Rules ⇝ Toto Wolff

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 28

♬ Morning light, it stings a little
Out of my mind, I don't remember calling ♬

Grace Bauer POV

Our time has come an end. Monday everything will be done. I look around me as I felt Toto's arms wrapped around me, I don't think he can understand how much his actions like this make me feel good. My body is leaning on me and his chin is resting in my head as he observes the practice.

This garage is almost as chaotic as my brain in this moment. My emotions all over the place and everyone seems to be all over the place. It's one of those days where my mental state is corresponding to the space I'm in. Formula One is already a stressful environment on the weekends, but this race defines the whole fate and outcome of this year.

We all cheered as Lewis was able to finish the practice with the fastest time, this doesn't mean anything but it definitely means the car is doing good and so is Lewis. Toto spun me around and hugged me tightly before kissing me.

We stayed until dinner time, they had meetings, interviews and all those things to resolve. I just kept to myself mostly.

"Do you want to go out for dinner?" Toto asks as we were leaving the paddock and I shake my head.

"I will order room service, I want to have some alone time. All that chaos really drains my social energy quickly" I try to excuse myself because I didn't want him to think I was avoiding him, even if I am.

"Thank you for staying there when I asked. It meant a lot to me" He confesses as he opens the car door for me and I stood there facing him.

"I can keep you company tomorrow and Sunday" I quickly insult myself as I said it, I should keep my distance but he was there when I needed him.

"I would love that" He says as I entered the car and I sat down.

The trip was silent and we separated when arriving at our rooms. I looked at him as he opened the door to my right and he gives me a smile. I can tell he is tense and nervous, but is it about the championship or about my departure from his life?

"I will see you tomorrow" I say as my door opens.

"Call me if you need anything Grace" He adds before I closed it.

I can't handle one more second less than a meter away from him. It's like we are magnetic, something attracts me to him over and over again. I can't let that happen. He made it clear to everyone we are friends.

I ordered room service, watched a romantic comedy that made me feel sorry for myself for being single as fuck and having to watch that alone. Toto would've watched it with me, I know it. He has done it a lot of times before without having to ask.

The next day it was like a rinse and repeat of yesterday. But on qualifying I saw everything crumbling as Max got pole, that was not good. Whoever started first had a clear advantage, it's not something hard to know.

"Just give me a minute!" Toto demands as he had closed himself on his back office. He is not happy. I asked everyone to leave and opened the door carefully. "I said to give me a fucking minute!" He spits in anger and I take a step back at the tone of his voice. First time feeling threatened by him but not enough to worry about my safety.

"I'm sorry. I was worried" I try to say but I know my voice is fucking weak. Why am I so weak? He turned around and I saw as his anger disappeared, his tension disappear along with his anger. He softened and walked slowly in my direction.

"I didn't know it was you. I wouldn't scream if I knew" He explains in a calm tone and I nod.

"I know. I shouldn't have gotten in. I will give you time to decompress" I say preparing to turn away.

"Can you stay? Please." He asks giving me his hand, I put my hands in his and he pulls me into a hug. "I'm sorry, I would've never done this to you"

"I know baby, it's all right. You can be mad sometimes, this was just bad timing on my side" I say as I caressed his back so he would know it's all right.

"Kiss me, just this once. I need it" He takes a step back as the words leave his mouth and looks me in the eyes with such a mix of emotions that it was hard to figure out exactly what they were specifically.

"Toto, we shouldn't" I was trying to convince myself more than anything.

"I know baby. I know. But with all we've done, this won't be the worse" He says as he puts his hands on my cheek. Never have I seen these much emotions in this man.

I relented and I kissed him. This was a kiss like no other. This wasn't desire, this was passion. It was slow, it was different, it felt special. It also tasted like goodbye. My heart is going to break in two for this man. And I don't regret a single second of the last few months that lead up to it.

"Fucking hell" He mutters as the kiss ends and takes a few steps back.

"Is everything okay?" I ask worriedly.

"Yes, yes. I am just overwhelmed and stressed with all of this. 2021 is definitely a year to remember, for the bad and the good"

"Toto, emergency meeting later today to discuss strategy" James says as he slightly opened the door and he nods.

"I know, I was the one who arranged for it to happen. Don't worry about it" He says calmly and James leaves rapidly.

"I'm going to eat something" I try to break the silence and he finally looks at me.

"Can I go with you? It would be easier to avoid the shitty questions they will make as soon as I leave the garage" He asks with some clear hope in his voice and I nod.

"This is your world, I am just living it on borrowed time" I say heading out the door.

He quickly followed and he put his hand in mine in the moment I was about to leave the garage. People are way more respectful in recording or asking questions with me around, I've grown aware of it.