My checkered flag 🏁

the plans

28th February 2024, Bahrein

I've waited too long to say this but it's finally race week again!!

The past months were full of work at the MTC. I'm working together with Lando and we really make a good team. It's only a matter of time for him to get his first win. Not only is he incredibly talented, his mentality is admirable. I miss my IndyCar boys a lot but luckily Lando and I get a long really well too.

Testing looked really promising which made my excitement for this weekend even bigger.

I enter the Paddock with some of the other team members. We go straight to the hospitality and set everything up. After going over some data I wait for Lando to arrive, so we can head out for the track walk.

„Viiiiiioleeeeet" I hear Lando singing behind me.

I laugh as I finished making my coffee. „Good morning Lando, ready for today?"

„The only thing I'm actually looking forward to are the meetings with you."

„You're so charming, I might throw up."

He laughs „Okay but seriously I absolutely didn't missed the media days. It's torture."

„Lucky me I don't have to do this shit." I take another sip of my coffee and smile.

„You ready to go now?" he asks waiting.

„Nope" I hold my coffee in front of him „you know what happens when I don't have my Coffee." He laughs and sits down with me. While I finish my Coffee we keep talking about different things.

I take the last sip and get up „Let's get the team then". We get everyone together and leave to the track. We exit the pitlane and I turn Lando around, so we look at the finish line. „You better be the first one to cross it on Sunday."

He chuckles „Well yeah if you make your Job right."

I act shocked and push him away „Oh I promise you I'm the best."

He laughs and puts an arm around my shoulders „I know I know. We're a dream team."

We make our way around the track and talk about the most important parts. Lando listens closely everytime I say something. That's also one of the things about him that I admire; one minute we joke and the next he is the most professional I know.

I was just about to explain something to Lando as I hear a voice behind us.

„Lando!!"

I freeze.

I would recognise this tick Spanish accent everywhere.

„Ah hey Mate!" Lando leaves but I refuse to turn around.

I hear both of them talking. I don't understand a single word but I hear them coming closer.

„You should meet my new head strategist! She's THE best, you'll love her" I hear Lando talking.

No no no no no....

„Hey I'm Car-„ I turn around and he immediately stops.

„Oh how could I forget about that." I say bitter.

„Violet.." he says, his voice only being a whisper.

Lando smiles „Oh you two know each other?"

„Unfortunately." I say and turn around to keep walking.

„I am the one that should be saying that." I hear Carlos saying.

I tense and turn around slowly „What did you just say?!"

„You were the one that-"

I interrupt him „Don't even dare to talk to me." I spit out and glare at him.

Lando looks between the two of us. Neither I nor Carlos move, we death stare at each other. Lando puts his arm around my shoulder and turns me around. He turns to Carlos „I'll see you later mate."

He pushes me slightly forward. When we're far enough from Carlos he starts talking „So do you want to tell me what that was?"

„No. We have some work to get done."  I say and walk faster. He sighs but follows me.

We finish the track walk and get back inside the Hospitality.

„Violet please talk to me." Lando says as soon as we entered.

I shake my head „You have to do media now." I point to his press officer who was looking for him.

„There you are! We have to hurry Lando the press conference starts soon." she pulls him slightly away as he looks back to me.

For the rest of the day I drown myself in data. Hoping to get Carlos out of my mind.

Without success.

7 Years.

7 fucking years have I tried to forget him.

But I never succeeded, because I hate him.

I hate him SO much.

He almost ruined everything. My whole life.

I knew I would see him again sooner or later but I hoped it would be later and not on the first day of the this race weekend.

yay.

Now Lando better kick his ass on track.

********

We loooove some good drama.
And there will be more... :)