Mystery in Red

Chapter XXXI - Are you gonna stay...

06.May – Qualifying Day

I don't know why I took Vasseur's words so hard. Rather, I was offended by his behavior, by the fact that he allowed himself to enter my personal space, by the fact that he forced me to limit my contacts with people who made me feel good. But why? What was wrong with being friends with your coworkers? And why did he even think it was a romantic relationship, why did he think I would start a relationship with one of them? I had the question "Why" so many times that my head was going to explode. I needed to talk to someone. Immediately.

So, as soon as I got back to the hotel, I called my mom. Her face appeared on my phone screen and her smile worked like a salve to my soul.

- Hello, podium cutie! – she greeted me cheerfully. – How are you?

She and my father were the first to congratulate me after the podium in Baku, they of course constantly followed my performance as a strategist, no matter that I did not have the opportunity to practice my profession often. And podium cutie was the way she used to call me after the most successful weekend in my career.

- I'm fine, mother - I forced a smile, but the woman immediately recognized that something was wrong.

- Honey, when you try to lie, at least do it well... – she shook her head. – Tell me what's going on?

- I don't know if I can take it here anymore, mother... – I sighed. – I didn't tell you before because I didn't want to sound slobbery, I didn't want to show that I have a problem, but everything is escalating so quickly...

- What are you talking about, Tesoro? – my mother got worried. – Did someone hurt you... After all, you work with men and...

- No, no, mother... – I said quickly. – Most of the men here are really respectful... The problem is with my boss. He treats me terribly, he wasn't giving me the permission to work so far... Of course, the times I told you about our performance I was a part of it I didn't lied to you... And recently this problems stopped. I thought everything would get well now, but... But now he's trying to get into my private life.

- What do you mean? – she frowned.

- He forbids me to get closer to the people in the team – I replied hesitatingly.

- And how exactly do you get closer to them? – the woman raised her eyebrows. – And with who?

- Mother, I am trying to be friends with everyone, it doesn't matter that many of the people from the crew are still looking at me as if I am a worm... – I explained. – I have a few people here with whom I am closer, but purely within the limits of friendship...

- Lisa, I want you to think carefully about whether you yourself are convinced of what you are telling me... – my mom said seriously.

- What do you mean? – my eyes got wider.

- Sometimes it's not bad to admit if you have feelings for someone... – she said

- Mother, I am sure of myself – I said. – I have no feelings for anyone. Just friends...

- With both drivers, also the reserve ones and the mechanics? – the woman asked again.

- Yes, mom! – I rolled my eyes.

- Then you don't have to worry about Vasseur trying to forbid you getting closer to your teammates... – she said in a suspicious tone.

I laughed in disbelief.