Racing For Love

Chapter Eighty Two

James knew immediately my ignorance on the subject when he saw my mouth hung open at his words.

"You didn't know? Your friends Annie - that's Peter Schwarz and Sylvia Santoro - they're leading the consortium interested in Bianchi."

"Are you kidding? Pete and Sylvie told me they'd retired from their companies? I've just spent the week with them on their ranch and they didn't mention it once." I told James, my voice low but urgent, our conversation luckily masked by the sound of the coffee machine.

I thought back to our discussions - we had chatted about many things, including Bianchi. I had been open about the challenges there at the moment, and honest about how much I loved the company. Conversations had been brought back to Bianchi a couple of times, and I felt stupid that I hadn't picked up on their interest. Was this the real reason they had been so warm and accommodating? I felt betrayed, and this was obviously evident in my face as James wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

"Sorry, I though you knew. Hey, I'm sure they were just scoping things out and wanted an honest response, you know, rather than the corporate bullshit they knew they would get otherwise. Nobody else knows who they are, except us - Kate gave Matt and I the heads up after Al-Mansoori told her. Speaking of Kate...what's going on with you two?"

"I don't know. I sent her a message earlier in the week to just apologise for everything and for messing it all up, but I've still not heard from her..." I continue to chat to James as I fill a tray with coffees and pastries for my now very important guests.

"Yeah, I got the impression she's still a bit annoyed, but she'll come round. I know this, because she's not-so-subtly asked about you several times this week." James smiled, taking his own coffee and confirming I would see him in the garage later, his earlier coldness now forgotten with the truth of the situation revealed.

I tried to brush off what James had told me - Sylvie and Pete must be keeping it secret for a reason - but as soon as I put the tray down, they must have noticed the change in me.

"Everything ok, Annie?" Sylvie asked before looking across to Pete, their eyes focussed on each other before they turned to me.

"So, you know?" Sylvie said.

"We've been found out, Syl. Who told you Annie?" Pete asked, the pair both focussing their attention on me.

"James and Matt - the guys from the social team - they were told by Farid Al-Mansoori. I don't think they've told anyone else. In fact, I'm sure they haven't because you would have been swamped by hospitality if they knew. They think you're here as guests of Jono, which I guess you still are? I don't understand though...why didn't you tell me?" I ask, my tone betraying the hurt I feel.

"Oh, Annie - we didn't mean to deceive you - please don't think that! We identified our interest in Bianchi as soon as the administration announcement was made and we've been working with Farid and the team ever since. What we really wanted to understand was the true culture of the company from someone in it though, not someone who was trying to sell it to us which is why we hadn't mentioned anything. This isn't why we invited you to the ranch though - we both have really enjoyed your company this week, and when we were in Italy. Jono's invite simply allowed us to come to the race this weekend without raising any suspicions to see the team in action. I promise we were going to tell you on Sunday, after the race." Sylvie told me, her eyes begging me for forgiveness, before she turned to Pete.

"Are you going to do it now?" she said to him whilst I looked confused.

"Well, we were going to do this Sunday too, but now you know about the consortium, we might as well ask you," Pete looked around to make sure nobody could overhear us. "Annie, we would like you to invest with us."