Unexpected

Part 59

I have re-signed with Nissan for the 2020 season, and we make an announcement on Thursday morning. No one from the media is surprised, but they do ask me when I knew that decision was certain.

"When I signed the contract," I reply, which is not only the truth but my attempt to squash speculation and rumors.

"Were there talks with any other teams?"

I nod. "One."

"But ultimately you stayed with Nissan. Can you tell us why?"

"I still have plenty to learn and I thought that would be best in a team that I know and feel comfortable with. Switching teams, and cars, will put me behind for a bit, and I don't need that at the moment."

I decked myself out for the day, from my curly hair and hoop earrings down to my full skirt and sparkly heels (but my manager is carrying flats with her in case I need to change). Why not look extra good when I know many photos will be taken?

My sister Karie is here with her husband and two kids. When my work is over we hang out and enjoy Budapest. I feel awesome, since my immediate future in F1 is sorted, and in the present I'm doing great as well. My relationship with Sangil is in a good place, family is here, the summer break is just around the corner — what's not to like?

And during Saturday's practice I proceed to show why I deserved a contract - by losing control of the car when I had to unexpectedly brake and pass a slow Alfa Romeo and spinning around. But I manage to right the car and continue on my merry way. No harm, no foul.

The race went off without a hitch, and with the usual guys on the podium. Tonight we want to hit two spots, so I try to be as fast as possible with my duties and give short answers to the reporters.

"Thanks for obliging me in this," says Sangil in the car.

"I know I'm going to enjoy it, too. Besides, compromise and pleasing the other person is what a marriage is all about."

The first attraction we visit is the dancing musical fountain on Margaret Island. One of the biggest and best in Europe. At night, with music and lights, it's spectacular. I take a short video for my social media account, but I post it later when we're in the car. I had incidents before when I posted photos, during the time I was enjoying myself, only to have fans show up and bother me. I've learned to post wisely.

We travel for kilometers, until we're far away from the city, at the Zselic Starry Sky Park. Without light pollution you can see thousands of stars. And they have telescopes to see the moon and planets. First we get help with the telescope. After she's shown us everything, we go outside and take a guided tour. Then we stargaze on our own. Sangil spreads out a blanket, and we lie down.

We don't go about it in a scientific manner, since we can recognize only a handful of constellations between us. Mostly we just point out to each other the brightest stars we see, and the occasional airplane with its flashing lights. And maybe we get stars muddled with satellites. But the view of the Milky Way with the naked eye is stunning.

Sangil sits up. "You know we have a song titled 'Star of Stars'. I want to sing it for you, under these stars." He finds it on his phone and presses play. I gaze adoringly at him as he sings. I have completely fallen in love with his voice. I liked it before, but every time he sang for me, it came closer and closer to perfection.

As the last notes float away on the night breeze, I kiss him. "Thank you."

He's startled, and at first I can't understand why. Oh right, the cameras. Honestly, there are so many times that I forget them nowadays. One thing I've learned: if they think the audience can't handle our skinship, they don't air it.

Monday morning finds us back in Budapest, ready to enjoy all the city has to offer. We will be walking around, exploring the old parts of the city. We start off with Castle Hill, where many medieval structures are located, including the impressive Buda Castle. It's huge. By this time you'd think I was used to seeing grand European buildings, but they are still grand and imposing.

We stroll along the Danube Promenade and climb all over the Fisherman's Bastion, with its spectacular views of the river. At the Central Market Hall I pick out souvenirs for my family and the Snuper members. We escape the heat of the day by going underground into the Kobanya caves. We finish off the early evening with a Turkish bath before having dinner and flying to Japan, where I will get just over three weeks off before racing resumes, and Sangil will finish up promotions for their song Come Over.

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I wondered which one of HiHi Jets'  roller skating dance practices to go with, and decided on Baby Gone. This group may be my favorite Johnny's Jr.