"ZACK!"

My head whips to the side really hard and fast. I'm panting hard and fast. I look up to see Ashley looking at me with deep concern. Thanks to that slap, I'm back in the present from memories that have always haunted me. He said he was going to torture my mind. Well he's sure as hell doing it right. "I'm sorry for throwing myself at you in there. If that's why you're mad".

Fuck. She sounds so worried and I'm not even mad at her all

But it's not like i can tell her what's going on.

She's better protected if she doesn't know.

"No, don't say sorry for being sexy or for turning me on. You looked incredible", I say and she blushes. I look away from her and unto my white knuckles. I release my hands from the wheel.

"You wanna talk about it?" she asks while she buckles her seat belt.

I don't respond and she takes that as an answer.

There's an uncomfortable silence as I drive and I hate this feeling.

"Uh... so where did this car come from? Last time I checked, you had a bike", she says turning her body to face me. With the side of my eyes, I see her smiling.

"Actually, I-" she cuts me off when she covers her mouth with a palm. I can still see her smiling.

"No way. You stole the fucking car" she whispers and when I nod, she begins to laugh. "Oh my god. How can you even steal a car?" she questions still laughing.

"Wanna hear a story?"

She nods her head and I chuckle. 

"So last year, I was into street-racing. I was into bikes at first but-"

"Is that also how you got your bike?!" she squealed.

"Woman, don't interrupt my story or I'll just stop talking completely", I warn and she makes a gesture of zipping her mouth and then throwing the key out the window. 

"Good. So I was into bikes at first but there were too many risks and exposure to accidents so I had to switch to using cars", I continue as I keep my eyes on the road and the occasionally look over to Ashley, who's concentrating on my story.

"I knew I was a really fast driver. So I wasn't afraid to take on one of the best drivers in the new gang I joined".

"You egoistic bastard", she murmured and I glared at her. Turns out she was holding the key to her mouth because she never actually threw it out. So I took the key from her, zipped her up and threw the key out myself. She pouts.

I would kiss those lips if I wasn't driving.

"I challenged the guy and told him that whoever won, would get half a million dollars. I also told him to pick a car. Which was my mistake. Because when I saw the vehicle I was supposed to use, it turned out to be a delivery truck". When I looked over at her, she threw her head back in silent laughter. 

Thank goodness I threw that key out.

"Anyways, I got into the car and the race started. He gave me a head-start but still caught up to me. Of course, he had to be driving a Ferrari F8 Tributo". I roll my eyes at the memory.

Like I said before, I'm a pretty good driver so we were going head to head. I didn't know the routes well and there was no fucking GPS in the car, so I also had to keep following him except when there was an open road, I would speed up".

"I guess he figured out that I was following him, and headed to a clear road. Of course, I sped up again only to turn up at a police ground. I got stopped for speeding and was asked for my documents which I obviously didn't have and I offered the car because I didn't have any money with me as well. I walked back to the club and I was laughed at". I guess she couldn't continue to pretend that she had a zipped mouth and so she burst out laughing.

I laughed along with her as I recalled what went down. I'm sure at the end of my story, she wouldn't be laughing at me. "Turns out the leader of this gang was a woman and when I got to her she slapped me. She started yelling about how most of her cash was in the delivery truck and that until I paid back her half a million dollars, she owned me. 

But I don't belong to no one. So I told her that and I walked out".

I pause for a minute and she tapped me. "Hello? Story?"

She was paying attention. Good.

My eyes back on the road, I continued my tale. "I went back to the station but the guy was already gone and I assumed he went home with the car. I walked to one of the other officers and asked them for his number which they gave to me. I called the man and spoke with my deepest voice. Honestly, I don't even know how I did that cause I only get deeper voices when I'm horny". I say chuckling. 

"Shut up. Just get on with the story".

"'The truck you have taken from one of my goons was mine. It contains a large amount of cash, jewelry and expensive shit. Now if you don't want your family to die or if you don't want to lose your life, I advise you to be a good boy and send my goods back to where you got it. My goon will be waiting for you'. I was about to hang up when I quickly added, 'By the way, I know where you live. I see you. You have 15 minutes'. Then I hung up. I knew he lived 20 minutes away cause I asked the officer how far his house was. So giving him 15 would get me the truck quicker".

She nods her head. "Make sense. You're not so dumb after all", she said laughing.

 It's not the end of my story yet.

"Truth be told, he got there in 15 minutes, obviously breaking all the speed rules ever imposed but I didn't have to interrogate him. He walked up to me, gave me the keys and begged me to tell my boss that he was sorry. I just nodded and drove off. Before getting to the gang safe house, I checked what was actually in the car. There were so many boxes like 20 maybe filled with as many jewelries I have ever seen before. Wristwatches, necklaces, actual diamonds, name it. Of course, I took a few, along with some money and a car key that I found in one of the boxes".

"Hence the stolen car. This means that one of these days, you're gonna get caught and they're gonna take me as hostage to make you pay back", she quickly said before she began to bang the window lightly, as if I was holding her hostage. She started laughing and I couldn't help but laugh as well.

"So smarty pants, how'd you end up stealing this car?"

"Right. So during my celebratory party and welcome party, I went into the garage and took the car without even looking back. And I survived with the cash and selling the jewelry. Genius right?" I smiled, expecting her to make a stupid remark about how I'm actually pretty smart. 

I got nothing. I looked over at her and saw she wore a frown on her face.

"Hey Ash. What's wrong?" I got no reply at all. She was staring straight ahead with the same scared look she had when she saw the explosions on movie night. I stopped the car. I could see the restaurant up ahead but I wanted to make sure she was okay.

I unbuckle my belt and I take her face in my hands. She flinched.

Well that's a first.

"Ashley speak to me", I say again when she blinks. "Are you okay?" she nods vigorously."I think I saw a man peeing as you drove by. That's all", she said trying to laugh it off. 

That was a fucking dumb excuse. You can do better than that, Ash.

It was clear that she was lying. I was going to push once but if she said nothing was wrong, I would leave her be and make sure she has fun tonight until she's ready to spill.

"Bullshit. Ashley. I would've fucking believed you if you said something like, 'Oh, I'm actually scared that the bad guys would catch you and I would be used as bait'. But a man who's fucking peeing? What kind of a lame ass excuse is that? Oh and by the way, if it helps, this is actually the car Sarah sent, so I wouldn't drive you to the restaurant on my bike", I rant out. When I see that she's still not replying. I start the car again.

Why am I you fucking roommate if you can't even tell me what's going on in your head?

"I just thought I saw someone familiar", she finally spoke. She takes in a deep breath and then continues, "And as if the person knew me, he glared at me. Without breaking eye contact".

I froze.

What if he was watching her. Fuck No.

She can't see that I'm panicking too.

I place my hand on her bare thigh and rub slow circles on it. She lets out a little sigh. "It's okay Ash, that's why you've got me".

She looks at me in the eye and gives me a sad smile. "Let's just have fun tonight."

******************************

"God, this chicken is amazing", Ashley shamelessly said after dropping the bone on her plate. Not that she needed to be ashamed of eating chicken, with the way she ate, I wouldn't mind if her next crave was chicken instead of pizza.

She only had chicken. Like for everything. Starter, main course. Whatever. Just chicken. Every kind of chicken.

Chicken soup, chicken kebab, fried chicken pieces with minced barbecue chicken. And at some point, she got tired of using her fork and she plumaged the pieces with her fingers. Well just 3 fingers to be precise. My sister and her husband could only laugh at the ridiculous remarks and sounds she made while she ate.

"What would you guys like for dessert?" our waiter, Mariano asked as one of the staff came to take the empty plates away. "Do you by any chance have dessert that includes chicken? My friend here suddenly has a craving for it", I say this and everyone on the table laughs. Including our dear waiter. Poor man must have noticed that that was the only thing she's had all night.

"Fortunately we do"

I look at Ashley's face which has widened with excitement. "It's called the Tavuk gogsu. It's chicken breast pudding. And here's the cool thing. You can have it served with vanilla ice cream topped with roasted almond flakes and a slice of red velvet cake or just in mango pudding".

We wait in silence as she licks her bottom lip ever so sensually.

"I'll have whatever you said that wasn't mango pudding", she said smiling at the waiter. He took it down and I ordered for a vanilla ice cream cake. I am an ice cream fan! Few minutes later, dessert was served and just as I was about to put my spoon in my mouth,

"Can I ask you for a favor Zack?" Sarah asks and I look up to her nodding. "So, I and Dave will be going on a re-honeymoon next week", she starts and she holds his hand on the table. "And?" I ask because she pauses as if unwilling to ask me.

"And, I want to ask if you could take up the business for a month"

"What?"

"I knew this was a bad idea, Dave", she sighed lowering her head. Dave only gripped her hand tighter. Trying to be supportive.

My dad's company was the one thing I held on to after he died, but when my mother got married to that murderer, he convinced her to give it to my sister. Not that I hated her for accepting it, I never did. I just hated the fact that he had to make a decision concerning my dad's company.

He also took it upon himself to oversee the business in case Sarah wasn't capable enough. And now she was entrusting it into my hands for a month. As much as I was excited to take up the business, the thought of having him as my supervisor was disturbing. Irritating.

It was fucking impossible to work for him.

But for Sarah. God. The things this bitch makes me do.

"Zack I'm-"

"Fine", I say cutting her off. I didn't want her to beg me and I knew she understood that I hated everything about that man since our father died.

"I know you must think me selfish for asking you. But there was no one else I could trust. And I don't want to leave the company in the hands of dad's employees"

"Do not call him dad", I grunt out.

Even though Sarah understood my hatred for him. She still wanted me to accept him. Ever since he came into our lives, she took him in immediately. Probably because she just lost her real dad. I was the last to know that mum was dating this bastard. The last to know they were planning on getting married after Sarah's wedding.

The last to know a lot of things.

But I was the only one who knew what he did.

The only one who saw him shoot my father in cold blood.

But even when I said this, no yelled  this in their faces. They laughed at me. Called me crazy. Said I was acting delusional. The bastard even offered to pay for a therapist. Or send me to a hospital.

Fun fact: My mother agreed.

"I'm sorry Zack. I didn't mean to upset you". She pleaded as she holds my hand from across the table. Ashley has one hand on my thigh. Rubbing circles on it with her fingers. I find it even more soothing than Sarah's hand. But I didn't want to her to start asking me questions after this.

I regained my composure. "So huh, is dinner over? I really have somewhere I want to take Ashley to." I say and Sarah smiles. The goofy kind. 

"Well yeah, I'll go over the details with you before we leave next week. We also have to go to Club Dee. So yeah, dinner's over", she says.

"Wow. That's exactly where were going". I tell her and her eyes widened in surprise.

"Can I ride with Sarah pleaaaseee?" Ashley begs.

"Pleassseeee", Sarah chimes in.

"PUHLEASSEEEE", Dave almost screams.

Wait what?

Whose side was he on?

"Fine but I'm not driving". I toss my keys to Sarah and at the same time I get up to leave the table. They get up after me and Dave pays the bills.

I get a text and I groan.

This had better be good.

A message from BIG DICK  Z🍆? What the hell? When did Saiah's name change to that?

Oh yeah, I gave him my phone earlier today. I open the chat.

*BIG DICK Z 🍆: Bitch, where the hell are you? Don't tell me you ditched me?!*

Great. He was already waiting at the club.

As I climb into Dave's car. I murmur,

"Could you hurry? My boyfriend gets cranky when he's alone for a long time".

❧❧❧❧

I'm soo excited about the next chapter!😂

Any ideas on what songs to use?

❦❦❦

There goes Chapter 12! I hope you like it... and if you do, don't forget to vote and comment AND SHARE!!!

Again thanks to everyone who comments and thanks to all who read Zack as well❤

You're all gems!

P.S: 752 reads!!!😁 I can't thank you guys enough!. 
I love y'all!!❤❤

See y'all on Next week!!!

~Nifiee