Partner

                                    

                                          
hiii, this one is short so I'll post another one tonight 😁
don't forget to vote it helps me a lot
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The evening had already drained me, and I wasn't even at the event yet. The hotel room felt like a brief escape, but not long enough to breathe before I had to get ready. I slipped into the sleek, black dress the team had sent over — elegant and sophisticated, designed to make an impression. I wasn't a fan of these events, but I knew it was part of the job, part of the persona I had to maintain.
I sat down as the makeup artist, a kind girl named Yumi, began finishing the final touches on my face. She hummed softly while working, her hands steady and precise as she applied the finishing strokes.
"You're so beautiful, Blair," she said with a smile, stepping back to admire her work. "Your features are perfect for this. Honestly, you don't even need much makeup."
I chuckled lightly. "Thanks. It's not really my thing, but I appreciate it."
"I follow your races," she added, her excitement clear. "You're incredible, not just for being the only woman but because you're *you*. You inspire so many people, myself included."
Her words were genuine, and for a moment, they helped lift the weight that had been pressing down on me all day. But before I could respond, the door opened, and Joe walked in, his presence immediately deflating the mood. He was dressed sharply, like always, but there was something about the way he carried himself that made me roll my eyes. Too confident. Too smug.
"Ready, princess?" he asked, that infuriating nickname slipping out. 
I shot him a glare but didn't respond. He didn't care, though; he never did. Yumi, noticing the shift in energy, quietly excused herself, giving me a sympathetic look before leaving the room.
"Let's get this over with," I muttered, standing up and straightening my dress. I grabbed my clutch and walked past him, not waiting for him to follow.
---
The event was as grand as I expected. A massive ballroom filled with influential faces from the motorsport world, business moguls, and the media, all gathered under one roof. The Suzuka Grand Prix was days away, but the corporate event was the real show tonight. My father's partner, Mr. Sato, had pulled out all the stops, and I knew the eyes of every major sponsor would be on me tonight. 
Joe walked beside me as we entered the venue, immediately placing his hand on the small of my back. The gesture wasn't lost on anyone, and I could already see the media's eyes narrowing, taking note of every movement.
As we made our way through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries and shaking hands, I felt the exhaustion creeping in. I wasn't even two days into Japan, and I already wanted to crawl back into bed. The endless smiles and handshakes were draining, but I knew I had to play the part.
Eventually, I was led to the stage where I was meant to say a few words. Mr. Sato was introducing me as a guest of honor, and I could feel the pressure of the spotlight intensifying. I stepped up to the microphone, taking a deep breath.
"Thank you all for having me tonight," I began, forcing a smile. "It's an honor to be here in Suzuka, preparing for what promises to be an exciting race. The passion and energy in Japan are always amazing, and I'm grateful for the continued support from my fans and partners."
Just as I was about to finish, Joe suddenly stepped forward, grabbing the mic. 
"Thank you all for having us tonight," he said, his voice booming with enthusiasm, "let's not forget that this partnership with Mr. Sato is something we're both incredibly proud of. What we're building here, it's about synergy and collaboration. Together, we're going to take things to the next level."
His words hung in the air, blending the lines between our professional collaboration and something more personal. The audience nodded, and I could see the media scribbling notes, their interest piqued and the cameras flashing as they captured the moment.
I blinked in surprise, my heart racing as I tried to process what he was implying. It was as if he was trying to present us as a single entity, and I didn't know whether to be annoyed or flattered. This wasn't just good PR; this was my life, and I felt my frustration growing.
Taking back the microphone, I quickly added, "Yes, we are looking forward to what's ahead, and I'm excited to work with Mr. Sato as well. 
The room filled with polite applause, but the damage was done. I could feel the eyes on me, could hear the whispering from every corner of the ballroom. As soon as I stepped off the stage, I leaned toward Joe, my voice low and sharp.
"What the hell was that?" I hissed, barely containing my anger.
He shrugged, that infuriating smirk still plastered on his face. "What? It's the truth. We're working together, and it makes us look good. You know that."
I felt the heat rising in my cheeks, and I resisted the urge to snap back at him. "It's not just about looking good, Joe. This is my career we're talking about."
He leaned closer, his tone casual and dismissive. "You have to understand, Blair. When you're in these kinds of partnerships, it helps to have a power man by your side. It shows other guys that they can trust you. It's how things work in this business."
My blood boiled at his words. "Are you seriously suggesting that I need a man to validate my partnerships? That's so sexist, Joe! I've worked my ass off to be here, and I don't need you or anyone else to prop me up!"
He rolled his eyes, still seemingly unfazed. "I'm just saying that it helps. You'll get more support that way, and it's not just me—there are other guys who will want to partner with us if they see we're a strong team."
I felt the heat rise in my cheeks, and I could feel my anger simmering just below the surface. "I don't need your help to convince anyone of my worth. I've proven myself time and time again. This isn't about me being a woman who needs a man to succeed!"
Joe's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of realization crossing his face. "Okay, okay, I didn't mean it like that. It's just a different dynamic, you know?"
"Different dynamic?" I echoed, incredulous. "This isn't some game, Joe. This is my life. I don't want to be reduced to a stereotype just because it's more comfortable for you or anyone else."
He opened his mouth to respond, but I cut him off, my voice firm. "Just keep your sexist assumptions to yourself, okay? I'm here to do my job, not to fulfill some outdated notion of what a partnership should look like."
With that, I turned on my heel and walked away, trying to calm the storm of emotions inside me. I could still feel his gaze on my back, and I knew that the cameras were capturing this moment, but I didn't care. I had more important things to focus on than proving myself in a male-dominated world.