Love in the Dark

Chapter Ten: Fears and Confrontations

"Are we ready to go?" Carlos asked as he picked up Kaia, who was, as always, happy to see him. "She looks great in red, doesn't she?" He bounced Kaia in his arms, unable to keep the smile off his face as he admired how well the Ferrari jersey, he had especially brought for her suited her.

Charlese sat on the edge of the bed, dressed in a white spaghetti-strapped top tucked under a pair of wide black trousers, nervously biting her lip as she watched Carlos stand in her room with an equally excited Kaia in his arms.

It was Sunday, the race day of the Miami Grand Prix, and as much as she appreciated the offer, Charlese was still skeptical about Carlos's decision to take both her and Kaia to the circuit to watch the race live from the Ferrari paddock.

"Are you sure about this?" Charlese asked, her voice tinged with concern. "It's going to be really loud and crowded. What if Kaia gets overwhelmed?"

Carlos sighed as he sat beside Charlese on the bed, with Kaia in his arms. He knew what Charlese was attempting to do. He had picked up on the nervousness and fear she felt ever since he expressed his wish for Kaia and Charlese to witness him race. He had planned this ever so thoughtfully, inviting both the girls to the race day instead of inviting them to the free practice and qualifying sessions.

"I understand your worries," Carlos said, his voice gentle. "I've made sure Kaia will be comfortable. We have noise-canceling headphones at the paddock, and both of you can always rest in my driver's room if it gets too much for you."

Charlese blinked, perplexed, as she tried to come up with any other reasons which would help her stay back at the hotel and not go to the race. She was certain she would not blend in well with the crowd there. 

Her thoughts spiraled as she remembered her parents' death and the recent loss of Esme and Matteo in a car accident, all of which seemed to mark her as someone who caused such disasters. The idea of being near a race, where accidents could happen, made her heart pound with anxiety. What if something happened to Carlos? What if her presence brought bad luck?

"You're out of valid excuses, Charlese," Carlos said, leaning towards her with a reassuring smile.

"No, Carlos, it's not that," Charlese said quickly, shaking her head. She did not want him to think that she did not support him—she did. Charlese had always been someone who was less social and mostly feared she would end up embarrassing Carlos. She also recently harbored a deep-seated fear of accidents. The haunting memories of losing her loved ones in car crashes made her hesitant to be anywhere near a racetrack, especially with someone she had grown to care about.

Carlos watched her, sensing the depth of her internal struggle. "Charlese, we'll be fine," he said, his voice sincere. "I just really want you and Kaia to be there for my race."

Charlese looked at him, her eyes searching his. The sincerity in his words and the warmth in his gaze slowly dissolved her apprehensions. She took a deep breath, nodding. "Okay."

Charlese smiled nervously at Carlos, watching the excitement return to his demeanor. Carlos was already doing so much for her and Kaia, and the least Charlese could do to pay him back would be this. She further calmed her racing heart by telling herself that someday in the future she would have to grow out of the newfound fear she had. Consoling herself that things would be just fine, Charlese stood up from the bed, moving to collect the bag she had prepared with Kaia's necessities in case she needed anything at the race.

___

They were now on their way to the circuit, with Carlos driving the car and Kaia settled in her car seat at the back.

"Do you think she will like it?" Carlos asked, a hint of nervousness in his voice. He really hoped Kaia and Charlese would enjoy the race.

"I'm sure she'll love to see you on the podium," Charlese replied with a reassuring smile. She could see how nervous Carlos was for the race and couldn't even imagine the pressure he worked under. However, she was confident that the Spaniard would perform great. During the time she was staying with her sister, she remembered how invested they were, especially Matteo, whenever Carlos raced.

Carlos glanced at Charlese, a smile gracing his face. He liked the fact that she expected good things from him. Knowing that both Charlese and Kaia would be in his side of the paddock, cheering for him, gave him an added motivation to win the race or at least secure a podium finish.

Carlos's grip on the steering wheel relaxed a bit as her words sank in. He felt a wave of gratitude wash over him. "You know, even my friends are very excited to meet Kaia," Carlos said, making Charlese smile in his direction as she listened to him, watching the adoration for Kaia twinkle in his eyes. He shared stories about Kaia he had told his friends at the paddock, which filled Charlese with a warm sense of belonging.

"We're here," Carlos said after a while, slowing down the car as he searched for his parking spot. He glanced at Charlese, who nervously gulped upon seeing the few media personnel and some of his fans crowding around the car.

In the last few days, Carlos had learned that Charlese didn't like being in the spotlight and wasn't comfortable with large crowds. This was one of the reasons he had not invited her to the qualifying or the free practice sessions. He also hadn't mentioned how some paparazzi had managed to click photos of them at the beach, which were already public despite his PR team's efforts to curb any news involving her and Kaia.

"Okay, so we'll have to get down now," Carlos said, turning off the engine. His voice caught Charlese off guard, and she blinked at him, confused for a moment, before nodding her head and smiling through her obvious nervousness.

Watching as her hands slightly shivered while she fumbled with the seatbelt, trying to fight her way through her nervousness and act calm, Carlos sighed. He completely understood the nervousness she felt and just hoped she would voice it to him instead of keeping it to herself.

Putting his hand over Charlese's, he watched as they stopped fidgeting with the seatbelt and she looked at him, understanding the look he passed her. "I'm fine," Charlese said before Carlos could even start.

Smiling at her defenses, Carlos nodded his head. "I know," he replied, leaning over and undoing her seatbelt for her, watching as she breathed out and brushed some strands of hair from her face.

"I'll get down and get Kaia," Carlos said, watching as Charlese nodded and looked ahead at the small crowd. "You get down after that and meet me at the front of the car," he added, making her nod further as she now turned to look at him, forcing another smile on her face.

"I'm with you, Charlese. Trust me, you'll be just fine," Carlos reassured, giving her hand a comforting squeeze. Charlese looked at him, her heart accelerating at his words; however, she dismissed it, blaming it on her nerves.

Opening his side of the door, Carlos stepped out of the car and quickly opened the door to the backseat. He smiled at Kaia before unstrapping her from the baby seat. Quickly taking his cap off his head, Carlos placed it on Kaia's small one, smiling as she babbled in confusion when it covered most of her face. Both Charlese and he had decided that it would be best to try and shield Kaia from the media as much as they could.

Picking up the little girl in his arms, Carlos rubbed her back in comfort as she clung to his chest, burying her face in his neck. Walking to the front of his car, Carlos met Charlese, and without wasting a moment, he stretched his hand, grabbing hers. Holding Kaia securely with his other arm, Carlos swiftly navigated through the crowd, hurrying his way to the paddock.

Charlese felt a surge of gratitude as Carlos led them through the throng of people. His protective presence made her feel more secure. As they approached the paddock, the noise level increased, but Carlos's grip on her hand never wavered.