Right On Track

Chapter 31

After finishing the only practice session everyone would get on Friday,Kiara found herself happy with her own results.She placed second and she was starting to regain her confidence in the car faster than expected.And fortunately,all damages were removed completely since the crash,the car even feeling better than before.
Then,later on in the day,she couldn't help but grin to herself as she sped through that qualifying session.She expected her driving to still be a little set back,especially since there was only one practice session.But she was suddenly ready to give it all and push through the lap,setting a time for her grid position.And at the end of the session,she let out a cheer after Santiago informed her that she had gotten pole position.
"Well done,Kiara."Max gave her a pat on the shoulder while passing.She gave him a thumbs-up,then walked out of the garage,smiling at her results.Starting on pole at a street circuit like this really meant something.She had gained an advantage.
As she walked through the paddock,Lydia following nearby,she found herself passing the Ferrari garage.
She checked her watch,knowing that the certain driver would walk out any moment.When she glanced back at Lydia,the PR manager just suppressed a laugh and nodded.
Kiara sighed,then looked back the Ferrari garage,fidgeting with her fingers.
Carlos walked out,his racing suit halfway down as he did so.
He finally noticed her and looked directly at her,slowly approaching.He pursed his lips as he did so,clearly hesitating a little as he most-probably was thinking about the day before.Lydia just gave him a reassuring nod and he came closer.
"How was practice and qualifying,Carlos?"Lydia whispered in Kiara's ear,then backed up and slowly started to walk away.
Kiara clenched her jaw,then asked Carlos."How was practice and qualifying?"
"Fine."He said,gazing down at her."I saw your results.Good job."
"Thanks."She said,holding back another smile.
After a moment,Carlos quietly said."Caco didn't really fill me in.What exactly are we doing?"
"Walking around the paddock today.But umm...We have to do something behind the motorhome while still a little in view."She muttered."Then,going back to the hotel together later on."
"Oh,okay."He nodded."Fill me in on the motorhome part."
She moved to stand beside him,then they both slowly started to walk off,keeping to the edges of the paddock,as Lydia had said so.They didn't say much to each other,mostly because they didn't know what to say.And seeing the way he hesitated before speaking,she started to feel a little bad.Maybe Ivy was right...
But then again,he had done a similar thing by not informing her that he was going out with someone the other day.
"Behind the Red Bull motorhome..."Kiara said,pointing to where they needed to go."Christian said he'll allow Caco and Lydia to do it there just this once."
"Okay."Carlos nodded,seeming to catch on to what they had to do.
His hand grazed hers and she couldn't tell whether it was for show or to comfort her.Either way,she suddenly didn't mind it as she recalled some other memories.
Then,as they caught more attention in the paddock,he slowly moved his hand to hold hers.And yet again,she didn't know what it was for.
But he gave a her hand a light,assuring squeeze as he noticed her tense up a little.
"Almost over,cariño."He tried to get her to relax.Though,all she could think about was his hand on her that one night,in her room,at the villa.
They turned down the narrow pathway that led to the back of the Red Bull motorhome.Just as organised by Christian,the security were told to leave that part of the building for a little bit.
They stopped at the wall behind the motorhome,still a little in view to get the attention they needed in order to bring another highlight to their relationship in the media.
"Ready when you are."Carlos said as she neared the wall.
Kiara nodded up at Carlos and he moved closer to her,moving a hand up to her arm as he slowly moved her against the wall.
She put a hand on his chest,meeting his soft gaze as he slightly leaned down.Like their other times,she felt the tension rise.But she wasn't entirely sure what to feel this time.
"Tell me when you want me to stop."He mumbled,then leaned down and pressed a kiss to her cheek,then trailed a finger along one side of her face.
She nodded,bracing one hand on his arm and the other on his chest as she slightly had to lift herself to kiss him.He made it easier by leaning down.The kiss lasted a few seconds,both already expecting it to be that way.Kiara had the urge to do more as they did so.She found it quite difficult to restrain herself.But she managed to fight off the urges soon enough.
They soon pulled back from the kiss and he leaned his forehead against hers,not saying a word.
Kiara closed her eyes.They stayed like that for a few moments,not knowing whether to stop or not.And they might have even stayed like that longer than they needed to.The thing was,neither of them knew who was going to pull back first.And they also felt too relaxed to just pull back and walk off.
Kiara finally opened her eyes after some time,thinking about the reasons she was upset with him in the first place.She slowly shifted,saying."I think we can stop now."
She could sense the disappointment he felt.Though,he nodded and stepped back,his warmth immediately leaving her.
"Hopefully that worked."She muttered slowly starting to walk off.
He came up beside her,saying nothing as they walked on.
It made her think about their conversation on the beach at Formentara and how they had joked about doing stuff like this for the stunt.She would have smiled at the memory if her current situation was different.
A few minutes later,they were ready to part ways.Kiara looked up at him and said."I'll see you later."
He just nodded,though as she turned around to leave,he put a hand on her arm to stop her,saying."Kiara,please.Talk to me."
She turned around with a sigh."What do you want me to say?I just want you to know that this stupid stunt shouldn't stop you from actually having a good relationship with someone.If you want to go out with someone,go ahead as long as it doesn't do anything to the media's point of view."
He frowned."But why do you suddenly care so much about that?"
She shrugged,hoping that he would understand that she knew about him going out with someone else.
"Let me guess,"He finally dropped his hand from her arm."It's Esteban."
"No."She quickly shook her head.
He sighed."It has to be.I mean,you're only thinking like this since yesterday.And you know-"
"Stop assuming things,Carlos."She snapped,then turned to walk away again."Leave me alone."
He left her alone,like she asked.Though,she could practically feel his gaze directly on her from behind.She didn't know why he wouldn't just tell her what he did.And she didn't know why he just blamed it on Esteban.
Kiara started to walk back to the Red Bull hospitality to find Lydia.On her way,she avoided Alora,Ivy and Lando as each of them passed.She knew that they would question her on her expression.
She neared the hospitality,not seeing Lydia near the entrance.Then,startling her a little,she got a tap on the shoulder.
She turned around and saw Esteban,a smile on his face as he asked."Why so moody?"
She crossed her arms."I'm not."
He lifted an eyebrow."Sure,giving people death stares is not being moody."
She shook her head."I'm just tired,okay?"
He raised his hands in defence."I wasn't saying that you weren't.But...come on.Lighten up."
Kiara shrugged.Then,he quietly said."If you aren't busy right now,we can prank Pierre."
She couldn't help but smile at that,then finally nodding."What do we do?"
"I'm thinking...we get him stuck in his driver room."Esteban suggested."Then,we take the opportunity to hide his car."
"But how do we hide his car without the-"
She stopped herself and grinned as Esteban held up the keys to Pierre's Aston Martin.
"Come on."He suppressed a laugh,motioning for her to follow him.
Kiara followed him to Pierre's driver room,ignoring the confused looks from the Alpine members around her.
Esteban grabbed a chair from one of the other rooms,saying to the mechanic there."I'll bring it back later."
The mechanic just sighed and nodded,probably knowing that Esteban was up to something again.
Kiara watched as Esteban placed the top of the chair directly below the door handle of Pierre's driver room,so that if Pierre tried to open the door,the chair would prevent it.
Esteban made sure that nobody was watching,then he looked at Kiara.She snickered,then knocked on the door.
"Coming."Pierre said from the other side.
Kiara and Esteban ran off,hearing Pierre swear in French as he continuously tried to pull down the door handle.
They ran to the parking lot,Esteban taking out the keys and climbing into Pierre's car.Kiara followed,climbing in.As soon as she shut the door,they both looked at each other and burst into laughter as Esteban drove the car away.
He moved the car to a spot near the far end of the lot,which would definitely be hard for Pierre to see later on.Then,they both got out of the car and ran back into the paddock.
Later on,when they had to play it cool and act as though they weren't aware of anything,Esteban said."I never took you for the prankster type."
Kiara shrugged."Maybe I'm just discreet with it."
He smiled."I say we team up for this again some other day.You in?"
"Sure."She said with a chuckle.Out of all people,she never really expected to be doing this with Esteban.Yes,they spoke to each other now and again.But they never spoke,nor met often.Not as much as right now.
"You two!"Someone exclaimed from behind.
Kiara and Esteban turned to face Pierre as he stormed over to them.
"I know it was the two of you!"He declared,stopping in front of them.
"What?"Kiara asked,playing dumb.
Pierre glared at her,then Esteban cut in."Listen,mate.We don't know what you're on about-"
Pierre immediately started his ranting.He made hand gestures and spoke in French.And Kiara couldn't understand a thing he was saying.All she knew from his quick and stern tone was that he probably tried to lecture them on it in some way.
Esteban just replied."Détends-toi, Pierre. Tu fais peur à mon nouvel acolyte."
Kiara blinked at him in confusion as he put a hand on her back and started to lead her away from Pierre,who just grunted and ran back to the Alpine hospitality with a frown.
"What did you say?"Kiara asked.
He chuckled."I told him to relax because he's scaring my new partner in crime."
She laughed at that,saying."Oh,I didn't even understand a thing he said."
"You wouldn't want to."He quietly said,shaking his head while laughing a little.
Kiara just shrugged it off and they walked through the paddock till they had to depart.
Later that day,she had to finish up a quick debrief on her driving.Christian had been content with the results,encouraging her to keep it up.The same went for Max,who was obviously doing perfectly fine the entire time.She hated to admit it,but she felt a little envious at the way the team had way more pride in him.
Upon leaving the short meeting,Kiara knew what was next.She looked around,expecting to see the Ferrari driver that she had to catch a lift with when leaving the circuit.When she couldn't see Carlos as she stepped outside,she just decided to wait.He must have been running late.Maybe stuck in a longer meeting with his own team.For some reason,she hoped  to see him walk out of that meeting faster.She suddenly felt the need to see him finally arrive as she noticed a few of the other drivers already leaving.It wasn't like him to keep someone waiting.She knew that quite well already.He was most-likely caught up in a debrief session with his team.
As she waited in the paddock for Carlos,she checked her watch,feeling awkward just standing there outside the Ferrari motorhome.She dusted off her Red Bull shirt,then looked down at her denim shorts.She suddenly felt the need to look presentable.
"What are you waiting for?"Esteban asked while passing her,his PR manager stepping aside for them.
Kiara motioned to the entrance of the Ferrari motorhome."My lift back to the hotel."
"Oh,him."Esteban said,lifting an eyebrow.
"Yeah..."
He frowned."He's running a little late.Do you want a ride back earlier or...?"
Kiara looked up at Esteban.She was about to accept the offer,but she thought about what Carlos would think if she just ditched him like that.Ivy's words also rang through her mind.Especially the "It's not fair to Carlos" part of it.And Ivy wasn't wrong.Kiara knew that Carlos would feel bad about it.
So,she shook her head and gave Esteban a look of gratitude."No,it's okay.I don't mind waiting for him."
"Are you sure?"
She nodded,though before she could add on,she was cut off.
"She's sure about it.Thanks,mate.You can move along,now."
She glanced up at Carlos as he came up right behind her,grazing a hand on her back.
"I was just asking,Sainz."Esteban said,looking Carlos up and down with something that almost looked like a sneer."Since you already seemed too busy."
Carlos glared at him for a moment,then replied."I don't think she would have accepted,though.She wouldn't mind waiting for me."
The French driver narrowed his eyes at Carlos,anger growing on his expression.The same applied for Carlos.And Kiara wanted to roll her eyes at their childish behaviour.
"Fine,"Esteban finally said,moving his gaze to Kiara."We had a good time today.I'll see you tomorrow."
Kiara didn't feel like replying to that as Carlos clearly got more aggravated with those words.She turned around to properly look up at the Ferrari driver.When he finally tore his gaze away from Esteban,who was walking away,she said."You didn't need to do that."
"Do what?"Carlos looked down at her,his gaze slowly softening on her as he did so.
"He was just being considerate,Carlos."She said,giving his arm a reassuring squeeze.
He looked down at her hand,a little surprised at the gesture."But I'm here now.So,he just needed to walk away."
"You know what?"Kiara sighed,finally saying."Let's just get going already.I don't want to argue about it."
She started to walk towards the exit and he followed beside her,going a little quiet and rather observing her.She held back the urge to look up at his face as they entered the parking lot.
While walking towards the car,she heard someone exclaim."Where the hell is my car?!"
She suppressed a laugh as she saw Pierre standing there,glancing around frantically to find his car.He even sent off his manger to search one part while he searched the other.
Carlos lifted his brows,looking at Pierre."Did you have something to do with that,cariño?"
Kiara smiled,getting into the car."Maybe..."
He chuckled and got into the driver's seat,starting the car.
Carlos soon drove the car out of the parking lot.On the way out,he had to slow down because of the fans surrounding the car.Kiara just waved at a few of them who tried to get their attention.Carlos didn't linger outside the lot,though.He was soon driving at a decent speed on the road once they were not surrounded by the fans anymore.
"I have mixed feelings about this whole sprint format for the weekend."Carlos said,trying to start a conversation to break the silence in the car.
Kiara just nodded."It's...okay,so far.I just don't like that we only get one practice session and we also have qualifying the same day." While she had achieved pole,Carlos had set a time that put him in fourth,just behind Max and Charles.She had checked Alora's results too,seeing that her sister was in fifth,right behind Carlos.
"Pole in Baku?"Carlos said,glancing at her for a second."That's just a pure advantage."
Kiara shrugged."I guess street circuits are just my thing."
He smiled for a moment,then said."We'll see who is standing on the top by the end."
"Definitely not you."Kiara slyly said,hiding her blush as she thought about where their last conversation about this led to.
And she just knew that he was thinking the same thing as he repeated his words from the last time."Let's have a look at that on race day,then."
The sudden silence came over them once again straight after.Neither of them knew what to even say to each other.Well,Kiara didn't.But Carlos seemed to pause and hesitate,stopping himself from saying anything on his mind.She didn't know why he he was doing that,but it just made her more curious.
As he drove the car,her gaze drifted down to his hands on the steering wheel, one hand wrapped around the leather wheel and the other occasionally dropping to switch the gears.Whether he noticed her looking or not,he didn't let on.So,she lingered a little more.
Kiara's gaze moved up again,looking at his face.His gaze seemed hard at first as he focused ahead on the road.But after looking for a few seconds,it seemed softer.
She soon sighed and tore her gaze away,looking out the window instead to distract herself.But her thoughts kept going to her knowing that he was interested in someone else.And she couldn't tell whether she minded it or not,whether she was also ready to just do the same.
She sat there,annoyed with herself in the silence of the car.She didn't know whether to ask or not.
"Why so tensed,Kiara?"Carlos asked,as if sensing it as he didn't even look her way.
She faked a scoff."I am not tensed.I-"
"I'll wait for you to tell me."He said,not even seeming too tensed up himself.He was calm about it.
She glanced back at him,then inhaled for a moment.
"Talk to me,cariño."He nodded in a reassuring manner.
She sighed."I don't know how to say this..."
He gave her a moment.Then,she added."Carlos...Are you going out with someone else?"
He frowned."Why are you asking?"
"Because I...I just wanted to know since you apparently started going out with someone."
Carlos glanced at her,then back at the road."Who told you this?"
She thought about that for a moment.She didn't know if she was supposed to say that it was Lando who had unintentionally let it slip.She didn't want to cause trouble between Carlos and Lando,after all.They were both so close.
"Kiara,"Carlos said."I didn't know-"
"Know that you were supposed to tell me?"She threw her hands up in frustration."Well,congratulations.I didn't know that either." She wasn't even together with Carlos while it happened.So,what reason did he have to answer her?
"Why didn't you tell me before that this is what was bothering-"
She cut him off."Because it's not like we're actually together outside of the stunt,Carlos.It was none of my business."
"None of your business?"He lifted an eyebrow."So,it means nothing to you at all if I see someone else?"
"You're saying that as if you were even actually seeing me."She sighed.
"No,I'm saying that because what we've done so far."He said."I thought-"
"Just tell me whether or not you actually did it."Kiara said,wanting to get straight to the point.
He paused,his grip tightening on the steering wheel."I didn't exactly go out with her in the way you're thinking,Kiara."
"Then what?"She crossed her arms.
"She's only a friend."
Kiara leaned back,holding back the urge to roll her eyes."I've definitely heard that before." Twice,in fact.Both times with Nathan.
Carlos sighed."I'm telling the truth.I was only meeting up with an old friend."
"Just so sudden?"
"Kiara."He warned.
"Then,who is she?"Kiara asked,unbothered by his tone.
He clenched his jaw."Someone I knew."
"Name?"
He paused for a moment and hesitated,then replied."Amber."
Kiara paused in place at that,mostly because it brought back the memory of her previous personal trainer.The one Nathan had cheated on her with...Kiara couldn't help but frown at the fact that it was yet another Amber.
"Last name?"Kiara asked.
"What?You plan to track her down,now?"He sighed,shaking his head.
She rolled her eyes."I was just asking."
He looked at her for a moment.And she expected there to be a look of anger on his face.But,unexpectedly,there was a hint of amusement in his gaze,a smile that faltered for a second.
"What?"She demanded,seeing him hold back the smile.
He shook his head."Nothing."
"Carlos!"She threw her hands up in frustration."What's so funny?"
He finally allowed himself to smile a little,glancing her way again and reaching out a hand to poke her shoulder."You know what?You have a really short temper."
"So I'm told."She frowned,crossing her arms and leaning back against the seat.
He turned his attention back to the road,seeing that they were at the hotel.He pulled into the parking lot and parked the car.
As he did so,switching off the vehicle,he turned to her and said."You're allowed to tell me what you want,Kiara."
"What?"She lifted an eyebrow,turning away from him to leave.
"Tell me what you want me to do."He said.
She scowled,not wanting to reply with what was on her mind.She just scoffed,saying."Do whatever the hell you want to with your life,Carlos."
"Kiara."He said."Look at me."
She grabbed the door handle and pulled on it.And when it didn't open,she commanded."Unlock the doors,Carlos."
"No,first look at me and give me an answer."He told her.
She gritted her teeth,thinking to herself about how she wanted to dive across him and unlock the doors herself
Out of spite,she chose not to look at him.And she could tell that's what made him more stubborn.Yet,she couldn't bring herself to look at him.
"Unlock it.Now ." She told him,facing the door,a hand on the handle.
She heard him shift his position to face her."No."
He leaned towards her and brought up a hand,moving to hold her chin with his thum and fore finger.However,she couldn't bring herself to object as he turned her head to his direction,lifting her chin and saying."Tell me exactly what you want,Kiara."
"For you to unlock the damn doors!"She said.
He smirked."And if I don't?"
She scowled up at him,then brought up a hand to bat away his own that held her chin.He immediately stopped her,grabbing her wrist and pushing her hand down.
"I can go see her again,if that's what you want."He quietly said,moving his hand to cup one side of her face,smoothing his thumb over her cheekbone.Her breath hitched a little at the gesture.
"Or I can shut her out completely."He said,his gaze lowering to her lips."I'll do whatever it is that you ask of me."
"Damn you,Sainz."She muttered as his hand moved to the back if her neck,the other moving to her thigh,which was quite exposed with the denim shorts she wore.
"What?"He said,the corners of his mouth lifting a little."You don't like being given choices?"
She swallowed."Not yours."
He huffed."Maybe you would be fine if it was Esteban asking."
"There is nothing between Esteban and I."She told him.
"Really?"He lifted an eyebrow,moving the hand on her thigh higher.
She clenched a hand at that,then said."There isn't.And as it is...He already knows that you and I are 'in a relationship'."
"As he should."Carlos's grip tightened on her thigh.
Kiara rolled her eyes."And do you expect me to say the same a out this girl named Amber ?"
He lifted his brows."Like I said,mi querida...It's your choice."
"I dont understand how it's my choice if we aren't even-"
She stopped as he leaned further forward,pressing his lips to hers.
She had her eyes open for a moment,a little surprised at first.Then,she shut her eyes and went along with it,craving it as it happened.The last she had properly felt it was before they had left Formentara.Not just how he had his lips on her earlier on,in restraint,but proceeding rather passionately this time.
He pulled back,his gaze drifting up to her eyes as she opened them.She met his gaze,which was soft at first,but turned to look like someone longing.
"I wouldn't even think about dating Amber when I'm with you."He said,fingers trailing across her cheekbone.
"So,we're now together for real instead of a stunt?"She said sarcastically,rolling her eyes.
He shrugged."I wouldn't mind."
She blinked up at him,a little confused.
He noticed that and smiled,telling her."You knew,from last year,about it all.About what I wanted."
She sighed."I just forget since you're always getting on my nerves."
"I get on your nerves?"He lifted an eyebrow.
She brought up her hand,looping them around his neck and looking up at him with a slight smile."Honestly,you're like the king of getting on my nerves."
He chuckled,the sound causing her to blush a little.
Her gaze dropped to his lips,then moved back up to his relaxed,brown eyes.She couldn't think properly in that moment.But she didn't want to.He wanted to make it official.And she didn't mind at all.She almost loosed a sigh of relief.And soon,she pulled him down and kissed him,a pure smile on her face.
Carlos went along with it.However,as soon as he did so,there was a loud sound that interrupted everything.
Someone beside them honked their car horn twice,causing Kiara and Carlos to jump back in surprise and snap their attention towards the other car.
Carlos frowned and rolled down his window as the person in the McLaren beside them did the same.
"Lando?!"He lifted his brows."What are you-"
"We're reminding you that your windows aren't as tinted as you think."Ivy said from where she sat in the passenger seat.
Kiara shook her head."Was that necessary?!"
"Actually,yes."Lando said.
Carlos chuckled and pointed a finger at his friend."As if you two aren't doing the same in that car."
"We are not!"Ivy exclaimed.
Lando shook his head."We were just going out,like the civilized people we are."
Kiara arched a brow."So,we are the uncivilized ones for...?"
Carlos just muttered something,then unlocked the car doors and got out,saying to Lando and Ivy."Well,enjoy your date.Adios."
He walked to the other side of the car to open Kiara's door for her.While he did that,Kiara met Lando's gaze,wishing him good luck with Ivy.He just gave a thumbs-up in return.
Kiara turned away from them and got out of the car as Carlos opened the door,waving goodbye to Lando and Ivy.