Bittersweet Honey

29. Uncover

"Nobody sees, nobody knows
We are a secret, can't be exposed
That's how it is, that's how it goes
Far from the others, close to each other."

-Zara Larsson

Toni.

     "I'm telling you, green concealer will cancel out the red." Alex leans against the bathroom door as I frantically try to cover this mark on my neck. It's race day and we all have to look presentable. I can't go out and about looking like a teenager in heat. Alex was kind enough to lend me his little color correcting concealer palette, and I'm sort of making it work.

     "You got it girl. I have a meeting, but I'll see you in hospitality, okay?" He walks out of my room and I'm left alone for the first time since I got back from my date with Daniel, because Ren and Alex always want to know everything.

     I put some powder over the concealer on my neck, and let my hair down in soft waves. I'm ready to start race day, which I discovered are productive as well as relatively chill, not much business goes on during the race, since everyone is watching.

     I find a nice spot outside of the Aston Martin hospitality, where I take out my laptop and notebook to work on some details in the newest contracts. I just don't feel like being around too many people in the stands today, I'd rather keep a low profile and watch the race on the screens.

     They're already transmitting the pre-race shenanigans, and I feel kind of guilty about not being there to wish Daniel good luck, so I text him, knowing he's not going to see it until the race is over. But at least it eases my mind a little bit.

     It's way less overwhelming to work over here while everyone is in the garages or on the stands, and today I just want to feel like myself, the workaholic, the normal girl, and I think I manifested too hard because right as the lights go out, my personal phone rings and it's dad. I hadn't even realized it's been almost a week since I last texted him. So of course I answer.

     "Hi dad! You called me on lights out, what's going on?" I start, knowing he's probably watching the race back home.

     "Hello hello, my darling girl. Yeah, I figured you would be awake over there so it was a good time to catch you and say hi." He answers in a bit of a groggy voice. I don't even know what time it is back home.

     "Oh good, well I am wide awake, I'm working from hospitality today. How are you?"

     I'm still looking at the screen as they start speeding out of the starting line. Daniel was starting out in fifth, and Checo in seventh, so both of them started out great.

     "I'm good, all good. I've missed you, but your brother has been keeping me company." And that does make me glad, because I know Tristan can be a little detached. He only texted me once when he checked on my flat a couple days ago.

     "That's good, I'm glad to hear that...I..." Looking at the screen I see how Esteban is trying to take over Charles on the inside, and I wince as he nearly makes contact with him. "Sorry, I'm watching the race. But yeah, I've missed you too, sorry I haven't called. I've been busy."

     I feel bad talking to my dad, having to hold in everything that's been going on with my life lately. Same with mom. I really can only trust Ren and Alex. It's just that for now, he has to be my dirty little secret.

     "Yeah, I know darling. And I understand, it makes me so proud that you're there." I sigh with a smile on my face I know he can't see.

     I'm about to answer when I hear dad suddenly wince, and I hear a commotion coming from the crowd. I look up to the screen and on the second curve, at least three cars are spinning out, and two are in the gravel.