Escaping

Chapter 14: Realization

Charles and i break the hug but his hands stay on my waist.

-I feel like it's been so long. He says smiling genuinely.

-Yeah, me too. Being alone in you house was kinda hard to be honest. I missed your presence.

-It's like we're getting used to each other. He respond with a grin.

I'm about to answer but someone calls him. His hands leave my waist as he waves at me before going away. I decide to go see the girls, as this time kelly is also here. But it kinda feels weird to go into the redbull garage so i just wait for her outside. She soon joins me and greets me by taking me in her arms.

-Oh my god, i feels like it's been years.

-Yeah, last time we saw each other it was in Monaco, so it's been a while.

-We should go get Kika, she must be waiting for us.

As soon as she spots us, Kika runs in our direction and hugs both of us at the same time.

Kika: Hey! I'm so happy to see you both!

Beth: Hey Kika! You seem to feel better than last time i saw you.

Kika: Yeah, i don't remember half of the party.

We start walking, still talking.

Kika: But i heard that you and Charles disappeared during the party, tell us what happened!

Kelly: Yeah i heard there was some trouble beteween you and him. You're all good now?

Beth: Yeah, i've talked to him, and i apologized.

We arrive at the cafeteria, we sit at a table and order three coffee.

Kika: So, what did he said? You told him the truth, right?

Beth: I did. And you were right.

Kelly: Ok stop, what are you two talking about?

We explain to Kelly why i ignored Charles and i tell them what happened when we were drunk.

Kelly: Oh my god, i knew it from the first time i saw you two. It's the way he looks at you, you know?

Kika: And what about you Beth? What do you feel?

Beth: Well, i don't know. He's very precious to me, but does that necessarily means i like him?

Kelly: Not at all. You can love someone with your all heart without it being romantic ever.

Kika: Don't feel like you owe him something. It's your feelings, take your time figuring what they are.

Beth: Yeah, i know. I just don't know what i'm suppose to feel. Like, I obviously don't feel the same for you, my friends, or for him.

Kelly: What's different then?

I think for a while about what i feel for Charles, and the first thing coming to my mind is his hands on my waist when we danced. I must have blushed while thinking of this, because Kika and Kelly chuckle a little.

Kika: Actually, i think you don't need our help figuring what your feelings are, right?

Beth: Yeah, i think i have an idea now.

Kelly: No needs to rush things, take your time.

We continue talking for a while, until we realize free practice is almost finish. We go back to the garages, and i wave goodbye to them. A few minutes after i came back, Charles comes back and goes out of his car. He looks at me while he takes his helmet off, and i gesture him to go see his ingineer who seems to want to talk to him as he starts walking to me. He realize he has priorities that does not include talking to me for now, and walk the other way to his team. I wait for him to finish, and soon, he walks back to me.

-I'm gonna change, i'll be back in 2 minutes.

-Yeah sure, take your time. I'll be right there.

He quickly runs to his room, and while he is gone, i spot the weird man i met in Baku, right after Charles won the grand prix. What did he says his name was? Ehtan. That's how he introduced himself. He is here again, but he doesn't look like he is working for any team, so what is he doing here? He looks inside the garrage and i feel the urge to hide, so i step back until i'm practically behind some tires. I see Carlos looking at me confused at the other side of the garage, and shake my hand hopping he would understand i can't talk to him right now. He nods slightly, and continues talking. I discretly look at the the direction the man was, and i don't find him there. I walk over Carlos, and he looks at me worried.

-What was that? Why were you hiding?

-Actually, there's a ma...

I spot Charles walking in our direction, so i stop talking, and it makes Carlos even more confused.

Charles: Hey, what were you guys talking about?

Beth: Nothing. Hum, we were just wondering what we were gonna eat.

Now, it's both Carlos and Charles who look at me weirdly.

Charles: Beth, you okay?

Beth: Yeah, i'm all good.

Charles looks at Carlos suspiciously, and i beg Carlos with my eyes to play along.

Carlos: Yeah, i'm super hungry. Let's eat toghether.

Charles: Yeah, sure.

Charles takes my hand and the three of us start walking to the cafeteria. We arrive, sit at a table, and after ordering, we start talking. After a few minutes, Charles gets up to go to the bathroom.

Carlos: So, tell me what you wanted to say earlier. And also why you don't wanna say it infront of Charles?

Beth: There's this guy that was at the last grand prix, and he talked to me. He made me really uncomfortable so i left quickly. But i saw him again earlier outside the garage, like he was searching for something. And i don't wanna worry Charles, i'm sure he's just some weird man.

Carlos: What did he told you?

Beth: He introduced himself and asked if i was Charles's girlfriend. His name is Ethan by the way.

Carlos: Ethan... I don't think i've heard anyone with that name recently. Well, i'm gonna find who he is and make sure he doesn't get to close to the garage.

Beth: Really? You would do that for me?

Carlos: Yeah, of course. And, just so you know, i'm not gonna tell Charles because you don't want me to, but i think he can only help you in that type of situation.

I don't respond, and at the same time i see Charles coming back. Once he's there, the conversation is way more pleasant. I'm starting to get used to be around these people.