Mi campeón - Carlos Sainz (EN)

Chapter 10: August 26, 2023

Talia, wearing a light dress underneath which she wore her trusty shorts, made her way to the circuit to attend the weekend's final free practice sessions. A McLaren cap adorned her head, displaying her support for Lando's team. She was ready to face the day, but a lingering thought tormented her: she had to talk to Carlos about Dewey.

She had noticed Carlos's jealous gaze the day before when he saw her at the bar with Dewey. Even though she had no obligations to Carlos in terms of a relationship, she felt the need to clarify the situation. She didn't want him to jump to wrong conclusions, especially if it affected their budding "friendship."

To unwind before the qualifiers, some drivers decided to indulge in a game of table football. The tournament included the McLaren duo, Ferrari, Alpine, and Kika, Pierre's girlfriend. The tournament format was based on a winner against another. The exchanges were playful, and Talia was delighted to share this moment with Lando. Although she understood the importance of the event for him, she couldn't blame him for being less present.

Spending time with Carlos was also a source of joy. Although they couldn't really communicate verbally, their looks and light smiles were enough. At one point, finding themselves on the same side, they couldn't help but tease each other constantly, creating an atmosphere similar to that between siblings, but with a romantic touch.

In a bold attempt to score a point, Carlos grabbed one of the bars, usually used by Talia. He trapped it between his arms, pulling up his sweater in the process. It was at that moment that Talia was pleased to notice the bracelet she had given him, proudly displayed on his wrist. Their growing complicity was evident even in these small details, creating a warm and playful atmosphere on the playing field.

The table football competition was at its peak, and Talia, aligned with Pierre, faced off against Charles and Carlos. The electric atmosphere prevailed with the characteristic sounds of the game, accompanied by fervent cheers from both sides of the table. Suddenly, Pierre, a mischievous gleam in his eye, addressed Talia, "Feel like winning?"

A conspiratorial smile lit up Talia's face. "Of course!" she replied, determined to rise to the challenge.

Carlos, observing the scene with curiosity and a hint of intrigue, interrupted their conversation. "Why are you two speaking French?" he asked, raising an inquisitive eyebrow.

Pierre, with a knowing wink, suggested to Talia to distract the opposing team. Charles playfully protested against this tactic. Tension rose as the game reached its climax.

Talia, sensing the opportunity to play on Carlos's curiosity, chose her words carefully. "Sorry for my disappointing performance, guys. I had a long evening yesterday," she said, creating a slight suspense.

Carlos, intrigued, turned his gaze from the game to her.

"Oh yeah?" he asked, trying to unravel the mystery of her evening. Lando, unaware of the situation, turned his questioning gaze to Talia, seeking explanations.

"Dewey, the simulation engineer at McLaren, invited me for a drink last night, he's really nice," Talia added, further fueling Carlos's curiosity.

Lando, responding in turn, added, "Yeah, that guy is really cool. We talked a bit during the simulation." A slight annoyance crossed Carlos's face as he perceived the exchange between Talia and Lando.

Talia, savoring the moment, finally added, "He kept talking to me about his boyfriend." A tense silence settled as the reality of the situation sank in. Carlos's gaze passed through a range of emotions, from curiosity to understanding, and finally to an amused smile. The initial tension dissipated, giving way to a mix of relief and teasing as they resumed the game.

The qualifiers were a captivating moment for Talia. Sitting in the stands, she couldn't take her eyes off the track where Lando was striving for the best possible position. Every quick lap, every successful overtake triggered an adrenaline rush in her. When the results board finally showed up, revealing Lando's second place, a glow of pride illuminated Talia's face.

The lingering joy enveloped them as they decided to celebrate this success together. The choice of venue was crucial, and they opted for a place that combined delicious cuisine with a relaxed atmosphere. The lively discussions between Talia and Lando ranged from the day's highlights to light anecdotes.

Around the table, laughter abounded, and complicity grew. In a spontaneous moment, Talia shared memories of her own personal successes, thereby deepening her bond with Lando. Each recognized the value of this growing friendship, a refreshing breath of air amidst the turmoil of daily life.

However, aware of the importance of the next day, Talia knew they couldn't prolong the evening too late. They parted ways with tired but satisfied smiles, eager to reunite for the upcoming race.

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