Smooth, Fast, & Pretty

Mon Cherie

           We've been at the bar all night but I haven't ordered anything yet, which is probably for the best. Charles turns to face me "Hey Valentina, I just thought it was important to let you know early on, I want to remain friends. I recently got out of a serious relationship and I know you did too." I laugh at this, that's not what I took him here for. "Don't worry Charles, I don't want you like that." I tease, he looks confused at this. "What do you mean not like that?" He questions, I know I have to tell him my idea now there is no way I'm getting out of this. "Well I was hoping you could help me with something..." Charles's eyebrows shot up. "I was kind of hoping you would help me get back at Pierre?" I regret it as soon as I say it, this is such a bad idea. "How so? Pierre is one of my bestfriends so it really depends." I understand what he means, I don't want to mess up anyone's friendships but thats why Charles would be the perfect guy for this. "Something along the lines of a fake relationship...nothing romantic, you're totally allowed to say no." I can see the gears turning in his head with each passing second. "Ok." He announces. "Okay?" I say in response, I'm dumbfounded. "Ok." He confirms with a sigh, I can't believe it. "We are going to need to set some ground rules if this is going to work out, can we talk on Monday?" I suggest, he mumbles in agreement. Does he actually want to do this? Why did he go along with it? I study him, contemplating the reasons when it clicks. He wants to get back at his ex too.

          I grab a pair of headphones and greet Olivia with a smile, lights out in 5 minutes. I check my phone one last time before the race starts and notice a plethora of notifications. What the hell is going on? Oh. "BREAKING: Pierre Gasly and Valentina Astoire split after three years." Immediately I think about Pierre, does he know? I can't deal with this right now, I need to focus on Lando and the race. I turn on do not disturb and tuck my phone away just as the mechanics are leaving the track. "It's lights out and away we go!" I hear through the headphones, almost instantly Lando overtakes Carlos and jumps up to P3. Olivia and I high-five but I can't really enjoy it, the headlines are still hovering in the back of my mind. I check Pierre's position, he's moved down to P14. I'm silently rooting for him, I know I shouldn't but he's my best friend's teammate...and my ex. Half an hour goes by and Pierre has made an impressive jump to P7. Lando is fighting Charles for P2, but in the end he can't quite overtake him. Before I know it, the race is over and both of the Mclaren cars are pulling in. Pierre gets out, sees me, and immediately rushes to his driver room. "Pierre! Wait!" He turns around, I can tell he's mad. "Valentina, it's hard enough being around you all the time...please just leave me alone." Ouch. "No, you need to see this." I hold out my phone, my palms are sweaty and I feel nauseous. "What's the big deal? The press was going to find out eventually..." How could he say that? How could he not care? "Wouldn't you rather the world find out from one of us?" He shakes his head, this isn't the Pierre I know. "Val-" He doesn't have time to finish, I run back to the main part of the garage to find Lando. As I arrive in the main area my eyes land on Olivia but Lando isn't anywhere to be seen. "Where is Lando?" Her eyes soften as she notices my red eyes. "He went to the cooldown room, but I'm sure you'll be able to see him after the podium!" I can tell she's trying to be sweet but I need my best friend. I skip out on watching the podium and wait for Lando in his driver room, he doesn't return for what feels like hours. When he walks in I break down into tears, for the hundredth time, and he rushes to my side. "Val! Are you ok? Is this about the breakup being leaked?" He questions. "How did you know about that?" I think out loud, without even realizing it. "The press were asking me tons of questions 'bout it. I didn't tell them anything, you deserve so much better Val." Lando pulls me into a hug and I melt into his arms, why couldn't Pierre be like this? I guess that's why he broke up with me after all. I start to think about Charles and make the decision not to tell Lando. Not yet.

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