Hearts on the track

Cap. Thirteen

I woke up the next morning still feeling a bit sleepy, but as the day unfolds, the pain in my head gradually diminishes, and my spirits begin to recover. While trying to focus on my daily tasks and attempting to work remotely from home, my phone keeps ringing with calls and messages, especially after not responding to anyone yesterday. I'm surprised that everyone has my number, but I guess either Lando or Carlos could have provided it. Max and Daniel FaceTime me, and their humour makes me feel much better. Pierre and Carlos send me a message asking if I'm feeling better. Kika and Lando make a point of calling me almost every hour. Their kind words and genuine concern warm my heart and make me smile.

In the afternoon, I hear a knock on the door and go to answer, curious about who it could be since I wasn't expecting anyone. When I open the door, I don't see anyone, but then I look down and find a package. The box is almost bigger than me. I stick my head out further and look around outside, and I see a man in a uniform waiting for the elevator.

"Excuse me, but are you sure you left this at the right apartment?" I ask.

The man looks in my direction and checks the small device he has in his hand. "Sophia Anderson, apartment 16A, oui?"

"Yes, yes, thank you."My fall must have really affected me because I must have forgotten that I ordered something.

I carefully pick up the package and place it on the living room table. As I open it, the smell of food enters my nostrils, and my stomach grumbles slightly. There was a smaller package, and when I pick it up, it was still warm. It's transparent, and I can see that it contains pasta. The box also has delicious chocolates and a beautiful bouquet of flowers. An involuntary smile forms on my lips when I notice the small attached card.

With trembling hands, I pick up the card and read the sender's name: Charles.

I'm momentarily stunned, not knowing what to do with this unexpected gesture. My mind is filled with a range of contradictory emotions. I turn the card over and read the handwritten words: How do you feel about pasta when you hit your head, sunshine?

As I gaze at the fresh bouquet of flowers and inhale their sweet scent, I feel my heart is torn between suspicion and curiosity. There's a part of me that wants to reciprocate the gesture of generosity, while another part is hesitant, afraid of opening my heart to potential disappointments. I put the flowers in a vase and carefully store the chocolates, feeling a spark of optimism rising within me. I brush away the emotions.

I pick up my phone and decide to text the pilot: Pasta is good at any time, and I would appreciate it if you stopped calling me sunshine.

Before I even have time to lock my phone, I receive his reply: I don't think so, sunshine.

I ignore the provocation and grab the package of pasta, settling on the couch to watch Marvel movies. Before I know it, sleep overtakes me, and I realize it's already the end of the day.

The next two days pass by quickly with work completion and meetings for the GP Saudi Arabia. On one of the days, I have lunch with Kika and Sarah, who apparently had met each other last year, and we make plans for a future girls' night out. Sarah would have to miss the Australian Grand Prix, but Kika promised to keep me company as she would be going with Pierre.

It is now eight in the morning in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and I wake up in my hotel room with the sun rays peeking through the curtains. After a quick refreshing shower, I put on my team's red clothes and decide to tie my hair in a low ponytail to fit under my hat. I apply very light makeup and head down to the hotel lobby, where I meet Daniel and Max, who coincidentally are both staying at the same hotel. We greet each other with excited smiles and make our way to the restaurant to have breakfast together.