Part 23 | First Race

The day after I had recovered from my hangovers gracefully, it was announced that a gala was hosted in Woking, which is in Northwest, Surrey.

It was on Wednesday, I had to show up as well. I dreaded it, but then Charlotte told me it was a free bar the whole night.

But first practice and qualifying this weekend went well, it was the first official race of the season today, Sunday in Bahrain.

I adjusted my cap and crossed my arms as I watched Lando and Oscar race out on the pit-lane.

Lando turned his head my way, I could feel his eyes on me even though he wore a helmet. I didn't turn away, instead I sent him a nod. As a form of support.

He looked away in response and raced ahead taking his place on the track after warming up.

Everyone was on the edge of their seats. Even I was anxious and all I had to do was help Oscar with interviews and handle his public image.

Yet I felt like throwing up as I watched the lights go out. The race started and it was honestly the longest hours of my life.

Yet when it was finished I hated the fact that it was over. Verstappen won the race, Perez finished P2 and Alonso P3.

This race did not go as planned for McLaren. That was clear to everyone, I sighed and prepared myself mentally to face the interviewers and be alert when Oscar had to stand in front of them to get slaughtered.

After celebrating the three winners, Lando and Oscar came back to the garage and I led Oscar to the interviews.

"They might be stingy but just remember that it's your first official race, okay? And I'll be there to support you" I remind him and he nods his head as he wipes the sweat off of his face.

"Jasmine, can you handle both Lando and Oscars interviews today?" Zak called out, I froze and stopped in my tracks.

"Sure...but why?" I ask him confused, I had seen Charlotte earlier.

"Charlotte got sick, so you're on" Zak said and I nodded before motioning for Oscar to follow me, we walked over to Lando and I had the two boys in front of me.

"I'm gonna be your Charlotte today-she got sick, so as I told Oscar, it's the first official race-the reporters as you already know Lando, will be throwing mud back and forth. So, I'm here to step in if necessary" I said and Lando nodded as well as Oscar.

"Alright, let's get this over with" I say and begin to walk towards the shouting reporters.

Lando and Oscar walked behind me, letting me take control of the situation, I told Lando who to go to first and then Oscar.

I shifted between the two, while always having an ear out for both of them.

"Next" I call out to Oscar as another reporter tried to peel his confidence down.

Oscar shoots me an amused look before I introduce him to the next one.

As the reporter starts out politely I slide back over to Lando, the guy looked stressed and his face was red from what looked like anger.

"I'm sorry, we need to move along" I cut in apologetically. Lando's tense shoulders loosened visibly as I put my hand on his shoulder and showed him to the next reporter.

"Sorry" I whispered to him before going back to Oscar. This reporter was sweet to Oscar, but we had to keep up with the time table.

"We have to move along, sorry" I said to him and Oscar nodded before saying bye, I showed him the last reporter and headed back to Lando.

He was finished, so I motioned for him to come with me. "What did they say? It was skysports right? What did they say to you?" I ask him and Lando sighs in annoyance, but remains quiet.

"Lando, I can't fix it if you won't tell me" I warn him, I had no time for games.

"He just tried to get a rise out of me, he almost succeeded if you hadn't stepped in" Lando said and looked away.

"Good thing I did then" I say and head up to Oscar before telling him it's time to go.

The three of us walked back to the paddock where we got briefed on the gala on Wednesday and then we were let go.

"Charles left, I'm driving you back to the hotel" Lando said as he walked past me, now dressed in his own clothes.

"What? Are you sure? I talked to him twenty minutes ago?" I ask confused.

"Yes, now come on, or else you're gonna have to figure out a way to get back on your own" Lando called back to me as he still walked ahead of me.

I groaned in annoyance before running up next to him. "Do you have to be such a dick? Slow down, why are you in such a hurry?" I retort.

"Funny way of thanking me for figuring out your problem for you" Lando retorted sarcastically.

"I swear to god-""-Just call me Lando, it's fine" he retorted and I purse my lips in annoyance as he unlocked his car.

I got in the passenger seat as he got in as well. When Lando started the car and connected his phone on the screen, he slowly rolled out of the parking lot.

He rolled his windows down and greeted his fans, I had as well to hand Lando more things to sign.

I might as hell give him a hard time by making his fans happy. "Thank you!!" A girl screamed into my ear, I winced as I handed her the shirt back.

Lando drove away shortly after, the drive to the hotel took small thirty minutes. It was awkward silence while waiting to run to my room.

Suddenly the silence was cut short when Lando's phone rang, a name and a photo of a girl showed up on the touch screen in his car.

He glanced quickly my way before declining the call, I had seen her name. It was Luisa.

The girl he said he didn't feel anything for. A pit in my stomach grew as I felt bothered by the fact that she was calling him and his reaction to it was looking at me and then hurriedly declining the call.

We finally made it to the hotel and Luisa started calling Lando again, he had barely parked when I opened the door and muttered a 'thanks' and slammed the door behind me.

Was I bothered because Lando recently had kissed me like there was no tomorrow and now he was already being entertained by his ex?

He sure as hell didn't waste time, I've got to give him that. I bit the inside of my cheek as I got into the elevator and pressed the button to my floor.

I couldn't wait to fly out to the gala, I was done. So done with this.

After the gala there was a week off and then the next race was in Saudi Arabia.

I couldn't wait.