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"Is everything alright?" Lewis asked, gently caressing my hand.
"Yes, yes," I answered, forcing a smile despite the turmoil within.
In reality, I was anything but fine. Anxious thoughts churned in my mind, leaving me feeling nervous about what lay ahead. I hoped for a happy ending, but the uncertainty of the future weighed heavily on my heart.
I quickly acclimated to my new surroundings, finding comfort in the spacious room and daily home-cooked meals. The luxurious amenities, such as the cozy warmth of the apartment and the stunning rooftop pool exclusive to the building, made my living situation even more delightful.
I found great joy in taking Roscoe, our dog, on daily walks, not only for the exercise but also for the chance to explore the neighborhood. Keeping up with regular doctor visits was crucial, and having Lewis by my side made the appointments more bearable, especially with the wonderful updates regarding our child's health.
During Lewis's absence in England for testing, Marlen, the attentive housekeeper, became a source of solace and support. Her companionship was invaluable during those long days.
"Do you want me to pack some paper bags for you, just in case of an emergency on the plane or in the train?" Marlen asked as I was meticulously packing my suitcase, making sure to include all the essentials for my upcoming trip.
I was about to embark on a journey to Zandvoort, where I would reunite with Lewis in the paddock. It marked the beginning of the first race in the eagerly anticipated second half of the season. The anticipation and excitement were palpable as I looked forward to reuniting with old friends like Lilly, Kika, and Carmen.
"I will take one, just in case," I replied with a grateful smile, appreciating Marlen's thoughtfulness and attention to detail.
"I'll give you two, don't want you to worry, sweetie," Marlen insisted with a warm and caring smile that instantly put me at ease. Her nurturing nature made it feel like she was looking after me as if I were her own daughter, always ensuring that I had everything I needed, whether it was a glass of water or a plate of fresh fruits within arm's reach.
During my train journey to Nice, I experienced a sense of tranquility. Being about 3 months pregnant, I was grateful that I didn't have to deal with motion sickness and morning sickness as frequently. This was a sharp contrast to my previous plane journey from Japan, where I had to endure severe turbulence and discomfort despite traveling first class, courtesy of Lewis. However, the trip to the hotel was peaceful, and I was able to catch up on some much-needed rest thanks to the attentive and considerate hotel staff. Upon arriving at the hotel, Lewis was still at the paddock for media day, so I checked in with the help of his assistant before settling into the room by myself.
A sudden beeping noise snapped me out of my Netflix-induced trance just as I was engrossed in a series. The door was opened, and Lewis entered the room, looking as charming as ever.
"Warming up the bed without me already?" he teased, dropping his bag by the door and coming over to plant a sweet kiss on my lips.
"I tried to cut my work short and rush back to you as soon as I could," Lewis said, lying down with his head on my shoulder, assuming the role of the little spoon.
"It's alright. Your colleagues were very kind and helped me settle in," I said, smiling as I gently ran my fingers through his hair.
"Are you prepared for the hectic day ahead tomorrow? The paddock is abuzz," he said, lifting his head to plant another kiss, this time on my cheek.
„More than ready." I said as we cuddled together for a few moments.
"Hey, how's our little peanut doing?" Lewis inquired, gently laying his hand on my belly. I couldn't help but smile even more at his question.
"I hope it's doing well," I replied.
"We should order some room service to make sure you're eating well. Is there anything specific you're in the mood for?" Lewis asked as he got up to grab the menu from the desk.
"Yes, that sounds good," I answered, returning to my phone to chat with my brother. I still hadn't told my family about the pregnancy, and I knew my brother would be suspicious if he saw me with Lewis on social media tomorrow.
"I'm going to take a quick shower. If room service comes while I'm in there, please let them in," Lewis said, grabbing a towel from the stool.
"Sure thing," I said, smiling to myself as I resumed watching the series, feeling a sense of calm wash over me.
A few minutes passed before there was a knock on the door, which struck me as odd since Lewis had only called for room service about ten minutes ago. Considering he had ordered a few dishes, I was surprised that someone was at the door so soon. Hearing the shower still running, I decided to answer it.
To my surprise, I was greeted by a young woman dressed in a rather revealing outfit.
"Excuse me, are you the assistant? Please let Lew know that I'll be waiting in room 2408," she said, running her fingers through her hair and blinking rapidly.
Confused by her sudden appearance, I asked, "I'm sorry, do I know you?"
"Yeah, sorry, I didn't introduce myself. I'm Stephie," she replied.
"And...?" I prompted, curious about what she wanted since she didn't seem familiar, and I had already met most of Lewis's friends.
