CHAPTER SIX.    ❦︎

"And one of these days, you're gonna realize
how delusional you are."

The early morning light spilled through the windows of
Valeria's Barcelona apartment, warm and golden, casting long shadows across the living room. She sat curled up on the sleek gray sofa, laptop balanced on her knees, a steaming mug of tea resting on the low coffee table beside her.

Somewhere down the hall, she could hear Catia's laughter mingling with Marisol's voice as they argued over what to make for breakfast, the clatter of pots punctuating their conversation.

Fortunately, the Singapore weekend came to its close, and it went by smoothly. Franco shaped up after Valeria's heated scolding in his hotel room, and he caused no further harm, making the girl's life a little easier.

Now, it was the first real break Valeria had taken in months, and even though she was still technically working, it felt good to be home. The gap between Singapore and the upcoming race in the United States was to be filled with rest and regeneration.

Her favorite blanket was draped across her legs, calm music playing through her headphones, and for once, she felt like she had time to breathe.

The only interruption was the soft buzz of her phone, vibrating insistently on the table beside her. She ignored it at first, finishing the sentence she was typing in an email. Then it buzzed again. And again.

She sighed, reaching for it, already knowing who it was.

iMessage
Fri, Sep 27  at 8:53 AM

Franco Colapinto
Hi Valeria

Hello?

Valeriiiaaaaaaaa

Valeria Felix
what.

Franco Colapinto
Oh hi

Thought you were
ignoring me for a second

Valeria Felix
that could be arranged

Franco Colapinto
Well i'm bored

Valeria Felix
that's really not my problem

Franco Colapinto
It could be!

Valeria Felix
pass

Franco Colapinto
entertain me

please

i miss you

Valeria Felix
?????

you saw me five days ago

Franco Colapinto
is it wrong to miss my
wonderful assistant

pr manager

Friend.

Valeria Felix
let's keep it at wonderful
assistant and pr manager

Franco Colapinto
Wtf

I thought we were friends

Valeria Felix
even if i had the choice

we are not friends

i work for you

that's it

Franco Colapinto
Ok so if you work for me

I order you to be my friend

Valeria Felix
not necessarily apart of my contact

but nice try

Franco Colapinto
You're fired

Valeria Felix
id cry if you were being serious

but you're not serious

Franco Colapinto
Whatever

But come onnnnnn

You're no fun at all

Valeria Felix
franco do you not have
anyone else to bother

like actual friends 😭😭

Franco Colapinto
You're my friend

Valeria Felix
i have emails to answer

bye franco

Franco Colapinto
Oh come on!!!
Delivered

Valeria.
Delivered

You're so mean to me
Delivered

Valeria rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the small smile that tugged at her lips. Franco was nothing if not persistent. She set the phone down, determined to finish her emails, but her resolve lasted all of two minutes before the buzzing started again.

And again.

And again.

This was going to be a long break.

Because now it was a routine.

Fri, Sep 27  at 9:18 AM

Franco Colapinto
What are you doing right now
that's so important

Valeria Felix
i told you.

emails.

i'm working.

Franco Colapinto
Boring.

Valeria Felix
so you've mentioned

Franco Colapinto
What's so important that it can't wait?

I need a companion

Valeria Felix
handling a sponsorship update

Franco Colapinto
You mean MY sponsorship update

Valeria Felix
yes, franco!

because it's my job.

Franco Colapinto
So technically, you're
thinking about me right now.

Valeria Felix
no not at all really

Franco Colapinto
I think you are

Valeria Felix
think what you want

Franco Colapinto
Oh, I will 😊😊
Delivered

Sat, Sep 28  at 9:55 AM

Franco Colapinto
Morning, sunshine ☀️

Valeria Felix
we're not doing this again

blocked.

Franco Colapinto
Okay rude 😒

I'm trying to be nice here

Valeria Felix
try harder

or don't

either works.

Franco Colapinto
You're impossible, you know that?

Valeria Felix
you've mentioned it a few times

Franco Colapinto
What are you doing today?

Missing me?

Valeria Felix
first of all, ew

second of all, god no

Franco Colapinto
Liar!

i KNOW you miss me

Valeria Felix
i miss williams pre-franco.

Franco Colapinto
Ouch.

That was mean

Valeria Felix
was aiming for that

Franco Colapinto
Ha ha 😐😐

So wyd

I'm bored.

Entertain me.

Valeria Felix
wtf am i supposed to do

literally go bother anyone else

i'm busy.

Franco Colapinto
Busy doing what?

Staring at my Instagram?

Valeria Felix
that's technically kind of
what i get paid for...?

you're insufferable

do you do this with anyone
else om the team during every
race break

bother them every second of it?

Franco Colapinto
No, just you

I save my best work for you!

Valeria Felix
oh lucky me !

Franco Colapinto
Exactly!

Now that you get it,

Tell me...

Have you thought about us yet?

Valeria Felix
????????

not following at all

because there's no such
thing as an us

Franco Colapinto
Haha.

You're not gonna make this easy, are you?

Good thing I like a challenge.

Valeria Felix
good thing i don't care..?

Franco Colapinto
You do care

You're just scared to admit it

Valeria Felix
you are delusional

Franco Colapinto
Whatever you say, hermosa

Valeria Felix
nope, we're not doing that either

Franco Colapinto
What? I can't call you Vale so can
I not give you my own nickname?

Valeria Felix
valeria is fine

Franco Colapinto
What about Cariño

Valeria Felix
hate it

Franco Colapinto
I think you love it

Valeria Felix
not at all actually

Franco Colapinto
Keep telling yourself that

I'll wait

Valeria Felix
so you'll be waiting forever?

Franco Colapinto
Forever doesn't sound
so bad if it's with you

Valeria Felix
and i'm officially done for the day

stop texting me.

Franco Colapinto
So... same time tomorrow?

Valeria Felix
you'll get blocked
for real next time.

Franco Colapinto
I'd like to see you try
Delivered

Sun, Sep 29  at 10:09 AM

Franco Colapinto
And Goodmorning to you
Delivered

Sun, Sep 29  at 3:42 PM

Franco Colapinto
Oh so it's like that then
Delivered

Sun, Sep 29  at 7:33 PM

Franco Colapinto
Stop ignoring me!
Delivered

Sun, Sep 29  at 11:38 PM

Franco Colapinto
Goodnight hermosa 🤦🏻
Delivered

Mon, Sep 30  at 7:31 AM

Franco Colapinto
So what's it gonna be today?
Delivered

Ignore me or finally answer?
Delivered

Ah, okay
Delivered

Mon, Sep 30  at 4:07 PM

Franco Colapinto
You're killing me here
Delivered

Mon, Sep 30  at 10:55 PM

Franco Colapinto
Goodnight 😙
Delivered

Ok fine don't answer
Delivered

I don't care 🙄🙄🙄
Delivered

Tue, Oct 1  at 11:32 AM

Franco Colapinto
Happy October
Delivered

Well if you care
Delivered

There's Basically 14? 15? more days
until you can't ignore me
Delivered

But who is counting 🤷🏻‍♂️
Delivered

Tue, Oct 1  at 8:30 PM

Franco Colapinto
Well goodnight then
Delivered

😘😘😘
Delivered

Wed, Oct 2  at 7:43 AM

Franco Colapinto
Hi Valeria
Delivered

Wed, Oct 2  at 6:21 PM

Franco Colapinto
You're breaking my heart 🫤
Delivered

Thu, Oct 3  at 5:22 PM

Franco Colapinto
If you ignore me again
Delivered

I'll leave you alone
Delivered

Fri, Oct 4  at 2:42 AM

Franco Colapinto
Understood 😞
Delivered

Tue, Oct 8 at 1:22 PM

Franco Colapinto
You and I both knew I was
not gonna last long
Delivered

Hi Valeriaaaaa
Delivered

Tue, Oct 8 at 6:17 PM

Franco Colapinto
Was thinking about how
to get your attention
Delivered

Do I need to post my
nude pictures to do so

Valeria Felix
DONT YOU FUCKING DARE

Franco Colapinto
Ahh! So she speaks!

If only I thought of this
10 days earlier 🤦🏻

I've missed you

Hi beautiful

Valeria Felix
you are such a pest

Franco Colapinto
Do you miss me

Valeria Felix
not one bit franco

Franco Colapinto
Liar

Valeria Felix
how would you even know

Franco Colapinto
Because I'm incredibly charming
and impossible to forget.

Valeria Felix
impossible to forget for
all the wrong reasons

Franco Colapinto
And yet you're replying to me

Valeria Felix
i can stop again

i didn't reply for
almost two weeks

Franco Colapinto
Have I told you yet that
you're my favorite person?

Valeria Felix
ok what did you do

Franco Colapinto
Nothing

Just saying you're my favorite

Valeria Felix
okay..?

Franco Colapinto
Can't a guy appreciate his personal
assistant, PR manager, best friend?

Valeria Felix
first two are correct

last one is a stretch

not even a stretch

just far from the truth

Franco Colapinto
Ouch

You hurt me

Valeria Felix
you'll survive

Franco Colapinto
Barely.

So about those nude
pictures.

Should I post ☺️

Valeria Felix
franco stop

please save your dignity

my dignity

williams' dignity.

anything.

because i know you would

Franco Colapinto
Then what's the fun in that 🤦🏻

But fine

Anything for you 😊

Would you like them instead?

Valeria Felix
and now that's just
highly inappropriate

im your assistant

cut it out.

Franco Colapinto
Again

You're no fun at all
Delivered

Oh not this again 🤦🏻
Delivered

Valeria.
Delivered

Tue, Oct 8  at 11:20 PM

Franco Colapinto
Goodnight ☺️
Delivered

Wed, Oct 9  at 12:21 PM

Franco Colapinto
Good afternoon

I overslept

Valeria Felix
go back to sleep
and don't wake up

Franco Colapinto
romantic ❤️❤️❤️
Delivered

Wed, Oct 9  at 6:39 PM

Franco Colapinto
So, how's Barcelona?

Valeria Felix
peaceful.

Franco Colapinto
I could change that

Valeria Felix
please don't

Franco Colapinto
What if I showed up right now?

Valeria Felix
you wouldn't

Franco Colapinto
You'd secretly love it

Valeria Felix
i'd lock the door and
run as far as i could

Franco Colapinto
You'd let me in

Valeria Felix
oh, really?

what makes you so sure?

Franco Colapinto
because you miss me

Valeria Felix
not one bit

Franco Colapinto
You so do

Valeria Felix
you're ridiculous

Franco Colapinto
And you're deflecting

Valeria Colapinto
bye franco.

Franco Colapinto
Admit it first

Valeria Felix
there's nothing to admit

Franco Colapinto
🙄🙄🙄🙄

Fine I'll let you go

For now.
Delivered

Wed, Oct 9 at 8:42 PM

Franco Colapinto
You know, I've been thinking

Valeria Felix
that's not a good sign

Franco Colapinto
Haha very funny 🙃

But, I was thinking

You're probably the only person
who can pull off ignoring
me and still look good doing it

Valeria Felix
????????

that was your worst one yet.

Franco Colapinto
You wound me, Valeria

But honestly, it's kind of hot
how much you don't care.

Valeria Felix
and it's kind of pathetic
how much you do.

Franco Colapinto
Ouch

But I'll take it
Delivered

You're gonna be the
death of me, hermosa
Delivered

Thu, Oct 10 at 6:42 PM

Franco Colapinto
So...dinner in Austin?

I know a place

Valeria Felix
franco

please stop.

Franco Colapinto
What?

It's just a friendly dinner ☺️

Valeria Felix
pass

thanks though!

Franco Colapinto
Okay okay

I'll stop for now.

Valeria Felix
try forever ?

Franco Colapinto
You know how to make me laugh

Valeria Felix
🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕

Franco Colapinto
😘😘😘😘😘
Delivered

Fri, Oct 11 at 8:21 AM

Franco Colapinto
Goodmorning Valeria 😊

You know

I've been thinking about it
and I really think you're lying

Valeria Felix
??????

what are you on about

lying about what?

Franco Colapinto
About not missing me

Valeria Felix
why would i miss you?

i get daily updates on
how annoying you are.

Franco Colapinto
You would miss me because you
have a crush on me duh

But if I stopped texting you

You wouldn't miss it one bit?

Valeria Felix
first of all, no.

and second,

i'd celebrate.

loudly.

Franco Colapinto
You break my heart.

But hypothetical,

if I were to stop texting you,
how long would it take for
you to crack and text me first?

Valeria Felix
hypothetically? never.

Franco Colapinto
Lies

You'd break in two days, max

Valeria Felix
more like you would, franco.

you didn't even last two
days without texting me

and i still ignored you 😭

Franco Colapinto
Okay

Let's test that theory again

Valeria Felix
please do.

Fri, Oct 11 at 7:53 PM

Franco Colapinto
This is me testing

How's it going?

Valeria Felix
couldnt even last
12 hours this time 

Franco Colapinto
I gave you space

Do you like me now?
Delivered

Vale come onnnn 🤦🏻
Delivered

Sat, Oct 12 at 10:33 AM

Franco Colapinto
So I was scrolling through
your Instagram this morning

Valeria Felix
how charming

stalker

Franco Colapinto
No shame honestly

But I was gonna say

You are very beautiful

Valeria Felix
reminder. im your assistant

cut it out.

Franco Colapinto
You're impossible

Valeria Felix
yeah. so stop trying.

Franco Colapinto
Stubborn girl 🤦🏻

You can't keep rejecting
me forever, you know

Valeria Felix
watch me :)

Franco Colapinto
What if I showed up in Austin with
a bouquet of  flowers and my best smile?

Valeria Felix
i'd walk the other way and stress
out because the public cannot see
you like that and i cannot imagine
having to explain that scenario.

Franco Colapinto
Not even a little impressed?

Valeria Felix
not one bit

Franco Colapinto
Liarrrrr 😊😊😊😊
Delivered

Ay No! Come on!!!!!
Delivered

Vale. Not funny.
Delivered

Can you come back
Delivered

Whatever.
Delivered

Sat, Oct 12 at 8:18 PM

Franco Colapinto
Okay, hear me out

What if you and I bet on who
places higher in Austin

Winner picks dinner

Valeria Felix
franco, i swear to god

Franco Colapinto
Oh, come onnnnnnn

A little friendly competition
never hurt anyone 😁😁😁

Valeria Felix
you know what hurts?

this conversation...

Franco Colapinto
So... I take it as a no then?

Valeria Felix
👍

Franco Colapinto
Borrrrinnngggg
Delivered

Okay rude.
Delivered

Sat, Oct 12 at 11:49 PM

Franco Colapinto
Goodnight Valeria 🥰

Sun, Oct 13 at 7:28 AM

Franco Colapinto
Good morning

You're a terrible texter.

Valeria Felix
and you're terrible at listening

Franco Colapinto
I just love being stubborn

Valeria Felix
and annoying?

reckless?

insufferable?

a pain in my ass?

Franco Colapinto
One of these days, Valeria

You're gonna realize you
actually really like me

Valeria Felix
inappropriate once again.

and one of these days, you're gonna
realize how delusional you are.

Franco Colapinto
Not delusional

I can just see the future

And it's you and me

With a little pomeranian

Named Delgado

Valeria Felix
i am going back to bed.

Franco Colapinto
Sweet dreams ❤️
Delivered

Sun, Oct 13 at 4:02 PM

Franco Colapinto
Miss you

And your company

Valeria Felix
and by company do you mean me
scolding you for doing something dumb

Franco Colapinto
Yeah pretty much
Delivered

Oh come on?
Delivered

I didn't even say anything
that bad this time 🤦🏻🤦🏻
Delivered

You're the death of me Valeria
Delivered

Sun, Oct 13 at 10:34 PM

Franco Colapinto
Goodnight 😊

Excited to see you this week

Valeria Felix
and i am not excited one bit!

goodnight franco.

Franco Colapinto
HEY THATS PROGRESS

I got a goodnight 😊

And soon it'll be a goodnight kiss

😘😘😘

Valeria Felix
inappropriate.

and next time it'll be a
goodnight kick to your balls.

Franco Colapinto
Yeah yeah 🙄🙄🙄

Whatever you say

But I got a goodnight

And that's something

Sweet dreams, Vale ❤️

Valeria Felix
what did i tell you
about calling me that

don't call me that

Franco Colapinto
You got it, Hermosa 🫡
Delivered

Oh come on I thought
that was funny
Delivered

You walked right into it 🙄
Delivered

Whatever!!!!
Delivered

Sweet dreams ☺️☺️☺️
Delivered

vera's voice! 💌 ( 2.5k words )
i got carried away but yeah. I Love Them. 😞
hope u enjoyed this one!!! bc i liked it. ngl.

but bye. love h. smooches. mwah.

but Hello to My Bonkies. B & E !!!
Love Veee!!!!!!!!!