Right On Track

Chapter 33

Sunlight poured through the window of the lounge,hitting Kiara in the face.She mumbled something,still a little in her sleep.She could still feel the warmth of Carlos against her.Though,both were still sitting together on the couch,fast asleep.
Kiara didn't open her eyes,rather telling herself the usual 'just a few minutes more.'
Her phone chimed from her pocket.She ignored it at first.But then a few notifications continued to chime and buzz on her phone.
God,how many people are texting me right now? She thought to herself.
But then the realization struck her and her eyes shot open.
"Carlos."She turned to face him,giving his shoulder a little shove.
He only mumbled her name,wrapping his arms around her and holding her close as he slept on.
She groaned,shaking him awake."Carlos!"
"Hmm."He only gave that response,leaning on her.
"We are late,Carlos!"She raised her voice a little,squirming out of his grasp.
His eyes finally opened and he blinked through the morning light."What..."
She got out of his grip and stood up from the couch,stretching a little."Get up.We're late."
He finally got up,rubbing at his eyes.He pulled out his phone and looked at the time."Oh shit..."
Kiara ran to her bedroom and threw out her clothes for the day,then she went back out and said to Carlos."Well,hurry up!"
He yawned and gave her a dismissive wave,walking towards the hotel room door."I'll go get ready.Meet me downstairs in a few minutes.I'll get my car out front."
She nodded and he left,closing the door behind himself.

"Look who finally decided to show up."Max said as Kiara rushed into the motorhome for the short preview of the race strategy.
"Overslept."She said,sitting down next to him at the long table.She looked at Christian."Sorry."
He nodded,saying."It's fine."
"Can we start?"
"Alright."
Kiara had to sit through the talking for some time.She hoped that the strategy at use would be a great advantage.She really wanted to win this race.
"If Max passes Charles and is at a higher speed than you,you let him through,Kiara."Christian said,earning a tight nod from her and Santiago.Of course they would just assume that Max would be the one to be faster to win it.It was a little unfair,but Kiara couldn't do anything about it.
After the meet was finally over,Kiara got up and left the motorhome.The driver's parade would be soon and she needed to start making her way to the track.So,she quickly made her way to where she needed to be,along with Max,who complained about her speed-walking.

Carlos Sainz

Carlos crossed his arms before getting into his car and stood near the exit of the Ferrari garage,looking out at the pit lane.He was in his full race-wear,which meant that his helmet was concealing the glare he sent a certain person's way.He narrowed his eyes at Esteban as he passed by.
Carlos was pleased with the fact that Kiara had made things clear to Esteban already.But Carlos just couldn't help but still get a bad feeling whenever he and the French driver made eye contact.Something told him that Esteban wasn't done yet.
Carlos looked on as the Alpine driver passed the Red Bull garage next door,glancing inside for a moment while passing.
If Carlos could do anything about that,he would've have done it by now.Maybe he would have to ask Max for a little help in that case,since it involved being near the Red Bull garage.But what could he really do?Stop Esteban from literally just walking "normally" back to his own garage.
Riccardo interrupted Carlos's thoughts,saying."Good luck out there.Let's put in that extra effort."
Carlos turned to his race engineer and nodded,moving to his car and slowly climbing in.
"Alright...Radio check."Riccardo said as Carlos finished the formation lap and stopped at P4,his starting position on the grid.He looked ahead at both the Red Bull drivers in front of him.Though in front of them was his teammate.Carlos just hoped that maybe Charles would be able to hold off Kiara.
"Yeah,copy.All good."Carlos confirmed.
A few minutes passed by,the team doing a final check on everything before leaving and clearing the track.
He looked up at the lights,putting all of his focus into this race,starting from then.
And as soon as the lights went out,he sped forward right behind Max.