Mysterious Racer X

Chapter 14 - Don't Let Them Know

"That's amazing." Risa was in awe as she drank her coffee and took a few biscuits from the table, "So you're joining these races so you can give them to AB NGO? That's so nice of you. Happy!"

"Thank you." Leni replied, "It's the least I can do. I always wanted to help. I think this is the only way I know how. I know AB NGO has numerous projects lined up and I just want those to happen."

"Swerte naman ni Leni. May superhero na nag-fund sa kanya." Risa shrugged, obviously a little jealous.

"Why are you jealous?" Leni asked, "I mean, I just drop my winnings sa office nila and just leave. I haven't met Atty. Leni. Probably never will."

"Please don't meet up with her." Risa said with a slightly irritating voice. She took one munch of another biscuit before finishing her sentence. "I'll get jealous if you do."

"I... I see." Leni stuttered, starting to feel slightly awkward about the conversation.

"We haven't talked ever since that small word war I had with her in her office." Risa continued, "She probably hates me now."

"I'm..." Leni paused, trying to think of a proper sentence to say to Risa. "Well, Atty. Leni isn't the person who "hates" people. Besides, pretty sure she doesn't hate you at all."

"Alam mo. I'm trying my best to forget her." Risa sighed, "But..."

"But?"

"Everywhere I go, every little thing I see... reminds me of her." Risa said, "In fact, I dreamed about her last night."

Leni froze. She wasn't sure what to say or react to this.

"It's hard to forget someone like her." Risa said in frustration, "She just...too perfect for me. But how I wish she at least feels the same way about me. She would appreciate me the way I did to her."

Risa.

"We haven't really talked or met since I stormed to her office that day. I mean... may right naman ako magalit di ba?"

I'm here.

"She has probably forgotten about me. All she cares is about her work. She forgot the most important person in her life. The one who was there for her when the whole world never did."

Why would I forget you, Ris? Stop saying that...

"She never even bothered to visit me in the hospital. She never did."

I'm here. Risa. I'm here.

If I take off my helmet now, should she—

Leni attempted to grab the side of her helmet. Planning to take it off. She wanted to scream the truth to Risa as she was just beside the woman she cared about.

But there was something that stopped her. The thoughts and reasons as to why she had to be playing Racer X, the persona that she made herself. If she revealed herself to Risa now, all her plans and efforts would just go to waste.

Even if I take off this helmet right now, I'm sure she doesn't want to see me. Goddamit, Leni. I want to let her know that Leni is here. But I'm currently in my other self. The fear of her possible reactions would just scare me in the end.

I need to hold on. I need to get all the answers as quickly as I can.

But my fear is that maybe at the end of all this...

Risa doesn't care about Leni anymore.

Because she has Racer X now.

"Hey." Leni began to speak, "As I said, everything is just...too much for you at the moment." She then reached out for Risa's hand and held it tight,