Hearts on the track

Cap. Three

Throughout my life, my mother always told me that I had my father's eyes. Not just because of their blue colour that resembled a clear reflection of the sky, but because of the depth that captured anyone's attention. Sometimes, with tears in her eyes, my mother would tell me that my eyes revealed a "curious and passionate soul." When I was little, I would hear her say that to my father.

My parents are the most passionate couple I know. They were. He would come home every day after dinner with a different sweet treat because he knew my mother couldn't survive without something sweet after a meal. On days he left early, he would leave notes in the coffee kettle for my mother to find. He would hear her talk endlessly about her new obsession of the month. I remember there was a time when my mother was so absorbed in the world of gardening, that my father built mini flower beds in the backyard for her to plant her roses and cherry tomatoes.

Everything changed on September 16, 2015.

There were no more sweets for dessert after dinner, the notes stopped, and the flowers withered.

The pain of losing my father crushed my chest every day when I woke up. He was my rock. My hero. I remember the news of his death creating a black hole that sucked all the happiness from the moment. A feeling of emptiness that pushed me down like a tsunami. A car accident. The same car accident that cost me my mobility for a few months. The same accident that cost me my life. It also cost me, my father. I desperately wished he were by my side at this moment to see everything I've achieved. He who always believed in my dreams.

Now, at 25 years old, I still carry his absence in every aspect of my life. I want to be better because of him. For him. His absence is part of my identity and has shaped my perspective of life. Now I know that it's important to cherish every moment that passes before our eyes because everything can change in an instant.

I stood in front of the grand Hotel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, where the Ferrari event was taking place. When Sarah mentioned it would be extravagant, I didn't realize it would be at this level. I shrank in sudden embarrassment and exclusion. I wore my navy blue tracksuit with my two huge suitcases on each side and my overflowing shoulder bag with the rest of my belongings that I couldn't fit in the suitcases. I felt completely out of place among the wealthy people passing by us with clothes and cars that I would never have had the opportunity to possess.

The process of moving houses is currently on standby. Ferrari had an apartment waiting for me in the same location we were in, but it would only be available in a few days. I would have to permanently relocate from Hampstead to Monaco so that I could work in closer proximity to the drivers, and the team would only move to the base in Italy if necessary.

We were handed the access cards to our rooms, and I was stepping into the elevator, ready to despair internally because I had nothing to wear and no idea what to do with my hair, when I saw Sarah running towards the elevator, with one hand in the air to prevent the doors from closing and the other hand full of papers and other unfamiliar electronics.

"Sophia, so glad I found you!" she said, smiling as she squeezed into the cubicle.

"Hello Sarah, how are the preparations for tonight's event going?" I asked, looking at her with a hint of concern. The woman seemed on the verge of exhaustion.

"Can you believe the florist messed up my order?" she exclaimed, leaning against the elevator wall as she calmed down from her previous sprint. The respite didn't last long as she continued, more excitedly, waving her free hand in protest. "Now, instead of having table arrangements with red and yellow flowers, I have 56 vases filled only with red roses!"
Before I could calm her down with a solution, she said, now more composed, "But I won't burden you with now-resolved matters. We're still on for our hunt for the sexiest dresses of the night, right?"

I definitely needed a dress for tonight, unless I wanted to show up in my tracksuit. But I never had the opportunity to wear something so fancy. The only moment I could attend such an event would be prom, but I never had the chance to go, so I was in completely unfamiliar territory. On the other hand, Sarah seemed like the total opposite of me. Her slender model-like figure could make any man weak at the knees.

"I'm sure you'll be the most beautiful woman at the party, even if you were wearing a plastic bag and flip-flops," I murmured with a smile on my face. I wasn't lying.

"Me? That's what I say to you! Have you looked at yourself? I'm sure you'll be the most gorgeous woman in the paddock this year. Please, leave Sir Lewis Hamilton for me, i beg you!" she said, looking at me with an adorable smirk on her face. "That piece of cake will be mine!"

My body was nothing compared to the woman in front of me. I was a few inches taller than her and had more pronounced curves. My legs were long and slender, making me 5 feet and 8 inches. My breasts weren't as large as hers, and I definitely had a more pronounced hip.

"What room are you in?" she asked, interrupting my compatible thoughts.

"405."

"Fantastic, I'm on the same floor as you! I'm kidnapping you in an hour!" she declared as she exited on the same floor as me. "Wear comfortable shoes."

We ended up going in opposite directions down the hallway. It was 9 am, 12 hours until the event, and I was already on pins and needles. I stopped in front of the room and swiped the access card, and my jaw dropped at the first sight of that room. It was spacious, with large windows letting in the beautiful daylight. The copper, yellow, and rustic wood tones perfectly matched the sophisticated furniture. There was a sofa larger, than the one in my house, at one end of the room, and in front of it was a king-size bed with an absurd amount of pillows. I took off my sneakers and immediately felt the soft carpet under my socks. I leaned my suitcases against the side of the sofa and plopped onto the bed. It wasn't surprising that the mattress made me feel like I was on cloud nine. It would be a shame to miss tonight's event and stay in this heavenly bed?

After a good 20 minutes of procrastinating in bed and pretending I had no plans, I got up from the bed and started organizing some of my belongings that I would eventually need during these days. As I was putting my toiletries in the bathroom, I realized I had almost no makeup with me and made a mental note to stop by and buy more products today. I had always been excited to learn how to apply makeup. I remember rummaging through my mother's eyeliner pencils and powder palettes, trying to learn. I never had much success, even after watching intensive tutorials on YouTube. But I wanted to measure up to the new world I found myself in. Perhaps Sarah could help me.

I changed out of my tracksuit into a pair of light denim shorts, a basic white camisole top, and threw on a pastel green cardigan in case it got chilly. I loosely tied my hair into a messy ponytail, and while I was packing my essentials into a smaller bag, I heard a knock on the door.

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This is more a in between the story, next chapter will have more spice! Will Sophia and Charles have another confrontation at the event?