Forgotten Love and Goodbyes – Ch. 14

Leon sped down the road, weaving in and out of traffic. Akisha kept looking out the rear window watching Mario's Coupe follow them close behind. She then looked ahead and watched the road ahead of them. She noticed that Leon was chewing frantically on a toothpick, never taking his eyes of the road. Akisha sat in her seat breathing heavily; Leon heard her and placed a hand on her leg. "Don't worry baby, we'll get rid of him, I know the perfect place."

"Where's that?" she asked, Leon's face gave her the answer. "Oh right good idea, but what's to stop him from pushing us over the edge?"

"Think about it Akisha, he's probably just following us and not really paying attention to his surroundings. He's also going very fast as well which means he won't be able to stop in time once…" Leon was cut off by the sound of gunfire. He looked back to see Mario firing his gun at them. "Dammit he close, don't worry we're almost there."

"I'm not worried, just fearing for my life that's all," she said sarcastically as Leon swerved into the entrance of the park. He didn't even bother waiting for the gate guard to pull up the gate; he just drove right through, Mario close behind. Leon put the pedal to the floor and sped off, his tires kicking up mounds of gravel.

"Don't worry baby, we're almost there," he said as he turned onto an unmarked road.

"Where are you going, this isn't…"

"Trust me it's a shortcut," he said giving her an assuring smile. Soon enough they were at the lookout point, safely at the barrier. Mario was nowhere in site, a relief for Akisha; Leon gently played with her hair in the back and smiled. "It's okay honey Mario won't beat us, I promise you."

"I know I'm just hoping that your plan works. If it doesn't, it means we'll be running for the rest of our lives."

"Believe me honey it will. Mario's emotions are the same I had when I was upset after I found out about you and Rico. He's acting on those emotions, thinking with his heart instead of his head."

"True, but think about it Leon he's speeding and once he stops on gravel road, he'll end up skidding out of control. What won't make him from aiming for us and causing us to go over the edge?"

"Believe me Akisha, no matter how hard he tries he won't hit us," he said kissing her on the cheek. "Just wait, it'll be over soon."

The couple didn't have to wait long before they heard the sound of screeching tires coming up behind them. They both looked behind to see Mario's headlights coming up. Sure enough as Leon predicted, Mario slammed on his breaks realizing where he was headed. Mario's car began to spin out of control; Mario tried to regain control of his car. He was finally able to but it was a few seconds too late, his car crashed through the barrier and fell to the ground below; they could hear his screaming all the way down. A few seconds later a huge fireball exploded into the sky. Leon and Akisha got out of the car and walked over to the hole in the barrier. They looked down to see Mario's car totally engulfed in flames. Leon with his arm around her waist held Akisha close to him, as she began weeping into his chest and he kissed the top of her head. Akisha wiped her tears and breathed a sigh of relief. "It's over, it's finally over for now at least," she said.

"What do ya mean?" said Leon giving her a confused look.

"We don't have to worry about anyone coming after us for the next 20 years, after that we may have to go through this all over again."

"Yeah, with the possibility of Rico getting out of jail by then, don't worry about that, we'll be far away by them," he replied holding her in his arms. "What do ya say we head back to Benny's house, the gang's probably getting ready for the race tonight?"

"There's a race, where?"

"Our meeting spot," he said and received a perplexed look from Akisha. "The spot where you and I first met, you know where I saved you from those punks."

Akisha burst out in laughter. "I know which spot Leon I was just playing with ya." Leon let out a growl and scooped her up in his arms. He spun her around, Akisha laughing out loud. He set her down, but she jumped into his arms wrapping her legs around his waist. She began kissing him hard on the lips and he carried her to the car, laying her down on the hood. He buried his head into her chest as she cried out. He pulled off her shirt and began carrassing her neck with his tongue, and sliding the straps of her bra down her arms. "Leon I think we should stop and do this later at your house."

"No I want you now, I've had to spend the past two days without you in my arms. I've waited long enough to not have you now."

"Wouldn't be more special if it was in your bed?"

"I guess you're right, c'mon let's go to Benny's," he said as she slipped her shirt back on. They got in the car and headed to Benny's.

When they got to Benny's no one was home, Akisha's car was still in the driveway. "Looks like everyone's already at the race," said Leon.

"Guess we better head there too," she replied as Leon drove off towards the race site. As they drove in silence, Akisha thought about seeing the gang for the first time since she'd been out of the hospital. "Let's listen to some music while we drive," she said reaching for the glove compartment, knowing it was where Leon kept his CD case.

"Akisha no, wait!" shouted Leon.

"What's the matter Leon?" she asked in shock.

"Nothing, you just can't open the glove compartment."

"Why not, are you hiding something in there?" she said giving him a glare."

"Yes, no, that's not the point."

"Then what is the point, tell me Leon?" she said almost in tears.

He let out a sigh. "Just forget about it okay," he said as he turned on the stereo and rock music blasted out. Akisha looked out her window and let the tears slowly fall. When Leon tried to comfort her, she pulled away, upset that he was starting to keep secrets from her again. "Akisha please, just look at me," he said softly as he tried again to put his hand on her shoulder. Akisha looked at him in anger and turned away. Leon let out a sigh and felt bad that he couldn't tell her what was hidden in the glove compartment. He knew that once she knew the truth, her feelings would change. He continued driving to the race, not saying a single word.

When he finally got to the race site, he immediately looked for the rest of the team. He soon found them chatting together at Benny's car, their cars surrounding his. They all looked up to see Leon pull in and began cheering and clapping, knowing Akisha was inside. Leon parked the car close to Marcus' and turned it off. He got out and walked over to let Akisha out, but she'd already had let herself out. She walked alone in silence to the group, leaving Leon speechless. The gang gathered around her and gave her a hug. Man chiqua it's great to have you back, we missed you," said Mija.

"Ya gurl can't wait to have ya racing for us again," said Marcus.

"I can't wait either, I so wanna get behind the wheel again, though I know it's not gonna be for awhile," Akisha said smiling. "The good thing is that Leon and I won't have to deal with Mario anymore."

"What do ya mean," said Cho, "what happened?" Akisha went into the story of how Mario was waiting for them in the parking lot of the hospital and began chasing after them. She ended with him flying over the edge of the cliff and his car bursting into flames.

"At least you'll no longer have to deal with him," said Cheryl.

"Yeah I'm thankful for that," said Akisha. Off in the distance she saw Benny approach the heartbroken Leon, who began chatting with him. Whatever they were talking about she had no interest in and turned away. She decided to talk about the race and who'd be participating. Tai said that it was guys only with a 2 G buy-in. Both he and Marcus were racing; the girls were going to hang with Benny. Akisha nodded and asked if Leon was going to, Mija said no and that he wanted to stay and be with Akisha. Akisha acknowledged it but said that she was going to stay with the rest of them. When asked why, she responded that she had her reason; the gang left it at that.

"Well my friends it's time to race, let's get going," said Benny coming up to the group. "Good luck my boys," he said to Marcus and Tai.

"No luck needed," said Tai giving him a thumbs-up, "we're natural winners." He and Marcus got into their cars and drove off to the starting line. The girls headed to Benny's and sat on the hood. Akisha followed but was stopped by Leon grabbing her hand.

"Akisha wait I need to talk to you."

"We have nothing to talk about Leon, you're the one who wants to start keeping secrets again," she said pulling her hand away from his. "I thought we'd agreed on no longer keeping secrets from each other."

"I'm keeping no secrets from you."

"Bullshit Leon," she said in tears," then tell me what so secretive about the glove compartment, what are you hiding in there?"

"It's a surprise for someone I care about," he said walking up to he," someone who I love very much and want to spend the rest of my life with. Someone who for the last two days I've spent by her bedside waiting for her to come back to me. Someone who I spent the last hour with trying to get rid of some psycho who's brother's in jail. Do you know whom I'm talking about?"

"Yes," she said wiping her tears away.

"Then believe me please when I say that soon enough you'll know what I'm keeping from you. He finally reached her and attempted to hug her, she gave in and he held her close. "What I have for you is from my heart and I want to whole world to see it. Let's go sit together and watch the race,"

"Sure," she said looking into his sympathetic green eyes. Holding his hands they headed to his car and sat down on the hood, Leon sat behind her and rested his chin on her head. He held her close, their hand interlocking and kissed her on the head. They watched the race in silence as Tai won. The crowd cheered and everyone headed over to congratulate him

Leon and Akisha got off the car and headed to the crowd. Making their way through, they finally got through to see Benny congratulate him. Benny saw Akisha and Leon standing there and walked up to them. Taking Akisha by the hand he led her to the middle of the crowd. "Can I please have everyone's attention? As you may well know, a couple nights ago one of the finest racers we have was shot. Most of us were there to see it happen, others heard it from friends. We all prayed that she'd recover and be back racing with the team soon. Well thankfully she survived and she's here tonight. Everyone here she is, Akisha," said Benny raising her hand as the crowd cheered. "My buddy Leon also has something to say."

Walking up to here and taking her hands he said, "Akisha from the moment I saw you, I knew you were special. You were an excellent solo racer and had the skills to prove it. I didn't know how special until I saved you from those thugs in this same spot. When I asked you to join the team, I knew you'd be the best thing for us. During those times I grew closer with you and eventually fell in love with you. Each day our love grew stronger only to lose it when I took off. When I came back I had to prove that the love was still there and I did. That love was finally put to the test when you were shot and almost taken from me. While you were in the hospital I prayed to have you back with me and my prayers have been answered, cause here you are with me." By this time Akisha had broken down in tears as she watched him get down on one knee. "Akisha I want to spend the rest of my life with you and I'm hoping the answer will be yes to my question. Akisha Vasquez, will you marry me?" the crowd hushed waiting for the answer.

"Leon I fell in love with you too, but after breaking my heart like you did it was hard to forgive you when you came back. I'm afraid that you will break it again and I'm sorry to say that I can't accept you proposal." After the words were said, the crowd gasped in shock and Leon appeared heartbroken. Akisha broke out in laughter, "I'm kidding Leon, and I will marry you."

"You will you're serious?" he said hoping he's heard her correctly.

"Yes I am," she said with tears streaming down her face. Leon stood up, lifted her up and twirled her around. He set her back down and took her left hand. He slid the ring on her finger and pulled her into his arms. He gave her a long kiss on the lips as the crowd surrounded them and cheered. Benny invited everyone back to his place to celebrate.

When Leon and Akisha got to Benny's house, the party was in full swing. Leon parked the in the driveway behind Akisha's and shut it off. He let out a huge high and laid his head back on the headrest of his seat. Akisha looked at him and smiled. She knew that he was thankful that their problems were over for the time being and that they could live their life in peace. She rubbed his head as he turned to her. He took her hand and kissed it; he then looked at the ring on her finger and kissed it as well. "I'm so glad things have worked out and I have you all to myself, no Mario or Rico to bother us," he said reaching over and hugging her.

"I know Leon, I'm happy too. C'mon let's go inside for a bit, even if it to just say hello."

"Why, can't wait to get me into bed again?" he chuckled

"Leon," she said smacking the back of her hand on his shoulder.

Leon burst out in laughter. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding."

"Yes I want to do that with you, but I also want to get started on out way to LA."

"LA what for, there's no need to; we don't have a need to run away, we can stay here?"

"I want to get away from here Leon, after all that's happened this place no longer feels like home for me. All I see and feel are bad memories, things I would like to forget. I'm not saying anything permanent, just somewhere where we can be alone."

"Are you saying that you wanna give it all up, racing I mean?"

"No I love racing, I just want a place where no one knows us, I was thinking of your friends there."

"Dom and the crew?"

"Yeah I know there'll be only Mia and Vince, who knows maybe Dome and Letty came back as well."

"You sure, how long do you expect us to stay there; we still have to decide about the wedding?"

"Maybe only for a couple of months, a year tops."

"Sounds good to me, let's go inside and celebrate with the rest of the crew we have here."

"You got it," she said as they got out and headed for the front doors.

When they got inside the house, the place was already jamming. There were people drinking and talking, playing on the PS2, dancing and making out. Some of the guests noticed Leon and Akisha passing through and raised a toast to them or waved hello. The couple waved back and continued on to the backdoor. When they got to the backyard, the rest of the gang was there and there was also a sign hanging from the trees that said Congratulations Leon and Akisha. They went on their way to meet the gang and were greeted with open arms and cheers. Benny handed them each a beer to which they toasted. "Great to see that you guys could make it, after all this party is partially for you," he said smiling. "It's great to see my two champs finally having their dreams come true."

"Thanks Benny, but we can't stay long we have to go," said Leon with a sad look on his face.

"Go where? If you are thinking about going to LA there's not need, Mario's dead and Rico's not going anywhere for the next 20 years now that he's in jail, stay."

"We'd liked to," said Akisha, "but with everything that has happened these past few days, it just brings on some bad memories."

"So what you're saying is that you're just gonna take a breather and the come back here?" said Benny with concern.

"Exactly, we just wanna take some time for ourselves to get caught up and maybe talk bout the wedding," said Leon with reassurance.

"Sounds okay, just don't forget to keep in touch so I know how you guys are doing."

"Will Benny, well gotta go," said Leon giving him a hug, Akisha did as well.

"Okay and be careful," said Benny as Leon and Akisha left for the car.

Akisha headed for her car but was stopped by Leon. "Hey I don't think it's safe for you to drive, especially with what you've just been through."

"I'm fine Leon really," she replied as she unlocked her car, "besides like you said I don't have anything to worry about."

"I know it's just that I'm afraid that while driving you'll have a memory relapse and lose control," he said in a tone that made her realize that he was right. "Please Akisha I'm begging you, come back with me and stay at my place. Tomorrow we'll pack a few things, come get your car and head off to L.A."

Knowing there was no point in continuing to argue, Akisha let out a sigh, locked her car and joined Leon. "Fine we'll do it your way."

"That's my girl," he said putting his arm around her and walked with her to the car. They got in and headed off to Leon's.

When they finally got to Leon's and got out of the car, Akisha proceeded to head to her place. "Akisha where are you going?" asked Leon with confusion.

"I'm going to get my stuff ready for the trip."

"Why do that now, let's go get some sleep first and do that in the morning?"

"Cause Leon I want to do it now," she said and continued on her way. Leon called after her but she ignored him and kept on going.

Leon let out a sign and headed inside the house. He headed up the stairs to his room and began putting some clothes in a dufflebag. As he did he couldn't help but mumble to himself how unsafe she'd suddenly become. "I can't let it get to me," he said as he put the last of his things in the bag. "She's smart and knows what's best for her." When he was done he headed downstairs and to the car, and threw his bag on the backseat. He then decided to head to Akisha's to see how she was doing.

To be continued