Mystery in Red

Chapter X - An unexpected guests

I haven't got much sleep. The whole night I was busy thinking about the situation with Antonio Fuoco. I was wondering why he was treating me that way. He didn't even give me the chance to get know each other. Since my first day here he started with the offensive behavior, without any reason. I had the intention to ignore him, but this was going to be easy if he wasn't getting ruder with every meeting we had. I couldn't forget that yesterday I was close to punching him in the face, and I knew someday Charles and Carlos wouldn't be around to save him from my iron fist.

When the clock hit 7am, I got out from my bed and started preparing myself for the factory visit with Charles today. I knew my place wasn't there, but Charles insisted on my presence, so I had to accept his willingness. That's why I made the decision to be simpler in the clothing today. I put on a white T-shirt and high wasted jeans, then a denim jacket on the top and finished my look as always with a light make up and my favorite perfume. Every time it's smell was bringing me back in my childhood, when my grandma was making biscuits with vanilla flavor, and I was putting a sour cherry jam.

Although everything, deep inside me I had the wish to look good. I was going to be in front of so many people, who definitely didn't care about my outfit, but Charles... I didn't want to disparage him. A strange feeling of excitement was fulfilling my soul when I was thinking about him. And after his words yesterday... I was trying not to pay attention on them, but every time I see the praising horse of the "Scuderia Ferrari" emblem I was thinking about his comment about my tight uniform. Was it that tight really?

I left my apartment at 9am. It was a beautiful sunny day, without any clouds on the light blue sky. The birds were singing on the near cherry and chestnut trees at the big garden in front of my building. The flower beds between the paved paths were already covered with snowdrops and multicolored primroses, daffodils, crocs, and azaleas. I inhaled deeply smelling the scent of jasmine that hung in the air. The spring was coming, and I could feel the birth of the new life of the nature.

With a smile on my face I headed to the underground parking, then got in my car and I left for Maranello.

I reached to the factory right on time. Charles was already there, in his famous Ferrari 488pista, waiting me on the parking lot in front of the building. I appreciated his automobile - a black mate one, with Monaco's white and red strings through the length of the car. The huge red pads were visible from a far and the big alloy wheels glittered underneath the sunlight.

I parked my car beside him. The sound of my engine made him stop scrolling through his phone and he looked up. I was wondering what he was doing there - always in his hand, checking it, closing it when someone approaches... The thoughts about this were giving me a strange tense in my heart every time.

Leclerc smiled wide, showing his sweet dimples. His eyes started shining the minute I walked out of my car and came closer to the Ferrari.

- I was going to pick you up - he said leaving it. - But I haven't got your address.

- You have never asked about it - I replied smirking then pointed to the vehicles. - Nice car! I wouldn't refuse to have a ride on it and try it.

- Only on the car? - he whispered then I gave him a quick shocked gaze. - Oh, I mean... That car...You have to try the other ones from the brand, not only this one. They are amazing... A red one will suits you perfect!

- Well, referred to the results of the first race, I hope they don't DNF in the middle of the act... - I smiled playfully. - Oh, I meant the track.

He smirked satisfied and rose his eyebrows. All these allusions he was using, provoking me to use them as well, were driving me crazy. And his look - an angel face, suddenly turning into a dirty minded guy. How come?