Love Off Track - Pato O'Ward

OCHO

THIRD PERSON POV:

Pato crossed the finish line in 1st place, after a long and tiring Indy 500 race. "PATO O'WARD IS THE FIRST PERSON WHO CROSSES THE LINE, MAKING HIM THE WINNER OF THE 2023 INDY 500!!"  Screamed the commentator, cheers erupted from the McLaren garage. Tears and hugs where shared between the co-workers who have worked so hard this season, and it massively payed off. 

After a little bit, Pato finally pulled up at the podium. Most of the McLaren garage where waiting for him at the podium, and so was his family. Catalina stood at the front of the crowd she wanted to congratulate not only Pato, but also her brother who had finished 2nd. Pato leaped from his car, and ran to the McLaren crowd. Catalina watched on, feeling joyful about her teams win. She turned her head, and she had seen her brother walk over to her.

Immediately they hugged, "Congratulations hermano, you deserve it!" exclaimed Catalina. "Thank you, congratulations on your win... I know you worked so hard for it" whispered Alex, the two off them pulled back. Standing next to her brother was Pato, "Congratulations mate!" yelled Pato as he patted Alex's back. "Yeah thanks, congratulations on winning!" yelled Alex, Pato then faced Catalina. The two of them briefly hugged, "Congratulations, I will see you at the meeting!" grinned Catalina. "Thanks, and thank you for making a fast car!" joked Pato, Catalina had seen her brother looking at the two of them weirdly. Alex and Pato walked off to the podium, excited to celebrate their accomplishments.

• Time Skip • 

Catalina took a photo of herself in the mirror, she was currently wearing the dress that she had brought with Valentina the other day. She was excited to celebrate with the team for their win today, and what better way to do that than partying. She exited her hotel room, and started walking to the elevator. She felt someone stand next to her, and she glanced over at them. It was Pato, however he was standing next to his sister and her fiancée. The two of them smiled at each other, but they didn't say a word at all. 

The elevator doors opened, and there was a person already standing in it. Catalina recognised who it was, it was Christian Lundgaard. The Catalina, Pato, Elba and her fiancée stepped into the elevator, and a silence lingered over the five of them. Christian looked over at Catalina, and he smiled. "Catalina, it's so good to finally see you again!" exclaimed Christian, "So nice to see you as well Mr Lundgaard, great job today!" said Catalina. The two of them hugged, and Pato watched the whole scene happened. He felt a pang of jealousy in him, as soon as he saw Christian touched Catalina.

"Since when did you work in Indy?" asked Christian, "I don't, I'm just a fill in for the meantime. I mainly focus on F1, however they needed the extra hand this weekend. So I swap in-between Indy and F1." explained Catalina, Christian nodded. "Remember that one time when we where at the Renault F1 factory, with the rest of the academy drivers?" asked Christian, "Oh yes, I remember... a lot of things happened that day..." smirked Catalina. The elevator had come to a stop, and everyone exited.

Catalina was about to walk out of the hotel, but a hand had stopped her. She was pulled back by Christian, and he was holding on to her tight. "Sorry, that was rude of me!" said Christian, "It's alright, so what is it?" asked Catalina. "I was meant to go out to a club, however... do you maybe want to go and grab some food with me, I know you-" said Christian, but Catalina couldn't concentrate on what he was saying. She was too busy concentrating on what Pato was doing with another girl, they where standing way too close for Catalina's liking. 

Right before her eyes they kissed, and Pato didn't hesitate to kiss the girl. Suddenly Christian tapped her shoulder "Are you alright?" he asked, his face was full of concern. Catalina looked at Christian, "Yeah I am alright, what was it that you where saying?" she asked. "I- um... do you want to go and... have dinner with me?" asked Christian, he was beyond nervous. Catalina looked back at Pato and the girl, and she sighed. "Sure, I would love to do that!" exclaimed Catalina, she was angry at Pato for what he had just done to her.