Right On Track

Chapter 74

Kiara Wolff

Carlos was definitely finding it hard.Kiara could tell by his expressions.No physical touch?That seemed to be his weakness.
Kiara checked her watch as she entered the hotel breakfast area.She knew exactly what time Carlos would come.He didn't know that she would be there.Honestly,it was Ivy's idea.
Kiara sat down with her plate of breakfast from the buffet,taking a sip of water as she watched the entrance of the room.She looked down to make sure that she looked okay.She was wearing something he had gotten her,actually.Well,a few things.She was wearing the sweater he had gotten her for her birthday,the one he had gifted in Formentara.As well as the rose gold Rolex watch he had also gotten her.
Her gaze drifted to the entrance of the room,her eyes lighting up a little as he finally came.
Carlos walked in so oblivious at first,chatting away to Charles as they found their table nearby.
Kiara waited a moment,till his gaze drifted towards her direction.She looked away,pretending to be looking out the window nearby as she ate her food.She felt his eyes linger on her for a second.
Kiara kept on looking away,knowing he would come along any second.
As expected,Carlos came up behind her and put a hand on the back of her chair.
"Hola,mi niña."He said lowly.
"Hello."She said,not looking back at him.
"All alone?"He asked,trailing a hand from the back of the chair to her arm.
She brushed off his touch,saying."I don't really mind."
"Really?"He arched a brow,moving around the table to the chair in front of her.
"It's nice and quiet."She shrugged,taking another sip of water as he finally came properly into her view.
She looked him up and down as he sat in the other chair,his hair neatly combed and-
"You shaved?"She lifted an eyebrow.
He gave a dismissive wave,knowing she would react to it.
A moment of silence passed by,both observing each other.
"Nice sweater."He said,looking anywhere but her face.
She bit back the smile that wanted to break out,aware that she had let one of her shoulders a little exposed so he could see the red strap below.
"Sly,querida."He muttered,his gaze finally lifting.
"What?"She gave him an innocent look.
"Cheater."He said.
"You started it."
"How?!"
"By giving me your hoodie!"
"Which you were comfortable sniffing and hugging."
Kiara frowned."How the hell do you-"
"Cameras are everywhere,Kiara."He said.
She pouted,leaning back in her chair.
Carlos chuckled,stealing a grape from her plate and eating it.
"Maybe I should wear the Ocon jacket next time."She mumbled to get his attention.
"Excuse me?"He leaned forward.
"Nothing."
"Kiara."He said in a low tone.
"That's my name,yes."She smiled.
"Tell me if I heard wrong."He angled his head,locking eyes with her.
"Ocon jacket?"She shrugged."They're the new Vegas editions for Alpine.Pierre was showing me some of them.They looked pretty cool."
"Don't say that name-"
"Esteban?"
"Kiara-"
"Ocon?"
Carlos glared at her and she lifted her chin,successful this time.
Charles called Carlos' name from nearby after some time.
Kiara smirked,mouthing 'Goodbye' to Carlos as he stood up and started to leave.

"All good?"Asked Santiago.
"Totally."Kiara grinned,climbing out of her car.
FP2 had just ended and Kiara had set first,a repeat to FP1.The car was amazing,in her opinion.Max had set second in both sessions,Alora also making P3 in FP2.
Taking her helmet off,Kiara breathed in some air.Santiago gave her a fist bump before making his way off to Christian with a data report.From nearby,Lydia gave a tight smile,indicating that as interviews were coming up soon.
Kiara nodded to a few of her mechanics after speaking to them,then left for her drivers room.
She got out of her race suit,then changed into her Red Bull polo.Though,she also decided to wear her extra short pair of shorts.
For obvious reasons.
On the way to the media pen,Lydia asked."Is everything okay?"
"Huh?"Kiara arched a brow.
"Between you and Carlos."She said."Normally,you would have been asking me for your schedule so you could make time for that idiot.Now,you're not even bothered."
"Maybe we're just at something."Kiara said,not telling Lydia anything about the bet.
"You two are always at something."She sighed,shaking her head."It's not good media coverage and-"
"Media coverage?"Kiara frowned."Really?"
"I'm not wrong."She said."Wrong rumors spread,people believe them,we have to adapt to what they believe and-"
"So,you're saying that if the media thought Carlos and I were going through something even though we weren't,we would have to go along with them?"She arched a brow.
"Welcome to the media team,Ki."Lydia sighed with a shrug.
"There is no way that will ever happen."She said."Besides,it's so stupid."
"Just don't get yourself into something bad,Ki."Lydia sighed again,leading her into the media pen.
"Oh,come on.What could I possibly do wrong?"

Carlos Sainz

"You want to what?"Lando demanded,eyes wide.
"You heard me."Carlos shrugged."Tonight,we do it."
"Oh,you absolute idiot."He shook his head."Stop trying to ruin my race."
"I'm not."Carlos said."I just need help."
"On breaking Kiara's pride?"
"No,on proving-"
"Oh,stop it."Lando said."You both always let your pride get in the way.It's not always good,Carlos.One of you could do something stupid by mistake."
"Lando-"
"No,Carlos."He said,turning to go back to the McLaren garage."As much as you're my bestfriend,I'm on Kiara's side this time.You don't do something that extreme."
Carlos sighed,looking at Lando.
The McLaren driver just shrugged,shaking his head."I have to get ready for the race.See you later."
Carlos watched him leave,thinking about it.Lando wasn't too keen on helping to make Kiara jealous this time.The whole idea involved being at the club there in Vegas.Carlos had thought of it to be a good opportunity to make Kiara react at the after party.The idea also included some random person at the club...But Carlos wasn't even going to do anything.He just had to provoke her like she had done to him.He didn't see why Lando was so against it.He had told Carlos that 'Vegas was unpredictable.'
In a way,it was actually understandable.But Carlos could control himself just fine.He wasn't some new guy at this type of thing.
With a sigh,Carlos walked back to the Ferrari garage.He needed to get ready for the race.And to be honest,it wasn't the best of race weekends for him.He was taking a grid penalty because his car needed certain repairs.It was unfair,in his opinion.The damage to his car had been because of the track.He had driven over a loose manhole.That was definitely in the responsibility of the track officials.
Even after that,Carlos had been having a hard time negotiations to extend his Ferrari contract further.
He would never admit it aloud right now because of the bet,but he needed Kiara.He really needed her.And maybe Lando was right.Their pride always got them into these situations in the first place.Or 'games',as Kiara had jokingly called it.
Carlos looked at his phone one more time before leaving his drivers room.He waited a moment to see if anything would pop up.And something did.He immediately opened the message.

Kiara: Good luck out there,dumbass.Especially with that penalty.

Carlos: Gracias,princesa.
Try not to hit anyone at turn 1 ;)

K: I don't hit.I simply do not move aside for others.

C: Yeah,I noticed.I was a victim to one of those situations.

K: Months ago in Australia,idiot.

C: Oh,yes.The time you kicked me.

K: Stop trying to guilt trip me.

C: Not until you meet me in my drivers room after the race.

K: Haha,nice try.I first want to hear the three words where you admit defeat.

C: Fine...What about the F1 Vegas chapel?

K: You're not serious.

C: Sì,let's get married tonight,mi amor.

K: Married in Vegas?Really?

C: I think it's a good idea ;)

K: No,it's not.

C: Come on.You don't need to worry.We have all the other drivers to come watch it all.Your dad's already here too.

K: My dad will strangle you in a matter of seconds.

C: He'll learn to accept it :)

K: Wow,okay.But besides,my in-laws aren't even here for it 💅

C: In-laws? I see you've already accepted it,querida.I'll let my family know.

K: Is it possible to virtually slap someone?

C: Love you too

K: Just get into your car already!

"Carlos?!"Someone called,knocking on the door.
"Coming."Carlos said,smiling to himself as he left for the race.