Madrid English Version

Chapter 24

When Carlos left the Spaniard's room, he paused for a moment with his back against the door, replaying the whole evening. After a moment, he realized that the brunette had been through far too much for someone so young. This realization only increased the admiration he already had for her.

The next morning, the day of the race, Alba woke Aria energetically. She jumped onto her bed and bent down so that their heads were only inches apart, whereupon she shouted at her to wake up. This worked very well, apart from the fact that Aria was already annoyed with the blonde. Yet the blonde had good reason to be in such a good mood.

- Aria, wake up!!! Alba shouted, shaking her friend's body.

- Stop it, Alba,"she replied, trying to hide her head under the comforter, which was quickly snatched away. Turning her head towards her friend's bed, she noticed that the sheets hadn't been undone.

- Get up!

- I won't get up until you tell me where you've been all night, the Italian froze and began to blush, before sitting down beside her friend.

- Um, but I slept there, she lied.

- Alba, we've known each other almost every day for twenty-three years. And you've never made your bed ; every time we share a bed, I do. So don't expect me to believe that you've ever made a bed and made it this well.

- Okay, I didn't sleep here, I got here five minutes before I woke you up, she admitted, knowing she couldn't hide the truth from her lifelong friend.

- Where did you sleep, young lady?

- At Norris's. she replied, lowering her gaze.

- Did you make a mini Norris? Oh, no, he's going to be hell if he's got both your personalities. The brunette grumbled as she lay back down, while the Italian grabbed her pillow and hit her with it.

- We just slept, and he asked me out on a date," she said with a big smile.

- Oh, no, he didn't.

- Ah, well great, thanks Aria.

- I'm really happy for you, Alba, but I lost my bet.

- Your bet? she asked, surprised.

- Oh, oh," said the brunette, realizing she'd just brought up her bet with the pilot.

- Aria," retorted the Italian, looking serious.

- Carlos and I bet that Lando would offer you a date before or after the grand-prix. He bet during, and I bet after. And I lost, so I have to come up with an idea, because the loser has to surprise the other for the evening.

- Ahah, you're going to make mini Carlos! You're going to make mini Carlos! She announced, clapping her hands together in excitement.

For ten minutes or so, the two friends teased each other, before getting ready for breakfast.

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The final race of the season, full of twists and turns, kept everyone watching the race on tenterhooks, whether in the garages or at home. The battle between the season's two leaders enlivened the race, which in the end saw the Dutch driver on the top step of the podium, followed by his season's rival, and on the last step of the podium, the Spanish driver. Aria was more than delighted to see her friend complete the podium. She was proud of him; she knew he could do it, and he had proved it.

The moment for the podium arrived, and in the crowd were the two female engineers, congratulating him. The Brit watched the podium from his garage, although he would have preferred to see his best friend on it. Carlos walked to his podium step, waving to the crowd, hoping to catch a glimpse of the blue eyes he so cherished.

When he had climbed to his step and was waiting for the other two riders to join them, he looked around. He looked for his blue eyes, and his wavy chestnut hair. He found them, he found his eyes, and in a split second his smile widened considerably.

The dark-haired man nodded slightly in greeting to the brunette, who smiled back and filmed him. Aria was filming him, wanting to immortalize her compatriot's first podium finish, right in front of her.

His trophy in hand, Carlos brandished it while looking at the engineer. This trophy was for her, he had made this podium for her. He dedicated it to her.

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As the post-race excitement subsided, the Spaniard was able to join his friends in celebrating his third-place finish. He was the first to bump into the brunette, who ran up and hugged him, despite her long dress. Carlos was careful not to hit her with his trophy, before folding his arms over his body.

- I've got to tell you something, She announced, attracting the pilot's attention, who broke away from her at these words.

- Have you finally realized that I'm a better pilot than Lando? He asked, sarcastically, earning her a light tap on the arm, which he barely felt.

- No, stop it, he'll get offended. Lando proposed a date to Alba. She said, raising her head to meet his brown eyes, which couldn't take their eyes off her.

- I don't know if I'm happier about my podium or this announcement, he replied with a smirk. You're going to be busy for a few days in that case.

- How's that? She asked, not understanding what the pilot was getting at.

- This evening isn't going to be prepared in ten minutes, it needs time and preparation.

- Oh no, I've got lots of projects to hand in, she observed, realizing that she was working less than before, and that she couldn't fall too far behind if she wanted to keep her job.

- Hey, I'm just kidding, Aria, even if we go to McDonald's, it'll be perfect, he said, reassuring her.

- Oh, I know what I'll do, She retorted, quite happy with her idea. As they walked along, aiming to catch up with the Englishman and the Italian woman.

The Spanish duo were careful to keep a distance between them, so as not to start rumors, even if they did dream of holding hands. Once the quartet was reunited, they spent the rest of the evening together, laughing and celebrating with the help of alcohol, which flowed freely in the blood of the pilots and the blonde, while Aria was designated "evening captain".

Even though she couldn't drink, Aria didn't stop dancing with each and every one of her friends. She enjoyed the evening, no longer dreading being in a nightclub, at least not as much as she used to. She knew she had trustworthy people by her side who would help her in a pinch.

In fact, when a man in his thirties tried to approach Aria to dance with her, coming up behind her and causing her to freeze, the dark-haired man immediately came to her rescue, pushing the thirty-something away and making sure she was all right. She thanked him warmly with a kiss on the cheek, before taking a seat and sipping her drink.

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