Unexpected

Part 36

On race day I leave Taewoong with Sangil, who knows how a normal race will proceed, and Makino, who has been in Baku with me for two days (plus a few family members). This Grand Prix takes place on the streets of Baku, Azerbaijan. Usually it has a crash or two because of the narrow circuit, followed by the safety car. We already had some accidents during free practice and qualifying, with Charles uttering his classic line: I am stupid. And George ran over a loose drain cover, and when the tow truck was towing his car away it hit a low bridge, and practice was cancelled while they cleaned up the debris.

This year's race is a disappointment. Daniel backed up into Danik after an overtaking gone wrong had them both in the runoff area, and received two penalty points on his super license. Romain and Pierre both retired, but no crashes during the race and no safety car (except a virtual one since Pierre didn't make it back into the pits before his car stopped).

As for me? I continue to drive clean and score points. This is very good. Nissan will have a reason to keep me, and other teams may want to offer me a contract. Silly season (when contracts for next year are negotiated and signed) will be upon us before we know it. It starts in the summer, sometimes before half the season is over and done with.

In the evening we head out for a walk along Baku Boulevard, with plans to ride the Ferris wheel, ride on gondolas in Mini-Venice, and take a short cruise on the Caspian Sea. The gondolas are the first activity on the agenda. Sangil and I get in one, with Taewoong and Makino in another.

"Let the romance of it fill your soul," I tell them. "Wink, wink."

Makino just laughs, but Taewoong looks slightly worried. Like he's afraid I might say something inappropriate.

In our gondola Sangil and I snuggle together. "I'm really enjoying Baku," he says. "It's so much different from any place I've been to before. And this is my first street circuit. How many more are there?"

I quickly run through what I can remember of the races for this year. "Two? Monaco and Singapore for sure."

"I can't wrap my head around the fact they they close whole streets for you guys to race on."

"The city hopes it brings in enough money to make up for the inconvenience."

"Sebin will join us in Spain," Sangil says after a pause. "Do you have someone to pair him up with, too?"

I giggle. "Yes. But do tell me his type."

"Hmm. Someone cute, he usually says."

"But what do you say?"

He looks over at the other gondola, where Taewoong are Makino are talking animatedly. "I mostly agree. But also if she can be kind of adoring? As the youngest, I think it would be nice if he has someone who kind of looks up to him, and hangs on his every word."

I burst out laughing. "I think she'll have to act if you want her hanging on his every word."

"Just a suggestion."

Sangil gives me a kiss on my cheek while we're in Mini-Venice. Our cheek kiss from Shanghai was given all the slo-mo glory by WGM. They replayed it multiple times, from different angles. Honestly, it was just a quick peck, but you'd think it was a huge deal from the way they edited it.

The four of us get on the Ferris wheel together after leaving the gondolas behind. Taewoong grins at us across the small space. "Did you guys realize that your boat was in front of us?"

"Yes, and?" Sangil is puzzled.

"We saw you smooch."

"Jealous?" I smirk.