Racing Love

Chapter 5

The garage buzzed for the race day. Everyone was busy with their duties and it was raining data on Vic. People repeatedly came to her again, asking questions about the setup changes. She had to review the data thrice to see if the numbers aligned. For the drivers, it was a bit slow. They didn't want too much information poured on them.

Carlos had not seen Vic from yesterday. He wanted to but just couldn't. He tried everything to meet her with the sake of any doubts on setup but she had briefed Ricci so well that he didn't have any doubts.

He paced in his driver's room. He was relaxing a bit. Rebecca entered the room. "Ready to win the race?" she asked.

"I hope so" he replied. She wrapped her hands around his neck and gave him a light kiss. "You will get it done," she said. He just gave a nod.

He got himself out of her grasp and walked towards his garage. He still hoped he would come across the female engineer. He zipped his race suit and got hold of his helmet behind him. He took his helmet and found a note sticking on it. 

'Hey Chilli" it had that Chilli drawing beside it. 'A promise is a promise. Do good and have fun. Race hard' It said. It had her initials VH with a heart beside it. He took the note and noticed there was a star beside his visor.

He ran a finger through the star a small smile falling on his lips. That made him feel like now he was ready to race. He pulled his balaclava on and put on his helmet. He found the confidence to go and win the race.

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The race was about to end and everybody was keen on watching it. Vic sat in her usual spot and watched it. Both the Ferrari drivers were back to back and were racing hard on each other. Charles was in the front and Carlos hunted him. As they turned a corner, Charles had a small lock-up enough for Carlos to get past him. But Charles was back at it swiftly. Now both the Ferraris were fighting and the air was thick in the garage.

Now Charles was about to overtake Carlos. As the cars neared each other there was a slight tap between them when people jumped in the garage. Vic watched the race with strained eyes. They fought through the last corner and everyone just wanted two cars in full pieces in the garage. Thankfully they did. Both Carlos and Charles finished the race without any damage. Carlos P2 and Charles P3.

And the roar of TIFOSI was back in Monza.

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Everyone gathers around in the meeting room for a debrief. Vic was the last one to enter. She had her iPad in her hand and walked in. She gave a fist bump to Charles "Good work, Charlie" she said and sat beside him. She looked at Carlos and gave a short nod which he returned.

The meeting went on and on where they discussed everything. "Lastly, we have to talk about the end of the race," Fred said.

"Charles, Carlos no more wheel to wheel. We don't wanna risk a crash. We have a lot of upgrades coming. A crash is only gonna delay them" Serra said.

"And we cannot handle heat attacks" Fred added which made everyone laugh. Serra and Fred's vision settled on Vic. She had a pen in her mouth as she ruffled through papers and then noticed their eyes on her. She slowly took the pen out of her mouth.

"We were talking about having a crash," Fred said. "Oh...Ok," she waited.

"Vikki, Fred wants you to remind us that we are not supposed to fight wheel to wheel," Carles said in an annoyed tone.

"Oh...um" she scratched her forehead and looked at the drivers. "Um..honestly. I don't mind a wheel to wheel" she said. Charles's and Carlos's eyes lit up.

"Your first enemy is your teammate. I think if you are winning a championship, the first step is to beat your teammate fair and square. I don't think we should stop them from fighting or give them team orders" she finished. Charles pointed a finger at her.

"I like that" he whispered when Carlos gave her a supportive look.

"And if they crash, you will not have a car to put your upgrades or money to make your upgrades" the Head mechanic spat at her again.

"That is my problem. Fred's problem. Not the drivers. Their work is to drive the car and win races" she said when her phone started ringing.

"I'm sorry. This is from the factory. Are we done?" she asked the room. Fred gave a nod when she excused herself and walked out.

"I think I gave a new favorite engineer," Charles said leaning against his chair and circling in it.

"We. We have a new favorite engineer" Carlos added.

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Vikki parked her car and got inside her hotel. She was tired from the day and waited for the elevator. She gave out a yawn when the doors opened and the Ferrari drivers stood in front of her.

"Hey," she said immediately closing her mouth. "There is our Ghost," Charles said and he came around her and put his hands on her shoulder.

"Ghost?" both Carlos and Vic asked.

"Yeah. I've named you Ghost. You just do the work and disappear at work" he said. She laughed.

"Would you like to join us? We are going to a party in a club" Carlos said. "Nah. I do the setting so you can do the winning and partying" She said.

"Oh come on! Vikki. You could use some fun" Charles said.

"Oh no no. As much as I wanna do it. I am tired" she said. Carlos did notice how strained her face was. "GO. Have fun" she added. Both the drivers gave her a nod. She walked past them when she remembered her flight.

"Oh. I am supposed to share the flight with one of you tomorrow. Who is getting the honor?" She asked stopping.

"Me," Carlos said straight before Charles could open his mouth. "You?" Charles asked him confused.

"Yeah. Me. Tomorrow 8 am" he said to the engineer. "Alright. I'll see you tomorrow then" she said walking into the elevator. She gave a small smile to the drivers before the doors closed.

Carlos started to move while Charles didn't. He noticed his teammate was not walking with him.

"What happened?" Carlos asked him.

"Why do I have a feeling that I have to remind you about Rebecca more?" he said.

"There is nothing Charles" he explained. Charles gave out a chuckle knowing well how this was gonna end.