Game On || C.L.16

4.9

"Not that I really mind, but would you please tell me why you're still in my bed? Aren't you supposed to be on your way to Paris?" Charles says as he holds me close. The two of us cuddled up in his bed.

On his side, yesterday felt like a disappointment. With the rain, the track became very difficult to drive. The grid penalty having put him in a difficult position already, made that he didn't get any further than a sixth place. And while he was happy to finish the race, it was mostly because that meant there was another race to focus on. Another chance to do things right. To make Ferrari proud.

If it were up to me, I would say he's punishing himself too hard for this. The car isn't really where it should be, if they're expecting him to get wins. Charles, however, seems to think that there could be a chance to extract more. And I'm here to help him believe that.

"Because I might not need to take a plane to Paris this morning." I say sheepishly. I had only told Arthur and Carla what Charlene's phone call was about. Everything still very secret and very much fragile.

"You've got training this afternoon, you should be on your way to Paris." Charles points out, and he's right. I'm supposed to be joining the team for practise, although I've been granted special permission.

"Not exactly."

"What do you mean? I really don't understand much of what you're saying Lie."

"I might be flying to Barcelona first. I'm leaving in about an hour and a half."

"You're signing for FC Barcelona?"

"I might. Charlene said things are progressing very rapidly already. I'm going there for a physical test today and if things go well, I'm signing tomorrow. You know, you could come with if you want."

***

It was a sign for Charles to make sure he got a private plane for us to fly to Barcelona. Not wanting to draw the attention to the both of us going there, and I'm supposed to fly under the radar anyway. Not wanting too much publicity on it, because a deal like this could still break.

Things will get awkward at PSG if I do sign with Barcelona, but there's only about a month left in the season. And honestly I couldn't care less. As long as I get my time in to qualify myself for the world cup.

But I've spoken to our national team coach, I've done that plenty of times lately. And I've explained that I want to make a transfer. I was told that the squad is almost locked in already and that it should not necessarily impact my spot, if any, if I don't play that much in the coming two to three weeks. Honestly that didn't ease my nerves, knowing that he knows whether I'll be going to Australia and New Zealand in the summer. On one hand it means that it doesn't matter how I perform from now on, on the other hand it means that I've still got a fighting chance. Showing him he's making a mistake if he didn't select me yet.

We managed to get to Barcelona pretty much unseen, Charles bringing  everything he needs for the race weekend already. So he doesn't have to keep flying from Monaco to Barcelona. I will have to return to Paris tomorrow, making me a little sad that I won't be here for the Spanish Grand Prix. 

"We've just landed, getting into the car you arranged for us now." I say into my phone updating Charlene on our whereabouts. 

"You're signing tomorrow morning if you complete the tests." She confirms once again. "Are you sure you still don't want your family up to date on this?" 

"I'll call them once I'm sure I'm signing tomorrow. They could catch a plane tonight. Pierre can pull some strings." I tell her, not really wanting many people to know about what is happening.