Love in the Dark

Chapter Eighteen: Lucky Charms

The morning sun was already casting long shadows across the Australian paddock as the roar of engines echoed throughout the circuit. It was race day—an intensity in the air that vibrated through everyone in attendance. The Australian Grand Prix had a way of amplifying nerves, excitement, and for some, fear.

Charlese stood in the pit area, nervously biting her lip, arms crossed as she stared at the chaos unfolding before her. Engineers were adjusting final details, teams rushing back and forth, and drivers settling into their pre-race routines. Her eyes, however, were focused on one person.

Carlos.

Her heart beat faster than the revving engines. She had seen him race countless times before, but the anxiety never left. It always felt like every race could be the one where something went wrong, where the unthinkable could happen. The fear of losing him in the split second of a dangerous corner or a high-speed crash weighed heavily on her chest. Every time he stepped into that car, the stakes felt higher—especially today.

She glanced down at Kaia, who was blissfully unaware of Charlese's inner turmoil. The little girl was fidgeting with one of the small toy cars Lando, Charles, and Carlos had bought for her, imitating the engine sounds with a carefree smile. Kaia had come to adore Carlos' world, everything he tried to educate her about racing fascinated her, and she didn't carry the same fears that Charlese did. She just enjoyed the thrill of it—the speed, the excitement, the vibrant colors of the cars. For Kaia, it was a game, a world of joy.

Charlese ran a hand through her hair, her mind racing with all the "what-ifs." She knew how much Carlos loved the sport—how he thrived in it—but the thought of him being so close to danger every time he raced sent a chill through her. She swallowed hard, trying to push the panic down, but it clung to her, twisting her insides.

A familiar voice brought her out of her spiraling thoughts.

"Char."

Carlos stood there, dressed in his racing suit, helmet in hand. His expression was calm, but there was a flicker of something beneath it—a hint of his own nerves. He always hid them well, especially from the media, but she could see through him. He was nervous too, but for entirely different reasons.

Kaia's face lit up when she saw him, her little hands immediately reaching out for him. Carlos knelt down, a smile breaking through his stoic demeanor as he reached for the little one. Kaia wrapped her arms around his neck, making her best attempt to speak to him, her small voice bubbling with excitement as she babbled to Carlos making him smile to her dedication as he nodded despite not understanding any word which she tried to say.

He laughed softly, planting a quick kiss on her forehead. "I assume you're wishing me luck, Princesa?"

Kaia, with all the innocence and love a child could muster, placed a soft kiss on his cheek. Carlos' smile widened, the tension in his shoulders easing just slightly at the gesture. "That's my lucky charm," he murmured, standing back up and ruffling Kaia's hair.

Charlese watched the exchange, her heart warming despite the heavy fog of nerves swirling in her chest. She wished she could feel that same ease, but all she could think about was the danger he was about to face.

Carlos turned toward her, the awkwardness between them hanging in the air like a dense fog. Ever since Reginald's appearance, things had been off between them. They hadn't spoken about it directly, not really. It was like a conversation that lingered just beyond reach, something they both danced around, but never addressed head-on. And now, in the middle of race day, the tension was still there.

She hesitated for a moment before stepping forward. "Be safe, okay?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, and she felt the weight of her words hanging between them. She hated that she sounded so fragile, so scared, but the thought of him getting hurt was unbearable.