Rehab for SuperVillains (18+)-Chapter 152: Beep beep!

Beep beep!

The Zephyr X-9’s horn blared, its obsidian body gleaming under the dim streetlight.

Kael stood frozen, his mouth agape, his hazel eyes wide with a mix of amazement and unease.

The car was stunning—one of the best he’d ever seen, its sharp headlights and sculpted body screaming expensive and luxury.

A gift for him?

His heart raced, but not entirely from joy.

"So, how is it?" Freya asked, her blue eyes glinting with anticipation, her platinum-cyan hair catching the evening’s dim light as she leaned against the car. ƒгeewёbnovel.com

"Ah, yes! Yes! I like it!" Kael’s voice boomed at first, overly enthusiastic, then dimmed to a strained loudness, his grin stiff, his hands fidgeting at his sides.

He nodded vigorously, his hazel eyes darting between the car and Freya, betraying a flicker of discomfort beneath his forced excitement.

Rhea bounced forward, her crimson hair swaying, her amber eyes sparkling with pride.

"The color was my idea!" she declared, pointing to the car’s deep obsidian sheen., "Doesn’t it look cool."

Kael turned to her, his smile faltering for a split second, his voice catching.

"Thank you, Rhea, I love it," he said, his tone oddly formal, then pivoted to Freya, his grin still plastered on. "This... this is a really good surprise. You guys shouldn’t have." His words were polite, but his shoulders tensed, his fingers twitching as if searching for an escape.

Freya’s lips curved into a warm smile, her voice soft but sincere.

"It’s just a small token of our appreciation, Kael. For everything you do."

Kael nodded, his grin tightening, his hazel eyes flicking to the ground, then back to the car, his enthusiasm a touch too rehearsed.

He rubbed the back of his neck, his awkwardness palpable, though he kept his tone upbeat, masking the unease churning inside.

"Why don’t you give it a ride?" Freya said, dangling the keys in front of him, the metal glinting as she smiled. "Test it out."

Rhea’s amber eyes lit up.

"Shotgun!" she yelled, sprinting to the passenger’s seat, yanking the door open with a triumphant grin.

Freya sighed, her blue eyes rolling playfully as she slid into the back seat, her cyan t-shirt creasing against the plush leather.

Kael, however, lingered outside the driver’s door, his awkward smile frozen, his hands stuffed into his pockets, his boots scuffing the gravel.

"Kael, what are you waiting for? Come on," Freya called from inside, her voice tinged with curiosity, her blue eyes narrowing slightly.

Kael’s grin wavered, his hazel eyes darting to the Haven’s door.

"Uh, I need to hit the bathroom," he said, his voice too quick, already backing away. "Be right back!" He bolted inside, leaving Freya and Rhea in the car, their expressions shifting from excitement to bewilderment.

Freya leaned forward, her blue eyes meeting Rhea’s in the rearview mirror. "Rhea?"

"Yeah?" Rhea turned, her amber eyes puzzled, her crimson hair spilling over the headrest.

"Is it just me, or is Kael acting... off about the car?" Freya asked, her voice low, her fingers tapping the seat.

Rhea frowned, her amber eyes narrowing as she replayed Kael’s behavior. "Nope, not just you. He’s totally faking it. I bet it’s the color. Should’ve gone with white or maybe he likes yellow. What was his favorite color anyway?."

Freya shook her head, her lips pursing. "That’s not it. I think I know what’s wrong."

Inside the Haven, Kael locked himself in the bathroom, his back against the door, his breath coming in short gasps.

He leaned forward, his hazel eyes were wide, his hands trembling as he gripped the sink, staring at his reflection.

The car was sexy—a dream ride, no question—but it brought out something he’d dodged for years crashing down on him.

He’d avoided it, kept it buried, but now he had to face it.

His stomach churned, his pulse racing with a mix of embarrassment and dread. What is he supposed to tell them?

Knock knock.

"I’m busy!" Kael called, his voice strained, wiping sweat from his brow.

"Kael?" Freya’s voice came through the door, calm but knowing.

"Y-yes, Freya. Give me a minute. Or, uh, it looks like it will take me a while longer. Why don’t you guys go get started with dinner!" he said, his words tumbling out, his grin forced even though she couldn’t see it.

"I know, Kael," Freya said, her tone gentle but firm. "It’s okay. Nothing to be ashamed off. I’ll teach you how to drive."

Silence.

Kael’s face flushed, his hazel eyes dropping to the floor.

He opened the door slowly, his shoulders slumped, his grin replaced by a sheepish grimace.

"Yeah," he muttered, barely audible.

Rhea, leaning against the wall beside him, her amber eyes wide with shock, piped up. "Wait, you really don’t know how to drive?" Her voice was incredulous, her crimson hair bouncing as she stepped closer.

"Even I know how to drive! You’re slacking as team leader, Kael. Were you seriously planning on chauffeuring us around in a taxi, forever?... Don’t worry, I will wake up early tomorrow, and I’ll teach you!"

"Honestly, learning from Rhea is probably worse than never learning at all. But don’t worry, Kael—I’ll teach you. Or, if you want to make things easier, we could trade this in for something else. Less horsepower, more beginner-friendly."

Kael’s face burned, his hazel eyes darting between them, his embarrassment deepening.

He regretted leaving the Haven today—hell, he should’ve padlocked the door to keep Freya and Rhea from ever leaving the Haven. "No," he said, his voice firm despite the flush on his cheeks. "I don’t want to learn to drive."

Freya and Rhea blinked, their expressions shifting to confusion. "Why?" they asked in unison, Freya’s blue eyes searching, Rhea’s amber eyes narrowing.

Kael sighed, his shoulders sagging, his voice low. "I’m... afraid of driving. It makes me anxious. Always has."

Rhea burst out laughing, her amber eyes sparkling as she clutched her stomach.

"Seriously? You face supervillains stronger than you but freak out behind the wheel?"