Racing For Love

Chapter Thirty

As we wait for the takeaway to arrive, Kate and I sit in the living room. Kate is someone that I have seen as a mentor from the moment I started at Bianchi. Her strength of character and breadth of knowledge combined with her no-nonsense attitude finds me constantly in awe of her. Her recent revelations however have proved to me that she has a strength beyond what I had originally considered, and it's no wonder that she is the youngest head of marketing Bianchi has ever had, as well as being the first woman to hold the position.

I know that it's time for me to be honest with Kate - she has been so supportive of me and the last thing I want to do is disappoint her, but I crave her knowledge and input about what has been happening with Lorenzo. As much as there's nothing explicitly forbidding inter-company relationships, I have always been concerned as to how it will be perceived within Bianchi - my junior status, and Lorenzo's position and role within the company...I have to know what her thoughts are. My stomach churns as I also consider telling her about what happened with Andrea, but I still don't know how to vocalise whatever has happened with him.

"Kate, I have something I need to tell you...I've sort of been seeing someone from work...um...it's not serious, but i've been seeing Lorenzo." I say, watching her eyes flare at my revelation, and bracing myself for her reaction.

"Are you serious Annie? Fucking hell." she says before taking a huge swig of wine. "Do you know how stupid that is Annie, and what people will think of you if it comes out? I can't believe this." She stands, clutching the wine glass and goes over to her handbag. I feel panicked, thinking she's getting up to leave, but she reaches into her bag and pulls out her phone. "I get work relationships, and that's not the issue here. This is." She taps her phone and shows me an email from Andrea Bianchi:

Kate - need to discuss strategy RE: engagement between Lorenzo and Isa Federici. Potential announcement before summer break? Joint business statement? As a sponsor, we will need to loop them into whatever statement we make as a company. Let's discuss this week. Best, AB.

I cannot believe what i've just read and I shiver before taking a large gulp of wine, trying to focus enough to read it through a second time, but my eyes keep stopping at the word "engagement." I take another gulp, trying to straighten the circling thoughts in my head. "When?" I manage looking across to Kate to fill in the blanks which clearly Lorenzo left out.

"I think they've been 'betrothed' since they were kids, but they've actually been seeing each other in secret since Bahrain - I only found this out last week. He's planning to propose before the Austrian Grand Prix. Andrea gave him an ultimatum about settling down - I think he was sick of his playboy ways, and wanted his focus - and the media's focus - to be on work, not women..."

My brain scans through the last few months with Lorenzo. He'd not been pictured with any women since Bahrain, but that was when he'd started flirting with me...and then there was the charity ball, and the closeness I observed between him and Isa. I realise i've been played like a fool. His requirements for secrecy allowing him to conduct our affair completely under the radar - whilst I might have benefitted from this arrangement, it suited him even more.

Kate reaches out and touches my leg, bringing me back to reality. Whilst I can see she's mad, she also understands how hurt I am by this. "Annie, you're too good to be someone's mistress, and you don't deserve to be dragged through the press as the 'other women' either. You know, in my opinion. Look, does anyone actually know about what been going on with you two? You might still be able to come out of this unscathed if we play it wisely..."

"I've told James - I know he won't say anything. The only other person who knows is...Jono" I admit sheepishly as I watch Kate's face work out what I can do. "They've both promised to keep it a secret, but I don't know what Jono really thinks." I say, hoping this makes it somehow better...