Race for the Throne | Formula One

57. Words of Wisdom and Warning

Back at the hotel after qualifying, we were getting ready to go out to dinner with Charles' family and Pierre, who was like another member of the family.

My phone rang as I was finishing up doing my make-up. A facetime call from my dad. I answered it and propped the phone against the mirror.

"I saw qualifying, we're very proud of him!" was the first thing he said.

"He's just in the other room, why don't you tell him yourself?" I smiled.

My father nodded.

"Shy? Can you come here for a moment?" I called.

Charles came in fidgeting with his sleeve. "Yes, principessa?"

"My dad has something to tell you." I said, going back to my make-up.

Charles' head jerked up, "Sir?"

"How many times have I told you, please call me Joseph." my father laughed. "I wanted to congratulate you on behalf of our family. You had one hell of a qualifying and we can't wait to celebrate your championship victory when you get home."

"The championship isn't won yet." Charles laughed. "But getting pole is a step in the right direction."

"I have complete faith in you." My father smiled through the phone. "I know your father would be proud of you. And as the father of your girlfriend, I'm proud of you too and I'm happy that my daughter has you in her life."

Charles smiled, tears swimming in his eyes. "Thank you, that means a lot to me. I'm happy she's in my life and I'll spend every day hoping to deserve her."

"You don't need to do anything other than what you're doing now. You deserve each other in the best sense," My father said. "Always remember, you two are partners, Always be there for each other. Please, promise me that you will always be there for each other, through the highs and the lows and everything in between."

"I promise," Charles said firmly, with no hesitation.

Now I was fighting back tears. "I promise, papa. I promise."

Charles kissed my temple.

"I'm glad of that. I'm trusting you with my little girl. I have to go now, your mother is calling me. I'm having dinner with her, it's date night." My father winked.

"Have fun, we're having dinner with my family." Charles reached around me to grab his watch, bracelets, and ring from the counter,

"Have fun you two. You're young, live like it. I love you my darling girl."

"I love you too, give my love to maman and Alex," I said quickly.

My father nodded then ended the call.

I stared at my blank phone screen.

Charles kissed the top of my head. "What's wrong, Kat?"

I rested my chin on my hands. "I don't know, he was just being so sentimental and everything. I guess I'm just being paranoid. Everyone was acting weird today and now so is he but in a completely different way. Did anything seem off to you?"

Charles played with my hair. "Maybe he was in a sentimental mood. He did say it was date night with your mom so maybe he was thinking about that?"

"You're probably right. You ready?" I stood up.

We walked out of the hotel room and found Pascale, Lorenzo, Pierre, and Arthur waiting. Alvaro and Mateo trailed us to the restaurant and sat at different tables to keep an eye on everything.

"Do they go everywhere with you?" Pascale asked once we were seated.

I took a sip of my water. "They do, but I've gotten used to it. Mateo has been my shadow for a very long time."

"What about the other one who glare's a lot?" Lorenzo asked.

"Alvaro? He's new. I used to have two with me at all times, more during events and things, but one of my old ones retired so it was just Mateo but then after eh." I cleared my throat so I didn't have to mention running off. "My father thought it would be best to have two again."

"For the record, I don't like Alvaro." Arthur offered.

"No one asked you." Charles rolled his eyes at his brother.

I patted Charles' hand. "Arthur doesn't like him because he said he had bad taste in music so I understand where he's coming from."

Arthur smiled at me. "Knew you were my favorite."

Charles glared at his brother jokingly. "If you keep saying that, Lorenzo will be down a brother."

"Why? Where would you be going?" Arthur asked.

"I wouldn't be the missing brother," Charles replied calmly.

"Oh be nice, you two. You're acting like children." Pascale interrupted.

I raised my water in a toast. "To Arthur and Charles, both of them raced well today. Charles is starting on pole, Arthur won the sprint. Here's to them keeping it going tomorrow."

We all clinked glasses. Charles and Arthur were both drinking water since they had to drive tomorrow, on race weekends I always drank water in solidarity. Conversation resumed.

My phone buzzed and I tilted the screen. A text from an unsaved number. I tapped the notification, confused as to who could have gotten my personal number.

Unknown Number
Be on guard. J.

The blood drained from my face.

"Your hands are freezing all of a sudden," Charles whispered.

I looked at him.

He turned towards me fully, concern evident on his features. "Kat, what's wrong?"

I handed him my phone without a word.

"J?" His gaze hardened. "Jacques."

The others had realized something was wrong.

"What's up you two?" Lorenzo asked.

Charles moved to say something but I cut him off. "Nothing, just a text from someone that I thought didn't have my number. Please excuse me, I need to check on this. I hope you all have a great rest of your dinner and I'll see you all in the morning."

I stood up, placing my hand on Charles' shoulder. Putting a little pressure, I shook my head slightly, signifying that I didn't want him to follow. I didn't have to turn around to know that once I stood up, Mateo and Alvaro did as well. They caught up to me and led me to the car they had waiting.

"What's going on?" Mateo asked, walking next to me, watching our surroundings.

"It's Jacques, he texted me," I hissed. "He told me to be on guard."

"He's threatening you?" He paused.

"That's the thing, I don't think it's a threat." I glanced around. "I think it's a warning."