Glitter: A Pierre Gasly Story

Chapter 31

PIERRE'S POV

Wednesday morning before the Las Vegas Grand Prix

"Okay, so tomorrow is going to be a busy day. We have all the standard interviews with Sky, but you're also in the press conference and you have a Drive to Survive interview at the end of the day," Jess reviewed the plan for media day as we lounged in my hotel room.

"Got it. When are we announcing the contract?" I asked Jess and she smirked at me.

"Team has the announcement set for 8am local time," she replied as I smiled widely.

It had finally happened. After months of working hard and proving to the team that I deserved it, my seat was set for another two years.

When I'd landed in Vegas on Monday afternoon, Andre had been waiting for me to tell me the good news. We'd gone right to meet my team principle and sign the paperwork. I'd been ecstatic and the only downside was that Ellie hadn't been with me when I found out.

After travelling with me to the Brazilian and Mexican Grand Prixe, Ellie had to make a quick trip home for a handful of meetings with her studio. She'd be joining me on Friday, and I couldn't wait to see her. We'd been nearly inseparable since her birthday, and I didn't care how fucking pathetic it was, everything was a little less bright without her.

"Amazing, can you make sure I have time after the announcement goes out to call Ellie?" I requested and Jess nodded. "I want to tell her all about it once it's public."

"You know you could tell her now," Jess prompted. "I doubt she's going to leak it to SportsCenter."

I chuckled at the thought. "I know, but I want to surprise her. Were you able to get us dinner reservations? I know it was a late ask."

I had it all planned out. 

We had been avoiding any conversations about what would happen when the season, and our arrangement ,was officially over. I knew Ellie's life would be getting busier. The premiere for her new movie was soon and then she'd be on set. It was unlikely she'd be able to travel to any of the races with me in the first half of the new season, and I wanted to make sure she knew I was serious about this. About her.

I was going to tell her that I loved her.

With my contract now signed, it felt right. For her to know that this wasn't about the arrangement, but about her. I needed her to know that everything I felt for her was real. 

And after everything we'd been through, she deserved the perfect night. Flowers, champagne, a fancy dinner. My contract was signed, and I was pulling out all the stops to give her the security I knew she so deeply needed.

"Of course," Jess hummed as she packed up her bag. "I used your name, and it was easy as could be."

"Thank you so much. For everything," I told her genuinely and she smiled brightly at me.

"I'm so proud of you Pierre. You've worked so hard for it all," she replied and headed to the door. "Make sure you check your email for interview questions and talking points later."

"Sounds good. Do I have anything now?" I checked with her as I pulled out my phone, eager to call Ellie and hear her voice.

"Nope. Andre should be here in a little bit to go over some sponsorships, but that's it," she confirmed and with that was out the door.

I laid back on the couch, and tapped Ellie's contact, knowing this would be the best part of my day.

+++

Wednesday afternoon before the Las Vegas Grand Prix

After my chat with Ellie and a meeting with Andre, I headed to grab a coffee from the shop in the hotel and on my way through the lobby, I ran into Charles and Carlos.