P l e a s u r e

29 - No signal

⚠️This chapter might be triggering for people with claustrophobia or panic disorder⚠️

After leaving Carlos' driver room, I went back to Ludo and Greta and tried to enjoy the day, but I couldn't. I was tired and had no desire to constantly shout the names of the two Ferrari drivers, pretending to be a fan of them, while this was the least true.

Since I didn't want to spoil the mood of the others, I decided to go back to the hotel before the race, claiming that I didn't feel well, which was actually true, just not exactly as they thought.

"You look much better than yesterday." - the taxi driver said, looking at me in the mirror.

"Pardon?" - I raised my eyebrows and for a moment I was afraid that I had gotten into a car with some creep.

"Sorry, I forgot you probably don't remember me." - he held back a laugh - "I was your taxi driver last night as well."

"Oh god, sorry if I behaved awkwardly." - I blushed, sinking lower in the seat.

"No worries, as long as you don't throw up in the car, it doesn't bother me." - he smiled reassuringly.

"Uh... since we're talking about last night..." - I started speaking shyly, wringing my hands - "Could you tell me if anything happened that I should know about?" - I asked, hoping he had some useful information.

"There was a guy who was really worried about you. He was very caring and patient, which was really needed, because you were definitely not in your best shape." - he chuckled.

"What did he look like?" - I leaned forward between the two seats in front of me curiously.

"I'm not a motorsport fan, but he looked a lot like that Ferrari driver, you know, the one whose name starts with a C." - he tried to remember.

"Carlos?" - I cut in.

"Yes, yes, something like that." - he nodded in agreement.

Of course, it was Carlos... Charles would have been the last person to be caring and patient with me after the past few days...

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As I entered the hotel, it was almost scary how empty everything was. Everyone was at the race and even the staff was hiding to watch it on TV.

I was walking towards the elevator when my heart skipped a beat for a moment in this silence, hearing my phone beeping, indicating that I had received an email.

It was the result of my Italian exam from the university.

I opened it hesitantly, but my jaw dropped immediately, because I got the highest possible score.

I don't know how Charles did it, but he's definitely the one to thank. Looking back, I feel a bit bad about the negative thoughts I had about him.

I slipped my phone into my back pocket, pressed the elevator call button, and when it arrived, I got in and selected the floor.

The door was almost closed when suddenly a hand reached in to stop it.

Charles stepped in next to me, staring at the ground, not even noticing that it was me. His gaze was glassy, as if only his body was here, but his mind was somewhere else, while his whole jaw was tense as he bit the inside of his mouth.

"Hey." - I greeted him, while the tension started to build up in me, remembering everything that happened between us today.

He sighed heavily when he heard my voice, but then continued to treat me as if I wasn't there.