Racing Rivals, Racing Hearts ☆ [Diego Brando x Reader]

Keep Up (8)

You woke up with your eyes widening as you glanced at the clock on your nightstand. It was much later than you had anticipated, and panic surged through your veins. You hastily threw off the covers and jumped out of bed, the remnants of sleep clinging to your tired frame. The realization hit you hard—you had overslept.

In a flurry of hurried movements, you rushed through your morning routine, barely taking a moment to collect your thoughts. You knew time was slipping away, and the race awaited your arrival. With a heavy sense of regret weighing upon you, you dashed downstairs, hoping to salvage whatever little time you had left for preparation.

As you descended the stairs, you could feel your father's disappointed gaze piercing through you. You could almost taste the silent reproach in the air, a silent testament to your failure to prioritize the race this morning. There was an unspoken disappointment hanging in the air.

You quickly grabbed a piece of fruit and a granola bar, your hands trembling with the weight of your mistake. You dared not meet your father's eyes, but the weight of his disappointment bore down upon you. A few words escaped your lips, heavy with regret. "I'm sorry, Father. I overslept."

Your father sighed, the disappointment etched into every line of his face. "Your lack of punctuality reflects a lack of commitment." Is all he spoke.

You nodded, your heart sinking as the truth of his words sank in. You refused to let this setback define you completely. You had to push forward, even if it meant racing with less preparation than you were used to.

With a quick apology, you left the estate, the taste of regret lingering in your mouth. You hurriedly made your way to the racing grounds with Lady Luck, your mind still groggy from the lack of sleep. As you arrived, you saw other racers going through their pre-race routines, focused and determined. The sight only served to remind you of your own shortcomings.

In the midst of your preparations, you noticed Diego approaching you, accompanied by his majestic horse. His posture exuded confidence, and a glint of mischief danced in his eyes. Despite your recently shared night, he seemed remarkably composed and unruffled by the late morning start.

Diego walked over, his voice laced with a hint of amusement, "Looks like my early morning training paid off. Racing on little sleep is a skill worth cultivating." You roll your eyes, remembering how you had previously thought Diego's early training was insufficient.

You couldn't help but feel a pang of annoyance at his words. Diego had always found a way to outmaneuver you, to exploit your weaknesses. It was as if he thrived on your rivalry, fueling his own desire to come out on top.

You try to keep your temper in check as you respond. You may be exhausted, but you aren't one to back down from a fight. "Sure...whatever you say." You mumble with a slight tone of annoyance. You try your best to hide it, but it comes through anyway.

You weren't in the mood for idle banter. You immersed yourself in your final preparations, determined to channel your remaining energy into the race ahead.

The time came to line up at the start, and you could feel the exhaustion seeping into your bones. You took your place, your mind a whirlwind of mixed emotions. As the race commenced, you pushed yourself to the limit, but your weariness began to take its toll.

Diego, on the other hand, seemed to glide effortlessly ahead, leaving you trailing behind. The gap between you widened, and you could feel your heart sinking with each passing moment. You fought against your fatigue, but it was a losing battle.

At the conclusion of the race, Diego's victorious demeanor took a sour turn. You brought your horse to a halt once you passed the finish line in second place again. He approached you, a mocking smile playing on his lips. His words stung, his sarcasm cutting through the air like a sharp blade. It was a deliberate attempt to undermine you further, to remind you of your shortcomings. "I beat you by a five-horse gap just then." he chuckles.