For Love and maybe Blood

~ > 12 < ~

~ I Was Made For Lovin' You Baby
    You Were Made For Lovin' Me ~

I had just finished working in the office when Ava rushed into the room. "Thank God I caught you," she said, breathing heavily and trying to catch her breath.
I went to her worriedly and put my arm around her shoulder. "Hey, hey it's alright," I tried to reassure her and led her to the chairs. "Take a deep breath in and out, it's all good".
She did as told and nodded slowly as she regained consciousness.
"Why are you moving so fast Ava?", I asked confused.
"Ah, I thought you had already left because you got off work half an hour ago" she replied.
"Yes, but I wasn't quite finished with the report and the booking for Abu Dhabi and I'm not going home with a job half done."
"And that's the Lilibeth I know," she laughed and stood up again. "Ah yes, don't ask me how I was able to run so fast in these shoes, I almost fell out of the lift" she laughed again and pointed at her high heels.
I admired anyone who could run all day in those shoes because I definitely could not. For that reason, I either wore trainers straight away or shoes that didn't have such high heels.
"All right, I won't ask," I said and grinned. "But why did you want to catch me before I left?", I asked curiously.
"Right," Ava said smiling as if she had completely forgotten again. "I just came from Claire's, she wants to talk to you."
I was already aware of what this conversation was going to be about, so I wasn't too worried.
I said goodbye to Ava after packing up my things and heading to Claire's office. On the way, I texted George that it would take me longer to get home because I was talking to Claire.
When I arrived outside Claire's office, I heard two people talking to each other, so I decided to wait a little longer as I didn't want to interrupt them. I wasn't usually one to eavesdrop on conversations, but when I overheard what they were talking about, I couldn't help myself.
"Dad, believe me, it's hard and difficult and the right thing to do. I don't want it either."
"I know, I know, sweetheart. I just don't want to give what I've built up over decades into someone else's hands," said the second voice, which was very familiar.
Put it in other hands? Not...
"Yes you're right, I know how hard you've worked for this and our history here is very moving for our staff and for our fans, Dad. But in the hands of Dorilton Capital, Williams will be in very good hands and the staff here will stay too. And our drivers, Dad. George and Nicky are not leaving for the time being and I'm sure they'll both stay for a while after their contracts are up. We're a family, no matter what."
Ava was right. It is true. Williams will no longer be the Williams we know. They're leaving.
My heart started racing faster when I heard those words come out of Claire's mouth. I didn't want to believe it all along, but it was predictable when you work here and watch well. Nothing is going well at Williams at the moment, the financial possibilities are not high and Claire doesn't know what to do anymore.
"Yes, it's true," the other person said. "The story stays."
"It will, Dad," Claire confirmed, and could clearly hear the sadness in her voice.
"And you trust Elizabeth?"
"Dad, I do more than that. This woman has potential and is a genius! I can't just abandon her when we leave," Claire said. "I also know she'll stay as long as she knows she has to."
"And you think George will stay too?"
"It's not about George," Claire interjected. "It's about Lilibeth. Besides, she would never allow George to stay because of her, she's far too stubborn for that."
"All right, talk to her. I see you really trust her."
Those words almost brought tears to my eyes. Claire trusted me. I could hardly believe it. I used to only dream of working for Formula 1, let alone Williams, and now the Williams boss trusted me herself. What I didn't understand was why...? And what exactly were they talking about?
"I'll call her to come right down, she's probably still working like Ava thinks," Claire said and that was my signal to knock on the door.
It wasn't long before a smiling Claire opened the door for me. "Speak of the devil, hello Lilibeth," Claire greeted me and surprisingly pulled me into a hug. I returned it without hesitation, although I was surprised.
"Hi Claire," I greeted her as well.
"When did you get here?" Claire asked in confusion, my eyes widening in panic.
"Eh, just now, I just came down because I had to do some paperwork," I lied desperately because I didn't want to tell them I was listening to their conversation.
"All right," Claire replied with a smile. "We have a visitor, by the way, Lilibeth."
She gestured to her desk and I smiled broadly.
"Sir Frank, I'm glad to see you again, sir," I greeted him with a smile and a friendly nod.
Sir Frank and I had met a few months ago and I was of course beside myself to meet the great Sir Frank. After all, he was the hero of Williams, or in other words, the founder.
"Darling, I told you that for you I am Frank and not Sir," he said with a playful sternness, moving his index finger like a stern teacher.
"I'm sorry, Sir Fr- I mean Sir, ehm... Frank," I corrected myself. "I'm sorry," I apologised again and looked innocently at him.
"You've been brought up far too well.", he just said laughing and I joined in.
"You're right, Dad. But that's why we love Lilibeth so much, isn't it?"
I looked at Claire who gave me a warm smile which I returned.
"That's right," Frank agreed. "That's why we're talking now."
The three of us sat down at Claire's office desk and started the conversation.
I got a bit more nervous because  I didn't know exactly what this conversation was going to be about.
Either I will now be told that they are leaving Williams, as Ava has told me before, or something else will come.
Maybe about the Interpol agent? I wouldn't be surprised. In fact, I'm surprised Claire hasn't said a word about it since he got here. I was aware that she didn't exactly welcome strangers like that into her garage.
But why would they tell me they were leaving Williams? Wouldn't they announce it in a big meeting to the whole team?
This point seemed unlikely to me, but the fact that I was now hearing it with my own ears gave me goosebumps. I was aware from the beginning that Ava wasn't lying to me, it just sounds strange when someone else tells you something without proof and you hear it yourself.
"Elizabeth, Claire and I - Claire, respectively - would like to ask you something," Frank interrupted my thoughts and made me look at them both carefully.
"Um, yeah, sure," I stammered nervously. It was then about the thing with the Interpol agents. "I'm sorry if I bring any difficulties to the team because of that. This is really not my intention and people have every reason to be angry with me."
Claire and Frank exchanged glances briefly before they both looked at me questioningly. I also looked confused at this reaction.
"I don't think we mean the same thing," Claire said after the silence. "We want to talk to you about something completely different."
I opened my mouth to say something and closed it again. Actually, I had nothing to say. I was completely confused.
"It's not about the Interpol thing?", I asked.
"Oh no, not at all," Frank replied. "As long as the media doesn't know about it, everything is fine with it," he assured me, smiling at me.
I smiled back automatically, but I wasn't sure if it was really all good. This agent was not exactly the one I would have as a friend.
Nevertheless, I became even more confused. What did they want to talk to me about then? Not really about what they were talking about...
"Lilibeth, I hope you know that you mean a lot to me.", Claire said seriously and crossed her fingers on the table, as she also uses to do it at press conferences. 
I started to smile when she said it, even though, I knew that. Claire always showed it to me since the first I worked here. But I started realizing even more since uncle Adam died. She was there for me, talked to me, took care of me... Like a mother. 
"Of course I do, Claire.", I said with a smile and she smiled back. I was pretty sure that she thought the same as me. 
"Well... You know our ehm ... yeah situation at Williams is a bit complicated now as you and everyone else can see...", she said and I realized that she couldn't find the right words for that. 
Claire could speak, she was the press officer at Silverstone before heading off to join her father at Williams. That's why I was a bit confused when she started stuttering and couldn't find the right words. Something was not right here.
"Anyway, I'd like to tell you something, er, no, actually ask you something," Claire continued, and this time her voice was firmer.
I looked at her tensely and waited for her to finally ask. George was right, I was very impatient and I could feel it very strongly as I played with the ring on my little finger.
"You are very clever Lilibeth and you have a very clever head, even if you are far too stubborn," she said and gave a little laugh, with Frank and I agreeing. How right she was...
"I don't want your clever head to go unused," she continued, sounding serious again this time, but still keeping her smile.
I got a little confused when she talked about my "clever head".
Not leave it unused?
I opened my mouth to say something but closed it again when Claire made an objection with her hand.
"You'll probably be confused and questioning it at first - well to be honest I know you well enough to know and not suspect."
"Come on Claire, don't keep the girl waiting, can't you see how impatient she is looking at you?", Frank interjected, which made me giggle and he was so right.
"Yes yes, dad. It's okay," Claire said as she turned to him and then turned her head back to me. "So Lilibeth, how would you like it if I became your mentor?"
My mouth made a funny noise as my jaw dropped. Did...did she really just ask that?
Claire Williams?
I mean THE Claire Williams.
I was speechless at this question and was stumped for an answer.
Although
All right, the answer was actually clear to me. It was just that my brain was confused.
Why exactly was Claire asking me? Why not someone else? Why not someone who has been here longer? Someone who has long experience at Williams...
"Wow," I said and exhaled deeply.
Was this really happening?
"I hope I'm not overwhelming you too much," Claire replied slowly, smiling again.
"To be honest you do," I admitted honestly and the three of us started laughing. "But-"
"You don't have to answer now, dear. You have as much time as you need," Claire interrupted me gently.
"No, no. Oh God Claire, of course, I'm saying yes. What are you thinking?", I said happily.
Claire and I both stood up to hug each other and it just felt great to do so. Claire was an even closer and more intimate person to me from now on. And I was overjoyed about it.
"Why me," I suddenly asked as we were still hugging.
Claire pushed me a little away from her so that she could look at me and smiled softly again with her typical smile.
"As I said before, I can't just hire you 'just' as an event manager. You have the potential for so much more, but someone has to show you."
"But Claire, I didn't even study," I interjected, confused. "I wouldn't even have the authority to-"
"Dear, degree or not it doesn't matter to me or anyone here. I want to show you this world up here in my office," she explained.
My head was still confused. This did mean something...
"And why not Ava? She's extremely smart too, isn't she, and she's been here even longer?", I said.
"Lilibeth, don't stand there like that. I chose you," she said calmly.
"And why?" I asked again.
"Because I trust you," she replied.
I still raised my eyebrows in confusion. It didn't make any sense to me.
"Of course I trust the others just as much, no question. But you Elizabeth, you are special."
Special?
Am I some kind of chosen one or something like that?
"Is your answer still yes?", Claire inquired uncertainly this time when I let my gaze drift away from her.
When I looked at her again, I just smiled and squeezed her into a hug again.
"I'll take that as a yes," Claire laughed and we let go of me again.
"I'm afraid I forgot the wine, but I'm very glad you did since you said yes, my dear," Frank said from beside us and smiled.
"Ah Papa," Claire brought out laughing and looked back at me. "I think our Lilibeth needs a rest, she's been working hard again."
"There is never a day when I don't work hard," I said proudly, not knowing where this confidence suddenly came from.
"That's what I wanted to hear! She could be a Williams," Frank said and Claire and I started laughing.
"Now, off home with you young lady," Claire ordered me. "If I show up at your office in 10 minutes I don't want to see you or I'll reconsider that offer."
"Aye ma'am," I took the order and said goodbye to them both before heading for the door. There I turned back to Claire.
"Claire, thank you," I said again when I realised I hadn't thanked her yet.
She said nothing, just smiled, and I walked out of her office and closed the door behind me.
Uncertainly, I took a few steps away from the door but heard the two of them talking again.
"Do you really think she will be the boss here one day?"
"I do, Dad," I heard Claire reply. "It will only take a few years."