I haven't slept so well in a long time. I woke up in Carlos' arms, still feeling Charles' lips on mine. I didn't have much time to lay in bed as we had a team meeting before the start of the race day and had to get ready quickly. I noticed that Carlos was extremely clingy this morning, quite a nice change in his behavior. After I forbade my two teammates to openly display the battle for my heart, they obviously started on a more hidden level. But I liked that and why not enjoy this increased attention from them.

#

 Almost half an hour had passed since the scheduled start of the meeting with the team, and Charles was still running late. Carlos was sitting next to me, both of us with our arms crossed in front of our chests and nervously tapping our feet.

- During the time we waited, we could have been in bed - whispered the Spaniard in my ear.

 - Or been training in the gym - I replied with a sigh.

 - You wouldn't need a gym with the workout I'm going to offer you, amor -  he said even more quietly, and I gave him a reproachful look.

 Sainz chuckled and winked at me, then put one hand on my thigh and gave me a tight squeeze. Well, I can't deny that it was quite arousing, but I still couldn't relax enough to even think about these pleasures at my workplace. His hand slowly started going upper my thigh, getting closer to my sacral place. I froze on my place and decided to not move or show any sign that something is about to happen.

At that moment, the door to the conference room swung open and Charles stepped through it. Carlos immediately pulled back his hand and let out an angry sigh. We all turned to Leclerc, and he calmly crossed the room and sat down directly across from me. I glared at him expecting an explanation for his tardiness, but he just grinned and muttered softly, "Sorry for being late." I continued to stare intently at him as the rest of the team turned their attention to the daily schedule folder. Leclerc took off his sunglasses and the moment we locked eyes he gave me a playful wink. I didn't expect this and I felt shivers run down my skin and my eyes fixed on his pink lips bringing back memories of last night and our intimate moment.

#

 During FP3 I was able to focus for the first time in a long time, but my attention was mostly fixed on Sainz. The air temperature was 26 degrees and the track 44. We used Medium tires for a short series of laps. From the behavior of Sainz's car on the road, it was clear that there was a problem in the rear axle and it was necessary to be fixed. For this reason, he finished P8 and his team-mate in P7, after losing his trajectory in the last corner 3 minutes before the end of practice and almost damaging the floor of his car. He definitely seemed to be distracted, and shouldn't be, as that could get him into a lot of trouble.

 The data we collected was enough for the Qualifying and the Race. Either way, the new rule of mandatory use of the same type of tires by all drivers was going to be introduced at this track. In Q1-Hards, Q2-Mediums, Q3-Softs.

Between FP3 and Quali I found time to sit in one of the garages and rest. It was quite tiring to strain for two people at the same time. I put my foot on the chair across from me and leaned back, crossing my arms. I stared at the pit lane and suddenly started to feel my eyes getting heavy. I sighed heavily and got relaxed even more then fell asleep. 

 Suddenly, I have no idea how much time passed, I heard the tour guide's voice, which woke me up. I opened my eyes and stretched, still sleepy. At that moment, I saw that Celeste was leading Ricky and Martha behind her.

- My friends! - I exclaimed and hugged them tightly. - Where is baby Chiara?

- We are glad to see you, Lissa! -  Martha replied. - The little one is at the grannies.

- Oh, so this weekend she's going to start eating all kinds of food - I laughed.

- I've told Martha a thousand times to stop with those baby purees, but she insists on introducing foods gradually - laughed Ricky.

- In her defense, I will say that she does it to monitor for allergies - I replied and patted our friend on the shoulder.

- Look, Lissa understands me well - she said. - I don't know why Charles is still waiting, instead of creating a small gherkin.

At that moment, Celeste, who was listening to our conversation, choked on the water she was just sipping. She expressed my shock enough, so I managed to hide my reaction... And the tour guide got everyone's attention enough.

- Lissa, that's a good offer, they'll just grow up together, and if it's a boy, we'll have them together, at least we'll know everything about him and would not worry about Chiara - Ricky delivered a second shock and this time I choked too... without to drink water

- Okay, okay, I understand that you're trying to rub my nose in me because I pretended to be too knowledgeable about children - I laughed embarrassedly. - But do I need to remind you who my BOYFRIEND is now.

- Let's emphasize now - Martha said, winking at me.

- You both are ridiculous... - I shook my head. - Anyway... I'll go to the hospitality.

- Why are you in such a hurry? - Celeste asked and the three of us turned to her, and she was smiling slyly.

- It's not what you think - I hastened to say. - Have fun in the garage ladies and... Ricky!

I didn't take a second longer and ran to the inside of the garage going from there to the hospitality. I needed an hour sooner to get out of this cringe situation.

#

It was time for Qualifying - the air temperature was 26 degrees, and on the track 45 degrees. The humidity was about 33%, and the wind was southeast with gusts of about 6.1 km/h. The conditions were good enough for us to qualify well. With these car settings and the speed we were achieving in the short series of laps, everything was fine.

 In Q1, Sainz pitted first, followed by Charles.

 - Guys, you have 15 minutes, I want you to warm up your tires well, you have enough time before you go into fast laps. Let's do it!

 After the first fast laps, the places were P7 Charles and P10 Sainz.

 10 minutes before the end, Charles entered a new lap - P11.

 Sainz was at risk - P16, but after the new lap registered P8.

 - What are these results, dammit! Alfa Romeo can't be in P1, and we top leading team in the risk zone! Come on, guys!

 - Let's find a solution to the problem - urged Vasseur.

- The hybrid battery needs to be recharged and the tires changed - I replied snidely.

- We won't have tires for tomorrow - he said.

 - If we don't change the tires there will be no race tomorrow! - I raised my voice slightly.

 - Guys... Let's stay calm but come on - Charles joined the radio.

 I exhaled deeply and glared at our boss.

 With 7 minutes to go, Sainz was P11 and Charles P15, both in the pits and in danger of dropping out.

 Charles came out of the pits 5 minutes before the end with new solid tires. Despite dropping the rear exiting the final turn, Charles recorded P3.

 Sainz entered after him and registered P4, displacing Leclerc.

Thanks to Lando's deleted time, the results were now P3 for Sainz and P4 for Leclerc. If I hadn't insisted on changing the tires, we could have been out of the rankings.

 We put Sainz in the pit, followed by Leclec as time ran out.

 I calmed down but only briefly as it was time for Q2.

 11 minutes before the end of the session we let the drivers onto the track.

 After the first fast lap, Sainz was in P4, then Leclerc overtook him and P4 and P5 lined up.

 We brought Carlos into the pits, followed by Leclerc. Our results were P7 and P8 - 4 minutes before the end.

 A minute later we put Sainz on the track, followed by Leclerc.

 However, Sainz remained below the line with a result of P11, two hundredths from Alonso, who was in P10, and Leclerc secured P6.

- Babe... sorry - I called the Spaniard on the radio after Ricky.

 - Muñeca, now focus on Q3 - he answered with uncharacteristic calmness. - See you later.

 When Carlos got out of the car I turned to him and looked at him with pity. I was upset that my boyfriend ended up in this place.

 The last part of the Qualifying has also started. We ran Charles right after Max, on brand new soft tyres.

 8 minutes before the end of the session, Charles entered the first fast lap and registered P4. After the other drivers had done their laps he took P6.

 3 minutes to go - Verstappen was first out of the pits, Charles right after him.

 Charles overtook Max and entered a fast lap a minute before the end of the session. Charles took P4, but after the rest of his rivals' fast laps he was up to P6. And so it ended.

- Mekies... our cars are not good - I shook my head, removing the headphones from my ears. - The balance. The balance is gone. This costs Sainz Q3, Leclerc P1...

 - These problems were not there in the previous days - replied Laurent nervously.

 - There were, I already told you yesterday, it's just that no one listens to me - I explained brokenly. - Learn that you must listen to me... Learn!

- Lissie, I just want you to calm down - Mekies said.

 - Yes, Bernardi, your hysterical attacks on the radio can make our pilots very nervous - intervened Vasseur.

 - Vasseur, when will you stop speaking unprepared? -  I asked naggingly.

- When you stop creating turmoil in the team - Frederic answered me.

 - Fuck you! - I jumped from my seat.

 - Be careful how you behave! - he waved his finger at me.

 - Or what? -  I asked defiantly. - Are you going to fire me? Come on, you've already come up with a thousand reasons to do it!

 - I recommend you to keep quiet.

 - Should I shut up? - I laughed in disbelief. - You keep criticizing me Vasseur. You have problems with my relationship with the drivers, interfered in my personal life, interfered in my work... Everything. You mess up my life Vasseur, you drive me wildly crazy and because of you I have degraded my quality of strategies. I come to work with a heavy heart and feeling nauseous. I'm sitting in my seat here dying to see what your next whim will be and what way you'll find to crush me on the weekend. I can't hold it in any longer and I won't. You Vasseur must be removed because you do nothing but wreak havoc. You know? Nothing!

 Having said all that, I was kind of relieved. I've been building it up for so long and finally found the strength to say it. Everyone present was in shock and staring at me. I exhaled deeply and looked at them.

 - I suggest you calm down... - said Mekis. - We don't want to make a scene in front of the paparazzi, and it's not good to worsen our relationship before the race tomorrow.

 - Mekies, why are you pretending that we haven't had a bad relationship since I joined this team - I shook my head and swallowed hard, trying to hold back my tears. - You first didn't want to hire me, and now you're protecting me. At least I know the Chief's fake behavior was just a mask. I finally said everything I wanted for a long time... See you tomorrow, Boss!

 I turned to Vasseur and gritted my teeth:

 - I hope you can't sleep all night, you devilish bastard!

 Vasseur became enraged and rushed towards me, probably with the intention of attacking me, but Mekies and Fusaro, who had approached us, grabbed him and stopped him. And I turned my back and headed to the media center to find Carlos.

#

I was sitting on the terrace looking out over the city while I was applying lavender scented cream on my hands. I had heard that lavender reduces stress and soon I started using such pampering, to support my feminine ego - Kika taught me these tricks. I gazed at the Budapest Bridge and the illuminated waters of the Danube. A true beauty. It was quiet, the crickets were singing, the air was hot and there was no breeze. Despite the heat, I was wearing a satin nightgown with thin straps and a floor-length lace red dressing gown. The peace and quiet here gave me space for thought. I thought about Charles and our kiss in the garden yesterday. Wonderful and wrong. Again like in Monaco. I felt confused. He was driving me crazy with his behavior... And again that "I will fight" "I will wait for you"... Why was he doing that... Why...

 - Muñeca... - I felt Carlos' strong hands on my shoulders and I jumped in fright.

 I turned to him and he leaned in to kiss me. But I backed off.

 - What's up, amor? - he looked at me embarrassed.

 - While I was applying the cream and touched my lips by accident... - I lied and laughed shyly - It might be bitter for you.

 - What were you thinking about here? -  Sainz asked me, gently caressing my lips with his thumb.

 - I was just looking at the city - I said with a small smile and turned to the view. - It's beautiful... I like it. There is something mystical... Romantic.

 When I looked back at the Spaniard he was smiling gently and looking at me as if trying to memorize every millimeter of my face. I found a strange mixture of affection and admiration in his eyes. It was as if he wasn't listening to me, just enjoying myself.

 - You find romance in everything - he remarked and stroked me. - Will you wait for me here for a while?

 - Where could I go, Sainz? - I laughed and rolled my eyes.

 - Just don't move, Muñeca! - he answered me laughing and after kissing my forehead he entered the room.

 I turned and looked across the terrace again. That summer romance, always made me feel a little giddy...dreamy...hopeful.

 - Muñeca, do you remember that day in the center that I insisted a lot that we go to the shopping alley? - Carlos asked, turning back to me.

- Yes, and it's still a mystery to me why all this was - I said, turning to him. - We didn't take anything back then.

- You may not, but I... - he smiled widely and knelt down next to me. - I bought this.

 Sainz showed his hands, which he held behind his back, and in them was a small white leather box marked Tiffany. The hard thing I felt in his back pocket. Wait a moment! A small box? My heart was beating so fast it was about to burst out of my chest. I shook all over and felt sweat break out on my forehead. But Carlos's forehead was also sweaty and his cheeks slightly red. It was the first time I saw him in such a state - he was cute.

- What is this? - I asked him uncertainly.

 - Open it - he urged me.

 I looked at him in shock and opened the box with trembling fingers. Inside was a small ring in the shape of two intertwined spirals of white gold, with two small stones, a ruby ​​and a diamond, in the centers of the spirals, and smaller stones around the edge of the ring. I gasped and covered my mouth with my hand, looking at Sainz in shock.

 - What is this Carlos? I asked with a trembling voice.

 - You and me - he explained with a big smile. - The spirals are a symbol of the fact that everyone has their own inner world and here we unite in one. And the diamond and the ruby... They symbolize the fire of love.

 - But this is so...

 - I know you may think it is too fast, so I will reassure you that this is not an engagement ring... - he interrupted me. - More like a promise... A way to declare that I love you and... I just want you to have something of me that will show you... and others that I have chosen you and...

 - Carlos, I was going to say that it is very romantic - I laughed, and tears flowed from my eyes. - It's really touching...

 - Will you put it on? - he asked me hopefully.

 - Of course, Chili! - I exclaimed and gave him my hand, and the Spaniard put the ring on my ring finger.

 I jumped to hug him and almost knocked him over. It was an exciting moment for both of us. And at that moment I thought of Charles. How would he react now that he found out?

 - I love you, Muñeca! Sainz whispered and kissed me passionately.

 And then all my thoughts were erased. The Spaniard deepened our kiss and lifted me up with one light movement. I instinctively wrapped my legs around his waist and he carried me to the bedroom. Soon after, the crickets' song was joined by our moans of sweet pleasure.

Notes: HAPPY CHARLES HOME RACE WIN! OH MY GOD... I AM SO SO SO EXCITED! And this win makes me think of... "Lando, we could be world champions!" Yes Charles, you are already a world champion! ❤️❤️❤️

Hope you liked the chapter - give a star/comment if so and see you in the next part! ❤️❤️❤️

Love you guys! 

N16 XOXOXO