up as well. We are leaving tomorrow," my father smiled broadly.
Here it comes.
As the only one who didn't already know—at least that's what they assumed—they waited keenly for my reaction.
All those smiles. They were so utterly happy. Even my grandmother, who was never materialistic, smiled from ear to ear.
"I see. I will pack after breakfast."
I forced a brittle smile onto my face as they exchanged some incredulous looks upon hearing my compliance.
They likely anticipated some form of protest.
"You can pack this evening, honey. We need to see your sister off... on a private jet, no less," Mother leaned closer, elaborating proudly.
I felt the food playing a vicious wrestling match in my stomach.
Not knowing the specifics of the situation was agonizing. She said she would call me later, but we were about to leave to see them.
What are you doing, Marie? What damage have you already inflicted?
---
Marie
I was terrified to leave the room.
I glanced at the unsigned contract.
I glanced at my phone. 6:56 AM.
He must be back. But after waking with a slightly clearer head, I felt absolutely terrible. My sister called so early, so full of apologies about yesterday, which only made me feel worse about my actions last night.
I mean, I did what I did... on our wedding night! Clear your head, Marie. You will desperately need your wits about you.
After a little while, I forced myself to leave the room.
I looked around, confused, as I couldn't immediately locate him, but then I spotted him on the couch, sleeping soundly.
He looked so peaceful now. His breathing was even. His clothes were still damp and stained with sand from the beach.
I let out a nervous breath and, moving like a mouse, made my way to the bathroom.
A shower and some breakfast will give me the fortitude required to speak with him.
There was a TV above the tub. What an unbelievable luxury.
I turned it on while submerged, deciding I might as well utilize it since it was installed there.
Switching between channels, I stopped at the local news.
"Last night, our very own Konore was visited by the nefarious criminal organization named GOD..."
I sat up in the water and increased the volume.
"...As footage was shared around the world of yesterday's spontaneous race..."
It cut to the race they had apparently held last night. The cars in the footage were performing something insane—driving through West Bay Canyon at breakneck speeds. Not even the winding, slithering roads could slow down the racers.
/ What do you think about high-performance automobiles? /
Suddenly, his question from the previous night popped into my head, instantly bringing my mood crashing down.
The news segment continued.
"Our local police chief had no comments at the time. But we managed to interview the driver who was unwittingly part of the race last night..."
Soon, they showed some local kid raving about the "greatest experience ever," declaring himself willing to ride and die for the masked driver. He was essentially trying to get recruited.
(KNOCK KNOCK)
"Marie? Are you in?"
I submerged myself for a second, panicking.
It took about five seconds for my brain to start functioning again.
"Y-yeah. I'm here."
"I see. Sorry to disturb you."
I heard his footsteps receding and slumped back underwater.
No more running, Marie. Ask him all the questions swirling in your head. Do it now.
Then maybe...
I peeked out of the room before fully exiting.
He had changed his clothes and taken a shower; his hair was still wet.
When he noticed me, he looked up and smiled.
It made me feel a little wobbly.
"Good morning. How do you feel?" he asked politely.
He gestured to the seat opposite him.
"...I'm a little better. Thank you."
I took my seat, and he poured me some tea and lifted the dome off a lovely plate of breakfast.
"Please, enjoy. We can talk afterward."
I smiled faintly in appreciation and grabbed the fork, only to pause mid-movement.
"You are not eating?" I asked.
He shook his head.
"Not hungry. But please don't mind me, and enjoy your meal. Or would you perhaps prefer to dine alone?"
I shook my head so fast it hurt my neck.
He let me eat without interruptions, occasionally checking his phone, but mostly gazing out at the ocean. There was a special, visible longing in his expression.
He hardly looked at me. Although I was grateful for that, I was acutely aware of how idiotic I must look when eating anything.
I hurried, but the food was delicious, and I was genuinely hungry. Everything was cooked to perfection.
Once I was done, he immediately looked up and poured himself more coffee. He was drinking the third one in a row, and he had said he would be back at the latest at 6 AM... did he sleep for less than an hour?
"Are you feeling entirely well?" He asked.
I looked up into his eyes, meeting his questioning gaze.
"Yes... sorry..."
"No need to apologize," he smiled.
It was so jarring. His demeanor was so strikingly different. Polite and smiling, but also cold and distant.
What were you expecting after essentially calling him a slaver?
"Did you have time to read the contract through?" He nodded toward the room.
I glanced in that direction before nodding.
"...I did. I have a few questions first."
He adjusted his posture in the chair.
"Absolutely. Please proceed."
I took a deep breath and asked the most critical question.
"You drafted this contract before our wedding, correct?"
"Yes," he answered quickly.
"Did you... always plan our life this way? For six months and absolutely no more?"
This time, he didn't answer immediately and looked out at the ocean again.
For a while, the silence was suffocating.
"...What does that matter now?" He asked without looking at me.
I felt a sharp twinge of hurt in my heart. He wouldn't behave like this if he weren't deeply wounded by what transpired. Everything I had said to him last night must have hit home in a profound, detrimental way.
"Next question?" He urged me to continue.
I forced myself to remain calm and had difficulty remembering all my other questions.
"I... where did you go last night?"
"I'm afraid I'm going to have to take a pass on that question. No offense intended," he smiled, devoid of humor.
It's not that I expected an answer, but the cold indifference in his eyes was deeply painful.
I suddenly had a rush of questions that I couldn't bring myself to ask.
Did I hurt you so badly that we can never mend this?
Would you accept my apology for blaming you for something your family instigated? I know it's not truly your fault, yet...
Is the only way I can stay by your side if I sign this ridiculous contract?
"Marie..."
He offered me a handkerchief.
I hadn't even noticed. Some tears had already fallen.
He turned away from me, but this time, I was certain it was only because he didn't want to cause me further embarrassment.
"What did you mean by... it doesn't matter anymore?"
To my surprise, he immediately answered my question.
"Everything that occurred... has already occurred. And now, we are here," he lightly tapped the table.
Yes. There was no way to return to the way we were.
"Marie, if you have no further inquiries, I would like to hear your answer."
I couldn't meet his eyes and kept staring at my reflection on the silver dome. I saw myself better... and more clearly than I ever had in my life.
This was not the time for tears.
---
Ayshe
We were waiting inside the hotel's luxurious lobby, sharing coffee with the Martells.
"...He called me as well, but I politely declined. It is a volatile business," Erwing was saying.
"As you say, dear Erwing. Volatile," Hassop agreed.
They were discussing certain businesses that were worthwhile investments. My father was truly in his element with them—an unlimited amount of opportunities and benefits.
"Where is the happy couple?" Mother inquired.
Asin's mother, Seline, shook her head slowly. "His phone is powered off, I'm afraid. Perhaps you can reach Marie?"
Mother was quick to look at me, and I stepped away to make the call.
The number you dialed...
"Her phone is off as well," I shook my head.
I had to resist rolling my eyes at the resulting reaction at the table. Everyone immediately assumed something indecent had occurred.
Oliver and his mother joined us.
I was searching for his eyes, but he wouldn't even glance in my direction. He politely greeted everyone and immediately sat down next to his mother, appearing deeply absorbed in his coffee.
I see.
He had spoken to Asin. Now I was even more desperate to know what had transpired last night.
"Oh, there they are."
I turned towards the direction the table was facing and saw...
My sister, as radiant as I had ever seen her, walking hand-in-hand with her new husband.