Mystery in Red

Chapter XXV - Lost in the fire

26 – 27. Apr – Landing in Baku

Working with Charles and Carlos in the simulator wasn't that easy, especially when I was still not on good terms with one of them. Many times, during the week at Maranello, Sainz tried to reach me out, to speak with me, he even brought me a coffee several times, but I gave it to my new friends – Mia and Silvia. I didn't want to have anything in common with him. For me he was still the betrayer and when I was talking to Charles or someone else from the team, and Carlos was near, I started to search for a place further away from him. I only used to communicate with him during the simulator sessions or in mandatory work-related conversation, always keeping a cold tone and poker face. He seemed to be sad about that, leaving the workplace broken, and so do I. Time would perhaps heal the offence he had given to me then, but I would always have one thing in mind as to what to share in front of him and what not. The trust. It's difficult to build it, but its destruction can happen literally in a second.

Apart the relationships at the team, the cars received many improvements, they got a new rear wing, and the turbo was changed. Our drivers were satisfied of the good results they achieved during the tests on the track, and I was happy about that. Finally, someone heard my words. I still haven't told anyone that the upcoming weekend will be the first entire weekend for me as a Main Strategist. Even to my parents. I've decided to be a good employee at least once.

The time flew away and here we are again in the race week. After three tough weeks, working hard at Maranello it was a high time to pack again up and head to the next destination – Baku, Azerbaijan. The whole team stayed till the last minutes at Ferrari hometown and on Wednesday we finished the preparation for the Grand Prix. For my time on this job, I got the impression that the Scuderia had this habit of getting things done at the last minute, regardless of whether it would have a bad influence on the performance or not. But I wasn't the boss here, so I could not change anything at all. But if I was the team leader, I was going to make their life miserable, for every mistake they make, and to encourage those who are doing really well. "An iron fist in a velvet glove". That was the motto.

The previous evening before our departure Charles and Joris came to Modena to see me. This time they called me first, so I had enough time to dress up and prepare something to welcome them. We had a quick dinner at my apartment and the main topic of our conversation was the song Charles released. I was so proud of him, and he... he was just shy saying he didn't do much. I felt so bad for Joris, who was third - wheeling during the whole dinner, and I organized a little fun for them both, just to excuse that Charles paid enormously huge attention to me. They both left for a bowling game I arranged for them, meanwhile I stayed alone at my apartment to pack my things for the trip. Charles insisted the whole company from Australia to gather again and travel together, so the next day we were leaving with his brothers, the coach and Joris. Beautiful... Fucking beautiful!

In fact, I got excited about our journey together, the previous time wasn't that bad, even though they ruined my sleeping schedule. I noticed something very strange about myself – the closer I got to Charles and his loved ones, the more anxious I felt when I had to spend time with them. I was afraid that I could do something wrong and present myself in a bad light, and that this would alienate not only them, but also Charles from me. I already lost one of my closest people in this team and I was sad about that. I didn't want to lose another one.

Somehow imperceptibly the night I was waiting so much for came. I got out of the taxi and took my luggage with me. Again, the struggle with the huge suitcases, the bag with my laptop and the purse. It was a cold spring night and I had to wear ticker clothes – a black turtleneck sweater, leather jacket and my favorite high wasted jeans. I managed to take only a few little steps to the entrance when I heard screeching brakes. I already knew who was coming.