Enjoy the Stay

First Date

Francesca:

I looked at myself in the mirror wishing my daily skin routine would take off a few years. I mean I don't look terrible for my mid-forties but the grey hair would take over if I didn't dye it every month. I am going on a date tonight at a new trendy restaurant in Monaco. The last time I went on a date it was with my ex-husband, so I am out of practice. A blind date adds another level of anxiety.

I do not come to Monaco often, but I am here for work for the next week til the Monaco Grand Prix is over. I manage a few hotels around Italy and France so it gets pretty busy during the summertime and for big events like a race weekend. Our hotel houses all the drivers and staff, so I need to blow off some steam before next week. I can not remember the last time I had sex. I don't even have high expectations, but I only have a few weeks away from my son before I go back home to Italy.

I make my way to the restaurant thinking about all the possible ways this could go wrong. I walk in and see a man matching the description my friend gave me.

"Hello, it is nice to meet you in person. I have heard great things about this place, but haven't been able to get here." I say sitting down at the table

"I think you have the wrong person. I am here meeting the short Italian man behind you" he points to a man in a polo waiting to sit down

"This is embarrassing. I have a blind date and you match the description but now I see I was wrong" I get up and see a man at the back of the room waving at me. I slowly do a walk of shame to the right table. The man is also wearing a light blue shirt but not nearly as attractive. He has greyish brown hair with a thick mustache.

"Did you find the place okay? I have been coming here regularly since the opening" he says sipping the wine I guess he already ordered.

"Well since you are a regular, what do you recommend?" I study the menu carefully looking for something that would not cost over 50 euros.

"The filet is amazing along with all their drinks. So what brings you to Monaco? Not many people come here for work and don't stay forever. I came in the 2000s and haven't even thought of moving back home."

" I love my life in Italy and I just sometimes don't know who is real here. Not saying anything against you." I respond truthfully

We continue to have a good conversation but I can't help but let my eyes linger to the table I first sat at. I could only see the back of his head but for some reason, I wish I was not mistaken. I know this is not moral, but I came here for a fun night and Harry can provide that. As we walk out Harry stops right at the table I was at previously to my horror.

"Can I get a picture? I am a huge fan of Formula 1. I was wondering what my date was doing with another man but now I completely understand." the mystery man stands up towering over both of us "Could you take the photo, Francesca?" I nod wanting this moment to end

"Nice talking to you earlier Francesca and I am always happy to meet fans" he says to both of us but he is staring right into my eyes with a small smirk on his face.

All I want is to act selfishly for once in my life and go for what I want. I hinted to Harry that I was not looking for anything beyond this and waited for him to leave before walking back into the restaurant to sit down across from the mystery man but he was nowhere to be seen.

Toto:

"Look, our car is shit compared to other teams. I want to be on the podium in Monaco so what modifications and upgrades can we do?" I asked our lead engineer but it is clear that this conversation was going nowhere. I had dinner with the Ferrari team principal in an hour about Lewis and his future there. I arrive at the restaurant early to get a drink and relax. Fred texts that he is dropping his car off at the valet.

"Hello, it is nice to meet you in person. I have heard great things about this place, but haven't been able to get here" says a beautiful woman around my age. I will say I am confused about why she is sitting here but it is becoming clear that sadly she is here for another man.

"I thought you were ditching me for that lady not that I would blame you." Fred says jokingly

"Yeah well the thought crossed my mind." I say honestly. "Does it look like she is having a good time?"

"Maybe, she keeps looking this way so I would say you had a good impression." I wish I could turn around without looking desperate. I decided to change the topic to Lewis to try and distract myself.

"Lewis is excited about the change. I will say I was pissed for a while because he is like family to me. I do want what is best for him but I may have to ignore you at the hotel this week."

"I never understood why you stay at a hotel in Monaco when you live here. Why give up your amazing house for a hotel?"

"I really like the hotel and want to be able to be close to my staff and drivers if anything were to happen. Also they have a new manager this year, so I need to make sure it is up to our standards. A bad hotel can make a race hell for drivers. Remember in Austin when the college students took over the floor. I can still feel the vibrations in my head. My kids are staying at my place for while they are on summer break and as much as I love them they can be annoying. Andrea is coming with her boyfriend and Alex loves video games and yelling while playing them. So the hotel is the best option even with an inexperienced manager."

Francesca. The name of the woman in my thoughts all night. I could not listen to a word Fred was saying because I was imagining her on a date with another man. When the man stopped to get a photo, I could see the fear in her eyes. I tried to be nice to the guy but I could not keep my eyes off of her. My night got worse because not only did she leave with that jerk, but I got a call from George that he was stuck in England due to severe weather delays. I head back to the hotel to try to get some sleep.

It was pointless trying to sleep so I sent an email to the manager of the hotel to inform them about the expectations of my team along with the needed items for the weekend. Marco, the old manager, knew how to run a tight ship without making any enemies. I never had any issues here, but we need everything to be perfect in order to even attempt a podium.