Arashi rubbed his temples as he rose from the couch in the garage lobby, the empty whiskey bottle still on the floor next to him. His head throbbed like a jackhammer, and his mouth felt as dry as sandpaper. The faint scent of engine oil mixed with last night’s alcohol lingered in the air. Staggering to his feet, he grabbed the half-empty bottle of water on the table and took a long gulp. It was warm, but it would have to do.

  He glanced around the lobby, noticing how disheveled it looked—empty glasses, a few snack wrappers, and one of Esme’s pink socks lying by the sofa. The memory of Bruno carrying a giggling, tipsy Esme to her room flashed in his mind. Despite her drunken protests and flushed cheeks, Bruno had handled her gently.

  But what followed afterward had made Arashi regret not leaving the garage. He’d been too far gone to drive, but not drunk enough to tune out the heated ruckus coming from Esme’s room. The muffled giggles, the whispered teasing, and the occasional thud of movement against the walls had been impossible to ignore. Arashi had tried to drown it out—grabbing the bottle, drinking more whiskey than he probably should have—but the sounds had crawled under his skin. It wasn’t the noise itself that bothered him; it was what it reminded him of. The intimacy. The connection. The laughter that had once belonged to him and Lana.

  A faint smile tugged at Arashi’s lips, but it faded just as quickly. His thoughts drifted again—back to her. The woman who haunted his heart and his dreams, no matter how much he tried to distract himself. He could still see the curve of her smile, the fire in her eyes, the way she called him out when he avoided saying what mattered most.

  he muttered under his breath, leaning against the counter. His chest tightened with a hollow ache. It had been too long since he’d seen her, touched her, or even heard her voice. The whiskey from last night hadn’t drowned out the longing; if anything, it had made it worse.

  Shaking his head, he poured himself a strong cup of black coffee from the lobby’s ancient coffee maker. He needed to snap out of it. Today was another day, and there was work to do.

  Just then, he heard a door creak open, followed by Bruno’s deep voice rumbling down the hall.

  Bruno appeared in the doorway, shirtless and stretching his arms, looking far too refreshed for someone who’d been drinking just as much the night before.

  Arashi scowled.

  Bruno chuckled, scratching his head. His ears turned slightly pink as he said it, which didn’t escape Arashi’s notice.

  Arashi drawled, his lips twitching into a sly grin despite the pounding in his skull.

  Bruno shot back, rolling his eyes.

  Arashi shrugged, sipping his coffee.

  Bruno gave him a knowing look but didn’t push. Instead, he headed to the mini fridge, grabbing a cold bottle of water.

  Before Arashi could answer, a soft voice interrupted.

  Esme appeared in the doorway, her oversized pajama shirt hanging off one shoulder, her hair a wild mess. Her cheeks were still tinged pink, though whether it was from last night or embarrassment, he couldn’t tell.

  Arashi raised an eyebrow, grabbing a can of orange juice from the fridge and tossing it to her.

  She nodded, taking a sip of the juice.

  She glanced at Bruno briefly, then quickly looked away, her blush deepening.

  Arashi smirked.

  Bruno grinned knowingly and grabbed a towel from the chair. He winked at her, earning a soft huff as she shuffled off to her room in embarrassment.

  Arashi chuckled faintly, his smirk fading as the room fell quiet again. His mind drifted, as it always seemed to lately, to Lana. Her laugh, her fire, her intoxicating presence that haunted him even when he wasn’t alone.

  he muttered to himself, finishing his coffee and setting the mug down with a clink. The distraction of the day’s labor couldn’t come soon enough.

  Arashi stood near the Ibiza, gloves on and tools in hand, ready to dive into the day’s work. His focus was interrupted when he caught a glimpse of Esme peeking out from her room. She glanced nervously around the lobby, her eyes darting toward the sound of water running in the bathroom. Once she confirmed Bruno was still inside, she stepped out, her steps hesitant as she approached him.

  Esme’s voice was soft, almost fragile, as she reached him. Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her oversized pajama shirt, her usual cheerfulness replaced with a cloud of uncertainty. Her blue eyes seemed to search his face for reassurance.

  He set the wrench in his hand down on the workbench and gave her his full attention, his brow furrowing slightly.

  Esme hesitated, her cheeks faintly pink as she tried to put her words together. She stumbled over her words, her hands clenching as though to stop herself from trembling.

  Arashi’s expression softened, and he leaned against the Ibiza, crossing his arms.

  Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she took a shaky breath, as if fighting the urge to flee. she finally blurted out, her voice barely above a whisper.

  Arashi froze for a moment, caught off guard by her words. His jaw tensed slightly as he processed her observation. He exhaled, running a hand through his dark hair.

  he said quietly, his tone measured,

  Her gaze didn’t waver, though her eyes glistened faintly with emotion.

  The sincerity in her voice hit him harder than he expected. He sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly.

  Esme nodded, though her expression still carried a hint of sadness. She gave him a small smile, though it wavered at the edges, and turned to leave.

  Arashi watched her retreat to her room, guilt settling uncomfortably in his chest. As much as he wanted to let her in, there were parts of his heart that belonged to someone else, and those wounds weren’t so easily shared.

  Shaking his head, he turned back to the Ibiza, gripping the wrench tightly. he muttered to himself, diving into the mechanical work with a ferocity that bordered on desperation.

  Esme sat on her bed, her mind swirling with confusion. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted between her and Arashi. Why was he pulling away from her? Was it because of the ‘fun nights’ she’d shared with Bruno? Or perhaps he was simply growing bored of her? The thought gnawed at her.

  But just yesterday, before they all went out for lunch—Arashi, Bruno, Brad, and herself—he had said, right in front of her, that he missed her. He’d said it so casually, his words leaving her flushed in the back seat of the car. It had felt so real, so genuine. But now, it was different. It wasn’t just physical distance she felt—it was emotional distance. It was as though Arashi was retreating into some hidden corner of his mind, guarding something that no one, not even her, could access.

  The silence of her room hung heavy in the air, broken only by the rustling of her thoughts. She sank back into the bed, staring up at the ceiling. What was going on with him?

  Stolen story; please report.

  Then, a knock echoed through the door, pulling her from her spiraling thoughts.

  Her heart skipped a beat at the familiar voice, and for a moment, she froze. The knock had disrupted her frantic thoughts, and she hurriedly collected herself.

  The door creaked open, and Arashi stepped inside. His presence was comforting yet unsettling all at once. Without a word, he moved closer to her, his gaze soft but intense. He reached out, cupping her chin gently with his fingers, lifting her face to meet his.

  Before she could react, his lips pressed against hers in a tender, lingering kiss. It was slow, almost as if he was trying to convey everything in that single moment.

  When they finally pulled away, Esme’s breath caught in her throat. He smiled weakly at her, a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. His voice was soft, almost like he was trying to reassure both her and himself at the same time.

  Without another word, he turned and left the room, leaving Esme sitting there, her cheeks burning as she tried to process the sudden shift. Confusion and warmth tangled within her, and she couldn’t help but wonder what had just happened.

  After Arashi returned to the lobby, he took a moment to stretch, shaking off the lingering thoughts of Esme’s visit. His mind was still buzzing, but the work at hand was calling him. He made his way to the Ibiza, where the engine had already been successfully removed, and the car's parts were neatly disassembled. The work was moving along well, but there was always something satisfying about taking a step back and appreciating the process.

  He grabbed his coffee from the counter and took a long sip, the rich warmth hitting the spot. he muttered to himself, savoring the caffeine and the brief moment of peace.

  As he set the cup down, he heard the rumbling sound of a delivery truck pulling into the garage yard. Arashi glanced out the window, noting the vehicle’s approach. He recognized the truck immediately—one of the suppliers he frequently worked with. The delivery was most likely parts for the Ibiza restoration.

  Arashi wiped his hands on his work apron and made his way toward the truck, his footsteps deliberate. As he stepped outside, the cool air hit his face, sharpening his senses. He watched the truck reverse and stop just beside the garage’s entrance, and the driver got out to greet him.

  the driver said, unloading boxes and crates.

  Arashi replied, his tone casual. He looked over the parts being unloaded and nodded approvingly.

  As the parts were brought inside, Arashi’s thoughts drifted back to the Ibiza, and the next steps for the project.

  Bruno finished his shower and, feeling refreshed, grabbed his phone. He dialed Brad’s number. Without waiting for a reply, he hung up, a smirk on his face.

  Meanwhile, Esme, overhearing the conversation, couldn’t resist teasing Bruno. She leaned against the doorway with a playful grin.

  Bruno chuckled, his mood lightening at her teasing. He turned toward her with a smirk, wagging a finger playfully.

  Esme laughed at his response, enjoying the lighthearted moment. It was rare for Bruno to be this carefree, and she could tell he was just playing around. she teased. They laughed together, then started heading toward the garage, ready to get to work.

  The team worked tirelessly on the Ibiza for the next two days, their hands covered in grease and sweat as they labored together in the garage. They only paused for brief moments when lunchtime arrived, with Brad joining in after his late start, looking worn but still eager to help. Despite the exhaustion, the energy in the garage never faltered. The parts were coming together, but there was still much to be done.

  On the third day, the sound of a truck engine rumbled outside the garage. The team looked up in unison as a large delivery truck rolled into the yard. The door of the truck swung open, and Tiffany stepped out, her usual charisma radiating as she flashed a smile at the team.

  she said with a proud grin, stepping aside to reveal the body of the Z33. The sleek, deep purple bodywork glinted under the garage lights, and a starry pattern covered the surface, seeming almost alive with the way the light reflected off it. The design was nothing short of mesmerizing.

  Arashi, Brad, Esme, and Bruno were immediately taken aback. The body was stunning, the deep purple paint shimmering with a galaxy-like star pattern that felt almost magical. It wasn’t just paint; it was art.

  Brad walked closer, his eyes wide with admiration. he muttered, running a hand over the smooth surface.

  Arashi stepped up beside him, his expression a mixture of awe and approval.

  Esme, still a little shy but visibly impressed, walked forward slowly, her blue eyes scanning the car’s surface. she whispered. The starry pattern was striking, like a piece of the night sky had been transferred onto the body. But then, her eyes narrowed as she focused on one part of the hood.

  There, right on the right side of the hood, was a single, large green star. It stood out among the others, glowing almost as though it were leading the rest of the stars on their journey across the bodywork. It was different, not just in color, but in its prominence. It drew her in, like it was calling to her.

  Esme’s hand hovered over it as she looked up at Tiffany, her voice soft with curiosity.

  Tiffany gave a knowing smile, glancing toward Arashi before turning back to Esme. she explained, her voice light but hinting at something more.

  Esme’s brow furrowed slightly, her thoughts racing. The green star—just like the rims. She couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more meaning to it than just an aesthetic choice. It didn’t seem like a coincidence.

  she muttered to herself, almost absentmindedly.

  Tiffany’s gaze flickered between Esme and Arashi before she replied with a playful grin.

  Bruno, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward with a smirk on his face.

  he teased, his tone light but laced the knowledge about what’s behind the green color, yet he chose not to reveal it.

  Arashi chuckled, but there was a hint of something deeper in his gaze.

  he replied, his voice enigmatic. "

  The team fell into silence, absorbing Arashi’s words as they each studied the Z33 bodywork. The purple was stunning, and the stars were so realistic, they almost felt like they could move across the surface. But Esme couldn’t help but focus on that green star. It was like a mark, a beacon that led to something else, something hidden just beneath the surface. But what?

  Arashi broke the silence, running a hand through his hair.

  Tiffany nodded, her playful smile never faltering.

  Before she turned to leave, she walked over to Brad, her eyes locking with his in that signature flirtatious way. Without warning, she pulled him into a long, heated kiss, her lips lingering on his. As they pulled away, she whispered, Her smile was full of mischief as she stepped back toward her truck.

  Brad stood there, still in a daze, as Tiffany climbed into her truck and drove off, leaving the team to gaze at the Z33 body that was now part of their next big project.

  Bruno slapped Brad on the back, chuckling.

  Brad blinked, still caught off guard by the kiss. he said with a grin.

  The garage was filled with the quiet hum of anticipation. The Z33 body was an undeniable work of art, and as the team gathered around it, they knew they had a long road ahead. But one thing was for sure: this car was going to be something truly extraordinary.

  The quiet hum of the garage was broken only by the soft sound of Arashi's lighter flicking. He took another drag of his cigarette, eyes fixed on the sky above as the weight of the past days hung over him. He had done everything he could, yet doubts lingered. The work on the Z33 was finished—beautifully, beyond perfect—but his mind wasn’t on the car. His thoughts were elsewhere, drifting towards her, the one he couldn’t stop thinking about.

  Brad had already retreated to Arashi's room, his exhaustion claiming him almost immediately. Esme, too, had fallen asleep earlier inside her room, her breathing steady and calm. Bruno had, as usual, found his way to Esme’s bed, his large frame curling around her as if protecting her from the world. It was strange, the dynamics of it all—these connections, these bonds that were all pulling him in different directions. But none of them felt as heavy as the one that lingered in his chest.

  Arashi leaned back slightly, staring at the stars. His lips parted as he murmured the words he had never spoken aloud before, the only prayer he had for her.

  He paused for a moment, as if waiting for an answer, but the night remained still. He didn’t know what would come of his prayer. He didn’t know if he deserved an answer, but he needed to try. The words felt right, even if they made him feel vulnerable.

  he whispered, almost to himself.

  And then, as if the world had heard his prayer, a shooting star streaked across the sky, leaving a greenish trail that lit up the night. Arashi stared at it, his heart hammering in his chest.

  For a moment, all was quiet. The cool air surrounded him, and he took another drag of his cigarette, watching the star fade into the distance.

  It wasn’t enough to answer all the questions he had, but it was something. A flicker of hope. A reminder that maybe, just maybe, there was still a chance.

  With a deep sigh, Arashi flicked the cigarette to the ground and crushed it beneath his boot, walking back into the garage, knowing that tomorrow was another day. And with it, more chances to move forward.

  TO BE CONTINUED.