Hope is a dangerous thing for a Woman like me to have

Chapter 38

Charles' POV - Friday practice

Carlos and I arrived early for the Italien grand prix to try greet as many tifosi as we could. The support and passion for ferrari was crazy. There commitment to the team was crazy - not that I could really talk as Ferrari was all I had also ever dreamed of. 

We went to the garage for our meeting and I saw Edom enter the paddock. She looked gorgeous in a skort and mclaren top - that girl could seriously pull off anything. Unfortunately I couldn't wait for her without being late for our meeting. We talked about what we wanted to get out of practice and potential race strategies. 

Eventually, we were released and Carlos came back to my suit with me to hang out whilst we had some free time. Despite being one of my biggest rivals on track, we had a really good friendship and I was glad that of anyone, he was my teammate. 

"Any girls?" I smirked to him as we fell onto my small sofa. 

"Seriously Charles? You're worse than the press" He rolled his eyes with a chuckle. "Nothing serious at the moment. Just the occasional girl here and there, but I don't think I'm ready for anything serious again at the moment." 

He had just broken up with his long-term girlfriend Isa, who I also considered a friend due to how much I had seen her over the years. He hadn't taken it well, despite being the one to call it quits, and to be honest, to me it felt like parents divorcing. 

"But on the topic of the press - I saw the picture of you and Edom." Carlos turned the tables onto me. 

"Yeah I saw that had gotten out." I said, trying to think how I could change the subject. "Don't you hate it when fans want to take pictures with you when you're just trying to live life? And then they complain you don't smile for the photo." I looked so grumpy in the photo, but I was just annoyed the fan had ruined my moment with Edom. 

"Not really, and you never say that either." Carlos smirked at me, my plan clearly foiled. "So... that picture of you and Edom. Are you guys friends now?" I felt my face go slightly red. 

"Or are you more than friends?!" he gasped. 

"God, no." I answered to quickly, lying to my team mate. I had promised Edom this wouldn't get out, and I couldn't let her down. Carlos, however, raised an eyebrow at me, conveying his disbelief. 

"No no no." I kept going, trying to prove to him. "I still hate the girl - she's so loud and annoying." My face slightly winced at the cruel words and Carlos raised an eyebrow even higher, still not believing me. In the panick of the moment, I word vomited "My PR manager had noticed how much we weren't getting on and snitched to Fred. They both told me I had to try make friends with her instead to make me look good, or it will make my brand look bad.". 

Carlos' expression turned to a slight smirk. "Damn, that's pretty harsh Charles." He replied with a chuckle. I knew how horrible it sounded and I regretted it instantly, but I needed to keep this facade up for Edom's sake. "You're doing a good job of acting I guess, she looks pretty happy to be there."

"I know." I rolled my eyes to add some effect. "I've told her we're friends, but I think she's actually starting to like me for more. God, what an idiot." I tried to laugh cruelly but the noise that left my mouth sounded like it wasn't from me. I hated lying to Carlos, but I knew it was what had to be done. 

"Do you not like her at all?!" questioned Carlos. "She seems lovely whenever I've spoken to her, and she's a fan favourite."

"Exactly why it will be good to be seen on close terms with her." I tried to act nonchalont, but inside this lie made my heart strings pull, even though I knew it wasn't true "Maybe I'll even be able to get some Mclaren secrets out of her. Not that we'd want them, considering their car is shit."  

Carlos was silent for a few seconds, assessing me. Suddenly he burst out laughing. 

"You're a terrible liar, my friend." He roared. "I can see straight through you and the look you made when you saw her this morning." 

"Fuck." I groaned. I couldn't go on any longer. That lie, despite being complete bullshit, had hurt to say. "Is it seriously that obvious?" 

"Just to me, mate." Carlos winked. "I know you so well now. And I've never seen you look at another girl the way you look at Edom." 

I kicked his ankle, leaning back to stare at the ceiling and groaned. 

"Look, we're keeping it a secret. Edom especially wants it that way, so you can't tell anyone you know about this, ok? Not even Edom! She would probably lose trust in me if she found out I told you."

"Well, techinically I figured it out - you didn't tell me." Carlos smirked with a smug expression. 

"Ok, what do you want? A PhD in behaviour psychology or something?"

"That could do? Or maybe an easy overtake?" 

"Never." I laughed at his stupid proposal. 

"Boys, Fred wants to talk to you." someone called from outside. 

"Alright coming." I replied loudly, then turned to Carlos. "Please keep this a secret." 

"Ofcourse, I would never be disloyal to my Lord Percival." He made a cross symbol across his heart. We chuckled, before heading back out to do our jobs. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oop - if only Edom had stayed a minute longer!!

Also look at me releasing 3 chapters in under 4 days ;) - this increase in support genuinely gives me so much motivation so thank you so so much xxx