Oliver.
~
" ..The bets came through. "
Hearing those words always sent my heart rate through the roof. It was the start of some real fun.
" The total? " I asked.
" Roughly 12500 GC .. "
Decent but it doesn't really matter.
" Send up the drones, check for stability issues with the connection, I want us to go live in 10 minutes, and someone tell those lunatics to keep it down! "
With the others dispersed like mist to make sure we were good to go and I wouldn't be annoyed, the night was off to a good start.
Hit the timer on my table and grabbed the phone to make the call.
As usual, he picked it up without a word.
" .. "
" We good to go in 10, nervous? " I asked.
" Medium .. the purse? "
" 12500 .. not bad for half an hour. Of course, you need to win first. "
" Doubts? "
I sat down and allowed myself a confident smile.
" Nope .. your luck holds. " I leaned forward, turning serious. " How do you feel? "
" I told you .. medium. Little hungry. "
" Asin .. "
" Calm yourself, brother. I'm good to go .. Time? "
As if he didn't know.
" 8 minutes .. Listen, I asked because those reports worried me .. what did the doctors..
" Enough of this, Oli.. I told you I'm fine .. let's concentrate on tonight. Give me a 2 minutes warning. "
Then my phone beeped once as he disconnected.
I leaned back on my chair, a little frustrated with him. He should take better care of himself .. a lot of people depended on him.
The sounds of partying were still heard, meaning Leyla couldn't handle anything ..
( BRR..BRR.. )
I was pulled from my thoughts when my phone started vibrating.
The caller ID was my Aunt Seline.
I took a few calming breaths, walking further away from the noise, and cursed Leyla for being incompetent.
" Good evening, Auntie .. "
Her worried voice came through.
" Oliver dear, is Asin near you? I can't reach him and I wanted to say goodnight. "
He is 18 years old but still treated as a child ..
" He is, and he isn't Auntie, meaning he is in the shower now. Want me to get him? " I asked.
My bluff was more calculated than it sounded.
" .. No .. don't bother him. Just wanted to see if you boys are alright for the night. I trust you dear to look after him. "
I felt a twinge of guilt hearing her words. The trust she placed in them.. in me.
" You can count on me. But please don't worry too much, Aunt Seline, we see you tomorrow just as we promised. "
" Yes, of course, Goodnight to you two. "
I quickly disconnected banging the device on my forehead.
All these lies .. If they only knew.
I peaked at the timer .. 5 minutes ..
The door swung open, and some of the team arrived without Leyla.
" Everything is ready, Mr. Aster. "
" Good.. where is my assistant? " I asked.
They exchanged some nervous looks before the one with the most courage answered.
Her name is Julie, I think.
" Khmm .. she is still doing her best to calm the crew, sir. " She motioned downstairs.
Sending a lamb to tame lions. I guess that was my bad ..
But we ran out of time to care for the children.
The timer was at 3 minutes and counting down.
" Activate the monitors for the crew before they pull this place apart. "
They were a rowdy bunch but loyal.
The shutters were opened that allowed us upstairs to look down at the GOD crew below us.
I quickly spotted Leyla being carried around as if she were at the concert.
" Connect me to Asin. "
" Yes, sir. "
Someone handed me a tablet and an earpiece, and soon I heard his breathing.
" 2 min .. do your checks. "
" What do you think I was doing until now? And why do you always ask that? "
I smiled and checked for police activities near the area. " Repetition creates experience. "
" You make less and less sense as the days go by. "
I heard some laughter behind me and saw Julie wearing an earpiece as well.
After silently motioning to act professional. Meaning I insinuated physical violence unless she got back to work, I turned back to the call.
" 1 minute, brother .. " I informed him.
" Make the call, Oli. "
" Good luck. "
I turned around to face the others in the room.
" It's time .. make the call. "
Julie took the phone, which we already made untraceable by local means and dialled.
" Hallo? .. Umm, yes, I would like to report a crime .. Illegal racing. "
As the timer counted down, I gave the signal, and the footage from the drones went online.
As the call concluded behind me, the usual silence filled the air. Even the crew out there kept to that tradition. Not 5 minutes into the race ..
" Here we go .. God help us. "
As the police appeared on our screen, we were privileged to watch as half a dozen incredibly expensive cars fly by them, leaving the lot confused, but as professionals, they quickly recovered and followed the race.
What we did was simple.
Criminals of all sorts, get together and send their best drivers to answer our call, a third party A.I approved by all picked the type of race and route, bets made available just hours before said race.
Today's race was a sprint. Whoever reached the finish line first will take the bag.
Simple and easy to understand even if you never sat inside a car. A quick way to make some money as long as you had a talented team and driver.
The route started inside the city and always tried to end it at a remote location. Preferably one that allowed the drivers to disappear easily.
But that was just one way where we made our money.
I changed the screens and saw the drones that were assigned to the police.
Hopelessly behind and inept.. but that was a good thing.
" Live streaming reached 7 million. " Julie informed me, she took over as my assistant.
I checked with the second unit behind the monitors, who all gave an encouraging thumbs up.
Just as they did, Julie gave more good news.
" The rams arrived.. that was fast. "
" Open the new betting .. " I said immediately.
As the others nodded, I switched screens again.
The Rams.
A highly specialised unit tasked to tackle the problem of illegal street racing once and for all.
Fast and almost indestructible cars.. at least by any means we possessed.
They also had a variety of toys that could ruin your day in a heartbeat. Spikes, oil, even EMPs..
But .. those couldn't be used. Not when the race took place inside the city.
When they appeared, everyone saw the end of illegal racing in our city, but we saw an opportunity.
" Bets? " I asked.
" 100K and counting. "
Hearing those numbers gave immense satisfaction.
I quickly checked in with the racers .. Asin led them by mile. Switching lanes taking over car after car.
The rams were getting closer, but they would never catch him as long as he was leading the pack.
Couldn't hold my smile back. Our strategy was working again.
( GOD GOD GOD GOD .. )
The crew was amped as well from the sound of it.
" The race is approaching 75% completion Mr Aster. "
" Shut down the site, please. "
We watched in real time as Asin made fun of the other drivers as he leapt through the finish line and just kept on driving.
The rams now had to make a choice. They can't follow everyone .. so they have to pick .. and as always, they chose the bottom of the pack.
Convenience is a hell of a thing.
As he got away on screen, I was already calling him.
" .. "
" Nicely done, brother, now go home. "
" That's the plan .. how we do? " He asked.
Sounded happy over the phone.
I checked the final result after paying out those who bet on us.
" 102K GC plus the bag. "
" Ahh .. sweet music to my ears. How are the boys doing? "
I put down the tablet and walked over to the window.
Seeing our people celebrate never got old. Despite all the danger, it was well worth it.
" Happy as can be, too bad we can't celebrate with them tonight .. Your mother called about tomorrow .. "
" Hmm.. very well. I see you soon. "
" Soon. "
I put down the phone and shared some of the joy the crew experienced.
" Nicely done, recall the drones and pack up our toys, other than the CCTV team everyone get on with it .. and someone rescue Leyla, please. "
I switched screens on my tablet, Asin was driving away as the CCTV team was shadowing him through the cameras.
Another successful day.. the lives we lived, the lives we choose.. it was chaotic and uncertain, but it was ours, and I couldn't imagine it any other way.
~
Asin.
~
Driving around at night felt different after a win.
Driving after a win felt euphoric, all the lights shining brighter, the music sounded louder and better, hell even the people seemed happier as I passed them.
I turned off the radio, wasn't exactly in a hurry since I knew and trusted my team.
Checked my phone and saw a few missed calls. Mother called me twice despite reaching Oli earlier.
I should call her back and calm her mind.
As usual, it didn't take more than a single ring.
" Sweetheart.. I thought you were asleep. "
I sighed, looking at the time she called.. it was 11 minutes ago.
" No, mother .. I'm about to. "
That wasn't even a lie.
" Oh good then .. stop it, Yanam .. Sweetheart, your father wants to talk to you.. "
I smiled as she gave the phone over.
" Son, listen .. your presence is required tomorrow for breakfast. "
" Hey .. dad, yes, Oliver told me. Anything wrong? "
I always held my breath a little in times like these. We did everything to keep our lives separate and, more importantly, a secret, but that fear never really went away.
" I don't know .. I doubt it .. your grandfather wants you to be there. Probably about you finishing your studies. "
I barely graduated people.. his voice seemed to fluctuate. Probably hiding something.
" I see .. look, dad, I got to go, we see you tomorrow then, good night. "
" Good, good .. sleep well. "
" Love you, sweetheart! " Mother shouted in the background.
" Love you, mother. "
I was pulling up to Oliver's house and parked the car inside his garage. The team will pick it up tomorrow.
What could grandfather want?
Something inside told me it wasn't business related.
———
Oliver.
~
The crew was very disappointed after hearing the reason behind Asin's absence.
But such as life ..
" Leyla, listen, I'm leaving you guys alone for the night. Do your best to keep the people from burning down the place. "
I packed up my laptop and phone as the others went and joined the fun.
" Sir .. the Boss arrived at your house. No tails. "
The head of the CCTV team informed me.
" Well done, people. Shut down the machines and join the festivities. "
I turned back to Leyla.
" Tell the crew the money will come at the usual time, same rules as always. Make sure they understand. "
She was furiously taking notes, nodding along every now and then.
" Get the twins when it's time to disperse the kids, no offence, but I doubt they listen to you, Leyla dear. "
She looked up, puffing out her cheeks.
" They are uncontrollable, and some look violent, sir. "
I raised an eyebrow since she didn't seem to be scared of them as they carried her around like a rock star.
" .. Do as I say. Then keep your phone close, we can be in business again in mere days. "
" Yes, sir .. enjoy your time away. " she nodded.
" Thanks and Leyla? " I looked back.
She turned around, getting her notepad out.
" Good job tonight. "
" Thank you, Sir. " She beamed.
~
Asin.
" .. what is your grandfather want from you? " Oliver asked.
" No idea .. we know tomorrow. " I said and emptied my glass.
After Oli came home, we spent some time winding down, watching all the footage, edit than upload them.
Then it came to the money. Which we split into separate amounts and paid people based on various factors.
" At the end with Mr Unknown taking his cut we bank .. 78K. What a day. "
I closed the laptop and laid down on the couch.
" Lately, he given us more work, keeps the crew well fed.. We're moving up, brother. Food? " Oliver asked.
I yawned, and he understood it was a yes. Got up after some difficulty and followed him to the kitchen.
" We make a lot of money for him. . I wouldn't be surprised if he was planning something big. " I theorised.
" What makes you think that? " He asked over his shoulder.
" I don't know .. but the races are more frequent, and the crew gets more jobs as well. It seems like a snowball effect. "
Oliver understood that reference but was cautious as always.
" We talk to old Ivan soon enough.. We ask what he thinks about the speed we have been growing. "
Sound thinking.
" Missed the old man .. what .. what are you making, Oli? " I asked.
" Eggs .. can't you tell? "
" Why are they red? .. " I pointed at them.
He didn't answer, and I knew I would have to make my own food. Hotsauce maniac.
30 minutes later, we were both full and with barely any energy left.
" Will they force you to join the business? " He broke the silence.
I didn't answer him immediately. Forcing is a strong word. Taking me on some guilt trip .. that's more accurate.
" It doesn't matter. Won't change anything. Same as with your day job. "
I ignored his looks of disbelief.
After all, I meant what I said. Just because I'm doing a 9 to 5, maybe twice a week, won't change my nights.
" Look .. " I sat up, looking into his eyes. " We set up our lives in a way that there is no going back now. I already embraced it. All in brother. "
His smile spread. " All in. "
After dispersing his doubts about the path I took, I let tonight's win replay in my head .. for some reason, I slept better like this .. maybe I'm just too exhausted after them.
I was playing with my mask as Oli started snoring.
What's the point worrying about families and tomorrow's when the things I really wanted from this life were already mine.
I rested the mask on my face and closed my eyes.
Family, friends, and a loyal crew .. plus the best job anyone ever had.