Mystery in Red

Chapter XLIV - De Adviseur

02. Jun – FP1 and FP2 day

In the evening after finishing the duties in the paddock, Carlos and I returned to his home. I was very tired from the hectic day so I preferred to stay in my room without having any conversation with him. I even refused dinner, which made him really sad. I left alone in my room with myself and thought over Charles's words. He says it's hard for him, but it doesn't seem like this. Is it hard for him to choose which part is better? Of course men always need time right? To judge, to make a decision... And they claim that we women never know what we want. At least I knew what I wanted, and it was one thing - love - as devoted and strong as Chess's love for Petit Beauté. If Charles really cared about me and my feelings, he wouldn't have hurt me like this. But there was one thing he mentioned in his panic - "If the feelings are mutual". What feelings does Leclerc have? I don't know what feelings he had for me, but I certainly knew that I felt confused by his behavior, by his words... By everything.

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The next day, Carlos welcomed me in the kitchen with a hot cappuccino and brioche. He had gotten up much earlier than me to train with Rupert and Caco, and then he had picked up Brioche from a bakery near us. I felt good from the care he took for me and we even had breakfast together. The Spaniard apologized for his behavior yesterday. He stated that he was too scared about me, that's why he reacted like this in the first place. I looked at him suspiciously and nodded my head as if I accepted his words, but the truth is that I was already careful about what words I believe and what I don't.

After breakfast we both put on our uniforms, me in his Merch, just like I promised, and we drove to the paddock in his red Ferrari. However, there was no way that my day could start so pleasantly and melodically - someone had to show up to spoil it. In the parking lot, we spotted Charles, who had arrived in an SF90 Ferrari, and as soon as he got out of the car, he and Andrea approached us.

- Good morning, early birds! - Charles greeted us and bumped his fist with Carlos, but I put my hands in my pockets so I wouldn't have to return the greeting.

- The morning would have been better on the beach with a Piña Colada - I replied and turned to Andrea: - Andre, I'm glad to see you!

- We missed you on the plane, little one! - replied the coach and smiled.

The mood in the company died suddenly. Leclerc looked down as Sainz took on that serous, fiery expression that gave me goosebumps every time. Andrea was confused as to how his words could provoke such a reaction.

- Well, I suggest we go, since I have a whole team of strategy-hungry bosses waiting for me - I tried to cheer up, but alas, the only thing I managed to do was break up the meeting.

- Okaaay, let's go! - Charles said, clapping his hands.

Carlos and I looked at each other as Leclerc and his coach turned their backs on us. Carlos seemed slightly irritated by Andrea's comment, but what exactly provoked his irritation was still a mystery to me.

I spent the day between the garages and the conference room. I also attended the sit-fitting but missed the track tour that the boys traditionally did. This time I decided not to interfere in any of their activities. Today, in addition to the usual team that gathered at the operatives to discuss the upcoming weekend, Diego Ioverno also appeared. I had spotted him several times at our meetings in Maranello, but recently it struck me that he takes an active part in the race days as well. Or I didn't see him before because my vision was too blurry, besides the fact that my brain was busy with other things... Or people to be more precise. We discussed the strategy - an idea of ​​two pit stops, with the possibility of using medium, hard, soft or soft, hard, hard, depending on wear and the position of our drivers on the starting grid. I was sure we would have a positive result after we introduced changes to the floor, sidepods and rear wing. For the first time I was satisfied after the meeting with the team, something strange was happening with everyone - they agreed with me on every statement I made. Either this was another attempt by Vasseur to discredit me later, or I was finally accepted into the world of these people.