New Romantics {Oscar Piastri} (Swift Series Book 1)

Chapter 8

"Are you ok? You just stormed out of there. I wanted to make sure you're ok?" He says softly and my heart breaks. I take a couple of deep breaths, calming my mind and my heart rate. "I'm sorry for snapping." I say after a few minutes of silence. "I just hate this situation. It is not you, I promise. I wouldn't rather be forced into this situation with any other driver. I just hate that I dragged you into this situation. It's all my fault that we have to do this because I'm broken and can't keep a fucking relationship for more than a few months!" I cry, sliding slowly down the wall I'm leaning against untill I hit the floor beneath me. "I'm sorry." I mumble, hiding my face from him.

"Hey, it's ok." Oscar says softly, sitting down next to me. "It not just you, it's me too. I have never been in a public relationship so the public sees me in a bad light. I also am not very emotional in the media so they see me as emotionless. Megan's words, not mine. That's why Megan wanted this for me, to prove to the public that I have emotions, I guess." Oscar sighs. "Why does the media and the public care about our personal lives. We just want to drive fast cars." I mumble, slowly feeling better knowing that I haven't dragged Oscar into this. Oscar lets out a loud laugh. "Now that is the real question. I guess we will never know." Oscar says. "Are you feeling better." He asks after some silence and I nod my head yes. "Come here." He says softly and he places one arm around my shoulders and I lean into the side of his chest. His warmth seeps into me, relaxing me. After a few minutes of comforting silence, Oscar sighs. "We have quali soon." He says, and I groan causing Oscar to let out a small laugh. I eventually get up, holding my hand out to Oscar. He takes it, pulling himself up. He stands right in front of me, our noses are centimeters apart. His eyes find mine and I'm stuck for a few seconds before I remember, it's all fake. I jump away from Oscar, putting a comfortable distance between us. "Sorry about that, goodluck in quali." I say quickly, not looking at him before I walk quickly towards the Red Bull garage. Trying to calm my racing mind and heart in the process, but this time I'm not calming them from anger.

~

After a hectic quali yesterday, I find myself starting P5 for the race today. I think over the different strategies for tonight's race as I eat my breakfast. I ran straight out of the paddock after our meeting last night, not wanting to run into Oscar. I don't know what happened once I helped him from the ground but I'm so worried he will be mad at me because this is supposed to be fake, I couldn't stand the thought of facing him. I know I will have to see him today as he is starting P8, on the row behind me. My thoughts are interrupted by a notification on my phone. It's a message from Kaylee.

Kaylee
Where is the PR photo of you two from last night? I told you that you have to go out!

Hannah
I didn't feel well.

I roll my eyes, placing my phone face down on the table. I don't have the energy to deal with this right now.

After some stretching in my hotel room followed by an ice bath and then lunch, it was time to head to the track. I sit in the car as we arrive at the track, taking the road under the bridge, straight to the turnstiles for the paddock. I climb out of the car and the fans waiting at the entrance start screaming. I decide to spend some time with them as I'm still early for my meeting. I sign some hats and posters. I was even asked to sign a South African flag. After a while I wave goodbye and scan my passport as I walk into the paddock. I walk into the Red Bull hospitality to find Kaylee and Megan talking to each other. "Hey, Hannah. Are you feeling better." Kaylee asks. "Yeah, much. Thanks." I say with a slight smile and walk to my driver room. As I sit down on the couch I hear steps behind me. "Look Hannah. I get that you don't like the situation. I didn't want to put you into this situation but I had too, for your image. I get you're mad at me for putting you in this position but I had no other choice." Kaylee says and I sigh. She's right.

"Yeah I know and I'm grateful that you're helping me. It's just still a lot to process. I'm sorry for taking it out on you." I say. "I figured that was the issue. It's ok, I forgive you. I wasn't exactly slow or nice about it either so it's not your fault." Kaylee says, sitting down next to me. I hug her. "Also, I wasn't sick last night." I admit. "I know." Kaylee laughed. "But I do want you to post your first photo together this week. It can be discreet or not, I don't mind, just something as long as it is before media day in Saudi. Then I will prep you for the questions on Thursday morning. I hear you and Oscar are going to be in Saudi early?" Kaylee asks. "Yeah we just wanted some time to chat about this situation." I say. Kaylee stands up. "Well when this becomes more than a situation, you can thank me in your wedding speech." She says and a shocked look covers my face. "Don't look at me like that. I saw the way he ran after you yesterday." She says with a cocky smile before walking out of my room. "That bitch." I sigh with a smile on my face as I start to prepare for the driver parade.