❥𝑹𝒆𝒅 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆

Chapter 3

Charles POV

I stayed at the paddock for a while and discussed some things with Frédéric and the engineers.
When we finished, I made my way out quickly.
»Heyy mate. Good I caught you before you leave.« Carlos came in my direction, smiling like an idiot.
»Hey man!« We gave each other a handshake and walked towards the exit.
»I figured we could grab some snacks and something nice to drink on the way to my apartment and then play some games and stuff.«, he suggested and pointed to his car that was parking besides the paddock.
I thought about it for some seconds.
»Yeah, why not.«, I agreed and we drove to a local grocery shop, then to Carlos' place.

We turned on the PlayStation and spend almost the whole day in front of the TV.
It was very comfy, playing with my best friend, spending some time together, talking about all kinds of things.
I enjoyed it very much, taking some time off.

»How was your flight, by the way?«, Carlos suddenly asked.
My mood went down real quick when he mentioned this topic.
I just continued playing and focused on the screen. »Yeah, well. Was okay. Had company, you know.«
I wanted to keep my answers as short as possible since it's not my favorite subject to talk about.
»Just "okay"?«, he continued to ask.
»Carlos, can we just play? I don't have the nerves to talk about your sister right now.«
He didn't answer and handed me something to drink instead.
I took it thankfully and we just went on.

The clock flashed my eyes and I put my controller aside. »Mate, we have to get ready for this dinner.«, I reminded Carlos. He also took a look at the clock and stood up.
»I will get to my place, get changed. We will meet there, alright?«
»See you later!«, Carlos shouted, already standing in the bathroom.

Back at my apartment, I chose a nice, navy blue suit with a white shirt underneath. My pants had the same color as my suit, for matching.
I attached a Ferrari-Pin on my suit, put some perfume on and drove back to the paddock.

Carlos already waited for me outside. I parked my car and we went in together.
The "dinner" was more like a small chill party.
There was buffet and a Billards table, some couches and the bar was open. But of course the drivers wouldn't drink any alcohol before the FP's tomorrow.
Some members of the crew and some other drivers were sitting around a large table, others were playing billiards. Music was playing from large speakers.
But there wasn't much going on at that moment.

I saw an empty chair between the social media managers. Looked like they expected someone.
»Did you invite Valerie?«, I asked Carlos, who was standing right next to me with an increased voice.
»Yeah, I thought she could warm up with her colleagues. And maybe with some other people.«, he explained and looked inconspicuously at me.
I rolled my eyes and sat down at the bar.
Carlos talked with some of the other drivers, like Lando and Pierre.
The barkeeper handed me a non-alcoholic drink and I observed the room while drowning in my own thoughts.
I got interrupted when the door opened.
A woman came in, with a beautiful dress and curly hairs.
I couldn't keep my eyes from Valerie, even though I didn't want to stare.
When she recognized Carlos, she walked towards him and the other boys. They began to have a conversation I didn't want to join.

I just sat at the bar and drank one drink after the other. But there wasn't a kick without alcohol, no point where I forgot all my thoughts and who I am.
Some girls from my team accompanied me at the bar. Obviously they flirtet, but I wasn't in the mood.
My break up with Charlotte wasn't that long ago and I hadn't got the nerves this evening.

I took another look at the boys. They seemed to have a nice chat and were distracted, so no one would notice if I just went somewhere else.
Valerie took place at the empty chair I saw earlier. She got her tablet with her and showed her teammates some drawings, I think.

I made my way out quietly without generating attention. My feet lead me to the garage where I kept all my racing stuff. I opened my locker and grabbed my box with photos and souvenirs I collected over the years.
There were things from all different country's I visited during the Grands Prix.
I stayed in the garage for a while and went through my stuff.
The photos of me and Jules got in my hand and I thought about him and the races I won for him.

I heard the music volume turning down and left to garage, wondering if the dinner ended.