we might be falling in love - patricio o' ward

media frenzy

June, 2028

The next morning, Astraea and Pato woke up early, the remnants of their romantic evening still bringing a warm glow to their hearts. They had a flight to catch to Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix, a significant event for both of them. Pato would be participating in FP1, and Astraea was set to be announced as Mercedes's Principal Strategy Engineer.

As they packed their bags, the anticipation was palpable. Pato glanced over at Astraea, who was carefully folding her clothes, and smiled. "Ready for another adventure?" he asked.

Astraea looked up, her eyes shining with excitement and a hint of nerves. "Ready as I'll ever be," she replied, zipping up her suitcase. "This is a big step, but I think it's the right one."

Pato walked over and gave her a reassuring hug. "You've got this. And I can't wait to see you in action at Mercedes."

They made their way to the airport, and before they knew it, they were on their flight to Montreal. The journey was filled with quiet conversations, hand-holding, and shared smiles, each of them lost in their thoughts about the exciting weekend ahead.

Upon landing in Montreal, the energy was electric. The city buzzed with the excitement of the upcoming Grand Prix. Fans and teams filled the airport, and the sight of familiar faces from the racing community added to the sense of occasion.

As Astraea and Pato entered the hotel lobby, they were greeted by their friends, who seemed pleasantly surprised to see them. Charles and Alexandra, accompanied by their dog Leo, were engaged in lively conversation with Carlos and Isa, while Lando and his new girlfriend Anais stood nearby, chatting animatedly.

"Hey, what are you two doing here?" Charles asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"Yeah, did something happen?" Carlos chimed in, a curious expression on his face.

Astraea exchanged a knowing glance with Pato before responding. "Oh, we're just here to support Pato. He's participating in FP1 this weekend," she explained, trying to sound casual.

Her friends seemed to accept her explanation, although Lando raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Really? Just here for support?" he teased, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Astraea laughed nervously, hoping her friends wouldn't press for more details. "Yeah, just here to cheer him on," she replied, trying to sound convincing.

As they made their way to the hotel lounge, Astraea couldn't shake the feeling of guilt gnawing at her. She knew she would have to tell her friends about her new role at Mercedes eventually, but for now, she was content to enjoy their company and support Pato as planned.

Throughout the evening, Astraea and Pato caught up with their friends, swapping stories and sharing laughs over drinks. Despite the underlying tension of Astraea's secret, the atmosphere remained light and jovial, with everyone excited for the upcoming weekend.

As the night wore on, Astraea found herself immersed in conversation with Alexandra, who was eager to hear about Astraea's recent endeavors in Indycar. They chatted animatedly about racing strategies, team dynamics, and the thrill of competition, their shared passion for motorsport bridging any gaps in their friendship.

Meanwhile, Pato and Carlos were engrossed in a spirited debate about the upcoming race, each offering their predictions for the weekend's outcomes. Their banter filled the air with energy, punctuated by bursts of laughter and good-natured ribbing.

As the hours passed, the group's camaraderie grew stronger, fueled by their shared love of racing and mutual respect for one another. For Astraea, it was a bittersweet reminder of the bonds she had forged during her time in Indycar, and the friendships that would endure despite the changes ahead.