Twists and Turns in Monte Carlo: A Formula 1 Affair

{1.1}

Joanne flashed a wry smile at Charlie, acknowledging his warning about the event. Entering the foyer catapulted her directly into the past. The smell of old cedar wood, tobacco and the clinking of champagne glasses reminded her strongly of her childhood.

The house looked like every winter when she visited. Decorated neatly with a hit of perfectionism showcasing that her grandmother has not changed a bit over the years. 

The grandeur of the house greeted her as she stepped inside, the warmth of the interior a stark contrast to the chilly rain outside. The sound of laughter and the clinking of glasses resonated through the air, yet the foyer seemed quite empty.

"Miss Kennedy, welcome. May I take your bag?" Joanne handed her yellow bag over. "Would it be possible to bring my things to my room?", she asked politely. "As always Miss. The event takes place in the living room." 

She quickly pulled her mobile phone and a loose cigarette out of her duffle gab before she was left alone. "How nice. I should have stayed home", she grumbled quietly to herself.

Joanne's eyes scanned the foyer, recognizing familiar faces, servants hustling to ensure the event ran smoothly. A familiar face made her relax a little. Her cousin Eloise, a fresh sixteen year old, stood at the entrance to the living room, stopping every waiter and stealing snacks of their trays every time they passed her. Her tanned face was covered in makeup, her brown curly hair pinned up and she was waring a soft pinkt fluttering dress, she definitely did not choose by herself.

Eloise was so concentrated in her element of stopping and stealing, that she did not realized who was approaching her. "Eloise, hello there." The tall blonde had to speak directly to her cousin to snap her out of her food trance. 

"Joanne, what are you doing here? No one told me you come as well. I thought I was the only victim who had to appear here today." Joanne loved listening to her talk. Eloise has a thick south accent, which is influenced by her upbringing in Austin Texas, but she tries so hard to talk a somewhat proper English. Resulting in pure chaos sometimes. 

"Not quite. I did not tell anyone I would come to visit today. So", Joanne pointed at herself, "underdressed as fuck." She tucked her hair behind her ears, as well as the cigarette she had been playing with in her hand. Eloise giggled. 

"Anyway, today I am here because I dress to unimpress. Miss Eloise, would you mind", Joanne held out her arm to her cousin, nine years her junior, "accompanying me on this event?" Eloise smiled even more: "I would love to."

Hooked at the elbows, the two of them entered the opulently decorated venue. The place looked like her grandmother brought at least a few servants to tears whilst preparing the room. It clearly showed their influence and their generationally wealth in depth. 

Men in suits, women in gowns dressed up nicely. A small orchestra in the corner emphasised the deliberate atmosphere once again. 

Joanne leaned down to Eloise. "You know anyone here?" She shook her head. "No, it has to do something with grandpas formula one sponsoring, I think." "Mh. I definitely need a drink to survive this and I think you need one too. Bar ahead."

The unlikely duo immediately attracted attention. It didn't take a second before the quiet rumbling and whispering began. Despite her nonchalant exterior, Joanne felt a twinge of discomfort. She hadn't been prepared for a black-tie affair, and the casual attire she wore suddenly seemed out of place among the elegantly dressed guests.

"Poor girl", Geri Halliwelll, wife of Christian Horner, looked after them, "missed the dress code completely. She looks a bit out of place here, don't you think?" Her husband sipped on his drink. "The question is, who is this woman?" "The little one is the granddaughter of Oscorp and his wife", threw Toto Wolff into the conversation. Jean Todt, the FIA president frowned: "Nevertheless nothing slows you to show up to an event like this."

"One martini extra strong for me please, and a soft one for the fairy next to me", Joanne pointed at the brunette. Eloise didn't complain. She knew that she didn't get any drinks at the bar, so Joanne came in very handy. 

Spotting her grandmother through the crowd Joanne headed straight to her.