away we go • formula 1

milking it

I called back Franz to see what he wanted and apparently it was just a pocket call.
"Why do they need you at the factory this often?", Stoffel asked. I mean it's true, people like Daniel or Lewis got to the factory about 3 times in the first half of the season. Me on the other hand I had to go every week. "Not sure but it's the last time before the summer break.", we currently were walking along the coast off the beaten tracks. "I hope so. I miss you, you know? Also about summer break.", he started. "What about it?", I stopped walking.  "It's just I planned to go to Belgium for two weeks and then there is only about a week left since the last week I have to go to the factory. I'm just not sure how much we gonna see each other.", Stoffel explained his plans. I was quite hurt. Did he forget about me while planning his summer break. "Ok. I didn't plan anything but I guess I'll spend it in Austria then.", I started walking again. "Lin!", he called after me. "I'm sorry. I didn't forget about you but I promised my parents I'll see them. Just me. I'm sorry. Please don't be mad.", he grabbed my hand. "It's fine.", not it's not but it's not like he cares. "I'll make it up to you.", he pecked my lips.

I left Monaco later that day to go to the factory. Brendon wasn't gonna be there and to be honest I didn't see the reason in me being here. So Faenza was a waste of time to be honest.
"Caro so the next race is Le Castellet and after that it's your home race. You'll get an aero upgrade for Austria so you can be at the top of your game for your home race.", Markus told me. "Thanks.", I was still down about the summer break.
I wandered around the factory minding my own business thinking about Stoffel and I. Do I really love him? Or do I love the idea of a relationship? "Caro!", someone called me. "Oh hey Anäis", my train of thought was stopped. "I wanted to talk to you about something you might not like to much.". "Wow not holding back there.", I cracked a smile. "It's about your relationship. On behalf of the team I have to tell you that you and Stoffel can't go public. It can damage your image of an independent woman that the sponsors expressed some interest in. I know it's a lot. I'm sorry to be the bearer of the bad news.", she looked uncomfortable. "Ok. No worries.", I said and left.

I flew to France for the Grand Prix. While I was waiting for the plane with the crew I checked my phone.
I scrolled through instagram and went back to some old pictures of myself.
I really liked most of them but some I wasnt to keen on.
Just as I was looking through my pictures when I got a text.
Can we meet up in France? ~ Max
Why does he want to meet up?
Sure. ~ me
I decided to call Stoffel.
"Lin it's good to hear you.", I could hear him grinning.
"hi. I just wanted to let you know that my plane is taking off in about an hour.", I explained. "So you'll be here in about 3 hours. Maybe we could go eat something?", he asked. "Yeah that would be nice.". "I have to tell you something but I want it to be in person.", he sounded a bit worried. "Ok." "Have a safe flight. love you.". "Love you too. Bye."
Well that was weird.

We finally arrived at out hotel. "So you're on the same floor as Brendon and the Red Bull guys. Here is you room key. Don't stay out too late.", Anäis gave me all the deets and I was off.
I'm at the hotel now. Wanna grab a bite?~ me
I texted Stoffel.
Sure. Send me the adress I'll be there as quickly as possible. ~ Stoff❤️
I went to the bathroom to make myself look presentable. I spritzed on some perfume and brushed my hair. I didn't wear makeup today and looked hideous so I also decided to at least put on some mascara.
I heard a knock on my door. "Coming!".
I opened the door to Stoffel. "Well don't you look handsome.", I said and kissed him. "Hi". "Hi." I took his hand and my bag and we left the hotel.
"You seem tense", I stated. We where sitting in a nice restaurant and got some aperitifs already with us. "I am. I was told something not that great.", he looked really sad by now. "They are not kicking you out, right?!?", I was the worried one now. "No. It's not about mydriving. It's about us.", I must have had the most confused look on my face. "What about us?", I tried to stay calm. "They told me that we had to keep it under the wraps. No photos together no public outings, nothing.", he looked uneasy. But I felt ecstatic. "I was told that too. You had me really worried there.", I grabbed his hand, "Who cares if the world doesn't know about us? I'm content with us being together without everyone knowing.". "I thought you were gonna get mad at me. Because Anna and I, we were like public and everyone knew. And now that I have you I have to keep it a secret.". "Well we can't change it."
The dinner was nice and I was reassured that me and Stoffel were meant to be. I loved spending time with him.
"Old man hurry up.", I called after him. He was coming back to the hotel with me. "Oi stop being a bossy little kindergardener.", he joked. "You did not!", I tackled him onto the bed. "Ah can't fight off a toddler old man?", I joked. As soon as I said it he turned us around and now he was on top. "Well not how I planned for this to go.", I said. "Did you not? Looks good to me.", he was eyeing me up and down. "Sure it does.", I was wearing a low cut blouse which was now revealing my bra. I looked up at Stoffel and pull him down to my lips. His hands immediately went to my side and he was returning the kiss. It got pretty heated quite quickly. I tugged at his shirt and made him take it off.
I placed kisses all over his torso but he wasn't having it and pulled me back up to his lips. "Not today." he said and brushed his fingers over my cheek. "Don't you want to?", I asked, "I feel like you find me unattractive or hideous or something.". The last part was pretty mumbled but Stoffel heard me. "Lin. You know that I think you are beautiful. And I want to but I want it to be special and a hotel room on a GranPrix weekend doesn't really classify as special. I'm sorry I see why it might seem like I don't want to but I do. I really do. I mean have you seen yourself? Most beautiful woman out there.", I had to smile at that and kissed him. "Ok?", he asked. "Ok. Can we at least watch a film? A german one?", I asked him. He chuckled: "Of course but please put on subtitles.". I grinned and put in the film Fack ju Goethe. "Oh lord it's that one again."
It was one of my all time favourite german films. Stoffel understood next to nothing and thinks it complete trash but he has to deal with it.
"I love falling asleep while watching tv.", I snuggled up to my boyfriend. "I know."

I woke up to the sound of my phone. I looked over and saw that I had a few instagram notifications and message from my brother and Max.
are you free anytime of today? ~ max
between FP1 and FP2 or after FP2 if you want? What are we even meeting for? ~ me
Yeah after FP2 sounds great. I'll tell you later.~ max
"Babe who are you texting?", Stoff moaned. "Just Max. Get up old man. We got FP1 in a few hours."

FP1 and FP2 went ok. I placed 6th in the first and 5th in the second training. Currently I was trying to get a quick shower in my motorhome and get ready to meet Max. He would come over and then we'd go from there.
I heard a knock on the door. "One sec.", I went to open the door and in front of me stood no one other than Lando Norris. He was going to be promoted to a regular driver for McLaren next season. I knew him from F2. "Lando what are you doing here!?"? I hugged him tightly. "Just thought I would come visit one of my faves. Also Max asked me to tell you that he will be here in 20 minutes or so.", the little English man-boy spoke. "Ok do you wanna come in? I haven't seen you in way too long.", I asked. "Sure. You can tell me all about that older guy you are dating?", he raised his brows and I had to chuckle. How good it was to see him again.

„I'm gonna get something from the fridge. Do you want anything?", I asked Lando who was currently on my bed. "Nah I'm good thank you.".
I got some ginger tea and a glass of milk. As soon as Lando saw it he was happy: "That's why I like you!".