Love in the Dark

Chapter Twelve: Miami GP

Charlese let out a shaky breath as she watched Carlos prepare for the race. It had been a few hours since they arrived at the paddock, and now the moment she dreaded had finally come. She thought she had consoled herself, telling herself not to worry about Carlos racing, but her heart still wasn't at ease.

She trusted him to be safe—he was an excellent driver after all—but there was always that slim chance of danger, and the thought alone scared her. In the past few weeks they had been together, Charlese had grown to care deeply for Carlos. She was very thankful for the Spaniard, who had been there for her and Kaia every day during this time. She hated how accustomed she had become to his presence, and how much she now relied on him.

But she knew; she knew that no matter how comfortable they were around each other or how much Carlos meant to her, she could never ask him to quit racing. Asking Carlos to quit something he loved would be selfish, and she understood how difficult it was to let go of something one loved.

As she stood in the paddock, the cacophony of roaring engines and the bustling activity around her only amplified her anxiety. She watched Carlos in his racing suit, his face a mixture of focus and determination.

He caught her eye and gave her a reassuring smile, a small gesture that momentarily eased her worries. Walking towards the place where she stood with Kaia settled on the small table in front of her, while being secured by Charlese's arms around her, Carlos stopped in front of them and leaned down to Kaia, placing a kiss on her chubby cheeks. He chuckled when he heard her giggle in response. Standing back up and meeting Charlese's eyes, Carlos smiled at her again, a silent reassurance that everything would be just fine.

"All the best," Charlese whispered, her voice barely audible over the bustling environment inside the garage and the loud cheers from the fans. Carlos smiled, hearing the words, silently thanking her before turning to go to his car.

However, just as he was about to leave, he stopped, feeling a hold on his hand. He turned around and met Charlese's gaze. She tightly held his hand and was visibly tense. Her hazel eyes held nothing but worry, which she failed to conceal. A look of nervousness was etched on her face, not interfering with the immense beauty she held.

Carlos squeezed her hand gently, his eyes softening. "I'll be okay," He said, his voice firm yet soothing. He didn't need words to understand how tensed and worried Charlese had been. "Just enjoy the race and I'll come back to you both."

Charlese nodded, her grip on his hand loosening slightly. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "Please be safe," She managed to say, her voice trembling.

Carlos leaned in, placing a quick chaste kiss on the side of her head. "Always," He promised. With one last reassuring smile, he let go of her hand and walked towards his car, ready to take on the race. But as he turned away to join his team, the knot in her stomach tightened again.

Yet, she decided to stay calm, or at least try to. She reassured herself that it was just her mind overthinking things, and that Carlos would return to her and Kaia, safe and sound. She took a deep breath, willing her nerves to settle, and reminded herself of Carlos's skill and determination.

Charlese glanced down at Kaia, who was sitting silently on the table as she clutched to her hand, unbothered by the noise around her due to the headphones she wore. Charlese found a small measure of comfort in the innocent trust of her niece. The little girl's soft breaths and curious expression provided a stark contrast to the chaotic environment around them. Charlese gently brushed a strand of hair from Kaia's forehead and kissed her softly, watching as her eyes stayed glued on Carlos who wore proceeded to put his helmet on.

She looked in front of her, watching as Carlos looked in their direction and waved at them before climbing into his car prompting Charlese to whisper a silent prayer for Carlos's safety. The crowd's energy was palpable, a mix of anticipation and excitement, but all Charlese could focus on was the man she had grown to care for deeply. She imagined him navigating the circuit with his usual finesse, the roar of the crowd when he made a brilliant move, and the exhilaration in his eyes when he crossed the finish line.