Madrid English Version

Chapter 23

The British man's birthday was a great success. When he opened his presents, Aria's cuddly toy was his favorite. At least, until he opened Alba's. The Italian's gift was the last one he had to unwrap. The Italian's gift was the last he had to unwrap. At his side were the two engineers, at his request. He wanted them and Carlos close to him. As he took the package in hand, the Italian woman clasped her hands together at face level to hide her excitement. Lando gave Alba a few glances, and she returned them all. Once the cap was off, the pilot's mouth opened, and he turned his head to meet her gaze, when he noticed the personalization. He took her in his arms to thank her and buried his head in her neck to whisper a few thanks in her ear, which made her blush.

- Thank you, thank you, thank you Alba, thank you so much. It's the best present I could have ever had. whispered the Englishman in her ear. The blonde blushed even more, when she noticed that he had called her by her first name, which was a first.

- You're welcome, Lando. she replied, just before the Englishman discreetly kissed her neck, out of sight. A gesture that filled the Italian's heart with joy, and made her blush even more than she already was.

- I bet you in two months they're together, Carlos whispered in the Spaniard's ear, who lifted her head to look at him, and both laughed.

- I'll bet a month.

- What do you bet? Asked the pilot, smiling mischievously.

- An evening together.

- A date? The brunette nodded in agreement. I won't wait a month for us to spend an evening together.

- We'll compromise.

- I'm listening, affirmed the Spaniard.

- I bet you that after the grand-prix, Lando will propose a date to Alba.

- I'll bet you before the end of the last grand-prix. Suggested Carlos.

- What does the loser have to do?

- Surprise the other for an evening.

- Very well, I accept, said Aria, shaking hands with the pilot to conclude their bet.

----

For the rest of the evening, the two duos danced non-stop, and the four of them returned to the Englishman's apartment. The two best friends slept in the same room, while the two pilots shared the Englishman's.

----

The twenty-nine days between Lando's birthday and the date of the last grand-prix of the long season flew by at breakneck speed. The two young women reached the Emirates on Wednesday evening, to have time to visit the city and spend some time with their friends before they were swamped by their professional obligations. They both had stars in their eyes. During the cab ride, they had their heads glued to both windows, admiring the buildings, taking them away from their old Spain.

On the day of their arrival, the quartet dined with other drivers: Charles, Pierre, Daniel, George and Alex, who had come along for the occasion. At dinner, they recognized Aria, whom they had already met at the Spaniard's birthday party. Unsurprisingly, a huge grin was plastered on both their faces when they saw Aria, but this grin widened when they caught sight of Alba.

Dinner went very well, with lots of laughter and jokes. The next day, Aria and Alba decided to leave their hotel and explore the city they were in, Abu Dhabi. They spent the day wandering around the capital. Once home, and showered, they both collapsed on the bed in their room, so tired had they been all day. By the end of the day, their step counter read around twenty thousand.