Right On Track

Chapter 34

Upon reaching the club,Kiara got out of her car and checked herself one more time while looking at her reflection on the car window.She suddenly started to reconsider things,thinking that she should have had her hair pulled up in a certain style instead of how it was currently untied and falling over her shoulders.She also felt as if her make-up had been done a little too extra.And maybe she should have chosen more comfortable shoes than the high-heels she currently wore.
Her gaze drifted from the reflection on the car window to the bright lights of the club.She loosed a sigh,fidgeting with her purse as she started to make her way over to the VIP entrance.
On her way in,she glanced around and tried to see who was there yet.And fortunately,making their way up the stairs to the upper level of the VIP section,Max walked with Yuki and Nyck.
Kiara started to make her way up the stairs,the blue lighting in her sight as the set up for the night came into view.
She reached the top of the stairs,glancing around to see if a certain person was there already.Her gaze moved past the bar and to the small lounging area at the far end of the room.Christian was already there,seeming to be in deep conversation with Santiago and a few others of the Red Bull staff.Kiara waved their way as they noticed her.
"Hey,Kiara."Yuki said.
"Hi."She said to the Japanese driver,approaching him and Max.
"There's our race winner."Max said as they hugged.
"Our full podium isn't here though."Kiara said,looking around and only seeing a few of the other drivers.
"You mean Charles?"Yuki asked.
She nodded."Yeah."
Max just shook his head."That's just a cover up.We're know you're actually looking for the other Ferrari driver."
Kiara frowned."Max-"
"Hey,what's up?"Pierre interrupted,walking over to them.
"Mr.Baguette has shown up."Kiara said.
He gave her a flat look,causing Yuki to laugh.
Kiara looked again at Pierre,then glanced around to see if his teammate was around.If Esteban was here,she just hoped that he and Carlos would stay away from each other.
Though,on the topic of Carlos,Kiara looked around again to see if he had arrived yet.When she didn't see him,she told Max,Pierre and Yuki."I'll be back in a moment."
She walked towards the nearby railing,leaning against it and overviewing the dance floor below.The music got a little louder and almost drained out her thoughts.Her gaze moved to the doors of the building.When she didn't see anyone,she sighed and looked down at the dance floor,considering how she would maybe join the few people below later on.
"Ladies and gentlemen,I have arrived."Ivy announced,only to Kiara in particular.
"Hi."Kiara said.
Ivy walked up beside her her and leaned against the railing.She looked down at the dance floor,seeing that it was a little less full than expected when the slower music played throughout the club.
"Later on,things will get more interesting."Kiara said,observing her expression."I say an hour or less."
"If that one mechanic from your team arrives,sure."
She playfully hit Ivy's arm."Hey,you don't want Lando hearing that now,do you?"
"I don't have a problem with that."She smiled,rolling her eyes.
"He sure will."
Ivy sighed,shaking her head.Her expression turned dull moments later.
Kiara studied her expression,then said."Tell me everything.Now."
"Another time."She shook her head.
"Ivy..."
She sighed,straightening up and crossing her arms."Fine."
Kiara watched Ivy hesitate at first.Then,she said."Everything was slowly coming right.Then,Lando lied."
"What did he lie about?"
She picked at her nails."That he already had a girlfriend."
"Oh..."
"He said it just before we could...you know."
Ivy carried on."He said that he 'doesn't see me the way that I see him'."
"Woah."Kiara said."And what did you say?"
She sighed."So I didn't seem like a total fool,I told him that I never saw him how he thought in the first place."
Kiara thought about it all for a long moment.Then,she came to a conclusion."And then you found out that he didn't have a girlfriend already and just lied?"
She nodded."As you saw earlier,when I tried to kill him."
Kiara sighed with a nod."And now?"
"Now,we're just teammates."She replied.
Kiara looked at her for a long moment.She knew what that meant.And she didn't even know how to respond properly to that.
Ivy shrugged it off."If you need me,I'll be at the bar.Well,the one downstairs.It's bigger,anyway."
Kiara didn't stop her,rather watching her leave and walk down the stairs.She looked away after a moment,leaning forward on the railing and thinking about how Ivy must have been feeling about it.That was...harsh.
Kiara stood there at first,then decided to go look for her again.She was about to go find Ivy again,but she was cut off as she heard a familiar laugh coming from somewhere near the bottom of the stairs.But before following that sound,she glanced over the railing and finally found Ivy,who had started up a conversation with Pierre as they both sat at the bar.Seeing that Ivy was fine in the moment,Kiara turned from the railing and walked over to the stairs.
From the top of the stairs,she looked at both the Ferrari drivers as they entered,Charles stopping to speak to Alora and George who arrived behind them.
Kiara put a hand on the railing,clutching her purse in the other.She looked down at Carlos from the top of the stairs.He didn't see her at first,but as she started to make her way down the stairs,he lifted his gaze and soon had it set on her.
She observed him,his hands in the pockets of his black pants,his black button-up shirt having the first two buttons undone.He surveyed her all the same,from head to toe,a smile coming to his face.
He approached her at the foot of the stairs,saying."Buenos noches,mi querida."
"Hey,"She said."You know,you came so early."
He shook his head and gestured to Charles nearby."Lord Perceval here wanted to look his best."
"Well,that's something for Alora to be worried about."She winked.
Carlos chuckled,holding his arm out for her.She looped her arm through his and they started to walk upstairs together.
He quietly started."You look-"
"Better than you."She cut him off,not giving him the satisfaction of seeing her blush at his compliments.
He grinned,knowing exactly what she was doing.
While walking up the stairs,Kiara looked around.She noticed that Ivy was no longer at the bar.It made her wonder...
"Carlos?"
"Yes?"
"Is Lando coming?"
He shook his head."Nope.He said that he wasn't feeling too well."
"Oh."She nodded.
When they reached the top of the staircase Fernando approached them,greeting each of them and then starting a conversation.They started to speak to each other for some time,mostly about the races,breaks and just the season overall.Kiara had even felt a little happier as Fernando complemented her driving styles.To be honest,she had been one of those people who had sat in front of the television and watched Fernando race.It just felt good to race against one of the drivers she had actually looked up to as a child.
Fernando soon turned to Carlos and they spoke in Spanish.A minute later,Kiara took the opportunity,since she didn't understand what they were saying, and said."I'll be back in a moment."
Carlos nodded as she let go of his arm and left,walking down the stairs to go find Ivy.
She went to the bar and approached Pierre,asking him where she was.
He shrugged."I told her to go to the bathroom.She sure drank a lot already."
Kiara turned and looked around once again.If she had already been drinking a lot,Kiara expected two things.To see Ivy having a breakdown in the bathroom,like she did once before,or she could see Ivy just partying away somewhere.Kiara looked around again as she was about to make her way to the bathrooms.
Then,she finally spotted Ivy.
But she was leaving,on her way out of the building.
"Ivy?"She called,walking over to her.
Without even looking her way,Ivy said."Not feeling well."
"So,you're leaving?" Kiara sighed,following her out of the building and stopping her outside.
"What?"She shrugged,turning to face Kiara."Want me to throw up on the bartender?"
Kiara studied her expression with concern.She could see that Ivy was drunk already from the drinks.But her eyes were also a little red,watery.As if she'd been crying.
"Ivy-"
"Bye,Ki-"She stumbled a step,putting a hand on the light pole on the side of the street.
Kiara didn't know how to react properly.She barely saw Ivy like this.
Ivy's driver brought the car forward and got out,giving Kiara a concerned look.
"Take me back home."Ivy slurred,slowly moving towards the car.
Kiara looked at the driver and said."Please,get her to the hotel safely."
He nodded,opening the back door of the car and helping Ivy in.
Kiara sighed,pinching the bridge of her nose as they left.She really hoped that this all wouldn't hurt Ivy too much.Technically,it was Lando's fault in the first place.Why would he-
"Everything okay?"Carlos asked,coming up behind Kiara.
She shook her head,throwing her hands up in defeat."Honestly,I'll tell you later.
He nodded and followed her back into the building.
When they walked in,Carlos noticed Pierre nearby at the dance floor.He looked at Kiara and asked."Were both Alpine drivers invited or was it just Pierre?"
"All drivers were welcome,Carlos."Kiara replied."So...Yes,Esteban may or may not pitch up any minute."
His gaze darkened a little,but he didn't say much more as they approached the bar.
"Calm down."Kiara said as they sat down the stools at the bar.
"I am calm."He arched a brow,leaning an elbow on the bar and facing her.
She blinked at him."No,you are not."
"I am-"
"Jealous."She completed the sentance.
"What?"He frowned."No.Why would I be jealous if I'm the one already with you."
Kiara snickered as he ordered a drink,not meeting her gaze as his own darkened.
"What's so funny?"He asked.
"Nothing."She quickly shook her head.
"Hmm."He narrowed his eyes at her.
Just in that moment,they heard Pierre say."Look who finally showed up."
Kiara turned to look,seeing Esteban walk in,being greeted by Pierre and Charles,who came down the stairs with Alora.
Kiara felt Carlos shift as Esteban walked nearby.She looked at Carlos with a smile as his drink was handed to him.He clutched the glass while seeing Esteban look their way as he moved to sit with Max and Nyck on the nearby couches.
"Sure,you're not jealous or mad."Kiara said sarcastically.
"Well,I can't exactly be content while he's looking at you.And you aren't saying anything about it."
"Oh,you are so cute when you're like this."She said,giving his shoulder a poke with her finger.
"Cute?!"He finally looked at her."Kiara,this is serious-"
She ignored him,turning to look on as everyone finally started to properly enjoy themselves.
A few others,mainly Red Bull staff who were invited,all slowly made their way down.Kiara smiled,knowing that a lot of them and others,including Charles and Alora,came down for as the music changed and the dance floor filled up a little more.Yuki just randomly found someone who called him over to dance with him and,thankfully,they looked at least an inch shorter than him.If it were otherwise,Kiara would've teased him about it so much.
Kiara looked on at Alora and Charles.They both just stood and watched for a little bit.Then,Alora was clearly trying to get him to dance with her soon after.
"So,cariño..."Carlos said."Aside from spying on your sister,what else do you want to do?"
"Dance with me?"
He slowly turned in her direction."I uhh-"
"Don't say that you don't like to."She pointed a finger."I've already seen you do it many times before."
Carlos shrugged."Normally the clubs are a little more full..."
"Wow,you're batman now."She rolled her eyes."You need to conceal your identity?"
"Fine,"He said,looking down at the drink in his hands."Just give me a moment to finish this."
Kiara looked at him and said."I'll be waiting.You can find me spying on my sister to pick on her later about both her moves and Charles' too."
"Okay."Carlos nodded with a short laugh,watching her as she stood up and walked towards the dance floor.
She looked around at the people on the dance floor,then turned back to Carlos and said."Think I can prove that you're jealous?"
He put down his glass and have her a lazy look."Please,don't even try."
She shrugged,glancing back."If someone asks me to dance with them,I will."
He looked behind her,at everyone in his sight."I don't see anyone who I could potentially punch in the face.So..."
She shook her head,then turned back to the dance floor.She just wanted to do something that would get his attention more.She loved seeing that expression on his face when he saw her talking to someone else.She found it amusing.Though,he was making it harder for her because he knew what she was trying to do.And,like she would the same,he wasn't going to give her the satisfaction so easily.
Kiara looked around as she stepped on the dance floor,the colourful lights shining on her as she started to feel the beats of the music.She still felt Carlos' gaze on her from behind.But she ignored him,purposefully.She walked a little deeper in,to find the right spot.Eventually,she stopped somewhere near the middle.
"Where's Carlos?"Someone asked a few moments later.
Kiara looked to her right,lifting an eyebrow up at Esteban.She motioned towards the bar."At the bar."
Esteban nodded,intentionally not looking in that direction.Kiara didn't even need to completely turn around to see Carlos glaring at them from where he sat.
"Dancing alone?"Esteban asked.
"For now."She nodded.
"Me too."He smiled."Well,not only for now,but-"
"Want to dance with me so long?"Kiara asked,turning a little to catch a glimpse of Carlos' face.She met his gaze,giving him her mischievous look before turning back to Esteban.
"Uh,sure."He quickly replied.
"Thanks."She said,then glanced back at Carlos.He shook his head at her,gaze hard as he still sat down and glared daggers at Esteban.Kiara just smiled,knowing that she was winning this one.
Kiara smiled as she danced with Esteban,not smiling for him though,rather smiling at the thoughts of Carlos and his expression in the moment as he watched on.She thought about doing something that would really trigger him.So much so that he would admit that she was right.
What?She was in sly mood that night.And like she had said earlier,she planned to have fun tonight.
"Woah."Esteban said as she lip synced to the song,with a hand in the air.Well,at least she wasn't actually singing out the song,like Yuki nearby.
After a few more moments,Kiara looked at Carlos again.He was now standing,though leaning his back against the bar as he crossed his arms and observed her.He seemed unbothered at first.But once a person noticed the clenched jaw and fist with the deep glare,it was hard to leave his jealousy unnoticed.
However,he didn't step forward,only observing.
Kiara needed to do something with Esteban that would really get the full attention from him.
She decided to use a quick body roll,stepping closer to Esteban as his hand grazed her hip.
"Never took you for the type who dances like this."He grinned.
She put a hand on his shoulder,making sure that Carlos saw it."I have my talents."
Carlos was now standing straight,his expression darkening by the second.
Esteban put a hand on her back,clearly getting a little more comfortable.She was having fun with it.Then,she decided to do what she thought would trigger him the most while right up against Esteban.
She used the maddy perez move while Esteban pulled her closer,grinning.
She looked up at Esteban,about to comment on his expression.
But then a few seconds later,she was pulled away by the waist,the person clutching her wrist and leading her away in the process.
Esteban stood there in surprise as Carlos held her by the wrist,pulling away at a fast pace.
Carlos dragged her along quickly.A really fast walk towards the edge of the dance floor.He didn't say a word,rather just looking forward as he pulled her away from the dancing.
She tried to keep up,especially in her high heels.But it was difficult.She nearly fell twice.He was going too fast.
"Carlos,slow down!"She demanded.Shit,she hadn't meant for him to take it this seriously."You're going too fast."
He didn't listen,still going forward without another word.
"Carlos-"She was cut short as she stumbled again,the thin heel of her shoe catching onto a gap.
He spun around and caught her first.Then,he picked her up and carried her on his shoulder.
"Hey!"She gripped onto him,feeling as though she was about to fall over his shoulder.He had a firm grip on her back,though."I am not some sack of-"
"You said you couldn't keep up."He said,the hint of a smile showing on his lips as he walked while carrying her.
"All you had to do was slow down!"
He ignored her and carried her away,leaving the dance floor and moving across the room to one of the small hallways nearby.The hallway that led to the bathroom.
"Put me down!"She tried to demand.He ignored her again,rather saying."I guess you now know how it feels to have someone messing with you continuously."
"Hey,I at least warned you before I did it."
She tried to tickle him And also ruffled up his hair.Then,he pinched her hip,causing her let out a small yelp.
He used his free hand to open the bathroom door.
"Oh..."She said as he set her down on the table top of the nearest sink.
He left her there,then moved to shut the door and lock it.
"I was right."Kiara said,pleased with herself.
Carlos stepped away from the door and approached her,bracing a hand on the either side of her on the marble table top."And what was the motive here?"He asked,his face inches from hers as he leaned forward a little.
She raised a hand to his face brushed aside the strands of his dark hair that had fallen forward from when he had carried her."The motive was to prove that you were really jealous."
He brought up one of his own hands to hold hers."You are crazy."
"I know."She smiled,looping both hands around his neck as she still sat down on the table top.
His other hand moved to her thigh,his thumb tracing circles.Then,his gaze darkened a little,his hand moving up the slit of her dress.
She didn't stop him at all as he pushed the material up and moved his hand higher."Don't you ever do that again."
"And if I do?"She smirked,holding both of his shoulders.
He trailed his fingers along her inner thigh,doing it slowly so that her breath hitched in a manner where she asked him to just go ahead.
He noticed the way she was asking for it and the corners of his mouth lifted a little,his hand pausing in place.He said."After what you just did out there.Not so fast,cariño."
She pulled him closer and put both hands on either side of his face,then kissed him for second.
He laughed softly in-between as she paused for a moment before running a hand through his hair and doing it again.
Just as he kissed her back,she paused and pulled a little away,saying."Wait."
"What?"He arched a brow.
She put a hand on his hand,the one he had on her thigh,and she held it in place."First,admit that I won this.Again."
His gaze locked with hers and she smiled.Though,like the stubborn person he became around her,he refused to say it.
She dropped her other hand from his face and trailed it down,grazing it along his torso as she fumbled with the buttons of his black shirt.
"I'm waiting,Carlos."She whispered,then moved her hand further down.
She felt his breath against her skin as he exhaled,still gazing into her eyes.
He kept silent,not saying a thing.
Then,she figured out a way to get him to admit it.
"Okay,fine."She said,dropping both hands and giving him a light shove out of the way.She got down from the table top and turned her back to him,slowly walking towards the door and fixing up the way her dress now looked.
Just as she was about to unlock it,he came up behind her and grabbed her hand to stop her from doing so.She just ignored that and picked up her other hand to unlock it.
He grabbed that hand too,soon raising both hands above her head and holding her up against the door.
"Where do you think you're going?"He quietly said into her ear,leaning fully against her from behind.
"You're not giving me an answer."She told him,a sly grin on her face."So,I'm leaving."
He pressed a kiss to the spot behind her ear and let go of her hands,saying."You want me to admit it so badly."
She turned around,hooking both of her hands around his neck."I am ambitious,in those terms."
"Clearly."He said,his gaze flicking down to her lips.A moment of silence passed by of her waiting.Then,he finally said."You win."
Pleased with herself,she said."Sorry,I didn't quite catch on to that."
He smiled."You were right."
"About?"She sneakily added.
"About me getting jealous easily."He playfully rolled his eyes.
She lifted herself and gave him a kiss on the lips,then pulled back."Buen hombre."
He lifted his brows."Where did you learn that?"
"I just asked a friend who's learning Spanish."She shrugged.
He laughed a little,then leaned down to kiss her.
"Hello?"There was a loud knock at the door.And by the sound of the voice,it sounded like Christian.
Carlos seemed to bite back a curse,then he and Kiara pulled away from each other.
Kiara started to panic a little,since her team principle was literally on the other side of the door.The feeling seemed to be mutual as she looked at Carlos and his expression.
"Occupied."Carlos said.
Christian muttered something from the other side of the door.Then,his retreating footsteps were heard.
Kiara looked a long sigh of relief after a few moments.
Carlos just laughed a little,then he pulled her into a hug,holding her against him."Please,Kiara.Don't do that ever again."
"Okay."She smiled.
"Especially with Esteban or anyone else like-"
"Okay."She said."I promise."
He looked down at her,his gaze softening.She just smiled,then lifted herself onto the tips of her toes and kissed him on the cheek.