❥𝑹𝒆𝒅 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆

Chapter 68

1 month later - after summer break

Charles

The Silverstone paddock built itself up in front of me as I parked my car near the entrance.
The british air filled my lungs and I set my mind on work mode.

Even though the summer break still clenched to my back, I shook it off and focused on the weekend in front of me.
I spent lovely weeks with Maman and my brothers back home in Monaco. They didn't ask much about Valerie, for my sake.

With every summer break, there come a bunch of pictures in the news, drivers laying on the beach with their girlfriends or wives.
My feed stayed empty - the whole august.

Of course paparazzi took photos of me in Monaco and posted them, but I was only seen with family.
And the media got bored of that, I guess.

Days felt empty without her. I couldn't go a single one without thinking about her, or wanting to call in.
To check if she was okay.

I imagined an amazing summer at the start of the year. But of course, I couldn't assume what's to come back then.

Talking to Pierre helped a lot.
Since he was the only one who knew, I could always come to him between times.
That's why I visited him a lot throughout the weeks.

I didn't dare to call him on the phone, though. Who knows who else listened between the lines.

I wondered if he ever got tired of my worries. Or my lovesickness. I practically kept whining into his ears for hours when we met for lunch, or padel.

He should definitely get the award for the most patient friend.

A group of fans tore me out of my thoughts.
I greeted them, signed their stuff and strolled towards the garage.

»Ciao.«, were most of the words I used when entering the large, roofed hall where the cars were standing.

Most of the engineers were already there, on a Thursday.
I checked in on them quickly before joining the press conference.

I met Max and Daniel, Lando, Yuki and Carlos who were in a group with me for the first interview session.
About 100 random people who optionally studied journalism in a room with 6 drivers in front of them on a comfy couch - never gets old right?

»How did you guys spend your break? Let's start with you, Charles.«

I picked up my microphone when the reporter called out my name.

»Uhm, nothing special. I spent much time with my family at home.« I gave the cameras a polite smile and put down the microphone next to me.

Fortunately, no one asked about my relationship to Valerie, since no one has seen us together for more than a month.
I wouldn't know how to answer those anyways.

With a tight throat, I more or less listened to the others answering the proposed question.

My attention rose when Carlos was asked if we were ready for the title-fight.

»We are aware that RedBull is a few points ahead of us in the constructors standings at the moment, but Charles and I-«, he gestured in my direction at the other end of the couch with a warm smile, »we will try everything to give them a hard time for the rest of the season.«

I could feel my body sink deeper into the couch, relaxing out of relief.
My relationship to Carlos was a bit torn apart the last few weeks.
The more I was happy about his words.

I exited the conference room first, leaving an empty spot on the couch.
The fresh air outside in the hall cooled my airways.
Silverstone was always a little bit rainy, but I didn't expect it to be that cold so soon.

I was just on my way to another interview with an Italian magazine, when my mind got confused by a so well-known voice.
Her sweet Spanish accent echoed through the room.

It was almost uncomfortable how my body immediately reacted to her appearance. I couldn't tear my gaze off her.
I shouldn't stare.
But I didn't want to leave either.

Valerie stood next to an engineer with headphones, watching something on a screen.
She kept nodding, as if the engineer explained something to her.
And she looked as elegant, and beautiful as ever.
What a sight for sore eyes.

It was when she caught my glimpse for a moment, that I knew I stood there like an idiot, staring.
And suddenly, everything I wanted to do got blocked.

Should I give her a smile? Or just support her steady gaze?

Before I could decide how to reply on the eye contact, her head was already turned away again.
It left a hollow inside my chest.

She didn't look very happy.
And she was pale.

Did she take her meds this morning?

I couldn't stop asking myself the same question, over and over again.

Every day, I wondered whether she remembered to take them.
They were important.

But I knew that Carlos made sure of that.

I continued my way, leaving the engineer room.
And leaving her.

It's been quite some time since she showed up for work.
I got worried about her.

During the break, I heard about the project she accepted, though.
I was so proud.

But then, I had to hear about it through media. Valerie would've told me straight away, if she would still talk to me.

Oh, how it hurts.

***

Valerie

I got to work early that morning.
I tried to avoid meeting too many people.
I rather sneaked into the paddock and got all set.

Today, I was allowed to have a look into engineers work. On the one hand, I could gather pictures and videos for social media. On the other, I was able to catch an extra look on the cars and the track. Through that, I could collect more inspiration for my project.

An engineer gave me headphones and showed me a few things on a display.
It was very interesting indeed, but I couldn't really concentrate.
I've been feeling dizzy and uncomfortable for the past days. Tired, and exhausted.

Maybe there was a new adaption for my medication necessary. I should go and see the doctor soon, I set in my mind.

I listened to the engineer for quite a while, when...

Out of nowhere, my body started tingling.
I felt a burning look on me.

My head wandered around.

Oh.

Charles was standing in the middle of the room, his eyes fixed in mine.
He looked tired, too.

It was like to cut open a healing scar to meet his gaze for any longer.
So I ended the moment.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see his shadow leave after a few seconds.

Oh, how it hurts.