we might be falling in love - patricio o' ward

monaco

November 19, 2022

As the private jet soared through the sky toward Monaco, Astraea felt a sense of excitement building in her chest. She glanced around at her friends, their faces filled with anticipation for the adventures that lay ahead.

Taking a deep breath, Astraea pulled out her phone and dialed her parents' number. After a few rings, her mother Marisol picked up.

"¡Hola, mi amor!" Marisol exclaimed, her voice warm and filled with love.

"Hi, Mom," Astraea said, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I have some exciting news."

As Astraea recounted the details of her incoming trip to Monaco and the exciting opportunity to start her own IndyCar team back in the States, her parents listened with rapt attention. Marisol and Rodrigo couldn't hide their pride and excitement for their daughter's achievements.

"That's incredible, mi amor!" Marisol exclaimed, her voice filled with joy. "You've worked so hard for this opportunity, and we couldn't be happier for you."

Rodrigo echoed his wife's sentiments. "Starting your own team at such a young age? That's impressive, hija. We always knew you were destined for great things."

But as Astraea hesitated, her parents sensed that there was more to the story. Marisol's tone softened, concern creeping into her voice. "Is everything okay, Astraea? You sound a bit... hesitant."

Astraea took a deep breath, steeling herself to share the painful truth. "There's something else, Mom, Dad. Something... difficult."

She recounted the events of the previous night, the betrayal she had discovered at the club. As she spoke, she could feel the weight of her words hanging heavy in the air.

Marisol and Rodrigo listened in stunned silence, their hearts breaking for their daughter. They had always admired Lewis and thought he was a good match for Astraea, but now they saw him in a different light.

"I'm so sorry, mi amor," Marisol said, her voice trembling with emotion. "I can't imagine how much this must hurt."

Rodrigo's voice was filled with anger. "That man doesn't deserve you, Astraea. You deserve someone who will cherish and respect you, not someone who would betray your trust."

Tears welled up in Astraea's eyes as she listened to her parents' words of comfort and support. In that moment, she felt grateful for their unwavering love, knowing that no matter what happened, they would always be there for her.

As the conversation drew to a close, Marisol and Rodrigo made a promise to their daughter: they would stand by her side through this difficult time, offering whatever support and guidance she needed.

As Astraea continued her conversation with her parents, her friends gathered around her, eager to say hello and share their own stories from the night before.

"¡Hola, Marisol y Rodrigo!" Lando chimed in, his voice bright with enthusiasm. "You raised an amazing daughter, and we're lucky to have her as a friend."

Carlos jumped in, adding, "We've been having a blast here in Monaco. You should hear about the time Mick challenged George to a dance-off!"

Laughter filled the air as Mick and George recounted their impromptu dance battle, their exaggerated moves drawing cheers and applause from the group.

Meanwhile, Daniel and his girlfriend shared tales of their attempts to cheer up Astraea, from their ridiculous dance moves to their heartfelt conversations late into the night.

"We even pulled an all-nighter to make sure Astraea felt better," Daniel said, a hint of pride in his voice. "We're like a family, and we'll always be there for each other."

As the stories flowed, Astraea couldn't help but smile through her tears. Despite the pain she had endured, she was surrounded by love and support from the people who mattered most to her.

"Thank you, everyone," she said, her voice filled with gratitude. "I don't know what I'd do without you all."

Her friends echoed her sentiments, their voices filled with warmth and affection. In that moment, surrounded by the laughter and love of her chosen family, Astraea knew that no matter what the future held, she would always have them by her side.

And as Astraea hung up the phone, a sense of peace washed over her. She knew that with her family's love and support, she could face whatever challenges lay ahead, her spirit unbroken by the pain of betrayal.

As the group arrived at the stunning villa in Monaco, they were greeted by breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and luxurious amenities that left them in awe. Excitement bubbled within them as they explored the spacious rooms and sprawling grounds, eager to start their adventure in style.

---

As the girls navigated the aisles of the store in search of party supplies, their mission took on a life of its own. Charlotte grabbed a pack of inflatable flamingos, tossing them into the cart with a mischievous grin. "These are an absolute must-have for our pool party extravaganza!"

Luisa, her eyes scanning the shelves for snacks, let out an excited squeal as she spotted a display of chips and dip. "We can't forget the essentials—chips, dip, and more chips!"

Meanwhile, Astraea eyed a display of pool floats, her imagination running wild with possibilities. "What about these giant inflatable pizza slices? They're practically begging to be lounged on!"

As they made their way to the swimsuit section, Isa couldn't resist trying on a particularly outrageous bikini covered in neon flamingos. "What do you think, guys? Too much, or just enough?"

The girls erupted into laughter as Isa struck a pose, her hands on her hips as she modeled the flamboyant swimsuit.

Back at the villa, the guys were knee-deep in party preparations, their enthusiasm reaching new heights with each passing minute.

Daniel, armed with a blender and a plethora of tropical fruits, declared himself the official bartender of the evening. "Who's ready for some poolside cocktails?" he exclaimed, his grin infectious as he whipped up fruity concoctions with flair.

Lando and Carlos, eager to contribute to the festivities, took charge of the barbecue, their culinary skills put to the test as they grilled up burgers and hot dogs with gusto.

Meanwhile, Charles and Arthur found themselves locked in a heated debate over the perfect party playlist, each vying to outdo the other with their song selections.

"How about some classic disco tunes?" Arthur suggested, adjusting the speakers to blast ABBA's greatest hits.

Charles wrinkled his nose in mock horror. "Disco? Are we trying to start a dance revolution or just embarrass ourselves?"

Arthur shrugged, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "Why not both? It's all part of the fun!"

As the day wore on and the party preparations reached a fever pitch, the villa was transformed into a veritable playground of fun and excitement.

Beer pong tables were set up by the pool, inflatable pool floats dotted the water, and a makeshift dance floor emerged under the stars.

With the stage set for an unforgettable evening, the group couldn't wait to kick off their pool party extravaganza and make memories that would last a lifetime. Little did they know, amidst the chaos and laughter, a surprise guest was about to make an unexpected entrance, ready to join in on the hilarity and add his own unique twist to the festivities.

As the pool party reached its peak of excitement, Lando's phone buzzed with a new message. Glancing down, he saw a text from Patricio O'Ward, the development driver for McLaren and a friend from their racing days.

"Hey mate, saw your Insta story about the pool party in Monaco. Mind if I swing by?"

Lando's face lit up with excitement as he read the message. "Of course, mate! The more, the merrier! See you soon!"

Little did Lando know, Patricio's arrival was about to shake things up in ways he never could have imagined.