Right On Track

Chapter 36

By race day,Kiara was starting to get a little confused about whether her team wanted Max or her to take the win.She was the one to have gotten pole in qualifying the previous day,though it seemed as though the plan was to let Max,who was at P2, pass her if she didn't show the correct speed.
Kiara sat in her car,mechanics around.She sighed to herself and looked around.And the worst part was that were some fans nearby who were shouting insults both her and Max's way.It had happened yesterday at qualifying too,mostly to Kiara.She and Max were being labelled as "cheaters" yet again.Before the race,Christian had told her not to let it get to her head,that it would pass by.Even Santiago had tried to reassure her after she agitated during the race preview.Kiara was a little used to this sort of thing.It happened now and again.But that didn't mean that she wasn't bothered by it.
A little while later,the track was cleared up and Santiago made some confirmations with Kiara on the radio.She pulled down the visor of her helmet,hoping that she would be able to keep up with results this weekend.Then,a few moments later,the lights went out and the race commenced.

"And that's P2."Santiago said."Good work."
Kiara kept silent for a moment,then held back a sigh."Yeah,thanks."
Max crossed the line first and she followed behind reluctantly.
Getting second in this race wasn't a bad result at all.It was just the way it happened that bothered her.During the last few laps,she had been asked to set a time faster than Max to see whether he should go ahead.She achieved just that,though not even minutes later she found herself battling her teammate.And in the end,she just had to give it to Max since he wasn't backing off easily.
As Kiara pulled her car into parc fermé,she just eventually gave in and accepted it for what it was.She just decided to be grateful for P2,climbing out of her car and just approaching Max.
She chose not to argue with her teammate,rather nodding his way and giving him a pat on the back before he moved on to celebrate with the team.
She turned around and moved to congratulate Fernando as she saw him get out of his car.Third place for Aston Martin was quite a good result.
Some time later on the podium,after the Dutch anthem played for Max,Kiara rolled her eyes as some of the fans started to disrespect him.She felt like flipping them off as they shouted his name with a few cuss words.Max,though,completely ignored their insults,holding his head a little higher as he raised the trophy again.If there was one thing Kiara admired him for,it would be the way he just brushed aside the hate,no matter how much it bothered him.He didn't react too much,rather pretending as though he was used to it to seem confidant.
After the podium celebration,Kiara walked down to the area behind the stand.She and Max spoke a little about the situation.Yes...A little teammate gossip behind the stand ad they talked about how unfair it was.Daniel eventually showed up,congratulating and complimenting them.Kiara just accepted the hug he gave the both of them,laughing a little at his enthusiasm.
Kiara soon left after some time,walking over to the garage again to see the other team members.They congratulated her,cheering a little.Then,she decided to go to her driver's room.
On her way there,she checked her phone for any messages.And she smiled to herself as she opened them.

Carlos: Another one?Come on,mi niña.Give me a turn already!

Kiara: Get your car in order.Then we'll talk about that.

C: Oh,you're in the feisty mood.Was it the champaign?

K: No,it was perfect.

C: Where are you?

K: Somewhere.

C: Tell me!

K: 👀

C: Kiara.

K: Fine,I'm in my drivers room.

C: You're not sending me on some wild goose chase,right?

K: I'm not.Don't worry.

C: What if I walk over there and all the Red Bull staff just stare at me?

K: Scared,Sainz?

C: Of your team members,maybe a little.

K: 😪

C: I'm joking.See you soon. 😘

Kiara put her phone aside and sat down on the chair nearby.She took off her hat and set it down next to her second place trophy on the desk.She looked at both the items for a long moment while sitting in the quiet of her drivers room.She smiled a little,thinking about how her work has been paying off.
A few minutes later,there was a knock at the door.
Kiara stood up from her seat,moving to unlock the door.Besides,she already knew who it was.
As soon as she opened the door,he stepped in and pulled her closer,leaning down and pressing a kiss to her lips.He shut the door behind himself,smiling as he paused and lifted her chin.
She put a hand on his arm,holding back a smile as she met his gaze.
"Was I lying about being here?"She said.
Carlos chuckled."Let me be grateful about you actually being here and not making it a prank."
"Wow."She arched a brow."There's an idea for a new prank."
"No."He frowned,putting both hands on her waist.
"Yes."She said,putting both hands on his shoulders.
"No."He repeated lowly.
She just winked and he laughed,moving his hands lower.His gaze moved down to her lips for a second,then moved back up to her eyes.The brightness in his eyes was clear as he observed her.
She smiled,and not even a second later,he picked her up and kissed her again,carrying her as she wrapped her legs around his waist and kissed him back.He grunted,pressing her back to the wall beside the door as he still carried her,feeling her hands move through his hair,then trailing along his face.His warmth was against her as he held her,her hands holding onto him.
He moved his lips to her neck,causing her to tilt her head back a little.Her breath hitched as he did so,causing him to smile against her skin.
Then,if what happened next was to be one of the most embarrassing moments in Kiara's life,she wouldn't deny it as the door opened and Alora walked in.
Carlos immediately put Kiara down,both pulling away from each other.
"Oh,shit-"Alora yelped.
"What?"Someone said.
"No,wait!"Alora turned around,stopping the other person from entering."Dad-"
Carlos' eyes widened,clearly more worried now.
"God,what is wrong with you guys!"Kiara snapped,throwing her hands up in frustration and straightening her racing suit.
She moved to close the door,but paused and left it a little open to look out at her father and sister.
Alora was now pinching the bridge of her nose,turned around and trying to get Toto to leave.
Toto just glared at Kiara,stuttering."Kiara,but you just...What the actual-"
"You're the ones who just barged in!"She said,peeping further through the gap."Normally,someone would knock before coming into a drivers room."
Alora said."And normally someone would actually lock the door if-"
"My bad."Carlos sighed from the corner of the room.
Kiara just ignored him and asked Alora."What did you want?"
"To congratulate you on your results these last two races!"Alora said."And also,be grateful that I was here.Dad just wanted to walk in and offer you a Mercedes contract."
"You're trying to offer my driver a contract without proper consultation?"Kiara heard Christian say from nearby.
"You're trying to stop me from consulting my own daughter?"
"Who even let you in here,Toto?"
"As a matter of fact-"
Kiara groaned,even more annoyed as her father and her team principle began to argue.She slammed the door shut,making sure it was locked this time.
She sighed,leaning her back against the door.
"I am so sorry."Carlos said,shaking his head and stepping closer to her.
"Not your fault."She pinched the bridge of her nose.
He pursed his lips,checking his watch."I didn't have much time anyway...I should probably get going."
She nodded,knowing that he had to go back to the Ferrari garage now.
She stepped away from the door and he  moved closer to hug her,giving her a kiss on the forehead.
"See you around,cariño."He sighed,then brushed past and unlocked the door,stepping out.
Kiara just crossed her arms and watched him close the door behind himself as he left.
Though,she tried not to laugh as she heard Christian say aloud."First Toto and Alora,now Sainz.Where the hell are you all coming from?!"

•A/N•

Short chapter...Ok,I'm sorry.😅
But anyway,any suggestions on what should happen next?