The Prancing Horse

XXVII

"Scarlett! Scarlett! You need to get up now!" Charles exclaimed shaking me awake. I looked out my window and the sun was barely coming up. "Charles...where's Davi!" I exclaimed sitting up quickly. Charles pointed to the second bedroom and I let out a sigh of relief. 

"We slipped up last night." He whispered while handing me his phone and I almost threw that thing out of the room. 

"Tell me it isn't true!" I exclaimed as I watched damage unfold between my eyes.  "Could you read it to me, because I can not concentrate!" I hissed. 

"Headline: A Royal Pain- Queen Scarlett of Monaco while trying to take a relaxing vacation cannot seem to get a break when two of her driver friends and some football players have managed to land themselves in jail. The offices of Her Majesty claim she will handle the business and make sure the correct disciplinary action is received. Sources claim Lewis Hamilton,  and our very own Daniel Riccardo had to be dragged out of the club after getting too handsy with women and starting a fight. On top of that do Prince Charles and Queen Scarlett have a secret child or have they even really split up. Picture from last night shows them together getting cozy with a small child who looked to be their own. Her offices have made no comment as this is a private matter that only the Queen can address. So we ask you Queen Scarlett and Prince Charles did you lie and who is this mystery child." he read and by the end, I was fuming. 

I jumped off of the bed and went into my closet. I pulled out skinny light pink dress pants, with a black top and a matching pink and black blazer, which I quickly chanced into. "You look amazing!" Charles exclaimed and I smiled slightly. "I'm just really mad." I mumbled. 

"You go be you and I'll watch Davi in till Neymar comes." he assured me as I walked out the door and down the hall. I got all the way to the elevator when I realized I left my purse, shoes, phone, and car keys. I

I high-tailed it back to the room, where Charles was waiting with my stuff in his hands when I opened the door with an amused smile. 

"Thank you," I whispered. Charles just opened his arms and I leaned into him softly. "You've got this," he said pulling me to look him in the eyes. He let me go so I could sit on the bed to put my shoes on and I caught a glimpse of the huge scar on my left leg. I shook it off and rushed out the door giving Charles a small kiss on the lips like I always do when I'm in a rush–wait a minute.

 I flipped around and he was already cracking up, "It's ok. It's an old habit." he winked and I chuckled and continued walking. 

I rode the elevator to the lobby where Romeo was waiting for me in a black Range Rover. 

"Let's do this!" I exclaimed as we drove toward the station. 

Fifteen minutes later I was in a room waiting for Daniel and Lewis to show up. There was a table with two chairs across from mine, while Romeo decide to sit in the corner. The door clicked open and an officer led the two men in. 

"Please, have a seat," I said in what everyone calls my queen voice that is more serious and formal. They both sat across from extremely nervous as they fidgeted around. 

"When I saw that some drivers had been arrested, I did not think it would be some of the most senior drivers on the grid. I would expect this from maybe a low-level driver, but Lewis and Daniel never crossed my mind. In till I read that article." I started and they sunk lower in their seats. "Look at you two being lectured by a twenty-year-old. Lewis, I sponsor you as a driver. What do you think everyone else thinks now that you have tainted your name. You to Daniel. I know you two are respectful towards women and maybe you had too many drinks, but that is never an excuse to even get near a woman as you did. You have no idea what we have to go through to get into positions of power. So now, what do you have to say for yourselves." I lectured. 

"I...uh think that we are both extremely sorry and wish that this incident wouldn't have happened," Daniel said.

 "Well it did and I don't expect for you two to brush this under the rug. What is your plan?" I asked. 

"Go on social media and make an apology." Lewis said and I jumped up, "If I had been one of the girls, would you be happy if someone went on social media to make an apology to me!" I yelled and they both shook their heads. 

"Exactly! Now you two are damn lucky I love you two because if you follow my directions we can steer this in the right direction." I explained and their faces turned from sad too surprised. 

"You're going to help us?" Lewis asked softly. I looked at them like they were crazy, "I don't know what ever led you to the idea that I wouldn't  help you, but you are family the only family I have left that is close to me, so I will always be here to help you." I assured them as their eyes got a little glossy . 

"Now here is what will happen. You will call the women and apologize. Then you will donate half of your salaries to the Global Fund for Women and UNICEF. I have arranged to have an event at the Palace where we will have influential women from all over the world and just women come and talk. The catch is you two and a few other drivers will be hosting it. Finally you are suspended from formula races for two months." I said and they were all happy till the last condition.

 Lewis burst into tears, "Scarlett please don't do this! We'll do ANYTHING!" he exclaimed running over to my side of the table. Romeo walked over to a paper shredder in the corner with their license certificate  in his hand. 

"Say goodbye!" I exclaimed as the paper was shredded. Daniel and Lewis were in hysterics as tears poured down their face and then they started yelling at each other. 

"Excuse me!" I called and they both turned to glare at me. "We need to head out for the brunch!" I exclaimed and they followed me to the car as we ran from reporters. Romeo and I had sent each other looks as the media yelled at us. It's lights out and here we go straight into the season.