83 CHAPTER 82 RACE

"So tell me," Matt smiled at Pinna as the light from the counter showered on her face, "It's been a long time my friend. What have you been up to?"

"Well," The girl chuckled, blinking those emerald green eyes that look exactly like the colors of the green bottle in front of her. 

"Nothing much. You know, just jumping from one metal market to the other, keeping a low profile, and all. The HT—happy tech—is not helping matters at all. The keepers always chase people around in the market. Especially those from the Gray linage, who have refused to embrace the tech." She chuckled, "Nothing dramatic is happening."

"That's I great, not the chasing around I mean. But your business in the metal market. You love it right?"

"The job sucks, Matt." She whispered a thank you to the waitress and picked up the green bottle, effusing the content into the empty glass cup. It was hard to read the poker face. To see through that veil that masked her fair skin like an emollient cream. Her dark hair dangle in a cascade behind her, long and sleek as if running through a jelly. The girl had grown beautiful with those lofty eyes which Matt still struggles to familiarize himself with.

"I have always dreamt of running my food company. See, like this restaurant we are in. Something I can do with my hands" She continued, "Not working in some metal shop that can barely put food on my table. Plus the working time is like a rope on my neck. God, I can hardly breathe sometimes. Monday morning especially."

Matt laughed, but said, "What then is preventing you from starting your own work? I mean, you have the skill and the qualifications" He gulped the orange juice. It had not been spiced up with those unsaturated sugars that make his cheeks sour. They had served it in its crude form, the way he liked it.

"Yeah, but… it is complicated," She said and looked down at the table as if avoiding Matt's gaze. Her hands still held the green bottle and eyes were looking at the letters. "Orange-juicy?" She scoffed at the label of the drink.

"What's with the face?" Matt asked "You are giving me a bad feeling right now. This is my favorite drink. Orange-juicy is the best drink in Anadan."

"No, not Anadan, in Candanian. No, sorry, not Candanian. It is the best within these walls" She frowned as she dropped the bottle on the table, "Which company produced this? They really need to upgrade their system. The orange was not well filtered and water has been added in a large proportion."

Matt shifted his lips to the right side of his cheeks. If she hadn't pointed it out, he was not sure he could have noticed. He usually was more concerned with the sugar they often used to spice the juice.

"This drink was made by armatures. They still have a long way to go if they are willing to compete with other big guys in the food industry. How much does it cost?" Pinna asked.

"30 Qiz"

"30 Qiz? I will buy the world if I start my business here. Who sells an orange juice for 30 Qiz?"

"Hey, keep your voice down," Matt giggled. Pinna blushed with embarrassment when she saw the head from the tables turning to observe her. 

"But nobody sells orange juice for 30 Qiz." She whispered. Her face still glowed with suppressed laughter. She was trying to keep the amusement from exploding to the surface.

"You really need to get your own food industry. I can't wait to see you with aprons, serving people."

"You will, Matt, you sure will,"

"Ah, you will not have to worry about the name. I already have one."

"Keep it to yourself. Nothing good comes out from those lips of yours."

"You just broke my heart, Pinna. At least hear the name first."

"I will not." Pinna sipped from the drink.

"Then I will tell you, anyway. The name of your food industry should be 'Mama in the Kitchen"

"You are insane, Matt. Is that even a name for anything?"

"Yes, it is a name I reserved for you." They laughed at the joke, getting back the old-time reunion.

Matt gulped the last content in the bottle. Even though Pinna had pointed it out, he still cannot pinpoint the difference in the taste. 

"Are you alright?" Matt asked, noting the gloomy face. She must have remembered something bad, or has he offended her?

"Yeah, I think so" came the soft reply, "I just…" She heaved, "I just hope I can take back the hands of time. I could have taken it back to three years ago. For old time's sake, you know."

"I feel the same way too, Pinna. Every day. But here we are, still breathing. We are mere mortals and can only wish that our wishes will come through."

"Same old Matt," Pinna laughed, "I thought Mrs. Jessica's quotes would have escaped your head by now."

"Not in a thousand years." Matt glowed with laughter as the tall, slim image of the woman appeared in his mind's eyes. That woman is my hero. Did you see her debate two weeks ago with Roland Bosman? Oh, it nearly took my breath away. She really knows how to use words."

"Yes, she has charisma and beautiful words. She is still single too."

"What?" Matt laughed, this time almost falling out of his chair. "You are funny, Pe"

Some bright lights flared outside, making Matt's laughter die down. He narrowed his gaze, looking over the glass window, just to be sure they were not under attack or something. Silence has covered the room as the other people in the restaurant also studied the window. If the unrest was some kind of attack, it was good to know the best place to run.

Matt's shoulder ease when some children started running pass, with their Roller-Board hanging under their armpit. He relaxed in his chair and picked up the green bottle before him. The weightlessness of the bottle made him remember that he had finished the juice some minute ago. 

He gestured to the waitress to bring more Orange-Juicy but frowned when he noticed that the girl was not looking his direction. She still had her gaze on the people who were running outside in the streets. 

"Street race?" Pinna beamed with a smile on her face, "You didn't tell me there is a race going on here,"

"It's illegal, Pinna"

"Time has really dealt with you" Pinna laughed "Like seriously? Tell me you are not feeling the impulse to go outside and race with one of those amateurs?"

"Nope," Matt shook his head. There were more people running down the street now. Their elated cries reaching the heavens.

"come on Matt, let's go have some fun."

"It's illegal and I am a Keeper. I enforce the law. Sorry, I can't race,"

Pinna frowned, "Oh, what about we just watch them, for old time's sake."

"Okay, but no racing. We would only watch and that's all" Matt warned.

"Yes, Daddy" Pinna jumped.

Matt chuckled as they strode towards the door. Pinna's presence was bringing back old memories, happy memories that he had buried in the casket of worries. 

It happened that the venue for the race was a restricted area that has been abandoned by the government for heaven knows how long. People piled the two hands of the streets. They even looked older than Matt had imagined.

"Make some joyful noise, Candanians" A young boy shouted and the little crowd cheered in delight. 

"He is cute," Pinna said as she rested her hands on Matt's shoulders. 

Matt tried to frown but burst out with laughter instead. His stomach was leaping and his heart beating with a none rhythmic pattern. He missed this feeling. The air, the freedom, the crowd, all of it.

"And now," The boy said as he stroked his colored hair, "The portal is open for anyone willing to challenge the Sky-Rush, in a race battle for the prize of 700 Qiz," the crowd cried out with delight again.

"Wow, that's a lot of money. Pinna heaved and dragged Matt.

"Hey, take it easy, girl," Matt bellowed at Pinna but gnashed his teeth when he bumped into a boy no older than him, "Sorry,"

The boy glared but said nothing.

"Where are we going?" Matt asked when they finally stopped in front of a counter. Pinna was smiling sheepishly.

"That's a lot of money Matt, don't tell me you want to let it pass by like that,"

"Huh, Pinna, remember you said no racing,"

"That was before I heard the amount."

"You are unbelievable. The last time I checked, you were earning twice that amount. You are not doing this for the money, are you?"

"I will beat you on the race, Matt, sign in If you are not afraid."

"Is that a challenge?" Matt chuckled "Pinna, did you just challenged him to a battle race?"

"I sure did, Matt, come out of your cocoon. Let's feel this happiness together."

"I'm in," Matt laughed, "I will win you"

"Let see if you still got what it takes"