Ashley POV
I entered the underground factory room. People were working busy and no one seemed to notice me. I found a random person and got his attention.
'Hey..um Hi. I am one of the drivers here. Can I know who is the head tech guy here?" I asked hurriedly. He blinked for a few seconds.
"Are you alright?" I ask him again.
"Oh my God. You are here" he said in an excited tone.
"Yeah..and please don't make a scene. I came for a personal reason" I said. "Oh...ok. Um..what do you want?" he asked.
"The tech guy?"
"No...you are looking at him. What do you want from me?" he asked.
"Oh...Ok. Um...I have a phone number and I want someone..you actually to look into who it belongs" I said. He thinned his eyes.
"I swear I am not killing anyone" I added. He gave a short laugh. "Come on then," he said and I followed him to his tech hub.
He sat in front of his computer. "Just..don't do anything illegal okay? I don't want to employ a lawyer" I told him. He nodded. He worked on his computer.
"Just saying, people would be so happy to know you are down here," he said still working. "Why would that be? I am just the driver. It's you people who do the work" I said.
"That's true. But this place was not the same as before. Working day and night, but not getting the results. Then you game in. And the dynamics of the team changed. You were more into data and were always working. So we had to work hard too. But you gave us podiums and results. Which made everyone a bit fond of you" he explained. I gave him a grateful look.
"It's nothing to what you all are doing" I repeated.
"Yes, and you know that. Make sure everyone knows that. That's why we love you" I smiled.
"Also the cookies and donuts we get when you win races. They are lovely" he said with a wide smile.
"So, thank you. For making our lives less miserable" he said when his screen popped up. "Is that-?"
"Yes, it is. Your guy, Steven Rivers, was in prison for" I looked closely.
"Rape" I bent down fully so that I could look at it closely.
"Oh my God," I said shocked. "Can..Can you look at the victim?" I asked.
"You sure?" he asked looking at me. I gave a short nod. He worked again on his computer and the picture popped up just as I was expecting—the same woman in the photo he gave me.
"Her name is Laurel Roots. She lived in Oxford" he said. I felt so disturbed just getting to know this.
"Are you sure you are not in trouble?" he asked in a very concerned voice. "No. No. Everything is fine. Just do not discuss this with anyone. Please" I pleaded.
"Sure" he nodded.
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George POV
Our first race weekend was here. All of us were busy with our interviews and shoots. It was hectic and we didn't have any spare time.
"G, it's time for your shoot" my PR Head informed me. I signed. " This is the last one. I promise. And it'll be your favorite" She said.
"And why would that be?" I asked walking towards her. "Cause it's with Ashley," she said with a big smile. I gave her a side-eye.
"My mouth is zipped," she said putting her hands up as we entered the shooting area. I looked around and was sure she was not there.
"You sure it's with her?" I asked her again. She gave a stern nod. "There she is," she said and I looked at her walking into the area. She had the race suit tied against her waist and I have to say that suit looked so good on her. I mean she has always been beautiful. More beautiful after I fell for her. But this. That suit is making me think of things.
As much as she walked in with a small smile on her face greeting everyone, there was something off about her face. I could sense that something was bothering her. She noticed me and gave a little run towards me.
"Hey, you ready?" she greeted me.
"Always for you," I said which made her give a small smile.
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The shoot went on and I could sense her becoming more uncomfortable and restless by the minute. This was so not her. The shots were getting late and she kept on apologizing.
"Hey, can we take a break? Few minutes?" I asked the cameraman. "Sure," he said. I gave him a nod and turned towards Ash.
"I'm sorry. I know I'm wasting your time-"
"What is it?" I asked her straight.
"What is what?"
"Ash, it's evident something is bothering you. Tell me what it is" I said in a stern voice.
"No..No. It's nothing. I am just tired" she said. I knew she was lying. "Let's get the shot ready," I said to the cameraman.
"What? Already. I thought we needed a break" she said.
"No, come here" I guided her to the spot. The cameraman gave me a nod. She sighed giving out a large breath of air.
I unzipped a little bit of her suit, so she could de-stiff a little. I took her hand in mine. Wrapped her fingers in mine.
"Look at me," I said softly and she did. "Don't let anything run in that big brain of yours for a few seconds" I said and she smiled.
"Just look at me," I said again. She did. Her brown eyes pierced through mine. I could already feel her relaxing.
"Breath" I whispered. We slowly started with the posing. We could hear the cameraman appreciating every shot saying it was perfect.
"That's it. That's the last one" he declared and we relaxed. "Thank you guys" I thanked everyone around me. Ash stood beside me as I thanked everyone. Once I was done she stood in front of me.
"You alright?" I asked her. She moved forward and gave me the tightest hug she had ever given me. It felt so emotional and I could feel that she just wanted it more. She buried her head on my neck as I slowly rubbed her back.
As much as I was happy she had me there, it also worried me that she was going through something. I noticed the cameraman walk towards us. He handed me a Polaroid as she unwrapped herself from me with my hand still on her waist holding her.
"Thought you both would love it, so I made two copies of each," he said. We looked at it. It was the moment I told her to look into my eyes and she did. It was captured and it was beautiful.
A warm smile crept on her face looking at it. "Thank you" I thanked the cameraman. He gave a nod and walked away. She traced her finger on the photo.
"That is beautiful George," said looking at it while I lay my eyes on her. "Should I be worried?" I asked her and she seemed to get what I was asking.
She opened her mouth to say something but stopped herself. "It's nothing George," She said. "I promise. I will talk to you when it gets bad. I don't want you to be worrying about me"
"You know I do anyway"
"Yes, and that is the reason. I don't want you to worry more" She said. "I am fine. Just tired with all the interviews and shoots" she said. I gave a short nod.
