Owned By A Speed Racer

By Patyeah

“I am going to commit a crime. And then I’m going to steal his heart.”

That’s what Daze Alessaina Monteverde thought when she walked through the doors of world-famous speed racer, Ian Lexus Estillore. He was hot, had cool cars, and was nice to flaunt to the world. But what if her feelings, which started out as a simple fascination, a simple challenge, turns into something more powerful? Something she can’t control? What happens when the odds are turned and the thief gets owned by the speed racer? Will she be able to hit the breaks of her raging heart or will she let herself be driven to the unknown?

• Language: Tagalog
• Publisher: ABS-CBN Books
• Release date: May 21, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463743188

Book preview

PROLOGUE

I am going to commit a crime.

My parents would always tell me how much they love me despite the fact that I do crazy things all the time. I’m well aware that among all the Monteverde children, I am the most hard-headed. When I do something out of line, they would make me sit inside my Dad’s study and force me to listen to my eldest brother’s reprimands. They know how much I hate getting scolded by Alexander the Great.

Looking at the imposing black and grey house in front of us, I felt a sudden surge of adrenaline. I am not going to back down. I am willing to risk even a boring day inside the study for this crime.

I hope you get arrested for this, you lunatic. My friend, Kristina, rolled her eyes to show me her strong disapproval before she shook her head. Naloloka pa rin ako sa’yo, Daze.

Her Tagalog vocabulary is limited like mine. But like me, she uses the language in serious situations just like this one.

I gave her a thin reassuring smile to let her know I got this. Oh, come on! Show some support!

I hope you think of the many times I tried to talk you out of this when you’re behind the cold bars of a dirty prison cell, she said, overstressing the word dirty.

It won’t come to that. Besides, I always get away with everything.

Well, I do hope you get away with trespassing.

I grinned at her before I opened the car door to step out. She blew a frustrated breath before shooting me a concerned look. Kapag hindi ka nag-text sa akin sa loob ng isang oras na okay ka, I’ll drop a message to your Dad and tell on you. I mean it, Daze.

Alright, I replied before I waved my hand dismissively. It’s going to be okay.

When she was gone, I walked toward the side of the house and hid myself behind the thick bush. Impatient, I checked my wristwatch. A few minutes later, the helper walked out carrying a garbage bag and as expected, she left the gate slightly ajar. I slipped inside stealthily.

I can’t believe it! I’m already inside the house of Ian Lexus Estillore!

I can’t help but let my mind wander back to how I met Ian—my Ian.

The famous Italian-Filipino racer who rose to fame when I was about seventeen years old. He immediately captured the hearts of people when he emerged the champion in the biggest racing tournament in Asia held in Beijing. His face was all over Philippine television. Even people who were not fans of the sport were drawn to him because of his dedication. And I, well, I was drawn to him because of his bright sunny smile and expressive eyes. And yeah, because of the dedication, too.

I walked to the front door and swung it open. My eyes quickly scanned his living room and his wooden cabinet was the first thing that caught my attention. There were framed photos on top and an old cuckoo clock hung askew above it. I was about to reach forward when a voice from behind startled me.

Who the hell are you and what are you doing inside my house? I turned to see a frowning guy towering over me. My eyes landed on his creased eyebrows then down to his expressive brown eyes. Until then, I didn’t know his eyes can look so damn beautiful up close. The proximity is making my heart pump faster. Ang sabi ko, sino ka?

Hi, Ian! I perked up. The frown didn’t leave his face. He just stared at me as if I was a dirty sock in his laundry.

Who are you? he repeated in a cold tone. And who gave you permission to enter? I could sue you. Wow. I must say, he’s masungit. I studied his appearance and my heart did a quick somersault. He was still in his sweatpants and my, oh my, he looked sexy in it.

I’m Daze Alessaina Monteverde.

His eyebrows furrowed and he cocked his head to the side as if he recognized the surname. Monteverde, huh? To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit from an heiress, then?

I came here to ask you one thing, I replied with a beam.

He sized me up and then raised an eyebrow inquisitively. And that thing being?

Will you be my boyfriend? I looked him in the eye and waited for the answer but he only stared and stared, and stared some more. His eyes were piercing and I had to resist the urge to look away. Those eyes can melt icebergs, I tell you.

Is this some kind of joke? He bit his lip in an attempt to hold his laughter. I glared at him and only then did he realize that I was serious. He held his chest in utter amazement. Ilang taon ka na, miss?

I’m legal, I answered proudly, and then added with a whisper, Almost legal.

I don’t date college girls, he said, shaking his head. His eyes bore on mine, as if testing me.

I took his challenge and took one step closer to him, my eyes still not leaving his. I didn’t go all the way from my school to your house only to be rejected. No one rejects me.

Being the youngest Monteverde, I grew up getting everything my heart desires. From the most expensive designer clothes to the newest cell phone model, I get everything with a snap of my fingers. I will not take no for an answer.

Your boldness is quite scary, he commented and I raised my chin so he could see how audacious I am.

It’s just a yes or a yes, Ian Estillore. So, what’s it going to be?

He studied me for a moment as if a devious plan was coming into focus, before flashing a mischievous smirk. Fine, brat. It’s a yes.

A proud smile appeared on my face. One crime down, another one to go. Trespassing, check! I’ll be stealing his heart next.

Chapter 1

What the? Ian bolted upright when I entered his room. It’s 8 in the morning but I’m already dressed in my school uniform. He shot me an annoyed look before covering himself with a thin blanket that’s doing little to hide his topless body.

What are you doing here? Paano ka na naman nakapasok? he asked angrily but I ignored him. I sat on the plush beanie in front of his bed and settled my eyes on his face. He looked darn cute with his messy hair and sleepy voice. If he wasn’t already a racer, he could pass as an international model with those striking physical attributes.

Good morning, my dear boyfriend, I greeted with a vibrant smile.

His expression didn’t change and he still looked pissed at me. Answer me! Paano ka nakapasok? This is the fourth time you barged inside my house unannounced!

I shrugged. Hey, you’re supposed to be happy to see me. You’re supposed to give me a hug and I’m supposed to push you away and pretend that I don’t like it. Shall we have a do-over, Ian?

Groaning, he took a pillow and put it over his face. He faced the other side and decided it was best to pretend I wasn’t there. Will you please get out of my room? he moaned from under the pillow.

Nope. I stood up from the beanie and sat on the other side of his bed. I poked his shoulder repeatedly until he was forced to acknowledge my presence.

God, you are so annoying!

What was the term mom uses when she sees daddy frowning? Oh, I remember. Bugnutin. Ian is being so bugnutin right now.

That’s not how you treat your girlfriend. It’s just been a month since I said ‘yes’, but you’re already shouting at me. Rude much?

He shot me daggers with his eyes. One, you asked me. Two, ang kulit mo! Ba’t ba ang aga aga mong nambubulahaw sa bahay ng iba?

What is nambubulahaw? My eyebrows creased to convey confusion. I really hate it when someone uses a word I’m not familiar with.

His face fell on his palm. Just tell me what you need, Daze.

I want you to drive me to school, I said with arms crossed across my chest. His eyes widened as if he couldn’t believe I asked for such a petty request. But hey, I think it’s sweet when your boyfriend drives you to school.

Why don’t you do that yourself, huh? I’m sure you have a family chauffeur to drive you around, so why are you pestering me? He was wearing his frown again but all I can think of was how hot and cute he looks at the same time.

Because you’re my boyfriend. Meaning, you’re supposed to do these kinds of stuff for me, right? I raised an eyebrow but he just grunted like an ogre. Up, up, you lazy ass!

I walked to the other side of the room to study the paintings that hung on the walls. A mixture of abstract and realism. It felt like home because my mother owns a glorious amount of luxurious paintings, as well.

You seem to like art so much, I pointed out.

Yeah and you seem to like being an infuriation. I made a sharp turn after he made that comment and saw him straightening up. Teed off with his biting comeback, I took my left shoe off of my foot and took aim. Bullseye!

What the hell, Daze! He grabbed my school shoe and threw it to the far side of the room. Remind me again why I agreed to be your boyfriend, brat.

You fell for my charm.

He pushed his hair away from his face and did some stretching. He closed the blinds that I opened earlier and flicked the light switch open. How did you get in here anyway?

I hitched a ride from a friend and asked her to drop me here.

Why didn’t you just ask that friend of yours to drive you straight to school then, huh, genius?

I rolled my eyes for the second time. Because it’s a boyfriend’s duty. So what are you waiting for? Go take a bath now. You smell like a dead rat.

He looked at me like he wanted to drop a snarky comment but swallowed it down at the last moment. Instead, he walked off to his bathroom with heavy footsteps. After I recovered my left shoe, I headed to his bathroom door and knocked twice.

Don’t tell me you’re going to barge inside my bathroom, too!

Thanks, but no thanks. I’m saving your body for the honeymoon.

Loka-loka! he shouted. I frowned and took my phone out. I googled the definition of loka-loka and when I read what it meant, I irritably kicked the bathroom door with a loud grumble. I am not baliw! You ass!

When he did not answer, I decided to sit by the piano at the corner of the room. My fingers grazed the dusty keys and started to play the only piece I’ve committed to my memory. I played but I did not sing. My older sister, Ate Alexiana, is the one with the nice voice and Kuya Alexander is the expert with the piano. They are twins and they share the same love for music. My brother, Kuya Zade, is the family brainiac. Trust him to know anything about literature, science, and math. While I, I guess I was the oddity in all the Monteverde children. I wasn’t good with anything. But my parents never made me feel like I didn’t belong with my siblings.

My eyes roamed around Ian’s room. I noticed how bland it looks. Except for the paintings, everything is charcoal and grey. It makes me wonder why men have such awful taste in design. I’ll give you a makeover one day, once we’re married, I stupidly giggled.

I was broken from my reverie when I heard the bathroom door slide open. A dripping wet Ian came outside with only a short towel covering the lower half of his body. I knew I was supposed to avert my gaze but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. I watched as a droplet of water rolled from his face onto his chest. The drop continued rolling until it disappeared under the towel.

Damn, I want to see where that drop went! I thought.

Done ogling? You might want to wipe the drool off your mouth. I shot him a death stare as a response. He’s not the only one who knows how to give death stares here. Actually, no. I think I’m going to stare at it some more. And I did. I thought I heard him chuckle but that must be my imagination. He held my arm and gently dragged me outside his room. He closed the door and I heard the lock click.

I blinked several times before pounding my fist against it. Hey!

I’m going to get dressed. I can’t let you see the full package, Daze.

You’re over-reacting! I just want to stay inside your room and scan through your stuff. It’s not like I’m going to peek at you while you get dressed.

Just zip your mouth and wait for me or I won’t drive you to school.

I bit my lip and counted to ten before I went down to his living room. His helper, Nana Nita, smiled at me and I smiled back. She gave me a sandwich and I packed it inside my school bag. She reminds me of my Nana Soling because they have the same gentleness in their eyes.

The sound of footsteps made me look at the top of the stairs. He’s wearing rugged jeans and a plain dark blue shirt. Who knew an outfit that simple could twist my stomach into knots?

I look handsome, I know. Baka lumuwa ang mga mata mo. He walked down the stairs and grabbed a glass of readily prepared orange juice sitting on top of one of the counters. Like what you’re seeing?

I sneered at him. You are mahangin, do you know that?

He grinned as he emptied the glass. He set it on top of the counter