Hope is a dangerous thing for a Woman like me to have

Chapter 45

I refused to allow Charles ruin my evening. But it was easier said than done. When I got to the venue and tried to get in, the man checking names at the door asked whether I had a plus one. Saying no tasted bitter. I had a win, but what was it worth if I had no one to share it with. 

I entered the building to be met by a vast ballroom littered with round tables and a central dancing floor. As I was slightly late, the room was already packed, and I was bombarded with compliments and congratulations as I was guided by someone to my seat. The obligitory seating plan meant I was sat with some of the Monaco royalty, and heads of F1. Luckily Princess Charlene was also sat at this table, so after all the initial small talk I had to do with the rest of the male-dominated table, me and her settled down speaking. After a while, food came out and despite my chaotic day, I had no appetite, so only picked at a few bits. 

My mind only stayed on him. He had left a permanent stain on the inside of my skull and no matter what I spoke about or who to, that stain couldn't be scrubbed out. 

"Edom, you in there?" Charlene raised an eyebrow that shook me from my Charles-infused haze. 

"Yeah, sorry, I think I'm just tired," I tried to laugh the embarrassment off, focusing back on her pretty face.

"The night has only just begun Edom! And this is your first win, and in Monaco of all places. You're going to need something a little stronger than this then." She plucked my champagne flute out of my hand and mouthed something in French to a nearby waiter. "Just wait til he comes back". She winked at me. In a matter of minutes he was back and handing Charlene a glass filled with blue liquid. She smirked as she handed it to me. "Have a sip."

I raised the glass to my rips and let the liquid enter my mouth. A strong taste of vodka invaded my senses and I reflexively pulled the glass back and my face contorted into a grimace as I stuck my tongue out. Suddenly a spotlight was placed over me. I immediately put the glass down, straightened out my posture and tried to rearrange my face to be presentable, but the few chuckles I heard around the room told me I wasn't quick enough. Charlene mouthed a "pardon" at me. 

"The winner of the Monaco Grand Prix this year!" A voice boomed out from the speakers as the chattering and music died down and was replaced with claps. I smiled widely, forgetting Charles for a few minutes as the feeling of the win washed over me again. I mouthed thank yous around the room at the audience. The speaker turned out to be a older man, who was slowly walking towards me. I filled with panic as I realised I was going to have to speak to this massive room. No one had told me I had to do a speech - or was it a well-known thing?! I pushed down the anxiety as the spotlight remained on me. 

"An amazing race for you today Edom," The speaker smiled at me. I didn't recognise who he was, but I could tell he clearly held significance from the air he emitted around him. He came and stood next to my seat. "Looked like hard work, especially at the start - tell us about it!"

"Yeah, it was a tough one. Trying to stay cool, especially towards the end, was really tough, but my team were so supportive to me and really kept me going. I couldn't have done it without them." A few whoops came from what looked like to be some of the Mclaren team around a table, making me smile wider. 

"That start was super hectic, what was it like from your position." I tried not to let my smile faulter as Charles' words from earlier ricocheted around my brain.

"I was lucky not to get caught up in it!" I tried to remember my media training. "Unfortunate day for Ferrari, but I got a great start and that's all I needed to claim first. I'll never forget it."

The speaker continued to speak to me and ask questions about the race and my career, until eventually he interviewed the royal family. I felt honoured to hear Albert gush about how priviledged he felt to have the first female f1 race winner be at his home race. Finally, the speaking stopped and a live DJ started playing. It didn't take too long for people to migrate to the dance floor with their friends and partners. I instead was entertained by the concoction Charlene had given me, its blue liquid starting to taste like the wake up I needed. I watched the dance floor bittersweetly.