Here and Beyond

Flying To Austria

CHAPTER 8
Flying To Austria

Flying private from London to Austria was one of the easiest and fastest experiences I had in my years of traveling. Last week, I had the weirdest idea of meeting Kelly, Carmen, and Lily at the Austrian Grand Prix 2022. It was, of course, supported by none other than Lily. She never stopped messaging me about it, until she knew I was booked down from the hotel room to flights. 

Immediately, I contacted Uncle Toto for an easier process. In no time, he managed to get our private jet flying and a lovely accommodation in case I wanted to stay for the whole week. 

Even though I am here to support Mercedes, and meet my WAG friends, I forgot to bring silver accessories or even silver outfits. While on the ride to the track, my mind swirls to the possibility of me ending up at a mall or shopping place near the location... knowing that I would love to buy things from places I have been to, as souvenirs, and also clothes. 

"Hello, yes, Uncle Toto," I answered the call. 

"Where are you?" He asked. "You did not update me on your location. We both know your mom will kill me if you get into anything. Are you on the way?" He added. His voice sounds rushed like he just ended a meeting to call his favorite niece. 

I chuckled, "Slow down, Uncle. Yes, I'm on the way already. I'm quite near the paddock entrance," I informed him. Walking down the front of the Grand Prix Paddock I readied my pass hanging on my neck. 

"I'll send someone to get you, alright. Don't talk to strangers you don't know, ring me if you need help," I shook my head at how paranoid my uncle was. I understand him, though. It is my first time traveling to Austria alone to attend a race, it does not help that I gained such fame in the past few months. 

Nodding my head along, I responded to him, "Chill, I'm fine. I know, I will ring you. About your staff, I will wait for them near the gate, okay?" Using my free hand, I hold onto the card and let it scan on the machine. When I heard the beep I looked at the person guarding the entrance, he nodded at me and I took it as a sign to proceed inside. 

"Just... take care. Bye," He was the one to end the call. 

When I managed to get in, I was greeted by the smiling faces of Formula One enthusiasts and fans. Some of them, I believe, recognized me and waved at me. Some of them had the confidence to approach me and ask for a picture and autograph, "Guys, I just want to remind you, I'm not a driver," I said while signing one of the merchandise a girl in front of me was holding. They are a friend group of three, a blonde, a brunette, and a ginger. All of them are beaming at me.

The brunette one answered me with a low chuckle, "We know, but we cannot let this pass up. You're so hard to spot on when we're in the United Kingdom." 

I nodded, "It's because I rarely go out." 

It was the ginger one who talks now, "That's why. We even tried to visit the University of Oxford but you weren't there." 

I accepted the phone thrust to me, by the blonde one, and angled it so that all the four of us would be inside the frame, "One, two, three, cheese!" I give back the phone and accept the album one of them is holding, "I just bought this yesterday and haven't removed it from my bag. I'm so lucky," I smiled at her. 

"It's meant to be," I joked. "What's your name, by the way?" Asking the ginger one who gave me her album of mine for me to sign. 

"I'm Nathalie," she answered. "Hi, Nathalie," I smiled and looked down to write her name with a cute message before I signed it. "What about the others?"