Edser OS and Short Stories

Race to My Heart (AU) Chapter 5

Two months later...

"No, I'm still suspended. I couldn't use our lawyer because they decided it'd be a conflict of interests." Eda was walking through the streets of Monte Carlo, near her parents' house, talking on the phone. "How is Serkan?"

"Physically, he's ok, but he's depressed." Piril answered. "He's avoiding everybody and doesn't want to train. He's closing himself alone in your apartment. I think he feels he's missing something. When Engin tried to drag him out, he said he had no reason to go out, and once I overheard how he was shouting at Engin that there is nothing in his life to live for."

Eda felt tears clenching her throat. "He didn't return on the track?"

"He doesn't want to. From what I know, he lied during his medical exams, so they withheld his participation at the beginning of the season, but if he continues like this, he might be kicked out. I'm sorry, Eda, I have to go. The conference will start soon, and I have a lot of work. We will talk later, tamam?"

"Tamam." Eda whispered, and one silent tear fell from her eye. "Thank you for your call."

She hung up and turned her gaze toward the Circuit de Monaco, where her father used to take her to watch races as he was one of the engineers working on construction of it every year. It was where her love for Formula One started and where Serkan proposed to her after winning the race last year ago.

Eda could hear the sounds coming from the track. She had tickets as her family watched the race every year, but she wasn't planning to go this year until now. If Serkan wasn't racing, he wouldn't be there.

Eda went quickly to her family home, where her dad left the ticked for her and snatched it from the table. She was already late, but if she'd use her father's pass, she could get to the grandstands, skipping the line and security and getting through the back entry.

When she reached the guard, she didn't even have to show him her ID as he recognized her and let her inside. She smiled at him and went through the corridors to find her seat on the grandstands. This year the area for teams was built slightly differently than she remembered, and Eda got lost in the labyrinth of crosses and rooms. 

The smell of petrol was making her a little dizzy and sick. She needed to get to the fresh air soon. The rumor, coming from the track, was getting weaker so she decided to return the same way she came and tried to find her way again.

Eda turned around and stood face in the face with Serkan Bolat. She froze, and her mouth fell open at his sight. Her heart started beating like crazy. He looked at her, and his eyes widened in shock. He was staring at her without a word, and Eda couldn't move. Finally, after a couple of minutes, he whispered. "You're real."

Eda looked at him, even more surprised than before.

"You are not a dream."

"Serkan?" It was what Eda was able to utter, and even that was bearly audible. His eyes lightened up, and he reached his hand to touch her cheek.

"You know who I am?" He smiled slightly.

"You're Formula One driver, it's hard not to know who you are." Eda blurted out, and the light in Serkan's eyes disappeared. His hand stopped in the air inches from her face.

"Oh, right." He looked visibly deflated. "Excuse me." 

He turned and walked away, leaving Eda completely speechless. Only when she heard the loud cheers of chanting fans she woke up from her trance and took out her phone.

"Eda, I'm a little busy right now." She heard Enign's voice and the background noises, showing her that he was on the track too.

"Where is Serkan?"