Criminal ~ OP81

06. Do I have daddy issues?!

Andrea Wolff

The familiar scent of motor oil and rubber filled my nostrils as I leaned against the sleek, silver workbench in the Mercedes garage. The bustling energy of the paddock always brought a smile to my face, a reminder of my childhood spent darting between towering stacks of tires and ducking under busy mechanics.

I watched as the team bustled around, preparing for the upcoming and first practice session at Silverstone.

Honestly, being in here would be pretty boring if i wasn't talking to Lewis right now. He's one of the only drivers I knew personally from when I use to be here- others I still talk to being Max and Carlos and Fernando.

"And then, I swear, Lewis, this elephant just walks right up to our jeep!" I exclaimed, gesturing wildly as I recounted my adventures in South Africa. Finally someone asked be about all the trips I went on, it's wasn't my dad who I'd hoped it be but it was the next best and closest thing.

"I thought our guide was going to have a heart attack, but there I was, completely awestruck. It was like the elephant was posing for my camera!"

Lewis Hamilton, basically my godfather in all but official paperwork, threw his head back in laughter. His warm brown eyes crinkled at the corners, a mix of amusement and pride shining in them. "Sounds like you've been having quite the adventure, little Dre," he said, using the nickname he'd given me years ago. "I can't believe how much you've grown up. It feels like just yesterday you were this tiny thing running around the garage, asking a million questions about the cars."

I grinned, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. It had been too long since I'd been back in the paddock, and sometimes I didn't really miss it but other times,  I missed this easy camaraderie with Lewis.

"It's been amazing," I admitted. "I never thought I'd see so much of the world when I left at 20. But after that first trip to Bali, I was hooked. The cultures, the food, the landscapes... it's like every day is a new discovery."

Lewis leaned in, genuinely interested. "Tell me more about your travels. Where else have you been?"

I launched into stories about trekking through the Amazon rainforest, meditating with monks in Tibet, and scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef. With each tale, I could see Lewis's eyes light up, living vicariously through my adventures.

"And just last month," I continued, "I was in Japan during cherry blossom season. You wouldn't believe how beautiful Kyoto is when it's covered in pink petals. I spent hours just sitting in the parks, watching the blossoms fall like snow."

Lewis raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in his eye. "It all sounds incredible, Andrea. But I've got to ask - how exactly has Toto been feeling about bankrolling your globe-trotting lifestyle? I can't imagine he was thrilled when you first announced your plans to travel instead of... well, you know."

I couldn't help but laugh, though there was a hint of old tension in it. "Oh, Dad's not funding this adventure. It's all me, thanks to some smart investments and my social media presence. I've built up quite a following with my travel blog and Instagram. Companies are actually paying me now to visit places and showcase their products."

Pride bloomed across Lewis's face. "Look at you, all grown up and financially savvy. I always knew you had a good head on your shoulders, Andrea. Your dad might not have seen it at first, but you're carving out your own path. That takes courage, I'm proud of you little Dre."

It meant more to hear that than he might think. It actually made me want to throw my arms around him and cry- but of course I didn't.

"Thanks, Lewis," I said softly. "It hasn't always been easy, especially with Dad. But I needed to do this for myself, you know?"