Rise Up

Chapter 46: No More Shadow

"Are you sure, a few minutes before the qualification, is the right moment to tell your boss about your relationship?"

"Well, honestly I don't think there will ever be a good moment to do it..."

We were in Barcelona, already at the track, almost ready to jump in the car for the quali session, however Suz and I were waiting, in front of the Red Bull hospitality, Lando and his media manager Charlotte.

The night before we decided that going public would be probably the best thing to do, to finally stop living everything like some sort of criminals, wanted by the police all around the world.

We were both sick of all the hiding and pretending we were strangers. We just wanted to be able to show our feelings to everyone, like a normal couple of young adults, even if this would mean deal with the media.

"Hey, are they all inside?" My boyfriend asked me, in his bright papaya teamwear as soon as he reached us at the building, followed by his great media manager.

"Yes, I saw Zac already in, taking a coffee with Horner, then also Franz came for this meeting with the big boss."

"Well, if you're ready, let's go inside." Charlotte suggested.

My hands were sweaty and also a bit shaky, my heartbeat increased its speed when I realised what I was about to do.

What if our relationship will ruin everything else?

"Hey, if you don't feel ready, we could wait until the next race. A few more weeks won't kill us." Lando said, with all his sweetness, grabbing my fingers gently and stopping my steps.

"No, absolutely not. It's the right thing to do, they deserve to know the truth and actually, I'm so tired of hiding and acting like a stupid secret lover of a married man."

He chuckled at my words, holding once again my hand in his.

Our managers entered first and we followed behind, almost using them as a human shield.

Horner's office was upstairs, so we got there, in complete silence, while I kept repeating the long speech I've prepared, when I planned this meeting, in my head.

Suz knocked, interrupting the conversation kept inside by the three men's voices.

I had the time to just fix my shirt before hearing Horner's voice from the office.

"Come in! Oh,Kiara, what a surprise to see you in my office, above all with such an army. Are you trying to get rid of me?"

Christian was often such a dick to me, also and mostly during my season in Formula 2, but he's a good guy now, after all.

"Good morning boss, unluckily today is not your day, at least not yet. Don't worry but keep watching at your back, you'll never know!"

One of my few little talents- if we can call them so- has always been breaking the ice in difficult situations, exactly like this.

"Thanks Mister Brown to be here, obviously, thanks Franz too."

The two CEOs greeted me and the Brit, who kept his position stuck on my side, reassuring me with just his presence.

They were sat on small blue armchairs, next to the desk filled with reports from the engineers, sipping on hot coffees. In front Lando and I were steady on our feet, like little soldiers. 

"Well, as you can see, I'm not alone in your office Chris, and you're not as well. I'd like to tell you all something that lately has been running in my mind, actually in our mind."