With the upcoming race week at Miami, the new upgrades in our team came. We had new specially designed uniforms, looking like baseball jerseys. This wasn't exactly in my style but when I tried the shirt, I was surprised how good it was on me. Charles and Carlos had a new design for their helmets, and they were awesome. I liked Charles' one – white with pink palms and his logo. But the outfit wasn't the most important thing. We had an upgraded floor and single pylon rear wing. The main Idea was to reduce the losses and to improve overall aerodynamic performance of the cars. It wasn't impossible. In my opinion we were moving in the right direction, just at a slow pace. But something that was filling my heart with hope were the results from the previous weekend and I was ready to repeat them. If things don't go wrong, because we all know - everything could happen in Scuderia Ferrari.
Things in my life went well again. Carlos and I were warming our connection. He even offered me the chance to travel with him to Florida, but I had to refuse, because Charles insisted on me being part of his plane company. To be honest, I was about to accept the offer of Carlos, but Joris and brothers Leclerc won my presence, only because a whole week at Miami was too much for me and I was afraid that the jet lag was going to hit me again.
Charles went back Monaco exactly only for one day. I didn't want to be like a letter stamp for him, so on the airport of Baku, I had to say goodbye to him and his company and take the plane to Switzerland. It was a hard parting, Arthur even cried a bit that we wouldn't see each other for two weeks, but he was looking forward to the race in Imola to meet again and that too in my country. He had already planned even where I would take him to show him Italy from a native point of view. He was the sweet young brother everybody wanted to have and the best male friend, who could cheer you up every time.
I spent a night in Zürich at a hotel next to the airport. But couldn't fall asleep till the late hours. Thoughts were constantly floating in my mind about what a good time we had in Baku, how fulfilling our experience there was, and somehow this silence in my room was driving me crazy. I was used to the fact that at any moment there could be a knock on my door, one of the boys would arrive and keep me company. Or Kika and Isa would call with an offer of drink in the lobby bar, which I would decline, but still would have an invitation from a friend.
I was playing with the ruby I found in the fire temple, thinking about Charles. What was he doing now? Where was he? Did he think of me as I thought of him? I was afraid that I was walking on the thin ice of feelings and could soon fall into the deep waters from which it was difficult to get out. Either you drown, or you get out, but with damages. In any case, I was most afraid of falling in love. I didn't want to ruin the friendship we had, and during the period when I wasn't on good terms with Carlos, I saw how it affected the work. At least I was able to smooth things over with him, never mind that I still felt that slight pain in my soul.
Shortly before I went to bed, Artur texted me that they had already gone home and sent me a picture of him. In the background I could see Charles sitting on the couch again, staring at his phone. What he was doing there I would never know, but I could have gotten a message from him, not his brother. If he has the time to scroll over, then he has the time to text me. I quickly opened my chat with Charles with the intention of asking him, why he doesn't texted me going back home, but something deep inside me stopped me. Here - I was already starting to keep an eye on him, why he doesn't fulfill certain of my requirements. Friends and colleagues, Lisa. Only that! Remember it!
I replied to Arthur with a photo of me leaning my head against the bed frame, then closed my eyes and tried to sleep. But I failed.
#
The next morning, I packed my things and vacated the room early on sunrising. I hadn't slept, but the excitement of seeing the company again and traveling together kept me more energized than a strong espresso. I was in a hurry to get to the airport, never mind that the flight wasn't until noon. I wanted to be there first so that when the boys came, I could meet them near the gate and have more time together. We had about a 10-hour journey from Zürich to Miami and I couldn't wait to find out what the people I now boldly called friends had in store for me.
After checking in, I grabbed a large coffee, a roll, and water, to fill the time until they arrived. My mind was occupied only with thoughts of my upcoming meeting with them, and even the race weekend did not excite me that much. I wasn't convinced that the team principals would give me the right to be the Chief strategist again, no matter how brilliantly I performed the previous week. I simply expected everything from Vasseur and just let things take care of themselves in my work. I knew I had the support of Mekies and Ravin and that made me happy, the garage crew also already trusted me more, so whatever happened this weekend I wasn't going to let it hurt my career development and the goals I was chasing.
But despite the coffee and food I got myself, the wait was excruciating. When I looked at my wristwatch, I noticed that I still had two hours until my companions arrived, so I decided to close my eyes and get some rest. Suddenly my muscles relaxed, my head felt heavy, and I totally lost touch with the world around me. I quickly fell asleep.
#
- Oh, oui, elle est lá! – I heard in the distance. – Lissie, Lissie! Wake up, little one!
Someone was trying to bother my sleep, and I just tried to ignore him. Even though the metal bench wasn't the most comfortable place to fall asleep, it was better than nothing.
- Lissie, we have forty minutes! – I heard another voice next to me.
- We will miss the flight, little one! – I felt a hand squeezing my shoulder. – Wake up!
The touch and the little shake made me jump out of my place. I started flailing my arms around to defend myself from my attacker, it's unclear for what reason I thought someone was trying to harm me. The man who had been leaning over me staggered and fell hard into the seat next to me. As a result, there was a loud crack like glass breaking. When I turned around and realized where I was and who was around me, I slapped my forehead in outrage.
Naturally, they were not attackers, but the people I had been waiting so long for had already arrived. Joris, Andrea and Lorenzo had surrounded me, and Charles had apparently fallen on the seat next to me. To make matters worse, the impact of his butt with the metal bench had knocked his phone out of his pants, and it was now lying on the ground with the screen facing up. It looked undamaged until Leclerc picked it up and we all gasped in shock. The glass back had cracked.
- Oh, Lissa! – Joris said in an edifying tone and shook his head.
- Yeah... Hi everyone! – I laughed embarrassed and became red.
Charles pursed his lips looking at his damaged phone then I met my worried look with his reproachful one.
- I'll cover the damages... - I tried to excuse myself but he raised his hand to stop me.
- It's my fault – he gave me a bitter smile. – Don't worry, I scared you and it was expected.
I looked guilty at my feet and started nervously biting my lower lip. Why did I have to do something like that every time?! Why so clumsy, Lissa?! Why?!
- Urm, guys... I think my air pods aren't here – Leclerc's comment made me lift my eyes up.
- You put them in your... - started Andrea.
- Back pocket – everyone finished the sentence.
Now I only wanted to disappear. The boys looked at me with a blame in their eyes, as I had killed someone. Well, what to do now?
I swallowed hard and started looking around when my eyes fell on a little white box on the ground. It was next to a tight hole between the wall and the decking floor behind the benches. Who the hell makes decking floor on airport?!
- I think I found them – I pointed to the box.
Charles hastened to go to it and tried to lift it up, but it slipped through his fingers and fell in the hole. We all grabbed our heads and let out outraged exclamations.
- C'est pas possible! – Leclerc shouted. – How am I supposed to pick it up from there?!
- Charles, you better give up – said Joris. – We don't have time.
- We never give up! – I said and approached Charles. – Shit, it's fucking tight here!
We looked at each other and I thought he would kill me at any moment. I grinned and shrugged my shoulders.
- Lissie, I need them now... - he whispered through gritted teeth. – We have to get them out of this bloody hole before the flight!
- I need to see how you are going to do it! – said Joris who came closer to us.
- Madre Mia! – I rolled my eyes.
Leclerc sighed and laid on the ground and the others approached us, so they could enjoy the show better. He and Joris started wondering how to pull the headphones of the small hole out. I was watching their math minds trying to solve the problem with their too thick for the hole fingers, and my simple strategist mind found how to deal with this.
I went to my hand luggage and started digging through it, then opened the bag's secret compartment and pulled out a black velvet case. The boys turned to my direction and looked at me in bewilderment as I unrolled the case. It contained a dental mirror, forceps, curettes, scissors, and huge surgical tweezers. I took out the tweezers and handed them to Leclerc.
- Here, take this! – I said. – It is tiny enough to get inside the hole.
- Girl, why the hell do you have all of this in your bag? – Charles asked me with a confused expression on his face.
- And how do you pass the checkpoints at the airport? – Lorenzo started observing my case.
- Well, it is designed with a special isolating material, which protects against the penetration of any rays and absolutely nothing appears on their screens – I explained proudly. – Even the hidden bottom of the bag is not visible.
- She is like James Bond, man! – Lorenzo exclaimed.
- Still don't know why you have this in your luggage – Andrea started playing with the forceps.
- Because I can easily repair cars with this and if I don't have keys can turn them on with the wires under the steering wheel – I took the forceps of his hands. – I once had a scalpel, but at one airport the control threw it out of my hand luggage.
The whole company turned to me and gave me a shocked look. I sighed, rolling my eyes.
- I have already given you too much information! – I said and turned to the middle brother on the ground. – Charles, could you please be faster with the airpods, because we have thirty minutes till the flight.
- I am trying, Lissie! – he replied over his shoulder. – It's just too tight...
- Bro, je ferais attention avec elle si j'étais toi! – Joris mumbled, while laughing.
- Joris, I am still here and have heard you, and je te comprends assez bien! – I hissed putting hands on my waist.
The boys looked shocked at each other and began to laugh like crazy.
- And I thought Arthur was lying when he told me she knows French... - Lorenzo shook his head and pulled his phone out to capture his brother.
I watched as Charles was lying on the ground. The sight of his toned lean body in a navy-blue sweatsuit and dark jeans gave me goosebumps as it brought back memories of the day we were in my apartment in Italy and ended up on the floor on top of each other. And then the driver's room in Baku, where he just casually undressed in front of me. I bit my lip and shivers ran down my spine, hearing his slight groan as he tried to pull the headphones out of the small hole. Joris couldn't hold back and took out his phone and started taking pictures of him, and the Monegasque's neck and ears turned all red.
At this moment we saw how our plane passed on the runway by and all started laughing through the pain, realizing we might miss our flight. Charles turned around and when saw the sight, he became redder than before and burst out laughing. He tried to get the headphones out of the hole.
- Charles, please, hurry up with your surgeon's precision or we'll be walking to Florida! – I said gesticulating and continued under my nose: – I knew I had to travel with Carlos!
- Or with Max – winked Lorenzo, who was closer to me and heard me.
- Don't create intrigues, boy! – I warned him, and we all started laughing.
- With Max or Carlos, you would hardly have witnessed this – Joris grinned and slapped Charles on the butt.
- Oh, Madre Mia! – I exclaimed and covered my face with my hands, trying to hide the blush of embarrassment.
- Do we see Lissie embarrassed?! – Andrea started teasing me, making the boys laugh even more.
- Andrea, I didn't expect such an attitude from you! – I tried to escape the situation and punched him lightly on the shoulder. – Shame on you!
At this moment Charles and Joris screamed with joy and suddenly the younger Leclerc jumped out of the ground and waived the airpods in the air. We all applauded him and laughed at his joy. The driver came closer to me, handing me the tweezers.
- Next time I will be more careful waking you up – he winked. – Now we can listen to my music again!
- I wouldn't put this in my ears, never in a million years – I chuckled. – They are dirty...
- Especially for you, my lady, I will find something cleaner – Charles whispered in a croaky voice and smirked.
He passed me by and gathered the company to go to the gate. I followed him with eyes frozen in my place. His voice lit the fire in me, and I totally forgot that I have to go after him. Did he call me "my lady"?!
- Lissie, will you walk to Florida? – I heard Joris shouting from the distance.
And I hastened to take my things and rushed after the mob.
#
The flight was long, but I lost track of time. Charles was seated next to me again and was extremely talkative all the time. He even played his new song to me, dedicated to the upcoming Grand Prix. How could you dedicate a song to something that haven't happened? Meanwhile Leclerc shared with me that he was really excited because the Monday after the race, was invited to attend a baseball game at Yankees Stadium. This man was full of surprises, he had such diverse interests, he could talk about anything and always had an opinion on every issue. It was never boring with him, and the people who were part of his circle of friends were a mixture of sane and crazy heads, which made the time spent in their company unforgettable. Getting close to him was probably one of the best things that ever happened to me at the Scuderia, and I couldn't believe we were only in round 5 of the season. I felt like we had known each other for ages.
We arrived late in the evening at Miami airport, extremely tired from the long-lasting flight, and we directly went to the hotel. It turned out that my room was located right across from the Monegasque's one, and Andrea and Lorenzo were upstairs. It was strange that our team was split up, but the hassle of booking tickets and hotel rooms was completely normal for the Scuderia. I still remember my first trip as a member of the team, and I always shudder at the memory.
My apartment was spacious, modernly furnished, in the colors of the team - red, black and yellow. Like the one in Saudi Arabia, the window shades could be operated with a remote control, which also controlled the light in the apartment, the air conditioning, and the music. Luxurious, huh? On the huge bed in my bedroom was a rolled-up bathrobe, slippers and a greeting card "Thank you for being our guest, enjoy your stay! Sincerely, Ch.P"
Seeing the initials made me get numb for a moment. They literally chased me. I immediately googled the name - it turned out to be Christopher Peters, the manager of the hotel - and breathed a sigh of relief.
I put my suitcases under the bed and decided I'd have plenty of time the next day to unpack them. I took a quick shower and snuggled under the bed sheets, falling asleep the second my head touched the soft pillow.
#
Wednesday was a free one for the teams. We didn't have go to the paddock but had the time to take a rest, adapt to the time zone and walk around the town. In honor of the recovery of friendly relations between me and Carlos, Isa and I organized a small breakfast, to which we also invited Kika. The Three Graces, as we called ourselves, gathered on the terrace of the hotel restaurant. And naturally, my favorite question about my fellow passengers on the plane was immediately brought up. This time, however, my salvation from cross-examination came with a girl named Carmen Montero. The dark-haired beauty was the girlfriend of George Russell, who was also at our hotel. I was introduced to her, and the attention quickly shifted to her palm frond beach outfit. And as soon as a beach was mentioned, Kika and Isa immediately suggested that we have to go to the pool. I couldn't say no - not going to the pool in Miami is like missing out on a casino in Vegas.
So, after we had breakfast, I immediately went back to my room to change. I quickly dressed in a sparkle black jacquard triangle bikini top and Brazilian bikini brief with ties on the hips. Then put on a red lace poncho, to cover my body till we reached the pool, and grabbed some beach oil and lip gloss. I put my hair in a messy bun and hastened to leave my apartment. I stopped for a second in front of Charles's door and stared at it. Through my head ran thoughts about knocking, but I quickly changed my mind and headed down the corridor. Before I got into the elevator, I turned my sight to his room again. I secretly hoped he would come out and see him, but unfortunately the corridor remained empty.
#
A few hours later the three girls and I were laying on the sun loungers by the pool. The music was loud and remixes of the ever greens of the disco eras were playing all the time. There were many people, who were drinking cocktails, swimming, playing volley, dancing by the pool, playing cards, or just chilling under the sun. It was crowded but for the first time the noise didn't bother me at all. I was happy, watching the people over there in a good mood, and even allowed myself to discuss some of the passers-by with the girls, just like that, because we are women, and it is in our nature to gossip. We were using our sunglasses as a cover to not be seen as we were staring at the people, judging them.
At one point I shut out of the ladies next to me when they started discussing the two lifeguards who were walking around the pool with big biceps and tattoos like The Rock in the movie Fast and Furious. I don't know how they could reflect the wink of these buffoons when they had such handsome men by their side... They were also fast and furious... Literally.
Suddenly I felt drops of water on the heated skin of my stomach and heard the girls squealing and giggling. When I opened my eyes my first thought was that it had rained and I immediately imagined the failure of the race weekend. But a thin stream of water shot into my face and I immediately knew it was just Pierre and Charles with water guns.
- Hello, my sunshine! – Gasly went to Kika and kissed her passionately, then threw himself on the sun longue next to her.
He looked to the end of the row and smiled wide when his eyes fell on me.
- Oh, hi, Lissa – baby girl! – he chuckled winking.
The other girls gasped and started giggling and as a result I immediately turned red.
- I didn't expect that – I heard a familiar voice next to me.
When I looked up, I saw Charles, standing over me with a little smirk. He was half naked, only with colorful peach and turquoise swim shorts, revealing his divine Apolune's body in front of me. Not that I haven't seen it at Baku, but now... It was different. I was speechless, looking at him with an open mouth and my heart started pounding.
- Lissa! – Isa poked me in the ribs.
- Oh, yeah! I...I... - I snapped out and cleared my throat. – I was wondering, what he didn't expect... I mean...
- You...here...bikini swimsuit... - Leclerc slid his eyes over my body.
- In a positive or negative way? – I asked while putting the poncho over me. I was feeling pretty uncomfortable while he was staring at me like a hungry tiger.
- In very positive way... - he replied lifting the water gun up and spraying some water in the air.
I gasped. That looked and sounded so unholy, that it made me shiver. Isa and Karmen chuckled next to me, being witnesses of our small talk. I felt so embarrassed at this moment.
- Charlie, why didn't you take Lissa to today's golf game? – Pierre shouted from the bottom of the row. – You don't like her skills?
- Pierre, my skills in golf aren't that bad! – I pretended to be offended then looked at Charles. – He is just afraid I could beat him in this game.
- I am really good at golf – the Monegasque laughed.
- Charlie, who are you trying to lie to? – Pierre giggled. – My balls are always closer to the hole, than yours... But it depends on the swing, right?
- Point for him – I noticed and lifted my sunglasses up to wink at Leclerc.
A whistle of surprise went up from the whole company. I smiled impudently and stood up from my seat. I don't know what made me go over to the driver, whose face instantly turned red after his friend's joke, and caress his cheek.
- Don't worry Charlie, we will learn how to swing – I said in a sweet tone then pointed at the water gun and continued sharper: - And get the damn thing out of my sight! You remind me of Vasseur... And I am getting sick.
In this moment shouts of joy rang out from behind me. Our company was joined by Carlos, George, Lando, Esteban and the other "love" of Pierre's life – Yuki. All of them were in swimwear and shirtless, but they couldn't make my heart race, the way Charles was doing it. And when I realized that I got scared of myself.
- Charles is this water gun thing some kind of tradition at Sauber or are you just following in the footsteps of our new boss?! – Carlos raised his eyebrows playfully, and everybody started laughing.
- And you Brute?! – I looked at Sainz reproachfully and he stuck out his tongue.
- Charles, when Vasseur is not happy with something in the team, does he shoot you with the water gun as punishment? – Lando continued roasting Leclerc, while he was looking at them with judgment.
I sighed and pulled out the water gun of Charles hands than sprayed the laughing as eagles in attack Carlando who have just clapped their hands. The laughter stopped for a second when everyone looked at me in surprise, then it became even louder.
- I could try this with the mechanics – I said handing the gun to the Monegasque. – Or with Vasseur on his own.
Then I turned to the huge company and shouted:
- Who wants something to drink?
And the orders piled up one on top of the other - all for cocktails and non-alcoholic beer. I shook my head and warned them that I wasn't going to carry all this alone, then gave Charles a half smile and headed towards the bar that was near us. The stone bar stools were submerged in the water, and I approached them. There were an awful lot of people placing their orders one after the other and I almost lost hope of being able to get in line. I stepped carefully onto one of the stools that was free and looked around, trying to meet the bartender's gaze. But the guy was literally flooded with orders, especially the moment some girl spilled her mojito on him. Poor guy!
I sighed and decided to wait, so sat on the stool and dipped my feet in the cold water against my hot body. I got goosebumps.
- Why so sad? – I heard Charles voice and turned in its direction.
- Not sad, just disappointed – I gave him a smile, while he was taking a sit on the wooden bar counter.
- Don't mind them, they are always roasting me like that – Leclerc waved with his hand.
- I wasn't talking about them – I laughed. – But about the busy bartender...
- Oh, well... - Charles bowed his head sadly.
- But Charlie... - I said, making him look at me again. – I still don't find this kind of behavior normal.
- Boys will always be boys, darling – he said putting hand on my shoulder. – And you should remember this.
Charles moved his hand and started playing with a strand of my hair, which had fallen in front of my eyes when I looked down. He smiled and put it behind my ear. Then he slowly passed with his fingers through my cheek and lifted my chin up, to make eye contact. Oh, it wasn't only the sun burning my skin right now. It was also his eyes, which suddenly fixed on my bosom. And he swallowed hard.
- Hey, we are thirsty! – I heard Pierre shouting in the distance.
Leclerc snapped out and turned in the direction of his friend.
- Do I look like I make these drinks for you to spur me on? – I shouted to Pierre.
- Put some effort, baby girl, I have been waiting for my beer for ages! – he replied.
- Come and take it on your own, I am not going to be your maid! – I continued.
Then I looked around and got angry.
- What I have to do, to receive 10 times beer and cocktails! – I said through gritted teeth.
- To make them on your own – Leclerc shrugged his shoulders.
- You offered! – I pointed to him. – Call the others here.
I stood up from the chair and jumped over the wooden counter ending up behind it. I started rummaging through the things of the bartender, who was at the other end of the bar, barely managing his orders.
- Can you make cocktails? – Charles asked, while I was preparing some ingredients for the beverages.
- One or two... – I shrugged my shoulders and laughed.
- Oh, let me help you then! – he chuckled and jumped next to me. – I have some hidden talents that you don't know about!
Leclerc gave me his favorite hot wink and put his sunglasses on.
- Guys are you going to have a cocktail competition? – asked Isa, who just approached us.
- What a great idea! – I exclaimed looking at Charles for approval. When he nodded with his little smirk on, I turned to Carlos and said: - Chili, start the stopwatch!
All the company got inside the water and gathered around us to watch our little performance. We didn't care about creating noise and attracting attention at all. We were so excited about the sunny day and little free time before the though weekend, that the serotonin had seeped into our blood making us wild and happy.
- What do you want? – I asked Kika, while Charles was trying to serve with Pierre.
- Sex on the beach! – the girl said naughty.
- Then take your boyfriend, walk a little further down and you'll receive it – I chuckled and started filling the shaker with ice. – I'll make you a Dry Martini, just like the great James Bond drinks it.
- Do you know him? – Charles turned to me laughing.
- Of course! – I giggled. – We are first friends. Everyday drinking this shit here.
- Now I know why you have a hidden bag bottom - Leclerc laughed.
And all the company started laughing. The song Miami by Will Smith started playing from the speakers, and it turned out that Lando had somehow gotten to the console and was now controlling the music. All of us got excited, and started singing along.
I looked at their happy faces, while shaking the cocktail in the shaker. Every of them was relaxed, some of them in love, others just having fun, but most important - Charles looked happier than ever. I stared at him - I wanted to remember that shiny smile, to see it every day... It makes me feel good. Now I was in a friendly environment, as if for the first time feeling whole. I totally forgot about work, problems, cars, etc. And for that I was grateful to Charles and his friends. They healed my mind and soul.
Notes: Hello guys! Sorry for my absence and making you wait for the next chapter. But here I am with a new one and I hope you liked it. It is a little bit meager, but soon will happen something and it will start from the next chapter. Not gonna say more, just giving you a little hint - someone that always ruin Lissa's plans will join us ! <3
Now we have Lissie getting into the comfort zone, and probably slowly sliding into the feelings. She is scared falling in love, but why? Going to find out soon.
Well, I hope you liked the chapter - leave a star/comment if so, hear the external link and see you at the next part - promise I won't make you wait so much! <3
Love ya! <3 <3 <3
N16 XOXOXO