The secrets we keep ~ c.l

Chapter 1 - Sofia's pov

I heard the phone ringing from my bedside table. I turned around in complete darkness to face the glowing black box in front of me. It was so bright it nearly hurt my eyes and I cursed whoever had the audacity to call me at this ungodly hour.

I wanted to let it ring out, but whoever was on the other end was not giving up. I took my phone, unplugged it from the charger and finally looked at the caller ID.

Unknown.

Obviously I had my doubts. I never trusted unknown callers, but this one was not hanging up. I pressed the green button on the screen and raised the phone to my ear.

"Hello?", I said warily.

"Hello Ms. Sainz, I started to fear that you weren't going to pick up," a male voice answered. He knew my name. My heartbeat increased at the thought of a possible stalker. I cursed myself for watching too many horror movies. "If that was the case however I would've just kept on calling."

I could hear a fault chuckle through the phone as if the caller was laughing. Did he think this was funny?

"I'm sorry, but who is this?" I asked, I was on the verge of hanging up, but I was also curious.

"Oh I'm sorry, I probably should've introduced myself first," my thoughts exactly. "My name is Frederic Vasseur."

Oh shit.

Oh shit.

Was this really happening? Do I really have the team principal of Ferrari on the phone right now?

Getting this call has been only in the wildest of my dreams, only hoping that it would one day come, but after last year's events, I was not sure it would ever happen.

"Miss Sainz, are you still there?" he asked with alright worry in his voice.

I had to compose myself, and not let this get into my head. It could be about anything, not just an offer for a seat at Ferrari for the next season. But how could I not let it get to my head? He was the team principal of Ferrari.

"Yes, I apologize Mr. Vasseur, I have to be honest, I did not expect a call." I said, and it was true.

"Yes, I understand, but after your achievements in F2 last season, I am surprised that you are surprised," he laughed into the speaker. "You and I both know what you are capable of."

He was right, my achievements ever since the start of my career have been astonishing. But it was only because I was a woman. My other teammates had the same successes, same as me, but people were always impressed by me. And not in a good way.

"Thank you, but, sir, why are you calling me to tell me about my achievements? I think I am pretty familiar with them." I pushed.

"Ah, yes. My apologies. On behalf of the Ferrari team, and obviously myself, I wanted to offer you the position of our reserve driver."

I was speechless. This was my dream ever since I was a little girl on the race track. I have sacrificed everything in my life so I could drive in Formula 1. And this was so far my best shot to make it.

But a reserve driver? It's not me saying I am ungrateful, but I know that I deserve the second seat at Ferrari, as the first was already taken by my brother Carlos.

"A reserve driver?" I asked.

"Well, what I really had in mind doesn't have an official name. But a reverse driver is the closed official and legal term," he said almost apologetically, like he knew that I was disappointed with the offer.

"I don't think I understand.."

"As you might know, our second driver Charles Leclerc has been underperforming for the entire last season, and he is on very thin ice with the team and the second seat," I almost burst out laughing because Charles has been performing very poorly, like was not performing at all.

"Our idea was that we would hire you as our reverse driver, so we would have two equally good drivers competing for the position. At the end of the season, based on statistics, it would be decided who would have the second seat."

I could not believe what I was heating. Me and Charles competing for a position? Again? This seemed like my worst nightmare all over again. But something inside of me was telling me that this was my second chance. This time I could show Ferrari that they made a mistake. That they should've chosen me instead of him.

I was about to ask him for the details, but he interrupted me saying that the contract was already sent to me through email.

"The only thing you have to do is agree," I knew he was manipulating me, but what in the F1 world wasn't manipulation? "I know how bad you want this."

I had to think about this, did people in Prema already know? Was this why they didn't want to renew my contract with them for the next season? Million questions raced through my mind, which was not helping.

"Let me think about it and I will call you back later with my decision." I said seriously, not even letting Vasseur reply as I hung up, already opening up the virtual contract in my mailbox.

I read the contract over and over again. What it basically said was that me and Charles will be taking turns competing in the races during the season, and at the end it would be decided based on how we both finish, how many points we score, and overall, who performs better.

It did not take a lot of convincing before I dialed Vasseur's number again. He picked up almost immediately.

"I am taking the offer, you can count on me next year." I said with determination in my voice.

"Sofia Sainz, welcome to Ferrari."

For a brief moment I smiled but then it faded, and determination and motivation took over my mind. This is my chance. My chance to prove myself.

I could not screw this up. I will not screw this up. I needed to give this my all, after all, I had two competitions to win.
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Guyss. what do we think about the first chaper?? I hope you all enjoyed it and you can expect the second one very soon!! ❤️
A little surprise, but the chapters will have alternating POVs.🤭🤭