BAD HEROINES

5. Escaped Death

The vast field was packed with more than twenty motorbikes lined up in perfect rows, their engines purring in anticipation.

Lian stood among the crowd, blending in yet separate. The thrill of the race had always been his escape from the chaos of life. After everything that had happened, this was the only place he could think of to distract himself.

These street races were always illegal, which made the nightfall the perfect time to gather. Lian had been a regular for years, always borrowing a bike from his friend Rogan.

As one of the best racers, his reputation preceded him, and while most of the others had partners clinging to them, Lian always preferred to ride solo.

The solitude helped him focus. Besides, Celine’s brother had originally brought him into the gang because of his skills with bikes.

As he checked the bike’s gears, a soft yet confident voice caught him off guard.

"Mind if I ride with you?"

He turned, ready to brush her off like he did with most girls who tried to get close. But when his eyes met hers, his response faltered.

Dressed casually in a white short jumpsuit, her brown hair pulled up in a messy bun, she stood with an air of confidence.

Her light brown eyes held a steady intensity, and unlike most, she wasn’t trying to charm him with a smile. Instead, there was something almost calculating in her expression.

Then it hit him—she was the woman from the restaurant, and the same one he’d seen at the club, calmly shaking her glass of beer.

"You…" The word hung in the air, his mind scrambling to make sense of the coincidence.

Before he could gather his thoughts, he handed her a helmet. Curiosity got the better of him. Who was she, really?

As Lian mounted his bike, the onlookers who knew him well gasped in disbelief. Lian? Allowing a girl to join him? This was unheard of.

The race began in a burst of adrenaline, and Lian quickly surged ahead, taking the lead effortlessly. His heart pounded, not just from the thrill of the race but from the presence of the mysterious woman behind him.

For a brief moment, the world fell away, and he felt at peace, the wind whipping past him as if it could blow away all his troubles.

Suddenly, the sharp sound of warning cries pierced through the air. "Cops!!"

Lian glanced back over his shoulder and his eyes widened. Five police cars were speeding toward the racers, sirens blaring ready to arrest many of them.

The racers scattered, and Lian expertly weaved through the streets until he found an alley to hide in. He stopped the bike abruptly. According to the girl, her apartment was not too far from here. Coincidentally, it was the same street where he lived.

He couldn’t help but wonder—was this really just a coincidence?

She hopped off the bike, standing there silently as if she was waiting for something. Lian dismounted, watching her carefully, still trying to piece it all together.

"Do you find me beautiful?" she asked bluntly, her voice smooth yet detached.

Her straightforwardness caught him off guard. His heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, he didn’t know whether to admit it or brush it off.

She didn’t seem to care either way. She reached for a cigar, lighting it casually with her gas lighter.

"Funny, isn’t it?" she said, exhaling smoke slowly. "Who would’ve thought we’d meet again."

Lian’s brows furrowed. "You… what do you mean? Have we met before?"

Her gaze sharpened, studying him intently. "You’ve forgotten already? There was a time we escaped death together. I came to you tonight because I knew who you were."

Her words sent a chill down his spine. He had no memory of escaping death with her, at least not consciously. Sure, he recognized her from the restaurant, but the rest… had he crossed paths with her back when he was part of the gang?

Before he could ask more questions, she stepped closer, her face unreadable, but her proximity made his pulse race.

He was usually indifferent, but the tension between them was palpable. He cleared his throat, swallowing nervously, trying to regain his composure.

"What do you want from me?" he asked, his voice quieter than he intended.

"Your eyes," she replied instantly, her gaze unwavering. "They remind me of him. Too much."

His mind raced—who was this ‘him’ she spoke of? Was she comparing him to someone she had known?

Without another word, she slipped a card into the pocket of his jacket, her movements smooth, almost practiced.

"I’m sure we’ll meet again," she said, turning to leave.

Lian stood frozen for a moment, watching her walk away. Part of him wanted to follow her, to find out where she was going. The other part of him felt a sudden chill, as though following her might lead to his doom.

He had come here to clear his mind, but now he was left with more questions than ever. And Celine’s envelope—it was still out there, somewhere. He needed to find it.