Chapter 3 What the hell is going on

Natalie looked at her with concern but didn't argue. "Be careful, okay? Call me if you need anything."

Ava nodded, and gave her a quick hug before she slipped away from the party. She moved through the guests, her heart pounded in her chest as she made her way to the elevator. It wasn't like she made the excuse to call Mr. Cole earlier to get out of there, she actually needed to call him.

Well.. it was more like she was more forced to call Mr. Cole. He had more power, more ruthlessness, and more colder heart, than anyone could think of. They said, Dominic was dangerous, but compared to Mr. Cole, Dominic was nothing. And few days ago, she was forced to sign the deal with him.

She shook her head, trying to get both men out of her mind, as the only thing she needed right now was fresh air. The air inside the venue felt thick, heavy with an impending sense of doom that she couldn't shake.

As she stepped out into the cool night air, she took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart. The street below was quiet. The distant hum of the city's nightlife felt like a comforting backdrop to the eerie silence that surrounded her.

She slid into the driver's seat of her sleek black sports car, a nagging sense of unease clung to her. She turned the key, and the car engine roared to it's life, and she pulled out onto the empty road. The lights of the city grew smaller in the rearview mirror, swallowed by the darkness.

Ava's grip tightened on the steering wheel as she sped down the road, trying to lose herself in the familiar comfort of speed. But no matter how fast she drove, she couldn't outrun the feeling that someone was following her, watching her from the shadows.

As she accelerated, the world blurred around her, lights from the city fading into the rearview mirror. The adrenaline still buzzed in her veins from the race, but it was now tainted with an unsettling sense of anxiety. It was then that she first noticed the headlights in her rearview mirror.

At first, it seemed like any other car. But as she kept driving, the glow grew more pronounced, an unwelcome illumination that felt like it was getting closer and closer.

She glanced down at the speedometer. She was going too fast. She needed to slow down a little to avoid crash. But the sense of urgency gnawing at her stomach pushed her to press the accelerator harder. Maybe it was just a driver heading in the same direction. Maybe they were just keeping pace.

But as the miles ticked away, and the car continued to shadow her. A knot of dread twisted tighter in her gut. The headlights remained uncomfortably close, neither passing her nor falling back. Each time she glanced in the mirror, the gleaming glare of lights made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end.

She felt the first waves of panic wash over her. What if it was Dominic? What if he was seeking revenge for the race?

Or.. could it be Mr. Cole.?? But no. He wouldn't follow her like that, at least not in public.

Her mind raced through the possibilities, dark scenarios surrounded her mind like smoke, each thought was more sinister than the last. She pushed the gas pedal further down, hoping to create some distance.

The engine roared in response, the tires screeching against the asphalt as she accelerated, the road ahead had no light but darkness. As she sped away, so did the car behind her, following her closely. It didn't hit her car yet, but still maintained it's relentless pursuit.

The driver of following car was like a phantom, appearing to read her movements with precision.

Ava's breath quickened as the world outside blurred into streaks of black and silver. She focused on the road, and the road ahead was growing more treacherous with every turn.

The darkness seemed to stretch endlessly, the shadows consuming everything but the narrow beam of her headlights. The isolation of the road felt palpable, each mile stretching into an eternity of silence.

"What the hell is going on?" she muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible through the roar of the wind. There was no one around. Just her and the unseen threat tailing her, ready to take her life.

She forced herself to breathe deeply, trying to rationalize the situation. Maybe it was just an overexcited fan, someone who wanted an autograph or a glimpse of the celebrated racer. But the more she thought about it, the more her instincts screamed that this was different.

This was wrong.

Glancing at the speedometer, Ava realized she was pushing past her limits. She felt the thrill of racing mixed with the rising tide of anxiety, and the cocktail she had that left her lightheaded.

Her heart thundered in her chest as she glanced in the mirror once more. The vehicle behind her was still there, its silhouette dark and menacing. She couldn't see the driver, just a vague outline against the night, but that only heightened her fear. Was it someone she knew? Someone from the racing world, perhaps? Or was it something even more sinister?

The road twisted sharply ahead, leading into a tunnel of trees. Ava took a deep breath and made a snap decision. She had to lose them. She pushed the accelerator down harder. The rush of speed surged through her like a drug, momentarily blinding her to the fear.

But as she entered the tunnel, the shadows closed in, swallowing her in darkness.

Her heart raced, pounding in sync with the roar of her engine, the headlights behind her illuminated the path like a pair of glowing eyes. She glanced back once more, her stomach dropping.

The air felt electric, charged with an intensity that made her skin prickle. The road was narrowing, surrounded by towering trees that loomed like giants, casting long shadows that danced ominously around her.

A bead of sweat trickled down her brow as she fought the panic rising within her. She couldn't let fear take hold. She had to stay in control.

Suddenly, the road veered left, a sharp bend that would take her deeper into the woods.

Without hesitating, she turned the wheel, steering sharply to the left. The car slid momentarily, tires screaming against the asphalt, but she regained control, feeling the weight of the vehicle settle beneath her.