Strangers At A Bar

Five

Thursday September 21st

Race weekend in Singapore promised to be a good one as Mercedes and Aston Martin battled fiercely to try and close the gap to Red Bull, with the added bonus of it falling over Lily's birthday. She'd managed to complete enough overtime to sweet talk her manager into letting her have a few days off in order to attend the race and celebrate her birthday.

It happened to be a sprint weekend which meant 3 full days of racing excitement however with that came little chance she'd get to see Toto. He'd made her promise that she'd text him when she landed, to ensure she'd arrived safely, which of course she happily obliged to. It was late afternoon by the time her plane touched down and she made it through the chaos of Changi airport and into a taxi to make the final leg of her journey to the hotel. She got out her phone to text Toto and fulfil her promise to him.

Lily
Didn't die 🥳

TW
I'm glad to hear it
Are you staying at the Ritz?

Lily
Red bull are at Raffles this year

TW
Their team budget covers your travel expenses now?

Lily
Don't tell Zak
I want to see you
                                    Seen

Lily sighed and slumped down in her seat. He was busy, she understood that, but it didn't ease the aching she felt in her heart knowing she'd have to spend the weekend so close yet so far from him. Stealing glances from afar when all she wanted was to speak to him, feel him, be with him.

Before she knew it the taxi pulled up outside the hotel and pulled her from her daydreams. As she paid the driver and slid out she was greeted by a doorman who took her bags before she could protest, guiding her inside the luxurious hotel and handing off her luggage to a bellboy who seemed to know where he was going before she even did. The receptionist greeted her with a large smile.

"Miss Horner, welcome to Raffles, we're delighted to have you staying with us this weekend." She held out a key. "You're staying in one of our beautiful Palm Court Suites, we hope you find it pleasant. Should you need anything at all during your stay there's a direct 24 hour line to our hospitality team or of course you can come and find me here and we'll do our best to help you however we can."

"I'm sure that won't be necessary, thank you though." Lily smiled awkwardly as she took they key card and followed the bellboy as he led her to her room.

Once at the room she slipped some money into his hand and he smiled politely before disappearing back the way they'd came. Unlocking the door she clumsily hauled her suitcase inside, nearly tripping over it as she was startled by the sight of Toto sat casually on the sofa with a glass of whiskey in one hand and another on the coffee table in front of him.

"What are you doing here?" Lily frowned, quickly closing the door behind her.

"I wanted to see you." He put his glass down and stood up, making his way over to where she stood.

"What if someone saw you?"

"Discretion is easily bought my love." He gently swept a stray hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear, his hand lingering gently on her cheek. "I thought you'd be happy..."

Lily looked up at him with pursed lips, her anxiety soon calming as her shoulders relaxed and she leaned into his touch. "I am." She breathed.

"Not quite the presidential suite is it?" Toto teased as he looked around the grandiose room.

"I'm pretty sure Max gets that room." She smiled. "I missed you."

Toto hooked a finger under her chin and tilted her face up to his, their noses brushing softly. "And I missed you." He kissed her tentatively. "I can't stay long, they're expecting me back at the garage."

Lily pouted sadly and then her gaze fell over his shoulder and she looked back at him with a small smile. "Long enough for a shower? I could do with freshening up after that flight..."

Toto smirked. "I'm sure I can help with that."

Lily took his hand and led him towards the bathroom, closing the door behind them and locking them away in their own little world for just a while.

When they finally emerged forty-five minutes later the world started spinning again as they came back down to reality. Toto gathered his things, as he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt into his signature style Lily straightened his collar delicately.

"Good luck tomorrow." She placed her hands on his chest with a smile. "But, not too much."

"We'll make a Mercedes fan of you yet." He laughed and kissed her cheek. "I'll make more time for you after qualifying tomorrow night, I promise."

With one last kiss he slipped out the door and left Lily alone, already counting down the hours until she could see him again.