Chapter 299: Best Friend
“Alison, who is that?” Aidan asked, alertly. He had noticed Alison’s reaction in the rearview mirror.
“Pull him over now. I have something important to tell him,” Alison asked.
Gabriel, the motorcyclist, looked restless and alert.
Has he kicked the habit? she wondered.
“Fine…” Aidan frowned.
He honked reluctantly, trying to get closer to the motorcycle.
But Gabriel ignored him. He charged ahead, astonishingly fast.
“Mommy, he is so cool! When I grow up, I want to ride a motorcycle too.” Ethan stared at Gabriel, blinking with hope in his eyes.
The motorcycle left Aidan no chance—Gabriel weaved through traffic, slipping between cars until two stalled vehicles suddenly blocked the road.
“Crash!” The car in front rear-ended another vehicle.
Three cars collided violently, one after another.
The sudden impact jolted the kids out of their seats.
“Aidan, take care of the kids for me.” Alison opened the door and leaped out.
On the outer ring road, the wind picked up and billowed her loose coat. She ran forward with all her might.
“Alison…” Aidan rolled down the window and called out.
Past the three crashed cars, Gabriel’s figure stood out clearly before her. She kept shouting and running, thinking he must have seen her from the rearview mirrors.
Suddenly, she stumbled on a pebble and crashed heavily to the ground. Even as she fell, her hand flailed forward desperately, trying to call back that indifferent man.
The motorcycle made a sharp U-turn, guiding Gabriel as he sped toward her.
It stopped in front of her.
A large hand reached for her. He looked at her without a word. Instinctively, Alison slipped her fingers into his.
His arms pulled her onto the seat, hauling her flush against him before she could find her balance.
The air carried a faint scent of soapberry blossoms.
Without a word, he started the engine and drove toward Aidan’s car.
The wind whistled past them.
She cried out, “Gabriel, stop! I need to talk to you!”
“Get off first,” he barked.
“No. Talk first,” she replied stubbornly.
“Get off.” He grabbed her hand, trying to yank her off the bike.
His grip was so tight that it made her frown instinctively.
“Let go!” Aidan chimed in, walking towards them.
Gabriel ignored him, addressing only Alison. “Get out.”
“Aidan, get back in the car. I need to talk to him.” Alison’s face flushed.
Aidan, however, was equally stubborn.
Seeing Gabriel still clutching Alison’s hand, he snapped, “Let go! Don’t hold her hand. Not just anyone can touch her.”
Gabriel flinched slightly but said nothing. Surprisingly, he released her hand.
The ache in her palm eased, but a small, uneasy hollow remained.
Perched on the motorcycle, she asked Gabriel, “Have you quit?”
“Aren’t you being a bit nosy? It’s none of your business.” His words were laced with distance.
She forced herself to calm down, saying, “Absolutely, it’s none of my business. But thank you. I know you sent the text message. And please stop disappearing. You can’t keep vanishing — you’ll walk yourself to ruin.