Mystery in Red

Chapter IV - Almost an employee

23.feb – First Day of Pre – season tests

I arrived at the Bahrain's airport in the early morning of the first day of the Pre-seasons testing. The personal assistant of Vasseur has made a mistake and did not reserve my tickets on time, so I had to travel two hours from Italy to London, to transfer on the plane to Bahrain. That made in total nine hours of flying all alone.

On the minute my plane landed, I rushed to the exit of the gate, with the intention to be the first passenger from our flight who has left the airport. I was in a hurry to reach the hotel and leave my baggage, then to go to the circuit. But the baggage clerks foiled my plan.

I had to wait almost thirty minutes by the luggage lane to receive my suitcases. Even the annoying kid from the last rows of the plane, got his bags before me. Maybe because of my long-lasting dead stare into him, the little mischief sticked out his tongue for "Goodbye".

When I took my luggage, I was already late for my first day at work. I did not even have the time to go to the hotel and leave my baggage. I took the first free taxi in front of the air terminal and went directly on the circuit.

I arrived with my two almost as big as me suitcases thirty minutes before the starting of the test program. Exhausted after the long travel, I had no longer the strength to be excited about the upcoming workday. I just wanted it to end faster and go to bed for some rest.

Dragging the luggage behind me, I crawled to the entrance of the circuit. There were big metal turnstiles, which were my next obstacle on the way to the "Ferrari" motorhome. I approached to one of the staff – girls and gave her a questioning gaze. She raised her eyebrows then I did the same. There were many people who were wearing passes on their necks or in hands. Then I realized why she is looking at me that way. I did not even have a pass.

Maybe because I was "almost an employee" nobody has gave me an access card for the circuit.

- Miss why are you standing here like this? – asked the girl.

- How? – I replied sharply.

- With hands on your waist and evil gaze – she said. – If you want to get in show me your ID, check your card and go.

- Actually, I do not have any of this – I smiled in confuse. – But I would be really grateful if you open the turnstile for me. I am late for work... Again.

- Miss, sorry, but I am not allowed to do that – the staff shook her head. – Only people with access cards could entrance here.

- But please, I swear I work here – I pulled my board card out of my purse. – See, I even have a flying ticket booked on my name from "Scuderia Ferrari".

- Sorry, miss these are the rules – she shrugged her arms. – Now please, step back, because there are coming people who really work here.

I sighed and bowed my head in sadness. Maybe my aunt did not read the coffee well. I was not going to get my dream job and make my wildest dreams come true.

Then I heard a familiar sound - a voice that immediately made me to turn around.

- Do you doubt that she works here? – Charles asked the girl and looked at me with a big smile. – Hi, Cinderella! Did you lose your shoe?

- I might lose my job if I do not pass these turnstiles soon – I rolled my eyes.

- Well, you should be glad that I am late today – he grinned. – This is the second time I help you to get in.