Chapter 6
A few weeks had now passed since Jake and Diane had met Balan, who had welcomed them with open arms and as Jake was walking down the hallway, he was accompanied by Lance, whom he was speaking with as he was walking to Balan's office.
"I told all the inhabitants and costumes about me being a racer and they were all surprised and amazed," the young man said. "They even felt that the racing officials were wrong about me and they told me that they too believed that I can still be a great racer."
"I'm proud to hear that," Lance said with a smile before he looked curious as he sensed the young man had doubts over something he wanted to ask Balan. "Jake, Balan won't say 'no'."
Jake looked at him in surprise and confusion. "What do you mean by that?" He asked, wondering how Lance figured out what was on his mind without the young racer telling him about it.
Lance gently chuckled. "You want to ask him if you and Diane can stay here, but you're anxious about what Balan will say?" He asked.
Now the young man was surprised. "How do you know that?" He asked.
"Since I keep an eye on the Negativity, I can sense negative thoughts, negative energy, and fears. Balan can sense these too, as well as positive thoughts, positive energy, and happiness," the tendriled being explained, placing a gentle hand on the young man's shoulder. "But you shouldn't be afraid to ask Balan if you and Diane will be allowed to stay. I know he'd be thrilled that you both wish to stay here."
"You really think so?" Jake asked.
Lance nodded. "Balan loves opening his home to those who need it and those that walk in through the doors often become very close friends to him, close enough to be called a family," he said. "And I'm sure you've noticed that Balan is very protective of everyone, including children and young ones like you and Diane."
"I've noticed," the young man said. "He even...was like a Dad to me when he encouraged me to get behind the wheel and try racing again. He didn't discourage me from it, but he didn't dismiss my fears either."
The tendriled being nodded again before seeing they arrived and saw Diane waiting there too. She took a deep breath. "Guess we both have the same idea," she said, looking at Jake.
He nodded and felt Lance gently squeeze his shoulder before the tendriled being gently squeezed Diane's shoulder. "Go on," he said encouragingly. "I promise Balan won't turn you two away."
Nodding, the two watched him walk away before they knocked on the door to Balan's office. "Come in," they heard Balan's warm voice from inside.
Jake opened the door and went inside, holding it open for Diane, who smiled sweetly at him before the door closed and they turned to face Balan, who smiled at the nineteen-year-old boy and the eighteen-year-old girl. "Ah, Jake. Diane, good afternoon," he said before gesturing to the chairs in front of his desk where he was sitting. "Please, have a seat."
"Thank you, Balan," Diane said.
"Thanks, Balan," Jake said as he and Diane sat down.
Balan set aside the paperwork he had been working on and gave the two his full attention. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" He asked.
"Well, we were hoping to ask you something," the young woman said.
"But first off, we wanted to say how much we appreciate that you took us in that night you found us," Jake said. "We weren't used to someone being kind to us after what happened to lead us to that alleyway where you found us."
Balan nodded. "I sensed that when you were wary of me upon our first meeting," he said.
Diane nodded. "You've been very much like a caring father to us," she said. "And we've enjoyed staying here and being around Emma and Leo and the others, who have all made us feel welcomed." She then blushed as she took Jake's hand. "Our time spent here has even made mine and Jake's relationship from friends to love."
Jake blushed too and smiled at her. "It has," he said, gently squeezing her hand before looking at Balan, who chuckled.
"I sensed love blooming between you two and I'm happy for you both," he said. "Though, I have a feeling you still have a question for me." He winked at them as he said this.
The two smiled and nodded before Jake took a deep breath. "Balan, can Diane and I stay here in the theater?" He asked.
"As our forever home?" Diane asked.
Balan grinned as he heard this and stood up from his chair. "Jake and Diane, you are both welcomed to stay here," he said proudly as he came around his desk and giving them both a hug.
The two hugged him back happily, feeling glad that Balan said 'yes'. Diane felt tears fill her eyes, tears that flowed down her face as she smiled. Balan noticed and gently wiped away her tears. "Are you alright, my dear?" He asked.
She nodded. "Yes," she said.
Jake smiled too before he felt fingers wiggle into his right side and he burst into laughter, which made Diane look to see why he was laughing and she giggled before squeaking when she felt fingers gently wiggle into her neck, making her giggle louder. After a bit, Balan let them up, holding them both in another hug. "Your room is ready upstairs, you two," he said. "I do apologize that it took so long."
"It's okay, Balan," Jake said.
"Thank you, Balan," Diane said.
The Maestro smiled warmly at the two. "You're welcome," he said.
The next morning, Attilio was buying balloons for the theme park he worked at when a man in a suit approached him. "Excuse me, but is there any chance you've seen this young man?" He asked, showing the clown man a newspaper with Jake's picture on the front page.
Something about the man didn't set right with Attilio. "Why are you looking for him?" He asked.
"I've been gathering world famous racers and I heard one of them are in this city; they're really worth a fortune," the man replied.
Now Attilio really knew something wasn't right. "Sorry, but I haven't seen him," he said, to which the man walked away. Attilio quickly made his purchase and then headed out, moving fast to get back to the theater.
Meanwhile, at the theater in one of the living rooms, Diane was tickling Emma's sides and the girl was laughing and squirming around, but not trying to escape. As she squirmed, her shirt rode up a little to expose her belly button. Seeing this, Diane began blowing raspberries into the blonde girl's stomach, making her laugh harder and even squeal as a few raspberries landed right over her belly button.
Balan was sitting nearby and giggling as he watched the silly moment. "My, my, looks like you're caught in the grasp of a tickle monster, Emma," he said teasingly.
She was laughing too much to reply, but just then, Attilio came in and he looked out of breath. "Guys, I have something to tell you all," he said as he leaned against the wall for a moment, trying to catch his breath.
Diane stopped tickling Emma and helped the young girl sit upright in her lap, rubbing her back to help her recover from the playful tickle attack. Balan stood up. "What is the matter, Attilio?" He asked in concern. "You look like you ran from the store to here, old friend."
"I did," the man said. "There was someone that approached me and he's looking for Jake. He mentioned something about Jake being worth a fortune."
Lance, who entered in time to hear that, stopped short and his eyes narrowed. "That man is looking to make money off of Jake," he said. "No doubt he knows that Jake is a famous racer."
Balan didn't like the sound of that. "What did you say to the man, Attilio?" He asked.
"I told him I hadn't seen Jake, but I don't think that guy is going to give up," the clown man said.
Emma looked worried, as did Diane.
In the meantime, in another part of the city, Jake was in a car shop with Leo, Haoyu, and Cal. "Hey, Jake, can me and the others come to your races?" Leo asked.
"Of course you guys can," Jake said with a smile. "In fact, you all can come to all my races."
"I like the spirit you have, Jake," Cal said with a smile. "Reminds me of when I first gained my chess championship title."
Jake smiled, but just then, he felt someone grab his arm. "Ah, there you are, Jake," said the same man Attilio had seen earlier, pulling him away. "You're coming with me."
"Let go!" Jake said, struggling to get away.
"Jake!" Haoyu called out in worry.
Unable to get free, Jake looked at them. "Guys, run and tell Balan and the others!" He called out.
Cal didn't like that they had to leave Jake like that, but he nodded, gently pushing Leo and Haoyu into a run towards the theater. "Hang on, Jake! We'll find you!" He promised as he followed the boys just as Jake was tossed into the back of a car, where the doors locked and he was unable to escape.
He only hoped Cal and the boys would make it to the theater in time.
Oh, dear. Hopefully they can get help for Jake soon.
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GoldGuardian2418