His photographer

Night to remember

The vibrant lights of the Barcelona Circuit had faded as the Formula 1 race concluded. My camera hung from my neck, capturing the euphoria of victory and the heartache of defeat. But amidst the cheers and the cries, I couldn't escape the tension that had gripped my heart all day.

After the race, I felt the need to find Max and congratulate him. He had finished in a disappointing third place, and I knew he must be feeling upset about it. As I made my way through the paddock, I spotted Max standing by his Red Bull Racing car, still in his racing suit and deep in thought.

I approached him with a smile. "Hey, Max, you did great out there."

He looked at me, his expression a mixture of gratitude and lingering disappointment. "Thanks, Lucia. It's just frustrating when you know you could have done better."

I understood his frustration and gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "You'll bounce back. You always do."

Max managed a small smile. "Yeah, I know. Thanks for the pep talk."

As we chatted, Max's mood gradually lightened. We discussed the race and the challenges he had faced on the track. It felt good to connect with him again, even if it was just as friends.

Later that evening, we all gathered for a celebratory dinner at a nearby restaurant. Carlos, Marilla, Lando, and Charles joined me, and the atmosphere was relaxed and jovial. The tension that had gripped me earlier seemed to have melted away.

The dinner was a chance for us to unwind and enjoy each other's company. We shared stories and laughter, celebrating not just our victories on the track but also the bonds we had formed in this high-stakes world of Formula 1.

Carlos, ever the protective older brother, couldn't help but tease me about my budding relationship with Charles. "So, Lucia, are you and Charles official yet?"

I blushed but laughed it off. "We're taking things one step at a time."

Marilla chimed in, her playful demeanor lightening the mood. "Don't worry, Carlos, we'll make sure he treats her right."

Lando joined in the teasing, and soon the table was filled with laughter. It was moments like these that made me appreciate the friendships I had forged in the paddock.

Max, who had been relatively quiet during dinner, couldn't resist making a snarky comment. "Well, it seems like Charles is treating her right on the dance floor."

I rolled my eyes playfully. "Come on, Max, it's a party. We're all just having fun."

Marilla laughed, diffusing the tension. "That's right, Max. No need to rain on our parade."

The party continued to escalate as the hours ticked away. Music filled the air, and the villa's garden became a dance floor. Marilla, Lando, and I joined in, swaying to the beat and letting loose. It was a night of celebration, and we intended to make the most of it.

As the night wore on, Max watched our revelry with a complex mix of emotions. He had wanted something more with me, but my rejection still stung. Seeing me with Charles only intensified his frustration, and he couldn't hide his displeasure at how the evening had unfolded.

But amidst the dancing and laughter, I couldn't help but steal glances at Charles. His eyes sparkled with mirth, and his smile was warm and inviting. I felt a surge of affection for him, and my heart swelled with happiness. This was a night to remember, a night when everything seemed to fall into place.

As the evening turned into early morning, Charles and I stumbled back into our house, him thinking about going home in a bit. Our relationship had taken a significant step forward, and we were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

I turned to Charles, our eyes locked in a shared desire. The energy between us was palpable, and I couldn't deny the longing that coursed through me.

"Charles," I said, my voice a soft, breathless whisper. "Why don't you stay here tonight?  You can't drive back like this anyways"

He looked at me, his eyes filled with desire and longing. "Are you sure?"

I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. "I'm very sure."

We entered my room, and the air was charged with anticipation. The tension that had built up between us throughout the evening was palpable, and it was impossible to resist any longer.

As our lips met in a passionate kiss, the world outside ceased to exist. In that moment, it was just Charles and me. Even though I knew exactly what he looked like, I was still stunned every time I was this close to him. His sharp defined cheekbones, his cute straight nose and the way his eyes looked at me with an intensity that made my heart jump. And don't even get me started with his rosy delicate lips. 

"Mon amour , if you keep looking at me like that I might not be able to stop myself" he said, closing the door of my room by pushing me against it.

"Please don't" I begged him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GUESS WHO'S BACK