The Elixir Project [Gen L Society #4]

Chapter 3

André

Today is the death anniversary of my youngest brother, Genosis Cinq Laurent. He was supposed to be twenty years old this year. He was three years younger than me.

But, life was unpredictable. One day, you're smiling. Next day, you're paralyzed to your death bed.

Genosis was my favorite brother out of all. He was also the youngest. Siya ang pinakaclose ko dahil parehas kaming lolo's boy. He was a crybaby, but I was always there to protect him.

Napangiti ako nang may dumaang malamig na hangin.

I tucked my hands inside my jacket, feeling the cold air against my skin.

"Geno, I know that's you," I mumbled. "How's afterlife?"

Walang sumagot. The room was dead silent.

I chuckled, looking at the race car beside me. Nandito na ulit ako sa training center sa loob ng Gold Racing Academy. This was my safe haven. Lahat ng memories naming magkakapatid noong nabubuhay pa si Geno ay nandito.

I had vague memories of mom. She died after giving birth to our youngest brother. But, I remember Grandpapa bringing us here in the Philippines because of the family business. He used to show us around the race track, boasting his achievements being a professional racer.

But, noong namatay si Geno, nagkagulo ang aming pamilya. Our family business went down. My other brothers were scattered all over the world.

I was left under the care of Grandpapa. Since then, I never spoke to any of my family members again.

"Geno, remember that time you beat me on a one-on-one race? You were so happy, you cried all day. You were such a crybaby back then," I continued to speak to myself, feeling the tears escaping from my eyes.

"Ah, putain! Look what you did to me. Now, I'm fucking crying," I laughed at myself, wiping the tears with my hand.

"Commander?"

Inayos ko ang aking sarili nang marinig ang boses ng recruit. I forgot he was here with me. Sinama ko nga pala siya dito at pinatakbo ko ulit siya sa race track ng isang lap.

"Okay lang ba kayo?" tanong niya sa akin habang papalapit.

"Fuck! Don't tell anyone na nakita mo akong umiiyak, okay?" utos ko sa kanya.

Umiling naman siya. "Ay, umiiyak ba kayo, Commander? Akala ko acting lang eh."

I exhaled a breath. "Shut up, recruit! Tapos ka na ba sa isang lap?"

"Yes, Commander," he answered, his eyes fixated on my race car. "Sa inyo ba yan? Racer pala kayo?"

"I'm not a pro racer. But, it used to be my dream. Matagal ko nang hindi dina-drive 'yan," I answered.

"Pwede ko bang hawakan?" He suddenly asked permission to touch my car.

I squinted at him. Not everyone was interested in race cars. But, for some reason, he seemed to be totally amazed by it. "Touch it all you want."

He walked around my car, his hand feeling its exterior. "Wow! Hindi ba McLaren F1 GTR ito?"

I froze on my spot, looking at the guy still studying my race car. Only a few people know about the specifics of this race car. "Yeah. You're into motorsports?"