Petrichor ~ Lewis Hamilton

13

April 16, 2021, Imola

Elaine's POV

"He's going to love that" Angela caught my attention and I looked down at the lapel of my jacket, especially at the pin with Lewis's number that I had recently acquired.

"You think? I thought about putting on his shirt but it was too much, and don't tell him this but I loathe caps, only put it on last time because he caught me off guard and I couldnt say no to him." Honestly, if he asked me again right now I would probably say yes again.

"Lewis definitely likes to keep these things low key, appreciates support but dislikes unnecessary attention. The pin is perfect." My hand instinctively goes to the pin to rub it lightly, I had not been able to see him yet, he had arrived in Italy three days ago and I had arrived early this morning.

I was accompanying the physiotherapist at a table in our hotel restaurant while she was having breakfast, I having already had breakfast due to having had such an early start to my day but no sign of the driver yet.

"I don't know whether to feel happy to see you together or to be afraid of what you can plan against me" Lewis left a tray with his breakfast in the seat beside me, consisting of avocado toast, yogurt with fruit and...two coffees?

He picked up one of the cups and put it in front of me.

"Always afraid Lewis, don't doubt it, I know you too well." I took a sip of the coffee, he kept remembering my order it seems. Angela picked up her tray of her already finished breakfast and got up from the table, leaving us alone."Come on, eat quickly, we're already late for training"

"Yes boss" He gave her a military salute to which she responded by rolling her eyes before leaving, his arm fell resting on the back of my chair and he leaned towards my ear."Don't think I haven't seen the pin, I love it, thanks Ela"

"Only cheering for the best" I said with a half smile.

"Today's day is kind of boring for the spectators but it gives us a lot of data for the weekend" He started between bites "You have full access to the whole paddock so you can go wherever you want"

He took a pass out of his pocket and left it on the table.

"Where will Angela be when you are in the car?"

"In the garage, probably enjoying the moments when she doesn't have to put up with me"

"Will she mind if I stay with her? I don't think going to explore the paddock is what I feel like most today" Also, I have generated a liking towards the woman and she is the only person I know on this place apart from Lewis.

"You're kidding? I think she likes you better than me" He looked at me with frowned brows.

"Yeah sure"

"Ela, she must have asked me about you fifteen times since London. And believe me, when she doesn't like someone, it shows"

"So I can stay in the garage? I don't know how all this works, I wouldn't want to bother either." When he told me to come to a race I thought he was referring to the race itself, not the entire weekend. I don't know to what extent my presence here can be a hindrance.

"You won't bother, I want you there, they'll give you some headphones and everything, you can hear me talking to my engineer Bono on the radio, it will be fun" That seems interesting.

"Can I bring my camera?" I asked.

"My personal photographer in the paddock?" He teased me.

"I won't if you don't want to, you already have enough lenses pointed at you all day" I have seen the amount of photos they take of him simply by stepping on the circuit, and he has already told me that he does not like it when they take photos of him without his permission so I am not going to add to the stress that he has to endure during the weekend.