Checkered Love

Downtime in the Land Down Under

You wake up the next morning with a smile on your face at the birds chirping and the sun shining on your face. You take a quiet moment to revel in what happened last night and how you still have a few glorious days ahead of working alongside Carlos in peace.

Your thoughts are interrupted by your phone ringing. It's Lucy.

"Babbbeeee, did you arrive safely? I know you're safe with Carlos, but I got worried."

"Ohhh, sorry, Luce. I completely forgot. We are safe, and we're staying at Ricciardo's pad until Tuesday before the race. But I do miss you. You'll love it here in Perth."

"Ok, you're forgiven, but just because I love you. Wot have you guys got planned until you leave for Melbourne on Sunday, issit?"

"Not sure, to be honest, but..."

Your words are interrupted by a knock on the door. "Hang on, Luce...ccc-come in." You are met with a smiling post-workout Carlos with a cup of coffee in his hand.

"Morning sleepy head. Breakfast is ready whenever you are." He winks and smiles, putting your coffee down on the side table.

"Thanks," you say as you realize he's now seen you in your slinky nightwear, and you quickly pull the covers to cover your décolletage.

Still smiling he shakes his head smiling and leaves the room, softly closing the door behind him.

"Errrrr...are you still there babe? Did Sainz just bring you coffee in bed?"

"He did." You smile and answer about a million questions from Lucy for the next few minutes.

"I gotta go, I haven't made an appearance downstairs yet and I don't want to keep them waiting."

"I'm sure you don't, have fun this week," she drawls in suspicion, and you know what she's thinking...

You take your coffee to the shower with you and start getting ready for the day.

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By the time you head downstairs the rest have mostly had brekkie while waiting for you, and you find them at the table downstairs, having light conversation.

You take the open seat next to Carlos, while you feel some eyes suspiciously burning into you.

He smiles at you. "You smell and look nice." 

"Thanks," you say, as you eat a croissant.

Between the animated conversation at the table, Danny Ric announces "Y/n it's your first time in Perth, 'keen on some sightseeing today, luv?"

"You bet. Where are we going?" you ask as you much away on your food, taking a sip of your juice.

Danny Ric: "I thought we'd head to Rottnest beach for the day and then you and the girls can do some shopping, while the boys play some golf and we'll have a local seafood lunch late before hitting the club tonight."

You smile at the thought of having a day off from work. "Sounds amazing."

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You all pile into a hired bus for the day and head to Rottnest island. You take in the splendour of the beach's snorkelling spots and do some paddle boarding before the boys go off to play six holes golf before lunch.

You are left alone with Charlotte and Heidi taking in the sights and walking around in flip flops eating ice cream and doing shopping.

Charlotte: "So, now that we're alone. Carlos can't stop talking about you. Do you fancy him as much as he fancies you?"

Taking a bite of your salted caramel ice cream you ponder your response "Char, to be honest, I do like working with him."

She smiles at you, putting her sunglasses on top of her head. "That's not what I meant." 

Heidi also looks at you curiously. "Yeah, what she said. We can see how he looks at you. He really likes you."

You brush it off in your signature Y/n move. "I guess he has to like me, he picked me as his PA, ja?"

They both laugh at you. 

Charlotte: "You like each other and you both are stubborn about it."

Heidi: "We don't like Isa. She treats him badly and he deserves better."

You get serious for a moment. "Ladies, secretly...no one likes Isa. But it's Carlos' choice and me of all people should not have an opinion about it."

Heidi and Charlotte look at each other and wink, keeping the conversation light.

Charlotte: "Let's change the subject...you need an outfit for the club tonight that will turn heads, you're single after all." You noticed her putting the words "single" in inverted commas in the air.

You laugh, shaking your head at them "My bestie will love you both. And a cheeky little number has never hurt nobody."

The three of you try on outfits and buy souvenirs until the boys text that they are at the restaurant.

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Lando, Charles, Carlos, and Danny Ric are waiting at a table outside at a restaurant with a magnificent view of the ocean. Carlos gets up and pulls a chair out for you next to him and offers you a glass of chilled white wine. You gladly accept.

Everyone enjoys their lunch and asks you questions about South Africa, you make jokes and everyone has a great time over lunch. 

Later the bus arrives to collect the party to take them back to the house to get ready. About half way through the trip you start feeling queasy.

You all but shout at the driver to pull over as you lose some of your hard earned dignity by submitting to your lunch injuries in a bush on the side of the road.

Carlos kneels beside you, pulling your hair up and rubbing your back, asks out of concern "Are you ok? Must've been the paella you had."

"Sainz, get away, this is too much to handle," you say swotting his notions away. 

He sternly says "I'm not going anywhere, we need to get you home and into bed. No partying for you."

You start protesting during the vomiting spells,"Forget it. It's my first time in Perth."

"I'm not taking no for an answer."

After vomiting again, you slowly get up and take a small sip of water from the bottle he offers and wipe your mouth on a tissue you had in your purse.

"Thanks, I'm ok now."

He shakes his head and rolls his eyes at you. 

You get back into the bus and before you know it, you feverishly fall asleep on Carlos' shoulder the rest of the way home.