Fake It - OP

Chapter 7

Ange and I walked into the McLaren hospitality building after Lando and the air conditioning hit me like a punch to the face. It was so much colder in here than outside, for a moment I questioned how it was possible. I pulled Oscar's shirt a little more over my shoulders and the thin layer offered a warmth I didn't expect but was grateful for. 

By the way Lando moved, you could tell he was comfortable around here. Lando also seemed to know everyone's name as he greeted multiple different people while guiding us to what he called 'the chill room'. Which I assume was just the main hospitality space. I lightly nudged Ange's arm. Reminding her without saying anything to close her mouth and pick her jaw off the floor. She scowled at me but her cheeks flushed. 

We walked into the 'chill room' and it was much bigger than I thought it would have been. On the far wall were large windows that looked into the paddock. Nobody stopped and stared through the windows trying to get a glimpse at drivers so I assume they are double-paned and tinted. To the left were a few TVs with the qualifying results from yesterday displayed. I noticed from being with Isa yesterday, that the layout was almost identical to Ferrari's. This room was just mostly orange instead of red.

"All right, so food is over there, water across from it and the chairs over there, "Lando pointed to four chairs and a small table in the corner of the room facing the large window that looked over the paddock, "are the comfiest."

"Noted, thank you" I laughed. Lando nodded and made to grab one of the water bottles neatly lined up on a table across from where we were standing. "Have you eaten? You're welcome to join us." I said, motioning to the four chairs and table which Ange had walked over to.

"I ate a few minutes ago, plus I have to go kick Oscar out of this meeting because it's my turn." Lando laughed. "So, raincheck?"

"Raincheck it is." I said, "Don't be late," I nodded towards the exit of the 'cool room'. Lando waved across the room to Ange and she waved back before he jogged off through the doors. I assumed Oscar wouldn't be too long so I walked over to the hospitality food and the lady standing behind the table looked up at me.

"Blake right?" she was an older woman, maybe in her fifties or sixties with dark hair, streaked with grey and was maybe five feet tall. I was surprised she knew my name. I hesitated with a reply because she went on. "You're Oscar's girlfriend?"

"Y-yes, sorry I didn't know he had talked about me." Already? Oscar and I had only agreed to fake a relationship last night. And so far the only thing we have done to do that is follow each other on social media. I laughed nervously at the woman. "Sorry, I don't know your name."

"Oh, my name is Margret, I am the manager of hospitality, most of the time I'm the chef too, but that's just because I like to cook and the food was so boring before I took the role." I nodded and chuckled at her. "And yes, Oscar told me about you and that you and your friend were coming today; told me to let you in if there was any trouble, seems Lando found you first."

"Yes, thankfully, it's blisteringly hot outside." At least Oscar had told her for a purpose. We really needed to talk before we started telling people about our 'relationship'.

"Ah, I love it, how could you hate the heat?"

"Well, I love the heat actually, but I don't think my body is built for extreme heat," I said laughing, "I'm Canadian, don't think it's in my genes."

"Canadian? How did you end up meeting Oscar?" Margret asked. I hesitated, not wanting to say anything that put Oscar or I in an awkward position to lie. Grabbing two sandwiches off the table and putting them on a plate for Ange and me, the latter who had claimed the table and taken up sunning herself by the window I replied to Margret.