The Dutch Grand Prix [EN] [16+]

10

Lando and Alex are waiting for me behind the entry to the paddock. "Rough night?" Alex asks. I quickly nod. Lando jumps in excitement. "Really dude? Did you hook up with that chick?!" he asks. I nod again. "But hey, she is not just some chick, okay?" I reply as I start walking away. "Shit he has got it bad," whispers Alex to Lando just loud enough for me to hear. "See you guys at lunch," I say to them without turning around.

I arrive at the gym with a smile on my face. Aleix notices it immediately and asks me what I have been up to. I honestly tell him that I met a girl. Aleix knows me well so he does not say too much about it. He knows that it is serious when I mention a girl. "So, what do you have in store for me today?" I ask and we start training.

After training, I take a shower and put on a fresh pair of jeans, my Williams T-shirt and jacket. Time to head to the team meeting before Free Practice 3. At the end of the meeting, I quickly notify my manager, Harry, to see if he can arrange access for someone. He told me that he will see what he can do, fingers crossed. Time to head to the pit lane for media interviews. On the way I meet Alex and Lando again. I quickly check my phone to see if Mauve send me a message. When my inbox is empty, I remember that I only have her phone number but she does not have mine. Just when I want to start typing a message, Alex bumps into my shoulder, I was not listening to what they were saying. I lock my phone as my attention shifts to my friends.

When the media interviews finished, I head back to the truck to meet with my trainer. I quickly grab a muesli bar as I see my manager coming in. He smiles when he sees me. "Look, I got you another pass," he says enthusiastically. "Now you can introduce her to all of us," he continues while making a wide gesture with his arms like the complete team is standing behind him. I can not help myself but laugh. He can be a funny man sometimes. I tap him on the shoulder and thank him as I move to the driver's room to change into my racing suit. I quickly write a message to Mauve to ask if she can meet me at the paddock entry at 11:30 and head to my second training session. In this session we mostly train my concentration and focus, in preparation for the practice session.

After 30 minutes, I run out of the truck and head towards the paddock entry. I did not look on my phone anymore so I hope she will be there. When I arrive, she is looking around her and checking her phone every second. She wears an extremely cute dress, navy blue with lace details. She has half of her hair tucked back; it makes her cheeks stand out more. When her glaze meets mine, I can not help but think how beautiful she is and how lucky I am to have found her.

I hand her the pass over the gate so she can come in. Before she can say anything, I take her into my arms and give her a quick kiss on her forehead. I break from the hug but still hold one arm behind her back and give her a little push to start walking. She is still looking up to me from the side. "Sorry, we have to hurry a bit because Free Practice 3 starts soon," I explain. "But, but, where are we going?" she stammers. "You can watch it from the pit box with the team," I quickly look at her and smile. "But I was supposed to watch it with my family..." She sounds disappointed. I stop walking, "oh you can go to them if you want." She pushes me forward and starts walking again, "it is already too late now, but I will watch qualifying with them, okay?" she asks. I nod and we continue to the pit box.

When we arrive, my race engineer mumbles something about me being late. I rub Mauve's arm and blow her an air kiss before I start grabbing my helmet, gloves and steering wheel. I hop in the car and have a last glance at her in my mirror before practice begins.