Heartless Hearts

Chapter 1 - Julio Fernandez

Underneath the evening sky, in the warm glow of city lights, I sat on my motorcycle, patiently waiting for the stoplight at the busy intersection. With the soft sound of the engine beneath me, I glanced around, taking in the sights and noises of the busy streets.

I looked up and saw the traffic light blinking from red to green. With a little excitement, I took a deep breath and gently twisted the throttle, setting off into the flow of traffic. The city seemed alive around me. I couldn't help but smile at this simple moment. It feels great, you know? It's just me, my motorcycle, and the city lights. 

My mission tonight: delivering pizzas to hungry souls.

Taking a quick glance behind me, I double-checked the cargo secured at the rear of my vehicle–a thermal delivery bag containing 6 boxes of hot, steamy pizza.

"Now, I'm hungry..." I mumbled, almost rolling my eyes as I swallowed the saliva pooling in my mouth, unable to resist the mouthwatering aroma coming from the pizza boxes. It's making my stomach growl with hunger.

A blinking light from an LED screen billboard at the front corner of my vision caught my attention. It was displaying a video advertisement for a luxurious car, capturing my gaze for a moment before turning my attention back to the road ahead. I couldn't help but gaze back at the screen as it revealed the face of the brand—none other than Julio Fernandez, a name synonymous with charisma and confidence.

I shook my head before shifting my eyes back to the road, realizing his presence on the screen was impossible to ignore. "Julio Fernan–ahhh!" I exclaimed, my words cut short by a sudden bump that shocked me.

Before I knew it, I found myself lying on the road, disoriented by the sudden impact and my left arm throbbing with pain. I heard people approaching my direction, their voices filled with concern. Some of them were dialing for emergency help.

"Oh my god..." my voice faintly escaped my lips. With a racing heart and aching limbs, I slowly managed to stand up, feeling hands guiding me as I rose. My gaze fell upon my motorcycle which was lying near me, and without hesitation, I checked inside the thermal bag. From the sight outside, I knew all the pizzas had been smashed and scattered.

"Are you okay, miss? Don't move."

"Stay down, help is on the way. Don't try to get up."

"The ambulance will be here soon, miss."

The paramedics were taking forever to arrive. I kept telling the people around me that I was fine and that I needed to leave because I still had work to do. I only have some minor body aches, but overall I feel alright. Despite their objections and efforts to stop me from leaving, I insisted and left the scene, still riding my motorcycle.

It was just a minor accident. A car sideswiped me as it passed by. The driver covered the cost of all the pizzas that were damaged and even promised to cover my medical bills if I needed to visit the hospital. He gave me his calling card for assurance.

With trembling knees, I hugged myself tightly as I rang the doorbell of the house in front of me. Not long after, Maddie appeared, her expression filled with worry as she hurried towards me after opening the gate.

"Bitch, what happened? I was so worried!" She approached, her voice filled with worry.

"I'm okay, Maddie," I replied, reassuringly.

Maddie's eyes scanned me from head to toe, checking for any signs of injury. "Are you sure you're okay? You don't look fine, oh my gee!"

"I'm fine, I swear," I reassured again, but my gaze shifted to the pizzas placed at the back of my motorcycle. "The pizzas didn't make it though, I'm sorry."