Rise Up

Chapter 25: Matter of Priorities

The Brazil GP gave me a lot to think about.

Was it all a mistake going back to racing? Was it a mistake to trust again the RedBull team?

Maybe.

But the most important question, that kept bombarding my mind in these past days was: what will I do now?

Option number 1: talk with the team, in particular with Franz, to clarify some points on my contract, as I'm a driver for Alpha Tauri and not for RedBull. In other words, an attempt of looking for some support from them. But this would probably lead to causing problems between Franz and Horner and I really didn't want this situation to get worse.

Option number 2: don't give a damn fuck about what Horner said at that crap of briefing and go ahead with my own career. But again this would cause problems also with my team that could not just say "fuck off" to RedBull as it's their biggest sponsor.

Option number 3: give up. Although I'd like to put an end to this toxic relationship with the British boss, I've never considered this option or the others one actually good.

The only thing I was gonna do would be drive hard as always, give my best at every race and be focused only on racing. After all it's my career we're talking about. I can't just throw everything away for some logistic problems, at least not again. I need to set up some priorities.

After the huge argument, I left the paddock without taking a look back. Suz and the others were informed about all what Horner and Marko screamed- oh, my bad, "said"- to me, so it was their turn now to do something.

Going back to my own room, alone, and with a messed up mind wasn't the best thing. But fortunately my suite had a huge bath that was already filled with warm water as I asked to the reception. As soon as I got rid of all my team clothes, I jumped in the water to finally find some relax.

I don't know how much time I spent there, in my bathroom, completely in silence and also with almost all the lights off. I think I also fell asleep peacefully, as I was too exhausted.

My peace wasn't meant to last days, as I had to get ready for the next GP already the next morning, but I hoped I could just turn off everything for at least a few hours.

A loud knock interrupted all of this.

With slow movements, paying attention to not fall because of my very sore knee, I got out of the bath and grabbed a towel for my body. I dried quickly my arms and legs so the floor wouldn't get dangerously wet and I reached quickly the door to open at the interruptor of my peace.

Opening the door, I was met by a fist was still in the air, ready to knock again.

"Oh my Lord. You scared the shit out of me! Why didn't you text me you were here? I thought you were mad again at me or even worse that you left without saying anything, running away again because of Daniel this morning-"

"Lan, please stop talking and enter."

Without hesitating he passed me and walked inside. He took a seat on the bed while I stood in front of him .

"As you can see, I'm still here. I didn't run away, I just took a bath. I'm really tired, I had a terrible race and an even worse meeting with the big boss. I need a bit of relax."

He kept looking at me with big eyes, paying attention to every part of my body covered just with a small towel and still a bit wet, but not my words.

"Lando." I recalled him as he was somewhere else with his mind. It was evident.

"Sorry, I was listening. It's just that- urgh, you're so beautiful."

Said so, he put his big hands on my hips and pulled me towards him to sit on his lap. My mind was completely off, I wasn't there with him but still in that stupid room at the motorhome.