The secretive

Chapter 52

helllooo people, guess what? I WENT TO SILVERSTONE!!!! AHHHHH i can't believe it, the racing was sooo good. so inspo recieved means we're back!!!!!!! Also, I've started using AI to help me write chapters, so if you notice a style change, it'll be that!

Anna's POV

There's something about Silverstone. Maybe it's the history. The way the British fans roar like thunder. Or maybe it's that every year I come here, I feel like I'm trying to prove something.

This year, it was different.

I wasn't here to prove anything to the world, just to myself.

Thursday Evening – Silverstone

I stood near the pit wall, watching the final setup adjustments under the golden English sky. Pierre wandered up beside me, nudging my side gently with his elbow.

"Still nervous?" he asked softly.

"Always," I replied, eyes still on the car. "But this time, it's not just about me."

"Jake?" he guessed.

I nodded. "It's his first Grand Prix weekend under the MHV banner. I want him to feel... steady, y'know?"

Lewis wrapped an arm around my shoulder. "He'll be fine. You've given him something he never had before."

"What?"

"A real chance."

He leaned down and kissed my temple. I closed my eyes for just a second longer than usual.

Friday Morning – Practice 1

The paddock buzzed with anticipation. I strapped into the car with a calm that surprised even me. Aston had done good work overnight, and the car felt balanced right from the first corner.

Radio crackled.
"P1 currently. Purple sectors 1 and 3. Nice work, Anna."

A grin tugged at my lips. That felt good.

Back in the garage, Jake was already there, bouncing on his heels like a golden retriever.

"P1 in FP1? You're just showing off now," he teased.

"Just keeping the pressure on you, rookie."

We fist-bumped. For the first time in years, it felt natural.

Midday – Media Pen

Just as I was finishing up an interview with Channel 4, one of the PR interns handed me a phone.

"It's for you. Family."

My stomach dropped.

I took the phone, stepping away slightly. "Hello?"

Mum's voice. "Anna... darling, it's me."

Silence.

"I saw the MHV announcement... and Jake told me he saw you again. I— We wanted to talk."

My jaw clenched. "Now you want to talk? When the cameras are finally on him again? When people are asking questions?"

"No! It's not like that—" she stammered.

"Then what's it like? Because four years of silence doesn't get undone in four minutes of guilt."

I hung up.

Jake's POV

I saw her the moment she walked out of the paddock. Eyes glassy. Jaw tight. Arms wrapped around herself.

She didn't even notice me until I reached her.

"They called you, didn't they?" I asked gently.

Anna nodded.

"What did they say?"

"Everything I wanted to hear... four years too late."

Practice 2 – Friday Afternoon

The skies opened halfway through the session. Classic British weather. But wet conditions were always my thing.

I ended P2 in P3, just behind Lewis and Charles. 

The second I walked out of the garage, a soaking wet mess, they were there—hair dripping, suit half-zipped.

"I'm just saying," Max began with a smirk, "next time it rains, I'm following your line. You flew through Stowe like it was dry."

I raised a brow. "Complimenting me, Verstappen?"

He stepped closer. "Maybe. Or maybe I'm just trying to charm my way into a celebratory dinner."

I laughed. "You're already on the list, you all are"

Charles pulled me in gently by the waist, our soaked suits sticking together in the worst possible way—but I didn't care.

We kissed under the paddock awning, rain still coming down in sheets. The others whistled a mocking tune until we pulled away.

Friday Night – Team Dinner at Mercedes Hospitality

The dining room buzzed with laughter. Lewis and Seb were doing a dramatic reading of Jake's contract in ridiculous accents. Everyone was loose. Happy.

Lando had his hand on my thigh under the table. I leaned into him, quietly sipping from my glass of wine.

Jake stood up nervously, holding a toast.

"Just want to say... thank you. All of you. I was lost a year ago. Today was the first time I felt like I belonged somewhere. Anna... thanks for not slamming the door in my face. I won't waste this."

Applause. A few claps on the back. George even whistled.

Later That Night – Mick's Driver Room

Daniel's pov

The laughter from the lounge had faded into the hum of the paddock at night. I sat curled up in one of George's oversized hoodies, half-asleep on his small couch.

"You okay?" he asked, running a hand through my damp hair.

"They called her again," I whispered. "Left a message this time. Said they're here. At Silverstone."

He tensed. "Do you think she wants to see them?"

I thought for a long moment.

"I don't know. But after everything, I'm scared it'll just reopen things she's finally started to heal from."

"She doesn't owe them anything," Mick said firmly, joining them on the sofa. 

I looked up at him, heart thudding.

"Would you... Stay with me tonight? No talking. No drama. Just... stay."

Mick leaned forward, kissed my forehead, and nodded. "Always."