Right On Track

Chapter 11

With a slight smile on her face,Kiara made her way down to the hotel's gym to meet her new trainer.She had chosen to meet the trainer at the specific place because she had already planned to do her usual routine at the hotel's gym.And it didn't really matter,since she didn't expect many other drivers to be there.She knew that maybe Ivy and Lando would be there.But she wasn't too sure about them.The ones she definitely expected to see were both Alpine drivers.And maybe George.Alora was apparently busy,as Kiara had found out when asking her sister.
When Kiara entered the gym,she looked around.No sign of Ivy or Lando.Pierre and Esteban,though,worked out near a far corner of the room,both using the treadmills.And George was lifting weights on the other side of the room while his trainer tracked his actions.
"Ms.Wolff?"
Kiara looked to her right,at the women approaching.The woman had her blonde hair pulled up into a pony-tail,both hands in the pockets of her nylon tracksuit pants.She looked as if she was maybe in her thirties.
"Kate Larson."She gave a smile,holding one hand out. Kiara knew she was her new personal trainer.And Kate seemed like the person one could get along with just by having a small conversation with her.
Kiara shook her hand."Nice to meet you,Kate."
"Almost got lost around here."Kate chuckled.Kiara could tell that she was American from her accent. "Thankfully,I found the gym just in time."
"Don't stress it."Kiara said,giving a wave that dismissed that topic.
Kate had a little notebook and pen in her hand,opening to the first page while asking."Can we get started?"
"Sure thing."Kiara nodded,then started to walk with her towards one of the exercise mats that were neatly arranged in a row by the nearby wall.
As Kiara started with her warm-ups,she asked."Have you worked with many of the other drivers before?"
Kate replied."You won't believe me if I told you,but I was actually Ivy's trainer for some time."
"Wait,really?"
She nodded."Ivy was the one who recommended that I apply for the application you put up."
"Woah,"Kiara raised her brows."I can't believe I never knew..."
"Other than that,I worked with a few F2 drivers."She added.
Kiara nodded,impressed.Kate sure seemed well experienced.
She observed some of Kiara's workout routines,making a few changes now again to help with some improvement.They did so for a while,longer than Kiara expected.Kiara didn't question Kate's workout method,either.She seemed like she knew very well what she was doing.And seemed quite set on finding the best method for Kiara possible.Of course,Kate had to observe Kiara's previous routines before making changes.But Kiara was surprised to hear that more could be done.
While on the treadmill,she thought about the previous night.About Carlos.And about the unexpected chance that she gave him.Last week,she and Carlos had been on their usual banter terms.And now she was suddenly giving herself a chance to see him in a different way.She didn't know what he had in mind when he had asked for an opportunity.He did not call or send any details,because he clearly meant that he was going to take her somewhere.
"Kiara."Kate said,interrupting Kiara's thoughts."I have the stats.You can move over to the weights so I can check strength.Then,we're done for today."
"What about my reflex routine?"Kiara asked,since that was her favourite part.
"I say we start that tomorrow."Kate suggested."I don't usually like to put so many things together on one day."
Kiara nodded,then got off the treadmill and walked over to the rack of weights while drinking from her water bottle.
As she approached the first spot she needed to be,Esteban passed by and smiled,holding in a laugh.
"Go away!"Kiara snapped,just knowing that he would mention what he saw and heard last night.
He laughed and Kate shook her head."I'm not even going to ask."
"Please,don't."Kiara sighed as she set her bottle aside.
"From lightest to heaviest."Kate told her.
Kiara nodded and picked up the first two dumbbells.And soon she was already starting with the exercises.
While doing some squats,her gaze moved towards the glass doors of the gym.She watched as Carlos entered the room with Charles,both having some conversation while laughing.
Carlos didn't notice Kiara yet,so she continued on with her workout and pretend not to see him.But even as she carried on,she could hear his conversation come to a halt.And she could just sense his gaze on her from where he stopped nearby.
"Carlos?"She heard Charles call.
Charles sighed,walking away from Carlos to meet up with Pierre.
Kate glanced around,then looked back at Kiara."Am I catching on to something?"
"Nope."Kiara quickly said,which she immediately regretted.
Kate smiled."Don't worry.I won't push for answers."
Kiara's silence was her only response which implied that she was grateful.
As she bent down to do some lunges with the weights in her hands,she closed her eyes for a moment.Carlos looked her way for a moment before moving over to the benches.He soon looked away continued with his workout.
She tried to ignore Carlos as she continued with Kate.But her gaze always somehow landed at the spot that he occupied.And thankfully,he never looked up and noticed that her her gaze was caught on him,at the way he worked out and the black gym suit he wore-
"All right,"Kate said,checking her notepad."I think that's all for today."
"Wait,"Kiara arched a brow,glancing at Carlos while she slowly stood up from the ground and set the dumbbells aside."So,we're already done?"
Kate nodded and checked her watch."It's been an hour,now."
"Oh,"Kiara said."That hour sure went quick."
"Well,what can I say?"Kate smiled as she followed Kiara's gaze to where it landed on a specific area of the room."You'll find time flying when you enjoy yourself."
Kiara quickly looked back at Kate.Then,Kate greeted her and said."I guess I'll be seeing you tomorrow."
Kiara nodded and shook Kate's hand.And Kate was soon leaving the gym.
Kiara exhaled and dat down,wiping the little bit of sweat on her forehead with the back of her hand.She took a sip from her water bottle,then glanced over her shoulder at Carlos again.He was sitting up now,his phone in hand as he looked down at the screen.Her gaze lingered for a second,then she tore it away and swore under her breath.
She stood up from the floor without looking back.But just as she was about to walk off,she heard Carlos call her name.
"Yes?"She slowly turned around,clutching her water bottle in her hand.
Carlos still sat on one of the benches,putting his phone away as he motioned for her to come closer.
Kiara approached him and stopped just in front of him.He looked up at her from where he sat and said."New trainer,I see."
Kiara nodded and he asked."Is she seeming better than the old one?"
"So far,much better."Kiara said,loosing a sigh of relief.
"You seemed to be doing fine with her too."He said."From what I saw."
She arched a brow,holding back a smile."Oh,so you're watching me now?"
He laughed,the sound making her show the smile that she held.
"Listen,mi niña,"He stood up,soon towering in front of her."There are glass doors and mirrors all over this place.So,I can say it's mutual when one of us is watching the other."
"As if I would waste my time looking at you?"She raised her brows.But deep down she knew that he was right.
"Well,I wouldn't say something is going to waste if you're enjoying it."
"Sometimes I question how I haven't slapped you by now."She said,shaking her head while looking up at him.
She turned around and started to walk off,but paused after a moment.She turned around to look at Carlos,who had still been watching her,and she walked back towards him while saying."By the way,"Her gaze purposefully moved down to her watch."When i had agreed to give you a chance,I didn't expect so much time to pass by while you had that chance."
He smiled."I'm just letting some time pass by."
"Why?"She had a puzzled look on her face.
"I know you can't go without seeing me for a long time,"He said,causing her to scoff a little."But I just wanted to give you some space and time to think today."
"Oh?"She lifted a brow."Why,now?"
Something shifted in his gaze,but he shrugged and replied with a low tone that didn't quite indicate his emotions."In case you want to change your mind."His gaze dropped a little,innocently.
Kiara looked up at his face,a little surprised by the answer.He had thought that she would change her mind...Well,she might have.But she didn't really consider it.Giving her space for some time was actually thoughtful of him.And for some reason,she found this thought of his cute.
"Carlos."She smiled,stepping closer.
He pursed his lips and met her gaze."I don't intend to make this seem like it's something that I take lightly-"
"Hey,"Kiara cut him off."It's fine."
He dragged a hand through his dark hair and sighed."So..."
"I appreciate it."She told him,still wondering how she managed to admit it."I think that's very thoughtful of you...As much as you tried to bribe me with a hug last night."
The corners of his mouth slightly lifted up."You're not going to let that go,are you?"
She hummed and shook her head."Nope."
"Before you two start,please go to your room."Pierre said from nearby.
Carlos flipped him off and Kiara rolled her eyes.Esteban laughed from nearby and said."I have my form of blackmail,Wolff."
"Go away!"Kiara snapped at him,waving him off like he was some pest.
Carlos pinched the bridge of his nose for a moment,then said."I'm sorry."
"No,"Kiara clicked her tongue."I should have asked about that in private."
"Go ahead."Charles said from nearby.
"Mate,I swear I'm going to-"
"You know what?"Kiara threw her hands up in frustration."I'm going to get going."
"Adios."Carlos said,slightly smiling.
Kiara muttered her response and started to leave,giving Pierre a hard glare on her way out.He only gave a thumbs-up in return.
She looked back at Carlos while she approached the exit.He winked and she tore her gaze away,walking out of the gym without looking back again.
"Well,that was embarrassing."She mumbled to herself while approaching the elevator.
"Well,I think it was quite entertaining."
Kiara snapped her attention to Fernando and said."Shut it,old man."