Book 2: Beginning Again -Carlos Sainz

Chapter 23

Exhaustion. That was the only thing Marie felt as she almost fell asleep on the Metro, instead snapping her head upright to make awkward eye contact with the woman in front of her. She rubbed her eyes for a moment, triple checking that she still had one more stop before her exit. She had been to Madrid a handful of times over the break, but she got used to the Metro system within a day. She couldn't deny that she loved this city, and would sometimes daydream about living there with Carlos in a spacious, modern apartment. Yes, she dreamt of prints for the walls and color schemes. The brakes on the metro car slammed as she stood with the masses, pushing out the exit and up the thousand flights of stairs. She decided to stand on the escalators instead of walk, given that she could barely stay awake. It wasn't the jet lag, but rather the pure lack of sleep and emotional exhaustion. The bright sunshine of late March in Madrid hit her as she stepped out of the dark tunnel, grabbing her phone to shoot Carlos a text.

Metro was late, sorry. Will be there in 10: Marie

Carlos: No rush, I ordered you coffee.

You've never said anything sexier than that: Marie

Carlos: I have some news for you 🙂

I can't wait to see you: Marie

Marie smiled as she walked, looking around at the apartment buildings that she passed with awe, thinking once again about the pottery barn catalog that she looked at on her plane ride, earmarking a page with a really great couch. This was it, the big day. Or at least the day she decided that it would be the big day. She was going to tell him. She thought back to the past 4 months like it was a highlight reel, playing back the sweet dates, surprises, trips, and some of their more NSFW memories. The winter break felt like a dream for her as their happy honeymoon phase bubble was like a drug. That bubble quickly popped at the mid-end of February as Carlos was whisked away. Marie had been busy with the start of the new season too, with him spending more time in Monaco and her more time in London than expected. Her dad had given her more responsibilities and more people under her, so she was basically leading a brand new social media engagement team; talk about low stress. Even just the night before, she was up till way past midnight replying to emails and checking over work. Marie ran a finger across her face, checking for signs of premature aging that she felt down to her bones. She took the turn without thinking about it, passing onto the quiet street that Carlos lived on. His home, one of many, was beautiful and Marie felt at home anytime she was staying at his place. In fact, she felt at home whenever she was with him. He was safe and warm: the emotional equivalent to a glass of wine on a friday night while you do laundry with a movie playing in the background. Marie felt the nerves start kicking up as she entered the coffee shop and greeted the owner behind the counter and swiftly walked out back to the courtyard. She scanned the crowd, usually looking for a hat, big sweatshirt, and dark sunglasses. Instead, she saw his whole face, his whole head of hair, and the big grin on his face as he stood and held out her coffee. Everyone that was a regular at this place had either known Carlos for years, had absolutely no idea he was famous, or didn't care. He looked like he always did, wearing running shorts and that stupid Puma shirt that he had, like, forty of. He clearly had just worked out as there were some sweat stains that were still drying. Nevertheless, Marie walked into his arms, feeling them wrap around her body. Suddenly, she was home. She was home in Maranello, she was home in Madrid, she was home in London, and every other city they went to because he was there. She took a deep inhale of his shirt's clean scent and let her hands feel his muscular back.

"Hi babe. I missed you so much," Carlos said softly.

"Hi back. I missed you more," Marie replied, still not letting him out of the hug. "Sorry, I just needed an extra long hug today," she said as she finally started to release.