After being held hostage by my father’s demands and threats for so long, this trip was just what I needed.
The sweet taste of freedom pulsed through my veins.
25
FORMULA 1
DUBAI, UAE
KARSON
We arrived in Dubai buzzing with excitement and wasted no time heading outside to find the McLaren that Archie had organized for us.
The gleaming orange supercar caught my eye immediately. Dyson and I turned toward each other, grinning wildly.
Dyson let out a long, low whistle.
“I’m driving,” I said, slapping him on the back.
“Fine, but you’re riding shotgun on the way back.” His gaze stayed fixed on the car.
The valet checked our IDs, opened the butterfly doors, then handed me the carbon-fiber key fob. “I’ll have your luggage sent to the hotel, gentlemen. Is there anything else you require?”
“Nope. You’ve been most helpful,” said Dyson, pressing a wad of cash into his palm.
“Thank you.” The valet closed his fist around the money and walked away with a broad smile.
“Let’s do this!” We hadn’t even left the airport, and already a current of energy pumped through my veins.
I slid into the driver’s seat while Dyson settled beside me. The powerful motor roared to life, with an explosion of laughter, we fist-bumped as he cranked up the music.
We sped down the highway toward Abu Dhabi, racing past towering buildings and clusters of date palms swaying in the breeze.
A smile spread across my face… It was fantastic being away from my father. For the first time in my life, I was in the driver’s seat, free to choose my own direction.
Dyson bobbed his head to the beat as I pushed the car faster, outrunning my problems for a little while. We tore along, feeling untouchable, until the hotel came into view.
A short time later, I pulled up out front and handed the keys to the valet. We checked into identical suites overlooking the racetrack, then headed downstairs to the hotel café.
“Let’s check out the Qasr Al Watan, the Presidential Palace. I’ve heard it’s incredible,” Dyson said while we waited for our coffee.
“I’m down with that.”
“Then we can have lunch at this cool restaurant I found online. It’s on the water and has great reviews.” He held his phone toward me, a picture of the palace glowing on the screen.
With a nod, the barista placed our coffees on the counter, and we headed out.
***
Dyson slid into the driver’s seat of the McLaren. Moments later we were tearing down the highway, the presidential palace glowed in the distance.
When we finally arrived, he killed the engine, the silence settled in around us.
Under the fierce sun, the white granite and limestone façade gleamed against the sky while groups of tourists streamed past.We crossed through the archway toward the palace, our eyes drawn upward as its sheer scale unfolded before us.
“Damn, this place is breathtaking.” I shook my head. “And it’s freaking enormous.”
“It’s a beauty all right,” Dyson said. “It’s over two million square feet. Apparently, they even do a laser show here on the weekends.”
