Sitting In Traffic | Formula 1

Chapter 57- My Mind & Me

Riley was in a shared blacked out van with Arthur, Lorenzo and Charolette. Charles and Alex were arriving separately, which Riley didn't think made much sense. She thought the entire Leclerc family should've arrived together. But Riley wasn't considered family anymore, this wasn't a place for her opinion.

She had been texting Max the entire ride to the venue. Her brightness was down but there was a large cheesy smile spread across her face. Riley put her phone down once they were around the corner, Arthur kept glancing over at her phone, waiting for it to go off again so he knew who Riley was talking to. They hadn't spoke a word since she got into the car.

Even then she was pushing down a smile.

Holden was the next person to text Riley. Levi was forcing him to apologize for being an asshole earlier. 'Holden' was a name Arthur hadn't heard from Riley before. She had been so secretive around him lately Arthur had nothing to convince him that her and Holden weren't seeing each other. He didn't know who Holden was. Arthur didn't know whether or not to feel relieved. He would rather Riley not date Max. Arthur would rather her start dating someone random than go back to Max and confirm her feelings towards him.

But he knew Riley was in his garage that past weekend.

Riley didn't check her phone yet, she got out of the car and ended up stood on the road side. There was a long blue carpeted walk way to get inside the building. A shit load of photographers were lined up behind a small barricade to get pictures of every A-list celebrity that was showing up tonight.

Arthur was going to attempt to help Riley smooth out her dress, but she took a step away from him quickly.

"I can fix it myself" She told him, holding her phone in one of her hands. "I don't need your help"

Arthur's done enough already, Riley didn't need his hands all over her.

Riley's heart almost dropped when she saw Julia getting out of a car next to them. She didn't look their direction at all, Riley wasn't even sure if she had seen her. Julia just walked the carpet, stopping to pose for few photos before heading inside. Riley watched it all, instantly comparing herself to Julia.

"Ciao" Charles said when he walked over to Arthur and Riley with Alex.

Her cheeks were red as she held in tears. Riley avoided Arthur's gaze, she didn't want to look him in the eyes after what he had done the week prior.

"Rye are you alright?" Arthur asked her quietly, putting a hand on her back.

"I'm fine" She nodded, "Just please don't embarrass me tonight" She begged him whilst attempting to relax next to him. But her anxiety was all over the place. The past few days everyone has taken it into their own hands to compare Julia and Riley as if she hadn't been doing it to herself.

"I won't"

"This entire contract was to save your ass and you fucked it for yourself" Riley told him, she was overwhelmed and pissed all at once. Riley wouldn't have shown up if she knew Julia was going to be here. "People have me under a spectacle trying to find out what happened, and if  more videos come out of you two together tonight it's going to look terrible on my behalf"

"Riley I don't want to talk to her" Arthur told her, "I want to talk to you"

'I don't want to be near you' Riley thought to herself as she looked at him, meeting his blue eyes immediately. They didn't shine like Max's. His were cold and heartless. Max's eyes for Riley were always filled with light and warmth. They were always filled with Love.