Right On Track

Chapter 78

Kiara Wolff

Kiara woke up the next morning and started to get ready for media day.The last media day of the season...
She had decided not to put that factor to waste,actually.So,she went ahead and wore a palazzo jumpsuit,the v-neck a little low.Yes,of course it was bordeux red,her hair unbound.
Last night had actually ended fine.Esteban finally seemed to give in to the idea of forgiving and forgetting.When she had gotten back to the hotel after dinner,she had the urge to stop by Carlos' room.But then again,she held the urge aside and just went to her own room.
She made her way to the hotel lobby,soon walking towards the exit.Just as she was walking out to the black Aston Martin she was using,something caught her eye.
She looked towards the Ferrari parked nearby,seeing Carlos halt before getting in.He braced a hand on the car door,stopping and looking towards Kiara,his gaze drifting up and down.
Kiara,knowing exactly what she had just started,just gave him a smile and got into her car.

"I actually can't wait to go home and sleep more."Max told the journalist as she asked questions.
"Same here."Kiara chuckled."I want my mother's food,too."
"Of course she does."Max said."She's probably tired of eating her own burned food all the time."
The journalist laughed and Kiara crossed her arms."At least I try.You just order something or scratch around in the fridge for leftovers."
He shrugged."Better than eating burned food."
Kiara elbowed him and he burst out laughing.
"Anyway,"The journalist said."That's all for today.Thank you,Max and Kiara."
They nodded,handing the mics back to the camera crew.As Kiara walked past the journalist again,she complemented her outfit.Kiara grinned,thanking her before leaving to walk through the paddock.
"Somebody's in a good mood."Max commented as he and Kiara finished up an interview.
"It's the last race weekend,Max."She said."I don't want to be miserable."
Max arched a brow as they walked through the paddock."Okay...But did you have to wear red?"
"Hey,listen."She pointed a finger."You and I are always in the red bull polo with jeans.We barely do anything else."
"Whatever."He sighed.
As they carried on walking,Max's eyes widened for a moment.He seemed to realize something.
"Spill it,Verstappen."Kiara snapped as she noticed his expression.
"No,never mind."He quickly said,picking up his walking pace.
"Max."She said warningly.
"Fine,"He said."I just realized that it's probably for Carlos.Nothing else."
He started to walk away faster.She scoffed,pretending as though it wasn't true."You're lucky we aren't in the garage this time or else I would have thrown a wrench at you again!"
At that,Max actually jogged away to the Red Bull motorhome,seeming to hold back a laugh.
Kiara narrowed her eyes,shaking her head.
She started to walk past the motorhomes,finding her way to the Mercedes one to find Alora.She and Alora were supporting to do some activity with Sky Sports for the final media day of the season.
Kiara was passing the Red Bull motorhome a moment later.She looked inside and saw Daniel and Max at the entrance.When they saw her,they stopped talking.
"You're telling him about my outfit,aren't you?"She questioned Max.
"No."He quickly said.
"Yes."Daniel nodded,starting to laugh.
Kiara rolled her eyes,flipping them off.
She started to continue her walk past the building,checking her watch and making sure that she wasn't late.Alora would strangle her if she was late for this one.
Then,as she passed the Red Bull motorhome and was about to pass the Ferrari one,someone grabbed her by the arm and yanked her to the side,pulling her into the gap between the two team motorhomes.
She didn't even have time to think.She just yelped as they pressed her back against the wall of the Ferrari motorhome.
"Explain yourself."
She blinked,looking up and seeing that it was Carlos.
"What?"She frowned.
He braced a hand against the wall,beside her head as he leaned down a little."Don't play dumb with me."
"You're confusing me."She said,trying to sound oblivious of the fact that he was referring to her outfit.And the color.
"I would consider that cheating,amor."He said in a low tone,his face getting closer.
"What?"She arched a brow."My outfit?"
He clenched his jaw,his gaze flicking down for a second.
Kiara swallowed,looking up at his face,strands of his dark hair hanging forward as he looked down at her.As his firm gaze met her own,she suddenly felt a little intimidated by it.
His gaze was intense,staring her down with an intimidating expression  on his face.
"You're trying really hard,I see."He said,his face merely inches from her own.She tried to fix up her own expression,holding back the urge to just pull his head down more and press her lips to his.
His other hand was soon drifting up,tracing along her arm and causing her breath to catch a little at the contact.Her back stiffened,the hairs on the back of her neck standing up as his fingers trailed up and stopped at the thin strap of her outfit.
"But this..."He hooked a finger on the thin strap that wasn't straight up,rather slipping diagonally on her shoulder.
"This is only mine to touch."He said,fixing the strap.
"You touched me."She pointed out.
He smirked,letting his hand drift towards her face.
She almost felt another breath catch as he cupped the side of her face with that hand.
"Touching you,mi reina,"He said,then lightly squeezed her cheeks together."Doesn't mean that I'm giving in."
She swallowed again as he let go of her face and brushed aside a few strands of her hair.
"Now,tell me."He said."Was last night also another set up for my reaction?"
"Last night?"She frowned.
"Yes,last night,Kiara."He muttered."You said you were going out with Kika and Pierre.The only person I saw in the picture was Esteban Ocon."
"Carlos,I didn't go out with him."Kiara said.
"Oh?"He raised his brows sarcastically,moving his body closer to hers."Oh,you didn't?"
"I'm serious.Well,partly..."She said."But trust me,I was with Pierre and Kika.And Pierre called Esteban too while I didn't even know."
Carlos licked his bottom lips,gazing down at her."Then why was it only the two of you sitting at that table?"
"Okay,I'll explain,Mr,Jealous."She narrowed her eyes."If you look closely at the other chair,you can see an Alpine jacket draped over the backrest.And you can also see Kika's handbag on the other chair.They just went to get some pictures together on the terrace.So,whatever photos those fans put up,be sure to get the actual story first before assuming.Pierre planned the dinner so Esteban and I could talk something out.Okay?"
Something like relief flashed through his gaze for a second.But then,he asked."So...Pierre planned the dinner?"
"Yes."She said."Why?"
"Nothing."He diverted his gaze,seeming to think of something.
She frowned,but just let it go.
"Now,Carlos."Kiara said."I'm late for something,so..."
He paused,looking at her for a moment longer.Then,he stepped back and gave her space.
She started to leave,trying to ignore the intense feelings that pulsed through her body as she tried to feel the goosebumps disappear.
That man is going to be the death of me...She thought to herself.

"All good,Ki?"Santiago asked.
"Perfecto."She told him,gripping her steering wheel.It was Saturday and qualifying was just about to start,Kiara already in her car with her visor pulled down.
She took a deep breath,her idea set and ready for the session.She needed pole position.Or even second.
But not any lower.
If she wanted to beat Alora and Mercedes to second,she had to get second or first in the race.
"Alright,"Santiago said."The track is green."
"Copy."She replied.
"Good luck."He said.