❥𝑹𝒆𝒅 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆

Chapter 49

Saturday

Valerie

The garage was full of mechanics and assistants that were getting the car ready.
Fortunately, Rebecca would be at Carlos' garage, helping with whatever her job description is.

Charles stood a few meters away, talking to his race engineer while I had my eyes frozen on the countdown.

5 more minutes until the qualifying.

I saw Charles walking over to me, taking me by my waist and giving me a quick kiss.
»Have you taken your meds already?«, he asked while searching for my eyes.

I answered his gaze.
»Not yet, but I will.«
He was asking me that every morning and evening, making sure something like what occurred a few weeks back would never happen again.
It was cute how thoughtful he was. I loved that about him, like many other things.

»They are all waiting for you.«, I mentioned and pointed out of the pit, where the fan-crowd was gathering.
He followed my eyes.
»I should better get going then.«

He wanted to withdraw, but I held him tightly.
Charles turned to me again, a questioning look on his face.

»Drive safely.«, I murmured, my voice shaking a bit. I would never get over the dangerous part of this career.

»Always.« He put his hand on my cheek and closed the gap between our lips, holding on for a long moment.

After, he grabbed his helmet and put it on before getting into the car.

The countdown went down quickly and I knew that at a certain point, I wasn't allowed in the garage anymore.
So I watched Charles drive out of the box as long as I had the change before making my way out.

I headed to the control stand where the engineers would be navigating the race and sat down.
As Charles' social media manager, I had the permission to take a few pictures here and there to post it on Instagram and Twitter later.

I had a great view to the pitlane, also.
I saw the cars slowly driving out, searching for their way onto the track.
My brother drove directly behind Charles.
I had wished Carlos good luck earlier that day.

He understood that I didn't find it pleasing to spend any more time with this woman.
I always came to his garage before a session started, but not this time.

***

Charles and Carlos easily made it into Q2.
Unfortunately, a red flag took place in Q1 so the start of the next session would be delayed.

I decided to go to the staff- break room and grab a coffee. Maybe I would get to sneak into the garage after to check on Charles.

The break room wasn't that big. A kitchen counter to the left, a few tables in the back and a large couch on the right side in front of a wide window with a lovely view on the track.

I opened a few drawers and cupboards to find a cup and some milk and sugar.

Yet, it wouldn't take long for me to notice I wasn't alone in the room.

»Good morning to you too, Valerie.«, a well-known voice said from behind.

God, how much I would've liked to throw that cup at her head.

Rebecca was sitting on the couch, the high headreast hiding her completely.

I neither answered nor turned around.

Let's just pretend she wasn't there.

I just continued with my business, waiting until the coffee machine had my coffee done.
I heard the couch squeaking. But no one stood up.

She was probably leaning over the headrest because she didn't got the attention she wanted.
»I saw the posts of you and Charles on Instagram. How cute.«

Stay calm, Val. Stay calm.

Finally, the coffee machine beeped and I put some milk, then sugar in the cup.

Slur, slurp.

Quickly, I grabbed a blister out of my pocket and swallowed down the pill.
And I felt her eyes on me the whole time.

I didn't plan on staying longer than I had do.

Then, before I could get to the door, her mouth opened again.
»Maybe you went deaf, but I said that-«

»Oh, no I heard you,« I interrupted her and turned around, »I just don't care.«
I put an innocent smile on and left the break room.

Lord, she will never get it, will she?

I hushed down the stairs and lurked around the corner to the garage.
The mechanics didn't seem to pay that much attention.

I snuck in and slowly approached Charles' car.

His eye went wide when he recognized me.
»Valerie.«

I loved it when he said my name, especially with his accent.

»I would kiss you right now but that's not so possible.«, I said and knocked slightly on his helmet.

»Ouch.«
He chuckled.

The engineers announced that the next session would start now.
»Make me proud, amor.«

I watched his car drive out again, the unpleasant conversation with Rebecca circling in the back of my head.

***

Charles got out of his car, taking his helmet and his gloves off.
He got P2 for tomorrow.

It was a good result, but he and the team knew that he could've gotten the pole if it hadn't started raining in the last 3 minutes.
He didn't have time for a pit stop and the grip wasn't really there.
So he couldn't set a faster time than Max.

And even though he can be pleased with P2, I knew that he was mad about it.

Even when we were back at the hotel, his mood didn't seem to get any better.
He was listless and grumpy. Not to me, but just in general.

He was on his phone the whole evening with his eyebrows furrowed.

»Should we order pizza, amor?« I tried to motivate him in any way possible.

»I'm on a diet.«, it came dry from the bedroom.

Jesus.

He wasn't. I knew he wasn't at the moment and he knew that I knew.

I walked up to him, joining him in the bed.
I moved closer and put his phone out of his hand.
»Hey-«

I knew one last way to get his mood up.

»Shut up.«, I hissed and pulled him into a desiring kiss.