Rise Up

Chapter 27: Consequences

"Kiara Bianchi!"

"Oops, I think you're in danger." Mike said, stopping the post-training massage, hearing Susanne's voice echoing in the luxurious gym of the hotel in Qatar.

"Care to explain what the hell this means?"

Oh shit.

On my manager's phone was a photo from a few nights before of me and Lando dancing very close to each other.

"It's really not necessary to continue zooming on it. I recognize myself, ok?" I scoff while a giggle escape my mouth.

"Put your attitude down Kia, be serious and explain it all." Suz was furious, not for the photo itself, I think more for the fact that I kept it secret for so long to her.

"Lunch the three of us?" I said smiling, hoping to convince them both.

We reached a small bistrot close to the hotel after obviously a quick shower. As soon as we sat at our table, they forced me to talk, without even want to have a look at the tasty menu in front of us.

So here I was, breaking my main rule about the whole situation-ship with Lando. After all Mike and Susanne were my best friends but not just this: they have always proved me, in any situation, how much I could trust them, no matter what.

"I knew it! It was obvious something was happening between you idiots. I started to have suspicions when he was chasing you back in Mexico!" Suz was finally calming down a bit and her killer eyes disappeared when I offered her favorite lunch.

"So Norris is the boy that stole your heart, huh? You have taste, I admit it." Mike made me blush and found a way to annoy me all with just a sentence. He was unbelievable.

"Tell us more, c'mon. We want the juicy details!" She added, clasping her hands as if her favorite show was about to stream.

"It all started in Croatia, during the summer break. We met there, out of the blue, as we were staying in the same village. It was a coincidence, I swear, but then, after many highs and lows- above all lows- we found something like an equilibrium. I don't know how to explain it but- ehm, well, he makes me feel good. I think I've never felt like this before."

"Oh my goodness! You're so in love girl!" After my words, they both started to take joke of me, repeating what I said in a funny way and imitating my voice in a very low performance.

"We tried so hard to keep it secret, moreover now that everything is alright between us but we lost completely control that night. I had a huge breakdown for the race and he wanted to celebrate his birthday. I know, I've been irresponsible but with him, it's difficult to stay rational."

"Love is never rational." My trainer took the word now.

"Don't you think it's a bit too soon to call it love, Mikey?"

"Definitely no. You should see your face right now, you're glowing! I've never seen your eyes so happy, neither when I bought you that huge pizza after last surgery or when they removed the brace knee."

"Yeah, Kiara, Mike is right. You really seem happy and it's a good thing! He's your first real boyfriend, so enjoy it and don't think about it too much."

"Technically he's not my boyfriend." I rambled.

"Not yet, maybe?" She asked with a small smile on her lips.

"If he isn't your bf, can I ask him out?"

"Mike, don't you dare. Hands off!"

We laughed and finished lunch. They gave me precious tips to how to handle all of this, mostly with the media and how to enjoy the little wins we got together. Suz suggested to take an appointment with Charlotte, McLaren's media manager, to clarify the whole situation and decide on what to do on the public eye. Then they also convinced me to tell everything to my parents, before they saw the photo that was spreading fast through all the gossip pages on socials.