Mi campeón - Carlos Sainz (EN)

Chapter 7: August 23, 2023

The Wednesday was entirely dedicated to media activities. The boys had to record various videos for their fans. Talia, having already watched dozens of similar contents, knew how fun and extravagant these activities could be. So, she was looking forward to this day full of surprises.

For the occasion, Talia had opted for an outfit that was both fitted and comfortable. A beautiful white wool dress subtly highlighting her curves, accompanied by black stockings. In her bag, she had carefully packed Carlos's shorts that she had to return to him. She adjusted the McLaren cap on her head before joining the boys in the lobby. Together, they made their way to the media center.

Upon arrival, Talia learned that she could stay in the room during the "game," as long as she remained as discreet as possible. During the briefing, Talia understood that the boys would have to compete in various classic games such as Twister, limbo, or Jenga. The moment promised to be interesting. She settled in a corner of the room, observing the boys from afar so as not to disturb the technical team.

Oscar, with his usual infectious energy, kicked off the video intro, detailing the rules of the different games planned for the session. The first on the list was Twister, always a hilarious classic. The boys eagerly took their places on the mat dotted with colored circles. Lando, visibly determined, spun the arrow, thus triggering the start of the game. The initial moves were simple, but by the third turn, the duo found themselves in positions worthy of an artistic contortionist.

The colors of the mat seemed to blend with the range of expressions on Talia's face, shifting from smiles to reluctance, then to outright hilarity. At one point, Lando contorted himself in a way that strangely resembled a breakdancer. The game, initially perceived as simple childhood entertainment, took on a whole new dimension, probably due to the unusual closeness of the two players on the cramped mat.

After Lando's victory in Twister, the two friends decided to stretch while the team prepared for the next game: limbo. The rungs, placed at various heights, seemed to defy the laws of human flexibility. The first one was at shoulder level, and the last one, much lower, descended to knee level.

For the first round, Lando and Oscar opted for a moderate approach, passing under the bar with ease. However, the duo quickly decided to make things harder by lowering the bar by two rungs, placing it at the height of their elbows. Lando slipped through with surprising agility, adopting a posture strangely reminiscent of a zombie, hands outstretched with strange noises. Oscar, on the other hand, attempted the maneuver pessimistically, failing to pass and hitting the bar, which collapsed. Second point for Lando.

The Jenga game that followed was a memorable experience. The boys, focused and competitive, faced off with intensity. The wooden blocks, each bearing the fragile balance of the tower, seemed to be key elements in a much larger game. Teasing glances, precise gestures to remove each piece, everything contributed to creating an electric atmosphere.

Finally, the tower collapsed, and it was Lando who was left with the responsibility of this symbolic defeat. Despite the outcome, the farewells were warm, and the video came to an end. Still filled with the excitement of the competition, the boys left the motorhome jokingly, with Lando boasting his victory with two points against three.

The group, still lively, headed outside while continuing to chat. Passing by the Ferrari motorhome, laughter and shouts could be heard. Intrigued, they decided to let their curiosity guide them and entered the motorhome. Talia, surprised to see that the boys had access to these areas, asked Oscar, who explained that some areas were restricted, especially those of the analysts, but others, like this one, were public.

Upon entering the motorhome, a silent gesture invited them to be discreet. The scene they witnessed was both unexpected and amusing: the two Ferrari drivers stood blindfolded in front of a table strewn with marshmallows. Each was equipped with a ladle and a container, ready to participate in a game that seemed mysterious.

A countdown sounded, and once it ended, the rules finally became clear. The drivers had to catch the candies using the ladle and deposit them into their containers. The one with the most at the end would likely win. Talia watched with amusement as Charles, showing his impatience, started a little before the countdown ended, triggering laughter from the young woman.

The intrigue deepened when Charles attempted to seize Carlos's gains in his container, but the task proved challenging blindfolded. Carlos, sensing Charles's intrusion into his sweet territory, threatened him with his ladle. The rest of the game unfolded in a cacophony of disorderly movements, the boys moving in all directions without really accumulating many more marshmallows.

When the signal sounded to end the game, Charles and Carlos cautiously removed their blindfolds. Charles, already sure of his victory, was about to proclaim himself the champion, but Carlos immediately stopped him, inviting him to count without cheating. Engrossed in counting the marshmallows in his container, Carlos did not notice that Charles had cleverly cut some pieces in half, thereby doubling or even tripling his points. This detail did not go unnoticed by those present, triggering a general burst of laughter.

Carlos, realizing the trickery belatedly, also burst into laughter, and Charles admitted that he had won, although he seemed unhappy to admit it. The two competitors looked up, removing the blindfolds that had remained around their necks. It was at this moment that they spotted their friends, still in front of the camera. Although they couldn't wave to them because of the recording, Carlos didn't miss the opportunity to discreetly wink at Talia, causing dimples to appear on her cheeks.

The men finished recording the video before joining the group. Lando and Oscar congratulated Carlos on his victory, then turned to Charles to tease him about his cheating. Meanwhile, number 55 felt a tap on his arm. Carlos turned to face the young woman who was handing him back the shorts he had lent her the day before.

Carlos (surprised): Oh, thank you. But there's a little detail that's not quite right.

Talia (intrigued): Oh really, what's that?

Carlos: You can't come here wearing clothes from the enemy camp.

He gently removed the McLaren cap from her head, while Lando, seeing the scene, attempted a rebellion by claiming that she was on his team. Carlos countered by saying that as long as she was on Ferrari territory, she was with them.

Lando (protesting): She's on my team!

Carlos (laughing): Not on Ferrari territory, my friend.

He placed his own Ferrari cap on Talia's head, creating a moment of camaraderie between them.

The atmosphere was light, filled with laughter and camaraderie, as the group headed to the circuit's cafeteria. Carlos, relaxed, slipped his arm around Talia's shoulders with an ease that surprised her but also brought a pleasant warmth. The joyful noise of the pilots and Talia's conversations echoed through the corridors.

A little behind the group, Talia shared with Carlos the hilarious details of the challenges the boys had just participated in. Carlos's genuine laughter responded to the young woman's anecdotes, creating a bond of complicity between them. Talia, in a moment of sincerity, congratulated him again on his victory, her sparkling eyes expressing genuine joy for her comrade.

"What do you actually win?" she asked with a mischievous smile, curious about the rewards of these quirky games.

Carlos, wearing his usual mischievous look, replied, "The winner gets to choose." A knowing glance exchanged between them conveyed a tacit understanding, but Carlos, aware of prying ears, suggested slowing down slightly.

Taking advantage of this moment, Carlos delved into a question that seemed to hang in the air: "And what if the winner wants to share a meal with you, what happens then?"

Talia, surprised by this unexpected proposition, felt her cheeks blush slightly. Carlos, always keen to clarify his intentions, quickly added that it was just a suggestion.

"No, I don't mind at all. On the contrary, it would make me happy," replied Talia, her complicit smile expressing a budding closeness. A glance exchanged between them sealed this silent agreement as they rejoined the rest of the group for the meal.

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