Gabriel Rivera 💯

Before Gabriel was born, his parents decided to immigrate from Mexico to the United States, along with one of their grandmothers. They hoped to have a better life there than in Mexico. But it didn't get any better. Gabriel grew up in poor conditions in a gang neighborhood. When he was 10 years old, his younger brother Simon (NaokoHara) was born. And just a few years later, both parents were shot in a gang war, leaving the two children with their abuela. The grandmother did her best to raise the two boys properly. But neither the big one nor the little one could stay out of trouble for long.

At the age of 15, Gabriel became increasingly aware that they could barely make ends meet and took the chance when an older classmate offered him to work as a drug mule. He brought the money to his abuela, but she didn't want it. She knew exactly where Gabriel got the money. She often scolded him and asked him what his parents would think of him. 2 years later, he was caught red-handed trying to deliver something and was put in jail overnight. The policeman who arrested him was a good friend of the family and well known in the neighborhood because he always tried to keep the neighborhood kids out of trouble. He suggested to Gabriel's grandmother that he somehow needs a job to get him away from the gangs and she decided that Gabriel should start working at his uncle's garage. The young Gabriel was not at all enthusiastic about this and let the apprenticeship slide, until the son of his uncle, who was a little older, invited him one evening to look at something cool. Gabriel agreed and discovered that there were illegal car races going on in the streets at night. As if in a frenzy, he perceived all the impressions, the loud engines, the squealing tires, the pimped cars. Pure enthusiasm overcame him and he asked his cousin if he could drive himself, who laughed and said 'Sure, if you have a car' and the next morning he asked his uncle for a car. He was surprised about the sudden interest and gave him an accident car, which Gabriel could finally drive himself after 2 years working on it with a lot of love. He drove the car for several years in these fast races and won a lot of money with which he improved his car more and more.

One evening Gabriel argued with his grandmother, because she wanted to know where he always went so late. She was afraid that he would do bad things again. He drove to a race and in the middle of it, suddenly a small head plopped from the back seat, it was his little brother Simon, who had found out what Gabriel was doing at night, out of fright and because Gabriel confused the brakes with the gas pedal, they won the race. Simon never stopped talking about these adrenaline-filled races. Until Gabriel forbade him. He didn't want his grandmother to hear about it. It wasn't long before Gabriel's little brother, still infected by the races, stole a car and unfortunately drove it right into the car of the policeman who had already arrested Gabriel in the past. Of course there was a lot of trouble and the grandmother of the two gave Gabriel a long lecture, which he then gave to his little brother. But all Simon did was begging his brother to teach him to drive. Annoyed, Gabriel agreed, but under the condition that he would teach him to drive only when his feet come to the pedals. Gabriel continued to race until a fateful accident in which he almost died. A very long hospital stay was the result. The bills ate up the last savings Gabe still had from the car races. To counteract it, Gabriel's little brother joined the racing scene.

When Gabriel came out of the hospital, Simon of course wanted to race with his big brother. But he was already done with it and also wanted his little brother to stop. He did not listen and they had several fights. Gabriel could no longer stand it at home and left his brother and his grandmother without telling them where he was going.

He moved to LA and started a job at the post office. A dull, boring and monotonous job. Where the pay was barely enough for the rent of his one-room hovel or for groceries until the end of the month. By chance he meets a cousin who offers him 5 grand for a one-time delivery. Without thinking, Gabriel takes the job. Just before he is about to deliver the package. He is surrounded by police and told to give up. Angry at himself for accepting the job in the first place. He races away in a dangerous chase where he barely gets away. He delivers the package and meets the person who should change his life from then on. His later boss William Johnson. The man is impressed by Gabriel's performance and wants to hire him as a driver. But Gabriel does not want to hear any of it at first. But the man does not let up and offers him good money. Gabriel agrees and drives his new boss through the area. It doesn't take long and they get into an ambush, where Gabriel defends himself with his bare fists and pulls his boss out of the mess. Amused, he lets Gabriel compete in fist fights from now on, since he hadn't been happy with driving him around in the first place. Over the years, Gabriel's tasks change again and again, until he has to serve as personal bodyguard for his boss. One of these tasks takes him to the nightclubs, where he meets his brother again. The two get into a heated argument and then finally make up. What Gabriel had not considered, was that the club which his brother belonged, was located on the street side of a rival gang and the meeting between him and his brother did not go unnoticed. After Gabriel had left. The gang caught Simon and beat him half to death and he also lost an eye. Feeling guilty, Gabriel now visits his brother every day in the hospital and also learns that Simon's club was not going very well, due to these stupid gangs. The two try to cover the hospital costs with the remaining money. But it is not enough. Until Gabriel's boss suddenly stands in Simon's hospital room. Ashamed, Gabriel tries to apologize for missing his duties for so long, but he had to take care of his brother. William listens to the story and decides to take control of the situation. He already had his eyes on the other side of the street for a long time, but so far there was no direct reason to mess with the gang. Without further ado, Gabriel's boss took over all the costs and also took over the area where Simon's club was located. Of course with the condition that Simon would now work for him.

The years passed and Gabriel remained at the side of his boss, whom he now owed a lot, they often shuttled back and forth between the U.S. and Russia, since his boss has built another branch of his 'empire' there and his family lived there. At some point William decided to focus on Russia for the time being and they stayed there. One day Will gave him a partner. A small hot-headed and loud shepherd-mix named Owen. At the beginning the two did not get along at all. Because the methods of both could not have been more different. And Owen often got the two of them into an uncomfortable situation with his loud mouth. But he was fast and not squeamish and when they went to drink in Simon's club also somehow funny if he had enough intus. The two become good friends, knowing that each other's backs are covered.