A Dream Coming True

Chapter 14

August 25th 2022

One second she was  behind me, and the other one she disappeared.

Damn, Lila could run fast if she wanted to. How could someone with her height be so quick ?

Shut up Pierre, now isn't the time to make jokes.

I needed to find her.

I ran to the paddock, but no one was there. She had left. But why ? What had happened to make her run away ? 

And that's when it hit me.

It made her think about a bad memory. She too had lost someone and it had traumatized her. She was scared of coming here because it reminded her of someone close to her and their death. But still, she decided to come here with me today to support me.

She had been there for me, I wasn't going to do the opposite.

~~~

She was still here, I was sure of it. I looked everywhere on the circuit, there was no sign of her, but she couldn't have gone back to the hotel without a car.

Think Pierre, use your brain.

Where could she go ? Charlotte was only coming tomorrow to the circuit and all the drivers wouldn't be there until the afternoon for their interviews.

But that didn't mean the AlphaTauri hospitality wasn't already open.

Please, I hope she's there.

And she was. Standing in the corner of my private room with her hands on her face, Lila was shaking. I didn't think she realized I was there.

"Hey." I said. She didn't answer, didn't even look up.

I sat down next to her and put my head on her shoulder.

"Lila, I-"

"Can we go back to the hotel ? Please ?" her voice broke. 

At least she raised her head, but her eyes didn't find mine.

"Sure, let me grab my keys and we'll go."

I took her hands in mine and lifted her up.

"No, wait."

"What's wrong ?"

"You have your interviews this afternoon."

God she was right. But what was the more important at the moment ?

"Don't worry, I'll say I'm sick and need to rest."

"No, you have to do them."

"Lila, I'm not leaving you alone."

"You're sure this doesn't bother you ?"

"Come on."

I gave her my cap to hide her puffy eyes and we left.

I wasn't sure how my team would react but I didn't care. She needed me, and I wasn't going to let her down.

~~~

She was silent all the way back to the hotel. I could hear her sniffle once or twice, but that was it. No looks, no words, nothing.

We arrived at the hotel and I helped her go back to her room. I helped her open her door and lead her in the room. But still she wouldn't look at me.

"Lila, I'm sorry."

"What ?"

Finally her eyes landed on mine. But I didn't like what I saw in them. They were emotionless.