Racing Love

Chapter 9

It was a late night again. Vic stayed back in the garage. She knew everyone would be celebrating which meant a quiet garage so she could work. She closed up for the day and walked out of her driver's room, only to run into the Spanish driver.

She was surprised he was still there,  not with everyone else celebrating his win. "Stayed back so you check if I do only my work?" she spat a bit at him and walked past him.

"What would I have to do for you to forgive me?" he asked, following her. She stopped, turned, and looked at him. He gave an apologetic look.

"Go away Carlos," she said and walked turning around. He got hold of her hand. "Please Vikki," he said with a genuine voice that made her stop in her tracks looking at him.

She pulled her close and wrapped her hand with his hands close to his chest. "Please. I am sorry" Vic's heart fluttered looking at his eyes. It beat so fast that a bit closer he could feel it. His thumb made small circles on her wrist and her breathing became erratic.

Her eyesight smudged and she looked behind him to notice an ice cream poster on the screen. "Ice cream" she blurted out. It came out more like a shriek.

"What?" he asked confused. "Buy me ice cream" she repeated. "Now?" he asked. "Do you have somewhere to be? It's fine if you-"

"Let's go," he cut her off. Are you sure? We can go some other time," she said in a doubtful tone. There is nowhere else I want to be," he said straight, locking his eyes on her. Okay," she huffed softly.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

They stopped in front of the store and noticed a lot of people inside. "I can go and buy. That is a lot of people" she whispered peeking through the window.

"No. It's my job. What is your favorite flavor?" she turned around and smirked.

"Suprise me?" she asked. He smirked back. "Ready to get surprised then" he said opening the door and walking outside. She waited a few minutes tapping her fingers on her legs. She noticed a crowd had formed around him.  A sense of anticipation washed over her.

She was in the car of a Formula 1 driver. A driver who drives for Ferrari. She gave out a loud sigh. Her phone starts ringing. It was Jay. She picked it up.

"What are you still doing in the paddock?" he asked.

"What? I am not at the paddock" she replied.

"Then why is your car still in the parking" he asked confused. "Oh. Yeah," she completely forgot about her car. "I am with a friend," she said.

"Do I know this friend?" he asked.

"Maybe," she said. "You are with Carlos, aren't you?" she could feel him grinning. "Do you have a camera fit on me or what?" she asked shocked.

"Oh. I know you too well, love" he replied. "So is it a date?" he asked. "No!" she was fast to reply. "We came out to have some ice cream," she said.

"Vic, that sounds like a date," he said.

"No. It's not"

"Well it does"

She noticed Carlos coming back. "Alright, I gotta go"

"Have fun. Tell me everything tomorrow" he added when Carlos entered the car. "Sorry for the delay," he said handing over the ice cream.

"One Chocolate Brownie Fudge for the lovely lady," he said. He noticed how her eyes sparkled and her smile filled her face.

"Does this mean I never get to be angry with you again?" she asked excitedly opening the ice cream and taking a spoon.

"If I get to share ice cream rides after every time I make you angry, I wouldn't mind" he replied. "Maybe I should've stayed on line. I tend it cross it sometimes" she said not looking at him.

"No. Vikki. Stop that. Stop apologizing for everything. I should be the one doing it" he said in a very hard tone.

"Can I ask you something?" she asked. He nodded. "When you joined Ferrari..did you feel a bit out of place? Like ...." she brainstormed for the right words.

"Like whatever you do, you feel like you are not enough?" he finished. She gave him a helpful look nodding.

"Vic, it's been 3 years since I've joined Ferrari. To this date, I still feel it. I had to reassure my self. I had people around me reassuring me always. Even Charles understood about it. People around me always helped me with it" he explained.

She gave a single nod taking it inside. "Yeah, I am not good with getting people around me," she said in a sad tone.

"Can I ask you something?" he asked her. "Go on," she said. "Why don't you come to our podium celebrations?" he asked.

"Don't you already have too many people there?" she asked.

"I do. But you are a major part of the team. You should share our wins" he said. She felt so good talking to him.

"Plus, you are my lucky charm. Your stars got me podium" he added. "That didn't work this week. I never gave you my star on your helmet" she said pointing a finger.

"I reused the one you gave me," he said. Vikki's eyes went wide. "Really?" she asked. He took out his phone and showed her a picture from today zooming into his helmet.

"Aww, Carlos. You are the sweetest," she said, her eyes fixed on the phone. He felt his heart warm as she said that.

"Will you be there, next podium?" he asked. "I will" she replied.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Both of them slowly made their way into the hotel. Carlos's phone started ringing. "Hello Charles" he answered in speaker.

"Carlos where the hell are you? It's your party" he shouted. Vikki raised her eyebrows at the Spanish driver.

"I am at out hotel. I'll be there in like 10 minutes" he replied. "We are waiting" he could hear people shouting in the background. She cut the phone.

"I would have invited you but you look like you've hit a train. You should get some sleep. Japan is a long flight" he said. She gave an assured nod. They reached their rooms. She was about to get inside hers when she turned around and got her attention on him.

"Did you seriously delay your victory party to eat ice cream?" she asked leaning on her door frame.

"No. I delayed the party so that I get to spend some time with you which I like doing" he said leaning opposite to her on the wall. Her cheeks flushed a bit.

"Can we do this again?" she asked slowly. " Anytime" he replied. She nodded and opened her door.

"See you in Japan, Mr. Spanish," she said.

"Cannot wait Ms. English" he replied.