Senna's Daughter - Carlos Sainz/ Lewis Hamilton

Chapter 22 - But you only tolerated it

Gabriela Senna's POV:

As the sun's rays gently caressed my face, I slowly opened my eyes, realizing that I had spent the night in Lewis' room and had slept in his bed. Looking around, I breathed a sigh of relief when I didn't see him lying beside me.  Back in 2016 when we went to a really small town in Portugal and we arrived so late at night without a reservation at a hotel, we had to share a bed. But it was not something intimate. We just slept side by side but nothing more. Gathering my thoughts, I made my way to the living room, where Lewis was busy preparing coffee.

"Good morning," I said.

"Good morning, did you sleep well?" He asked.

"Good, but I was wondering did you...?"I trailed off, trying to ask if he had slept next to me, but feeling a bit awkward about it. Fortunately, Lewis understood my unspoken question.

"I slept on the couch over there," he said, gesturing to the couch.

"Lewis, thank you so much for being there for me last night," I said.

"No worries. That's what friends are for, right?" he replied with a smile, to which I nodded in agreement.

"Can I use your phone to make a quick call?" I asked.

"Of course," he replied, handing me his phone.

I dialed Lance's number.

"Lewis, man. Honestly, I'm surprised you called me," Lance exclaimed as he answered the phone.

"Lance, it's me, Gabriela," I clarified.

"Gabriela, huh?" he sounded puzzled.

"Long story, but I stayed in Lewis' room last night, and I need you to cover for me, okay?" I requested.

"You did what?" Lance was clearly taken aback.

"We had an argument with Carlos, so I left and ended up staying with Lewis. Anyway, that's not the point right now. If Carlos asks, just say you were with me last night," I explained.

"Okay, got it. But tell me, did something happen? Between you and Lewis?" Lance's curiosity was evident.

"Of course not, Lance. What could possibly happen between us?" I responded, a hint of annoyance in my voice so Lewis looked at me. I looked back at him and gave an awkward smile.

"Are you coming to the paddock today?" Lance inquired.

"Yes, I am. I need to hang up now. See you, and love you," I said before ending the call.

"Feeling better now? If you want, you can stay here, or I can help you leave the hotel without anyone noticing," Lewis offered.

"No, I'm feeling better. Watching five episodes of Friends back-to-back was like medicine. Plus, I need to hear what Carlos has to say," I replied.

After bidding Lewis farewell, I made my way to Carlos' room and knocked on the door. He opened it, looking somewhat sleepy.

"Gabriela, you are here." He said and quickly hugged me. "I was so worried that you left me for good or something happened to you. You left all your belongings here. What did you do at night?" Carlos asked worriedly.

"I just went to Lance's hotel," I said and felt guilty as soon as the words of lie left my mouth.

Carlos nodded, seemingly reassured. "Oh, good then."

"Carlos, now I am ready to hear you out. Last night I felt so angry and betrayed. I didn't want to say things I'd regret later," I explained as I sat down beside him on the bed.