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

Your World (25)

The sun shined through the curtains of your room in the morning. It was Sunday, a day for you to relax while your father busied himself with errands out in the town.

You were laying in bed reading a book when an unexpected knock came from your bedroom door.

Assuming it was one of the house workers with a message or some chores, you called out, "Come in."

To your surprise, it wasn't a servant who entered but Diego Brando, his charismatic grin lighting up his face.

You quickly placed your book down and sat
up on your bed, shooting him an annoyed look. "Diego!? What the hell are you doing here?"

Diego walked into your room, closing the door behind him. He looked you up and down, his eyes lingering a little too long on your figure. "Good morning to you too, Y/N," he spoke, his voice dripping with smugness.

Your brow furrowed in suspicion. "Cut the crap, Diego. You don't just show up in my room unannounced. What's going on?"

Diego grinned, his posture confident as he approached you. "Your dear father invited me, love. Said he wanted me to have a word with you."

You crossed your arms, not buying his excuse. "A word about what, exactly?"

Diego sat on the bed next to you, and his voice turned seductive. "About us, Y/N. About your future... and how I can help you reach new heights."

An uneasy feeling settled in your stomach. You knew this plan of "training you" was a setup, a scheme conducted by Diego to push his agenda.

The racing world was competitive, and it seemed Diego was determined to secure his place at the top, even if it meant using you.

You stood up from the bed and took a step back, putting some distance between yourself and Diego. "Let's get one thing straight, Diego. I know what this is really about. You don't give a damn about training me. You just want to use me to further your own career and I don't appreciate you bringing my father into this plan of yours."

Diego's eyes darkened, and he also stood up from the bed and took a step closer, his voice low and dangerously smooth. "And what if I do care about training you, Y/N? What if I see potential in you and want to harness it for both our benefits? You become a better jockey— and in return I get a more competitive rival."

You felt your blood boiling slightly within. "I won't be your pawn, Diego. I won't let you manipulate me into doing whatever you want."

Diego's frustration grew, and he moved closer still, his hand reaching out as if to touch you. "Y/N, you're making a mistake. I can show you a world of possibilities, pleasures you've never dreamed of."

You stepped back once more, your voice unwavering as you sense a deeper meaning to his words. "I don't want your world, Diego. I'm racing on my own terms and goals, not because you want to use me to satisfy your own ambitions."

Diego's mask of charm finally slipped, revealing a glimpse of his true irritation. "You're a fool, Y/N. You don't know what you're throwing away."

He took a second to calm himself, changing the subject, "Your father and I's chat yesterday..."

You narrowed your eyes suspiciously. "What about it?"

Diego's gaze never wavered from yours as he continued, "You have the talent but you're holding back."

You scoffed, the frustration evident in your voice. "I don't need you or my father to tell me how to race, Diego."

Diego's demeanor shifted slightly, his eyes darkening. He closed the gap between you, his hand brushing a stray strand of hair from your face. "Y/N, don't be so stubborn. I want to help you achieve greatness, you have to trust me."