Scandal

P8: A toast

Her sweaty palms pick up the headset to listen to the drivers and the race engineers. It's her first qualification since three years, and she can practically feel every single camera being pointed in her direction.

Irina breathes in and out, trying to look past it and focus on the qualification that's about to start in a couple of seconds. The adrenaline of not knowing what will happen runs through her veins.

The lights go out, and a loud honk is being played through the big speakers. She looks at Niki and Toto, who're standing next to her, and feels like a fool.

Toto's face is emotionless, like he's ready for anything to happen. Niki's smiling, like he's okay with anything that will take place. And just like that, she realizes that she's back in the game. Those are just facades; nobody truly knows what happens behind closed curtains.

The two cars have left the garage in the meantime. The timer that's on the right side of the screen reminds her of the pressure to perform that she felt when she was the one in that car.

If you're not good enough for them, you're out. It's as simple as that. All she can do now is wait and hope they'll get the very best out of that car.

Lewis starts his outlap, and it's quite clear after a couple of corners that he'll get the best time in Q1. Irina's face crunches up in jealousy. Of course, he gets the best time.

She finds herself silently hoping that Bottas gets an even better time, but he only pushes hard enough to get third place.

Soon enough, Q2 comes around. The energy in the Mercedes garage is better than ever, making her smile slightly. Engineers are hugging and laughing as if they've already won first place.

But when Bottas finishes his second round and takes P1, Lewis is heard through the headphones: "How are we doing?" His engineer answers, "Euh, Bottas has a P1. You're only second."

Lewis sighs out loud and doesn't answer. When the timer sounds for a third time and announces Q3, Lewis is the first one out on track. It looks like the star doesn't like it when someone takes his shine.

He finishes his lap in a whopping 1:22.188. It's a whole-second difference between him and the rest. It may seem like nothing to someone who isn't familiar with this sport, but let me tell you, it's quite extraordinary.

And with that, Lewis wins his P1 for the race on Sunday.

Niki turns to a speechless Irina and smiles. "His talent is just amazing, isn't it?" She nods in response and looks over at the big screen that shows Lewis and Valtteri celebrating.

"Quiet amazing, indeed." She nods. He looks at her and says, "I knew you two would get along." Irina smiles back at the older man. "Absolutely." She mumbels back. Niki winks at her before turning around and hugging Toto.

Let the games begin.

Formula One is a show appealing to the eye of a stranger. What if the truth is far from pretty? They twist lies with honesty and expect everyone to follow them blindly.

Lewis has no problem enjoying that show more than he should. But not every single person can be bought by luxury and deceit. So, it looks like Irina is going to give him a reality check sooner rather than later.

Soon enough, the evening comes around. Irina's asked to be present at the big dinner that Mercedes organized for the big opener of the season.

She shows her badge at the door and is let through by security. It's an open-air dinner, so the security is almost twice as much as for a private dinner. Irina spots Susie waving at her in the corner of her eye.

She's surrounded by Toto and some other engineers. Irina scans the crowd on her way over there but sees no sign of Lewis. The stress she felt only a second ago in her stomach is suddenly gone.

"Irina." Susie greets her in a low voice. She has exchanged her usual suit for a dress. While Irina is wearing a cream-colored suit that she dressed down by wearing a white T-shirt with sneakers underneath.

"Hi Susie, How are you doing?" Irina hugs the woman who stayed seated. "Well, I could be better, but I'm happy you're here." She rubs her hand over her pregnant belly.

Irina smiles back and turns to Toto to give him a hand, but is surprised by him when he takes her in his arms. "There is no need for casualties; our job is done for today." He laughs.

A truthful smile displays itself on Irina's full lips for the first time since she stepped on that plane. "Alright then." He gets out of the embrace and looks over her shoulder.

He announces, "It looks like Lewis is here." But Irina doesn't turn around and sits down on Susie's right side. She's just in time to take a place before Lewis arrives at the table.

Angela is on his left side, and Valterri is not far behind with his wife, greating other people. Lewis hugs Toto and Susie before looking at her and going around the other end of the table.

Irina looks down to not meet his stare and give him the happiness of winning when she does look away. Because, to her dismay, she's sure she wouldn't be able to hold eye contact with him for longer than a second.

It's something about those dark brown eyes that makes her remember the time she spent with him. Wait, I did look him in the eye yesterday. She has been here for a couple of days and is already losing their little game.

Suddenly, she feels someone tap on her shoulder. She turns around and sees Angela. She has an apologetic smile on her face before hugging Irina and saying, "I'm sorry for yesterday."

It takes her a while to actually hug back because of how random this is, but when she sees Lewis looking their way with an irritated look on his face, she takes all the pleasure in hugging Angela back.

"Oh, no problem at all. You shouldn't be the one apologizing." Irina breaks the hug apart. Angela smiles down at her and makes her way to greet the rest of their table.

But it doesn't take long before she makes her way back to Lewis, who doesn't seem mad at all at Angela but rather at Irina.

She's observing the whole thing happening when she abruptly feels Susie push her shoulder with her own. She nods Lewis' way and whispers, "I've been feeling the tension between you two since you've arrived. What's going on?"

Irina shakes her head. "Nothing. We're actually getting along quite well." Susie lifts her brow. "Okay, so you're coming to his party Sunday, then?"

Irina takes her eyes off Lewis and looks at Susie, who says, "I take that as a no." She takes the glass of champagne that's in front of her and takes a sip of it. "It doesn't matter either way, because I'll be too occupied with preparing my party for Monday. I thought it'd be a great idea to celebrate my comeback."

"Oh, I didn't hear anything from that? Toto must have forgotten to tell me." Susie goes to turn around and ask, but is stopped by Irina. "No, he didn't forget. It was a surprise."

"And when were you going to tell everyone that? An hour before the actual party?" Susie lifts a brow at her. Irina sighs and looks at the glass of champagne she's holding. She picks up a fork and tiks the side of the glass, making everyone look her way.

She stands up and says, "Hi, everyone. As some of you may know, it's my first week back." Her speech is interrupted by some people cheering her on with some whitsles and claps.

"And because of that, I would like to invite you all." She stops looking around and directs her stare at Lewis.

She says, "Come and celebrate it with me. Everything will be arranged for you guys, and the information will be sent out soon enough. But for now, let's take a toast to a great season." She lifts her glass of champagne to the middle of the table, and soon enough, the others stand up and raise their glasses.

Except one. Lewis stays seated and takes a sip of the champagne while looking her back in the eyes.