Mystery in Red

Chapter XV - The private jet

I went back to the hotel. It was pure chaos in my head and soul. I was feeling furious, disappointed, betrayed. So many thoughts were running through my mind. I was right that these people, who were supposed to be my colleagues, teammates, or whatever they wanted to call themselves, were actually doing something behind my back. I still couldn't realize what was the point of their behavior, but it was so offensive. People should know that they can't give wings to someone, then brutally clip them.

Every little thing was annoying me. I was out of my mind – slamming every door I see, swearing like crazy and throwing anything that could get at my hands. The race was going so well, before the strategy change, it was perfectly planned. Why they did that to me? Why?! Who needed to screw the entire strategy up. Vasseur approved it, Mekies, Jain too... What the hell happened?! I was supposed to lead the race communication, to be the main strategist, they had to ask me first before changing everything. But no, I don't have enough experience, I am the new one... The black sheep without any positions here. Fuck it all! If I was supposed to trample my ego and didn't do anything against the disapproval, the dismissive looks and awful treatment so far, well that was going to be changed from this moment on.

In my anger I had not realized what I had done. For a second I stopped and looked around myself. Cushions, glass water bottles, a night lamp and a vase were only part of the things I had scattered all over the apartment. Oh, what have I done?!

When I came to my senses, I didn't have a clue how to proceed further. How to deal with all this mess? I sat on the sofa and buried my face in my palms. The only thing that came on my mind was to pack my bags and leave the room, the hotel, and Saudi Arabia in general. I could not wait until tomorrow when my flight back to Italy was. I didn't want to see anybody from my team right now, what was left to travel for hours in one plane with them... No, the better decision was to wait at least one day before meeting anyone from the Scuderia. Otherwise, I was going to say things that I would regret later.

Then I got up from the sofa, kicked the pieces of the broken vase and went to the bedroom, where all my luggage was. I started packing up my things, trying to keep my tears back. These people don't deserve my tears at all. I had to stay strong as my grandmother and mother had taught me. Women at my family were always with a hard temper, stubborn – actually real fighters. That's why they were successful. I was following their way, and I knew that someday I would achieve my life goals.

It didn't take that long for me to pack my things. I left the apartment with the suitcases, without even trying to tidy it up. That was my little revenge on the Scuderia – to pay for the broken things. Too bad the poor maids and this lovely luxury suite had to suffer my wrath.

I went to the reception but there weren't any people from the hotel staff because of the late hour. I left my keycard and a brief note with the number of my room and the mobile phone of Vasseur's assistant so they could send her the bill for my staying, then I left the building. In a couple of minutes, I found myself on the back seat of the taxi, travelling to the airport.

#

When I reached my destination, it was passing 2am. I paid the chauffeur and left the car. It was time to go into another fight – to revalidate my flying ticket. I took out my phone to open the document with the flying tickets, but the first thing I saw on my screen were literally a hundred messages and calls from Carlos and Charles. And at this moment Charles was ringing again. I slide to the right.

- Carlos, I am going crazy! – I heard Leclerc talking in a trembling voice. – Why doesn't she pick up the phone?! If something bad has happened to her I am going to com...

- I am okay, Charles! – I interrupted him. – Don't you think to do anything on yourself!

- Madre mia, Lissie! – Leclerc exclaimed from the other side. – Where are you, little one?! Where is your phone?! Do you know you drove the angels out of me?!