Bahrain, February 29th 2024

Eden
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"Eden!" The second I hear my own name my head swivels toward the familiar voice as I enter the hotel lobby. When I turn I'm almost instantly met with the familiar blonde. Everett, my twin brother.

He walks up to me, and pulls me into his strong arms. I hug him back, and for the first time in a long time the stress melts away. I haven't seen Ev in months, both of our schedules have been insane recently so aside from organising this whole trip we've barely spoken.

"I missed you," Ev chuckles before he pulls away clad in a Ferrari shirt and cargos, he's assumably been dealing with the press all day considering this is only his second season with Ferrari.

"I've missed you too, I'm so glad I'm here." I smile, Everett looks behind me grabbing my suitcase from the hotel worker who offered to take it up to my room for me. Everett brushes the man off so he can take it and we slowly begin the walk up the glorious staircase.

"So, you gonna give me any spoilers for the walking dead? Andy gets back right?" A chuckle escapes me as his hopeful eyes meet mine. I knew that was going to be one of the first things he was going to ask me.

"Just for that. No." I laugh and he dramatically rolls his eyes as we reach the floor my room is supposedly on.

"I'm pretty sure a few drivers are spread through this hotel, I'm two doors down from you." Ev gestures to a door as we keep walking toward my hotel room. Ev swipes the keycard opening the door for me and carrying my bags inside.

"Thank you, for all this." I smile entering the beautiful hotel room. White and gold seems to be the colour scheme here, and it's gorgeous. I can feel the smile tugging at my lips, the same smile that's been stuck there since I left the states.

"No need to thank me, it's good to have you back" he huffs sitting on the double bed in the centre of my room. As he does he looks up, his neck muscles flexing.

I grimace "why the fuck is your neck so big? That's disgusting Ev." I laugh examining his expanded neck.

"Neck training," he laughs raising a hand to rub his neck, "it's strength. gotta do it or I'll break my neck on the track." I grimace further with a chuckle while shaking my head, before I have the chance to say anymore Everett stands up, "I'll take you out for dinner tonight, but I'm not going out with you after. I have qualifying tomorrow."

"What a gentleman." I chuckle, "I haven't seen one of your races in person since your debut" my eyes widen at the realisation.

"I know, it's crazy isn't it?" He laughs, "I would say I haven't seen anything you do in person but no one really does." He hesitates for a moment leaning against the wall opposite my bed, "you sure about this whole acting break?"

"Definitely." I nod, ignoring the tiny pang of regret that ricochet's through my chest. "It's difficult but It'll probably only be for a few months before I change my mind. I just want to see how this author thing works out."

"You'll be great." Everett smiles reassuringly, before straightening to his full height, "I'll pick you up in an hour and we'll get some food, a few other drivers will probably come too."

"Okay great."

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When Everett left to change, I began getting ready. Curling my hair and doing my makeup took me almost the whole hour which is surprisingly quicker than normal. Walking out of the bathroom I stare at myself in the long mirror opposite the hotel room bed.

I scrutinise every inch of my outfit, black heels, a long black dress covering the majority of my legs and hugging my figure perfectly. I turn back toward my bed and dig through suitcases, grabbing my light cardigan i pull that on over my arms.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Eden! Come on tables booked for eight!" Everett calls from my hotel room door and with a quick huff I grab my purse and make my way to the door. Taking a final breath I open the door, pushing all my nerves down. I need to be ready for this new chapter, new era.

"Alright, alright." I smile stepping out of the hotel room, to be met with my brother and his teammate Charles Leclerc and what seems to be a few Ferrari staff members. "Still impatient as ever."

Everett rolls his eyes as he introduces me to his team mate—Charles, his manager and a few other staff members before we start making our way to the restaurant he made reservations at.

"What are your plans for tomorrow?" Ev asks as he walks beside me leading the group through the beautiful streets of Bahrain, the setting sun leaving a soft dark blue illuminating the sky.

"I'll probably explore, go for coffee. Start my manuscript and stuff like that." He eyes me waiting for me to continue, "and if I have time I'll watch you qualifying."

He nods, "it'll be fun. The weeks we're not racing I'll be able to hang out a lot more. You've got a lot to tell me." He quickly sends me a suggestive glance and I sigh. I haven't told him much about my breakup with the British social media star Tobi Brown and he's expecting the details. Is it really something I want to relive? No, absolutely not. But am I going to have to tell my twin brother? Yes, he won't let it go otherwise.

I roll my eyes as we enter the restaurant, glass chandeliers, beautiful black and silver accents decorating the already sleek interior. As my brother organises our table with the wait staff I fall into conversation with Charles. I've met the man once before In Australia last year when for once Everett and I's schedules fell in place for a few hours. But it was only for a limited amount of time before I had a shoot.

In no time at all, we are situated at a table. As we browse the menus it's obvious that people around us are aware of who we are, or maybe not me here. I don't know if I'm famous in Bahrain. But the two drivers sat on either side of me definitely are.

Conversation flows easily across the table, Everett and I catch up while I get to know his co-workers. A bubbling discomfort rises in my chest as I remember my friends, friends I've left in the states, in the UK.

After the meal, Both Everett and Charles decide to head back to the hotel with their coworkers. However, after a lot of convincing Ev I managed to stay at the restaurant to have a few drinks. I pull my notebook from my purse and go over the plans for my manuscript adding a few tweaks wherever I deem necessary as I slowly enjoy a glass of white wine.

The restaurant wasn't too fancy for me to decide to go somewhere else, and I moved tables to a smaller one in the corner to avoid taking up too much space. As I continue jotting down a few notes I hear a specific laughter. One I haven't heard before yet somehow sounds different? Abstract?

I raise my gaze glancing across the room and see a man, beautiful bronze skin and dark curly hair laughing with his friend as they enjoy a meal. His black shirt partially unbuttoned leaving my imagination fuelled. I lean back in my chair my wine glass in hand as i gently swirl the contents. Lost in thought, I stare at the man. He looks quite familiar, but i can't place it. Maybe someone who works for Ferrari?

As I try to place where I recognise the man from he meets my eyes, holding my eye-contact for a moment a smirk edges his lips and he tilts his head slightly acknowledging me. Breaking eye contact flustered I look down at my phone going to my girls group chat.

Talia: How's the travelling going girl? Was the flight okay?

Josie: yeah, omg when you're in Australia you'll have to call me! I'll come out and see you.

Me: yeah girls definitely! I think I underestimated how attractive some of these drivers are though, lol.

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After working through all my notes and deciding exactly where I'm going to start my book tomorrow I make my way back to the hotel room—after also avoiding the same attractive man's eye-contact. But of course, I failed and got sent a breathtaking wink.

You'd like I'd be used to this sort of thing by now, but I'm not. I get flustered all too easily. In some ways I guess it's nice to get a little male attention after Tobi. But this trip is about me, finding myself. I can't jeopardise that for anything.

And that's what I remind myself as I fall asleep, thinking of the strangely attractive man at the bar.