Too close to the stars

04

"Good day, Miss. If you'd just drive a bit further, back there will be your parking spot", the security guard told me while he handed me the tickets back through my open car window.

"Thank you very much", I replied with a smile and drove off.

I looked at Joanne for a short moment and we both broke out in laughter.

"Oh my god, you even got your own private parking spot? I can't believe it", she said with disbelief and amusement in her voice, "You're fucking famous."

I couldn't help but laugh about her remarks.

"I'm not that famous. Let's just say some people know me."

"Yeah, sure. Some", she said with a huff, "The whole fucking world knows you."

I just laughed at that and parked the car in the said spot.

"Look at that. It even has your name on it!"

"Oh, stop it", I countered, wanting to sound annoyed, but we both ended up laughing.

"Why did you bring your helmet?", she asked.

"Ah, I left my bike here last time and I want to drive back with it, you know."

She nodded and we both got out of the car and left the parking spot.

We continued walking and soon arrived at the paddock. We were met with crowds of people.

"So, where'd you wanna go?", Joanne asked me.

"Um, I actually don't know. I've never been to any race."

"I think I'm getting hungry. There must be some food around here", she said while looking in every direction.

"Alright, I might look for the mercedes garage for some pictures. We'll meet up later. I'll text you", I told her and waved her goodbye.

I made my way through the crowds and searched for the garages. But since I've been here before for the shootings with GQ, I relatively quickly found what I was looking for. Even the garages were crowded, not only by the crew but also by reporters and other people.

I wandered through the garage and soon found the massive cars. Many people were working on it. It was fascinating.

"You must be Kiki."

I snapped out of my thoughts.

"Yes", was all I could get out and shook the man's hand that he had been offering me.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Toto Wolff, the head of the mercedes f1 team", the tall man in front of me introduced himself.

"The pleasure is all mine", I replied with a soft smile.

"The cars are bigger in person than some might expect, right?", he said while looking at the car nearer to us.

"Yes, they're massive", I remarked, at which he just laughed a little.

"Where are the boys?", he asked someone from the team as he turned around to look for them.

"Valtteri is in his driver's room, but I don't know where Lewis is. Maybe he's with his dog", the other one responded.

"Please, tell them to come here. We don't want our new guest to be waiting", he said while smiling at me and I saw how someone went to find them.

"Oh, it's fine", I assured him, to which he just seemed to brush that remark away with his hands and a broad grin on his lips.

"They should be here now anyway. Or else the race is going to start without them."

However, before I could respond to that, I was interrupted by some bearded man in a half put on racing suit. So I guessed it was said Valteri.