A race to your heart (Zarry AU)

5.- Restless 🏁

A couple of months earlier

Harry's POV

After partying with Emily tonight, I came to her room to have a nightcap or in other words, sex.

Most of the time it put me at ease but this time my mind was revving like a fucking engine. I got out of bed and began to gather all my scattered clothes.

"Baby, are you leaving?" She asked me as she got out of bed too and, put on her silk white robe.

"Yes, love. I have an early meeting with my team. I'm sorry," I said kissing her fondly on her plumped lips and she just nodded.

The sex was incredibly hot and wouldn't mind another round but I just couldn't stay the night. I had to get out of there.

It wasn't her, it was me.

As I was driving home I thought about the upcoming season, Zayn, Ems. Everything loomed like an unwelcome storm, but the most important thing in my career was that I still didn't have a racing team. The weight of the uncertainty pressed down on me, every passing day intensifying the stress.

Desperation led me to go to my manager's office the next morning. Jeff Azzaro, he's a seasoned professional with a knack for pulling strings. So, once there I shared with him all my concerns.

"I need a team, Jeff. It's crunch time, and the next season is approaching faster than I can handle," I exclaimed, frustration etched in my voice.

Jeff, cool and composed, leaned back in his chair. "Harry, we've been through tough times before. Your season is going pretty well and I've got a plan, don't worry,"

My eyes widened with anticipation.

"Tell me, Jeff. Did you know that Ferrari and Mercedes are fighting to get Zayn into their F1 teams next year? Two out of the three best teams! Two! And what is what I got? Nothing! Tell me your plan, I'll do anything at this point," I said arranging my hair as I always do when I'm nervous.

"So, all this fuss about having a team all of a sudden is because Zayn Malik and, your eternal feud with him?" Jeff asked intrigued.

"Of course not. I... I've been wanting this since I was 7 years old and competing in the fucking go-karts and... I'm ready to take the next step. I'm 21 and I want to be an F1 world champion with a winning team," I said and it was true. But the fact that Zayn had already a secured team was messing with my head.

"Okay, okay. But... put that lad out of your mind please," Jeff said.

"That would be impossible," I thought.

"I can't. He's the one I want to beat out there," I said and he shook his head.

"Suit yourself. Look, I've managed to arrange a meeting with Toto and with the principal of Ferrari too," Jeff said.

"It's a huge opportunity, Mercedes and Ferrari. We need to make a lasting impression. Be prepared; this could be our last shot with them," Jeff revealed, her eyes locked onto mine.
I nodded.

Days later, I found myself standing nervously in the polished reception area of the Mercedes's most important man apartment building.

The scent of wealth and success surrounded me, intimidating yet enticing. As I ascended to the penthouse my palms were clammy, and my mind was racing.

Inside his lavish place, the team principal, a discerning figure with a stern expression, received me.

The conversation unfolded with an intensity that matched the high-speed races I was accustomed to.