I heard someone calling my name and slowly opened my eyes, then realized that I had fallen asleep.

- Lissa, what are you doing here? - asked the person who woke me up.

A heavy sigh escaped my lips, and I turned around meeting Charles' blue-green eyes. I immediately stood up from the bench and looked at him.

- What are you doing here?! - I exclaimed in shock.

- I am asking you the same - he put his hands on his waist. - This is my room.

- Really? - I gasped and looked around. - This is the famous "Driver's room"?

- Lissa, will you answer my question? - Leclerc started losing his patience. - How did you come up here?

- I was searching for... the toilet - I replied embarrassed, and my cheeks went red. - And saw an open door, then just walked in this room and... Maybe I did use your bathroom... A bit...

- You did what?! - he busted out in anger. - Lissa, you are not a cat to just walk in rooms with open door. Imagine that inside is a serial killer. What will happen then?

- I hope you are not a serial killer - I furrowed eyebrows.

- Still not! - Charles sighed and shook his head.

- Are you angry at me because I used your bathroom? - I asked timidly. - I swear I had to change my...

- It's not about the bathroom - he cut me off. - And do not worry about it. Carlos has used it... Many times.

- I do not really need that information - I wrinkled my nose in disgust and sat again on the bench.

A low moan left out my lungs, drawing the attention of my annoyed half - teammate. He stepped closer and kneeled on front of me.

- What is happening with you? - Leclerc asked looking at me with his big pure eyes.

- I am just tired - I lied, but he felt that and raised his eyebrows in suspicion.

- Only this? - he smiled showing his dimples. - Don't think so.

- Lol, I can't hide anything from you! - I laughed. - Maybe you have already heard about Ravin Jain.

- Gossips spread quickly in our team - Charles chuckled. - You know they do it for your best. Wait till the end of the race week, I am sure you will made it.

- You know more than me - I said monotonous and bowed my head. - It is just hard.

- Every beginning is hard - he whispered and put his bug hands on my knees. - Lissa, do you know what I say to myself every time I am feeling down? "Eyes shine, head up, smile wide".

- These are Effie's lines from" The Hunger games" - I laughed and lift my head up. - And they are not even said right.

- Well, I am paraphrasing! - he said casually, shrugging his shoulders.

We both giggled then locked our eyes. His face was so mysterious - a strange mixture between divine innocence and devilish handsomeness. I could compare him to a Michelangelo's sculpture. Even his body, already dressed in the red untight race suit was like the marble work of art. I looked down to his fingers, unconsciously caressing my knees. At this moment my heart skipped a beat and got goosebumps on my whole body.

- When did you change your clothes? - I asked when managed to snap out of the trance.

- While you were sleeping like a baby - Charles answered and stood up. - I could not wake you up even if I had started the engine of the car here.

- Weren't you worried that I could see you? - I raised my eyebrows and repeated his actions.

- My session starts in ten minutes, so I had to take this risk - he grinned.

Our faces were on a millimeter of each other. I could feel his peppermint gum breath and my eyes stopped on his well-shaped pink lips. Then his words came to my mind.

- Oh, Padre mio! - I exclaimed. - I totally forgot about the tests!

I took my bag and tried to ran away but Charles grabbed my wrist and pulled me closer to him again.

- Charles, what are you doing?! - I asked in shock. - I am already late!

- They could not start without me - he smirked and looked me over head to toe. - Do you know since the day we first met I can't stop thinking about you.

- Really? - I raised my eyebrows. - Am I so unforgettable?

- Well, I've been thinking... Have we ever met... Somewhere? - Leclerc said.

- We haven't, I can assure you - I said rapidly and tried to move away.

- Not on a single race? - he wondered and tightened his grip. - Are you sure?

- Yes, I am! - I cut him off. - I have been in Imola and Monza, but only in the public and never in the garage. Now let me go!

- I could swear I've seen you somewhere! - Charles whispered. - A woman like you could never be forgotten.

- Stop with your bullsh*ts, Charles! - I hissed and pulled back sharply. - Focus on your driving. See you on the track!

I turned my back to him and left the room. Charles called me after that, but I was already running down the corridors to go back on the pit - wall.

#

The first day of the tests went well. The results of Charles were more than satisfying, so both drivers deserved a good rest. After the finish of testing there was only one hour break before the whole team had to come together on a briefing, where Vasseur promised to make official my presence. I was not really excited about that because my future at the Scuderia was still at stake. Without a good results and a contract till the end of the first race, I was going to be out of the team.

I entranced at the conference room last, next to Charles and Carlos, who were following my heels all the time after the end of the track day. They forced me to tell them what I had written in my notebook about their driving, even if I was trying to hide my opinion until the team meeting. However, I shared my notes with them on a cup of late coffee and explained their strength and weakness in my point of view.

After we took our seats, the meeting could begin. There were some mechanics, engineers, several drivers from the Academy and the chief strategist - Ravin Jain. On the leader's place was Frederic, right next to him was standing Mekies. After a quick gaze over the table, I recognized the man, who was in the car with Charles, on my first day at "Pista di Fiorano". Fortunately, he was busy with his phone since I entered the room and did not make an eye contact with me. I was not feeling like arguing again. My goal now was to make a good first impression to the other part of the team, although my infamy had probably been already spread.

Fred stood up and cleared his throat as he was starting a speech at a political conference. Everybody looked at him and the room went silent. Suddenly, the tension in me rose sharply. I had a bad presentiment about the first meeting of the team. I turned to Charles and Carlos, who were sitting on my both sides, but they were too focused on their phones, ignoring the pompous opening statements of their boss. Clear, I was alone here.

#

More than an hour has passed and my desire to go away was rising with every single minute. I was feeling how everyone in the room was staring at me. Whenever my eyes fell on someone, they were whispering something at each other, then chuckling gleeful. A several times I tried to give my opinion about the theme Fred and Mekies was discussing with the others, but I was always being interrupted, or some of the head - masters was making me a sign to shut up. But when Charles or Carlos began to speak, the room fell completely silent and those who presented looked at them in awe. Even when I tried to support their words, nobody wanted to listen to me. My blood was slowly starting to boil.

It was almost the end of the meeting when I could not take it anymore and turned to Charles. He was fidgeting with his fingers under the table and did not paying attention to Vasseur.

- Psst, Perceval! - I whispered to catch his attention. He slowly turned, looking me questioningly. - I am trying not to use bad words, but... What the hell is going on?!

- What do you mean? - he replied and bowed his head.

- Don't you see?! - I asked surprised. - They are acting as I am not here.

- That is because you are new - Leclerc answered and looked at me sympathetically. - Soon they will start to perceive you. Just give them time.

- I do not have time for twaddle - I hissed. - It's more than an hour and Vasseur has not even introduced me to the team. How I am supposed to take part at the meeting if they do not know who I am.

- Sometimes you need to lean back and wait, Lissa - he smiled softly.

- How?! - I laughed ironically. - As Carlos did, huh?

We both turned to Sainz, who was staring blankly into the nothingness. He was looking like his system has crashed and all the grey cells in his brain has gone.

- Well, maybe not this much - Charles chuckled.

I shook my head in disbelief and laughed. Then I heard Vasseur saying:

- And now before we come to an end, I want to introduce you someone - the newest addition to our Strategy team...

Charles and I looked at each other and he made a face expression as he was saying "I told you!". Vasseur looked at me and smiled. I was ready to hear my name and prepared myself to stand up and give a welcoming speech.

- Ravin Jain, the newest chief strategist at our team - the team principal said and clapped his hands. - Please, applause!

I slowly turned to Charles, and we looked at each other shocked, while the others were applauding the new team member. After they finished the warm joyful welcome, everybody started collecting their things.

It was this moment when I knew they f*cked up.

- Guys, sorry for interrupting your joy! - I raised my voice and stood up trying to catch their attention. - All my respect Mr. Jain, but Mr. Vasseur, have you forgoten about me?!

- Lissa, I told you to call me Fred - he said with a soft smile.

- I did not ask about your name! - I replied sharply. - I asked why you did not introduce me to the team. Do I look like a f*cking decoration at this room?!

- Sit down, Barbie! - said loud my old rival called Antonio. - The PR team are not even invited at this kind of meetings.

- Shut your mouth up, Antonio! - Charles suddenly jumped from his place. - She is now part of our team and to be more punctual...

- She is also a Strategist! - Carlos said and stood up. - Sorry Fred, but we are waiting for more than an hour to hear it out.

- And now I am leaving because I am tired of being treated as I do not exist - I added and took my notebook from the table. - See you tomorrow when I hope that my words will be heard. Good night!

I headed to the door and left the conference room. While I was walking down the corridor, trying to find the exit I heard someone's steps behind my back. I turned around to see Charles and Carlos chasing me.

- Guys what are you doing? - I asked in a surprise.

- We followed you, but you are too fast - Sainz said heavily breathing.

- Carlos, calm down, please! - I said worried. - You should have put more emphasis on physical training during the winter break.

- You should walk slowly, so we can catch you up more easily - he teased me.

- Anyway, why aren't you with your team? - I was curious.

- It is not right for us to stay, after you left - Charles said in serious voice. - Also, the meeting was very boring.

- And you fire it up - laughed Carlos.

- I don't know what to say - I shook my head. - I am speechless. Fred did not even have the intention to introduce me. Thank you for standing up for me again Charles.

- I gave my best! - he winked at me, and his friend looked at him shocked.

- Why again, mate? - Sainz asked. - What have you done?

- She knows - Leclerc grinned.

Charles and I exchanged conspiratorially glances then we laughed. Carlos was looking at us suspiciously, obviously he was not dedicated to what has happened between us so far. I looked down to my wristwatch and saw that the clock was passing midnight.

- Guys, it's late, I should go - I said to the boys and smiled softly.

- Oh, Cinderella, your carriage will turn into a pumpkin - Carlos teased me again.

- Well, I do not have one - I laughed. - But I must find myself a taxi and I am not sure what is happening with the vehicles here.

- We will drive you to the hotel - offered Charles and his teammate nodded in an agreement.

- Thank you, guys, but... Let's take it easy... I'll make it by myself. Good night, Ferrari boys.

- Good night, Cinderella! - they answered together looking at me disappointed.

I waved them goodbye and turned my back to them. Then ran down the corridor, still thinking about what happened at the team meeting.

Notes: Hello, hello! Here is the new chapter! I hope you like it, I would appreciate you opinion about it.

Also, click on the external link to hear the mood of the part... As always.

And do not worry - first strategy decisions - coming soon!

See you at the next chapter! XO

N16