An inconvenient attachment

Chapter 72

I walk into the Red Bull paddock, slamming the door behind me. I got stopped by the door once, but I talked my way through. I have no idea where Max is, but I'm guessing he's around here somewhere. "Can I help you find something?" a guy says. "I'm looking for Max" I say, probably more pissed than I meant. "I'm sorry, he already left" he says. "Well, that's just great." I turn around and walk towards the exit. I grab my phone and text Pierre.

Mia 6:44 p.m.: Asshole! Thanks Pierre! Telling Lando you were at my place.. ass

I sigh and put my phone away, what now? I just want to leave. I walk towards the Ferrari paddock. They have a better security guy. He doesn't let me in. "Please, I'm looking for Charles. Can you just let him know Mia is here for him?"

"Sure, I'll call him right now" the security guy says, staring right in front of him. "Come on man, I know him. Really" I sigh. "Yes, you and one million other girls." Dick. "Mike, it's ok. I know her" Carlos says behind him. Mike steps aside and I walk in. "See?" I say, looking at him angry. "Are you ok?" Carlos asks when he sees my face more clearly. "Fucking perfect" I say sarcastically. "Come, lets talk somewhere more quiet" he says while walking out in front of me. I look around. I have never been here before and it's huge. "Do you guys get this much space everywhere you go?"

"No, this is definitely one of the biggest, but we can't complain" he says while opening a door for me. I let myself fall down on one of the stools. "Can I smoke in here?"

"No" Carlos says, like it's the dummest question in the world. "Well, that sucks" I say, tears in my eyes. I lay my head in my neck. "Are you crying because you can't smoke in here?" Carlos asks while sitting down in front of me. "No. Yes. Maybe. No."

"Well, that really clears things up. What's wrong?"

"Lando! He's being an idiot. And I can't smoke here. And I really want a cigarette."

"What happened with Lando?"

"Lando found out Pierre was at my place. He's fucking angry, but nothing happened! I told him so many fucking times, and this is exactly why I didn't tell him" I say, fully crying now. "I'm sorry" Carlos says. I chuckle. "Why are you sorry? You didn't do anything."

"I might have accidentally told Lando Pierre was at your place. It's just that.. well, I didn't know it was a secret and Pierre told me you made a really nice drink and I wanted to try it so I asked where you were and well" Carlos takes a deep breath, "I thought he knew."

Shit, I should see if I can delete that text to Pierre.

"He didn't. And it isn't your fault. Lando is being a dick" I wipe away my tears. "I'm sure he'll turn around" Carlos says, trying to cheer me up. I grab my phone. Pierre probably already read it. I quickly text him i'm sorry.

"Is there a place where I can smoke without having twenty camera's in my face?"

"Yeah, just walk though this hallway and than the first door on you right" Carlos says, pointing in the right direction. I turn around just before I walk out of the room. "Thanks for helping me."

"Any time kiddo, I'll drive you to your hotel later if you want" Carlos kindly offers. When I open the door I enter a nice little garden. I don't know for how long I sit there. What I do know is that I have to buy more cigarettes.

"Mia? Are you still here?" I hear Carlos. "Yup, behind the big plant" I say, holding my hand up in the air. "Jesus, how many cigarettes did you smoke? You smell like a cafe in the sixties, and we're outside" Carlos says while waving his hand out in front of him. "Oh come on" I say while rolling my eyes. "I'm serious. I think the smoke might come out of your pores if you keep smoking" Carlos sits down next to me. "Don't worry. I'll switch to booze later, because I couldn't find any here" I say jokingly, except I mean it. "Lando texted me. And called me. And then texted me again" Carlos says. "Good for him."

"He's looking for you."

"Great. Keep looking" I say, staring straight ahead. "I told him you are here. He's waiting in his car for you." I sigh. "I don't really feel like talking to him to be honest. He's giving me a headache."

"Give him a chance. You know that he hasn't had the best relationships in the past, he might need some time" Carlos says. "Wait, what?"

"Yeah, his ex-girlfriend really hurt him. Pushed him aside when she thought she could date someone better" Carlos says, rolling his eyes as he says 'someone better'. "He never told me that" I say. "I'm not surprised. He's not a big talker. Just give him some time. He might screw up a few times, but he's a really good guy. Trust me" Carlos says. "Ok, because you say so" I say sarcastic. "Thanks Carlos" I grab my bag and stand up.

"Are you going to the club tonight? To celebrate Pierre's podium?" I ask. "Yes, but I don't think Lando's going" he says. "I will."

"You sure?"

"Yes, i'm going. I can deal with Lando being jealous and occasionally an idiot, but he can't say who I can and can't be friends with."

"Sounds reasonable" Carlos chuckles as he holds the door open dor me. "See you tonight" I say while walking out of the Ferrari paddock. "Brush your teeth before! And change your clothes! You're basically a walking and talking cigarette" Carlos yells after me. I laugh, idiot. 

I realize i'm walking slower than I normally do. I'm kind of dreading this to be honest. This can go both ways. Either we make up and we'll have a nice evening drinking and dancing together, or he's going to push my buttons and it's going to end in a fight. God, I don't have the energy for the last option. I take a deep breath when I see the car. Ok, here we go.