paddock princess [ln4]

the letter

Quickly slipping on the Ferrari cap over her freshly blown-out curls, Charlie faced the mirror one last time before reapplying her lip gloss.

For the fifth time this morning.

To say she was excited to watch the race was an understatement. Part of her had desperately missed this in the five years that she was away. While she was overwhelmed with excitement and anticipation, she was about ready to throw up from nerves.

She wanted the day to go perfect. After discussing the fine details with Seb, he had got the girl all set with her paddock pass and ensured her, once again, a safe and private viewing area of the race.

She wanted to be there to support every person on the grid, yet she didn't want to deal with viperous interviewers demanding answers about her father's death.

Her phone's loud ringing made her actions halt. Figuring that the caller was just Sebastian informing her that it was time to go, the girl lazily skipped over to the space where her phone was blasting the "Mamma Mia" soundtrack throughout the room and quickly answered. 

"Seb, give me like a solid 10 minutes and I'll be good to go," the girl loudly exclaimed.

"Miss Sinclair?" a gruff voice responded on the other end, "We spoke briefly last week. I'm John Gilden, your father's attorney."

A chill ran through her body, "Yes. Mr. Gilden. Hello, how are you?"

"I'm good Miss," his gruff voice replied, "I was just calling because I've been informed that you are currently in Monaco. Is that correct?"

"Yes, I am." Charlie tried her best to not let the obvious confusion of why the fuck this was relevant to her father's passing show in her voice, "Is something the matter, Sir?"

"In fact, Miss Sinclair," the voice started, "I got a call from a realtor from Paris this morning. Her name was Sally Trusdale. Does that ring any bells to you?"

"Yes, of course. She is the realtor in charge of selling my father's estate in Monaco, Sir."

"Right. That is what I am calling about. Your father's estate."

Her brows furrowed at the clipped edge in his voice, "Okay," Charlie sat down on the sofa before continuing, "And what exactly is the issue."

"You see Miss," John started, "I was going over all of the last documents, and in your father's will, it explicitly states that you, in no circumstance, are to sell the estate without first visiting the property." an awkward silence fell through the call, "Per his request."

Pure rage flowed through the girl. Of course, even in death, her father was still desperately clinging to control over her.

"Right," she grimaced, a frustrated sigh leaving her mouth, "Can't we just bend the rules a bit?"

"No"

"Look, John is it?" she started, "I have had a pretty shitty week and if my father did not care to invite me home while he was alive, I don't see why that has to change in death."

Silence.

"Rest his soul, of course." the girl gingerly added.

More silence.

"This is utterly ridiculous."

Silence...again.

"Fine," she huffed, a clear indication that Mr Gilden had clearly won, "When do you need me?"

"Preferably today, Miss."

She let out another sigh of frustration, "Perfect."

Angrily hanging up the phone, Charlie instantly threw the hat on top of her head to the ground before loudly groaning. Trying her best to shake off the overwhelming frustration, the girl quickly sent a text to Sebastian, informing him that she would not be able to make it to the grand prix.