Is this a love story?

Why?

Mia

It's been the longest day, I cannot wait to get home. Ive been at the factory here in Maranello since 6am this morning and its now 7pm. We have had winter testing which went really well, especially after the last 2 years. 2020 was a disaster of a year, 2021 was better but still not getting the results we needed and that's why I was brought in as Mattia Binotto's replacement from the end of last season, I was already part of the Ferrari family working as head of the engineering department but I wasn't fully allowed to develop the car the way that I really wanted too. When I got offered the Team principle roll, I jumped, It was my chance to make real changes here and I couldn't wait to get started. Last season was a vast improvement from the previous one, annoyingly Mattia had already let Seb go, as a scapegoat for his poor leadership, which I still believe was a huge mistake. We do however have a good pairing and we have been scoring some good points last season even getting on the podium a few times, which is more than we managed in 2020 year. However we still finished P4 behind Mclaren. It's all change this year though, new regulations and a fresh start, Ive been developing the 2022 Car all last season and I have a gut feeling that we got it right.

I put the hand break on and jump out of my Ferrari 488 Pista, my signing bonus from the team, my absolute dream car. I throw my handbag over my shoulder feeling my toes pinching in my heels. I usually wear trainers but I was due in many meetings today as I'm away from the factory now till the end of the season. I pull my keys out of my bag but notice the door is unlocked. I open the door listening out for any signs of my husband, who should be home, he definitely wasn't in the factory today. I kick my heels off and drop my handbag onto the hook next to the front door, this is our home in Maranello but we also have an apartment in Monaco which is where I truly feel most at home, it's where I grew up and where my family still live. I pad through the hall and poke my head into the lounge immediately realising that it is empty, oh well I can get changed and then I will give him a call.

I walk up the stairs and turn the handle on our bedroom door, its dark in the room with the curtains still drawn from the morning but that doesn't stop me spotting my husband balls deep in his ex girlfriend, in our bed. "What the fuck?" I manage to say and that grabs their attention but I dont give them a chance to speak before I turn on my heel and rush back down the stairs headed straight to the front door. I chuck my heels back on even though my feet are in agony and grab my handbag. I'm about to step out of the door when he reaches me "Please stop Mia, let me explain" Charles begs me as I am halfway out of the door "No explaining necessary, you have decided to be with someone else, whilst still married to me, is there something that I've missed?" I hiss at him, his head drops "you dont understand, I love you Mia" I shake my head slowly "you wouldn't treat someone you love like this" I pull my wedding ring and engagement band off of my finger "You can have these back, seeing as I wont be needing them anymore" He shakes his head "No, we can fix this" I let out a dark chuckle "Is this the first time this has happened?" Deep down I already know the answer "No" he answers quietly "How long?" He doesn't respond "HOW LONG CHARLES? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH HER" he looks ashamed "6 months, I dont even know how it started" My heart broke at his words, we only got married 6 months ago "What? Before the wedding?" He nods and I throw my rings at his feet "How could you?" I ask quietly as I run towards my car Charles quickly following behind me "Mia, dont leave, please" I put my car into reverse "I cant do this Charles. And you should know why" I push my foot down on the accelerator and leave him stood in the drive.

Max

My foot is tapping anxiously as I scan the people in the arrivals hall, looking for my best friend. She called me 3 hours ago sobbing and I still don't really know what's happened. She just said she was on her way to Monaco and she needs me, that's all I needed to know. I see her face through the throngs of people "Mia" I shout to grab her attention and she makes a beeline for me. She practically collapses in my arms and I can hear the heart wrenching sobs leaving her throat. "Mia, come on lets get you to the car" I tell her scooping my arm around her waist. I notice immediately that she doesn't have any luggage, what has Charles done? It must be him. I hold in my questions till she is sat in the passenger seat of my Aston Martin. She is still crying but quieter now. "What happened Mimi?" I ask her gently and she looks down at her fingers "He's been with her, for months Max, since before the wedding" She lets out a broken sob and I'm able to piece together what is going on "he's been cheating on you? With who?" I can feel my anger bubbling under the surface 'Charlotte Seine, his Ex" I knew that little wanker wasn't good enough for Mia, but she fell head over heels in love with him the day that they met in Maranello for the first time. I can't believe that he would do this though, stoop this low.

It's quiet the rest of the journey into Monte Carlo "Am I taking you to mine?" I ask her and she nods "Did you need to grab some stuff from your apartment?" She thinks for a second before agreeing and I drive straight to hers. She climbs out and takes a deep breath "We are collecting all of my stuff, I'm not sure where I'm going to go next but I dont want to be here when he gets to Monaco tomorrow" she tells me and I nod "You are staying with me Mia, forever" I tell her firmly, not wanting her to be alone or worry about what to do next "Thank you Max" she tells me and we walk into the elevator to her level. I can see that her hands are shaking and I hold one of them, she needs me right now. She gives my hand a squeeze as she unlocks the apartment and its the first time I notice that she isn't wearing her rings, I'm not sure what went down in Italy but it seems she already made her mind up. Walking into the familiar hallway she composes herself and goes into her bedroom "Could you get some bin bags from the kitchen?" She asks and I nod before heading to the drawer. I walk back into her room and I see she has already started to empty her wardrobe onto the bed "Just throw everything in bags, I dont have the energy to sort through it all now" She tells me and I know she is barely keeping it together.

Once all of her belongings are in the back of my car she tucks the key into the letterbox "Can you send Charles a message, let him know that my key is in the postbox, he can collect it when he gets here tomorrow" I nod composing a short message

Mia wanted me to let you know that her key is in the postbox, you can collect it once you get here tomorrow. You have fucked up, she will talk to you only if and when she is ready. She is staying with me and you are not welcome.

I tried to keep my anger in check but right now I just really wanted to punch the little prick in the face, such and entitled dickhead. I keep the thoughts to myself knowing that Mia is already struggling enough. I pull into my underground parking and Mia slides out of the car. She doesn't even make an attempt to get any bags "I will sort it tomorrow" she mutters seeing my confusion and I nod before following her into my building. We walk into my house and I see her immediately relax for the first time since I've seen her at the airport.

Mia

Walking into Max's is the first time I've felt safe since I left Italy, he can't get to me to talk here, he cant try to talk his way out of this one. Six months. How? Why? I always knew I wasn't enough for him, but it was love at first sight for me, his first day at Maranello as a Ferrrai driver. Our whole relationship moved fast, dating, engaged and married in the first 3 years. But it felt right doing it with him, like he was who I had been waiting for. Now I see how wrong I have been. Max is hovering behind me "I'm gonna be okay" I assure him and I know he probably wants to be really angry right now but I'm grateful that he is being supportive, focusing on me. The first race weekend is going to be difficult and I'm tempted to hide out at the factory but he is in my ear, he is unavoidable. I go into his room and grab one of his T-shirts out of the drawer stripping off my office wear that I've been in since the early hours of this morning. I pul his shirt over my head and it comes down past my knees. I wander back into the living room seeing Max on the sofa. I crawl into his side and all of my emotions come spilling out. Why did this happen? I thought we were happy, we got married! After a few hours of sniffling and over thinking, Max had even running his fingers through my hair. He told me that we needed to get some sleep "Tomorrow is a new day Mimi, we focus on what we can do" Having him in my corner is what will get me through this. What do I do now?