Escaping

Chapter 17: Meeting

It's thursday, and we're now in Italy for the Imola grand prix, and as Charles planned, Ferrari just asked us to have a meeting with the team. We've been pretty close and i guess they need to make sure Charles' image is perfect. I know Charles already is at the paddock, but i'm cureently in the taxi. I have no idea how the meeting is gonna go. I mean, they always acted really nice and welcoming, but i was Charles' friend, not his girlfriend. Well, i'm still not his girlfriend but they probably think i am. After the ride i arrive in the paddock, and everything screams ferrari. Not really surprising since we're in Italy. I walk fast toward the garage, and I meet Carlos on the way. Charles must have told him about the meeting, and i probably look stressed, because the fisrt thing he does is taking me in his arms.

-It's gonna go well. I know it.

-I hope so.

-Don't worry too much. You're pretty popular in the garage. Everyone have been talking about how sweet you are. I don't think you beeing close to Charles will be a problem.

-Thank you Carlos. I should probably go. I don't wanna be late.

-Yeah, of course. See you later. 

I continue my way until i'm in front of the office i've been told the meeting will be in. I look at the hour, and seeing i'm only 2 minutes early, i decide to knock on the door. Fred, the team principal, is the one opening the door. He greets me and invite me in. Charles is aleady in the room, sitting in front of a man and a women. They get up and the man extend his hand for me to take.

-I'm Charles' manager, Nicolas. I don't think we met before.

His expression is serious. Charles' dating someone must be a pretty stressing situation to handle.

-I'm Beth, it's nice to meet you. I say shaking his hands.

-And this is Anna, she's in charge of the team image.

The women quickly shake my hand without saying a word. Charles' gestures me to sit next to him, and the other sit around the table too. The atmosphere is quite disturbing, and i'm starting to get stressed. On the other side, Charles looks way more relaxed than i am.

Fred: First of all, are you two dating ?

This first question already takes me aback. We're not dating, but we're not nothing.  Fortunately, Charles starts to speak.

Charles: We're taking our time to figure out our relationship.

Fred: Okay, i just want you two to know that we're gonna deal with that as if you were dating officially. But you don't have to make an announcement to the media or anything.

Charles: It's fine with me.

All the heads turn to me.

Beth: Yeah, hum, it's okay.

Charles takes my hand in his under the table. I look at him and he mouth "it's gonna be fine" quitly. This simple gesture make me relax a lot.

Fred: That's great, i'm gonna let Anna explain to you two how it's gonna go.

Anna: First of all, you need to know that you were not very discrete, so it'll be difficult to stay secret. But you still can choose to be open about you're relationship ot not. It's up to you two. The most important thing is that you're comfortable and safe.

Safe. I forgot about that. If i become Charles' official girlfriend, i'm gonna be very exposed, and keeping my dad away will be nearly impossible. But it's true that almost everyone in the paddock already think we're dating, so the moment it'll be out in media will come soon or later.