"All those girls out there are painted up like Easter eggs, but even without makeup, you're the most beautiful girl in the entire paddock."

~•~

The Spanish Grand Prix had arrived. Vica spent her days with George in Monaco, and while he trained on the simulator, went running, and worked out with Alex Albon, she had Zoom meetings and tried to finalize everything regarding her book. The text editing was almost done – Vica would soon receive the final version to review one last time. Once the cover was approved, the book would be sent to print and distributed to all the bookstores with which her publisher had agreements.

She couldn't wait. It had been a long journey. She had worked on this book throughout her time at university, almost taking a year off just to finish writing it. She had numerous calls with Czech Koreanist Nina Špitálníková, who was one of the best in her field and knew an incredible amount about both South and North Korea. Nina had even spent a month studying in North Korea. She helped Vica accurately describe the atmosphere and understand the culture, as Vica had never been to Korea and didn't want to make any mistakes.

Vica also had countless meetings with war experts. She met people who had experienced the Korean War and listened to their stories, which she tried to incorporate into her book. The book didn't just follow the main story of Tommy falling in love with a North Korean woman. Readers could find at least ten stories of other soldiers, who were just as important as Tommy – even more important to the world because Tommy was fictional, but the soldiers' stories were real. The soldiers were given different names, but the stories remained the same.

So many people contributed to the book that Vica still pondered how to write the acknowledgments for the end. She had so many names in her head but knew she couldn't list them all. She had to choose only the most important ones. So, she opted for a different tactic. Instead of thanking each soldier who shared their story at the end, she dedicated the book to them. At the beginning of the book, she included a dedication addressing each of the ten soldiers by their rank, regiment, and platoon, along with the exact dates of their service. These people deserved it, and she wanted to show them that she cared and was grateful for their service.

George stood by her side. During the few days she spent at his place, she must have been a handful. She was constantly on the phone, and when she wasn't talking, she was typing messages. She focused entirely on the book and almost forgot she was actually at George's. She forgot she wasn't home in London. That she wasn't alone. She had a real, living person by her side, who had feelings, and she realized on the way to Spain that she had been neglecting the brunette, giving him attention only in the evenings when they went to bed.

"I don't understand how you could put up with me," Vica mumbled as she sat in the car headed to the track, where the first of three races in the next three weeks would take place.

Vica saw how tired George was after the race and how happy he was to have two weeks to rest, so it seemed cruel that they had three weeks without a break, as soon as one race ended, they had to head to another country. The blonde began to understand why all the drivers did it because she genuinely enjoyed watching Formula races. Still, she admired them because she knew she could never drive one of those machines. She didn't even have a driver's license, so the idea of driving at such speeds didn't appeal to her.

"What do you mean?" George asked, surprised by her statement. They had been enjoying the silence since leaving the hotel. It was a pleasant silence, not awkward at all. A silence that spoke more than words could.

"The days I stayed with you," Vica explained, "I didn't pay any attention to you. I was always on my phone, talking to someone. At one point, I completely forgot I was at your place and almost had a heart attack when I turned around and saw you sitting on the couch."

"Vica," George placed his hands on her cheeks, trapping her face in his palms, "I want you to know that I don't require your attention. If you're near me, I'll be happy. If you're sitting next to me but doing your own thing, then do your own thing. I definitely won't be upset that you're trying to fulfill your dream. I support you, a lot."

"Has anyone ever told you that you're the nicest guy on this planet, George?" she asked him, and George chuckled.

"One beautiful blonde has told me that many times, but I always love hearing it from her again," he nodded with a smile. He kissed her on the head and looked into her eyes. "Don't forget that I support you the most out of anyone. I'll never laugh at you for trying to fulfill your dreams. I'll stand by your side and be proud that I could witness the birth of your greatness."

"I like you, George," Vica said without thinking and captured him in a tight hug.

"I like you too, Vica," George mumbled and smiled, even though she couldn't see it.

~•~

It was Saturday, and Vica was standing in the paddock. She watched George during the filming of a video for Sky1. He kept smiling and looked happy—it made her happy too, knowing that he was enjoying himself and didn't find these videos a nuisance.

"Oh my God!" a high-pitched voice exclaimed behind the blonde. The hairs on her arms and neck stood up, and something in her brain advised her not to turn around, believing she didn't want to see the person behind her. But Vica couldn't help herself and turned around.

"Hi there," an Asian girl with a ponytail and makeup that looked like she was going to a masquerade stood behind her, smiling. She wore a black crop top that looked more like a bra, a dark blue skirt with red and yellow spots, and a light shirt with the same pattern as the skirt. Vica guessed from the colors that she was invited by Red Bull.

"What are you doing here, Jess?" Vica asked. She didn't sound angry; she wasn't angry, just surprised and wanting answers. She knew her best friend had a photo shoot in Singapore, so she didn't expect her to show up in Barcelona, Spain.

"I was invited to the Grand Prix, so I came to see how my favorite people are doing," her friend replied. Vica rolled her eyes at her response. Jess knew nothing about Formula 1, just like Vica did a few weeks ago. Jess only knew which drivers were very attractive and was ready to do anything to get one of them into bed.

"And how is your favorite person doing?" Vica asked, hoping she would say it was her, but she didn't get that. Jess didn't disappoint.

"I haven't seen Charles yet," the girl shrugged. Vica wanted to take out her phone and text Alex to keep an eye on Charles because a certain Asian girl was walking around the paddock trying to get him into bed. Then she realized it was unnecessary—Alex was definitely prettier than Jess, and Charles was a great guy who wouldn't throw away his girlfriend for one night with Jess.

"You just won't give up on him, will you?" Vica asked, turning her attention to George, who was animatedly discussing something with one of the presenters. He looked funny but also highly attractive because it was clear he understood the topic and was definitely right.

"Not when it comes to such an attractive person. Never," Jess replied with a smile. "And you? How's life treating you? We haven't seen each other in a while, so I want to know."

For the first time in their friendship, she sounded genuinely interested. But Vica couldn't ignore the undertone of jealousy in her voice—she wanted to know how Vica was doing just to see if her own life was better.

"It's been amazing," Vica replied honestly. "My book will be out soon, and I'm hoping to sell at least a thousand copies. The publisher thinks it will be a hit, but I don't believe them too much because the Korean War isn't for everyone."

"Your book is coming out? That's great news, congratulations," Jess hugged the blonde. "You deserve it because I know how much time you put into making it perfect."

"Thank you, Jess," Vica thanked her. "And what about you? Any changes?"

"Josh is away again," she replied. "So I made plans with friends and spent a few days in Denmark, and yesterday I was in Singapore for a photo shoot. Other than that, everything is the same. Still the same wonderful Jessica Shelton you know."

"I suddenly feel a little better knowing you didn't have to stand here alone," George had finished filming and was the first to notice that Vica wasn't standing alone. He didn't make her stay and just watch him film. He told her she could go wherever she wanted, that she could arrange with Alex to walk around the paddock or the area in general—Grand Prix events are always incredible, and he didn't want her to miss out on all the great things just because she was standing there waiting for him. He appreciated that she wanted to spend all his free time with him, but he started to feel bad that he was keeping her from all the fun.

Vica wasn't standing alone. He had left her alone, but now she was with an Asian girl in a ponytail and a top so short it was unseemly. Jessica Shelton. George recognized her because she occasionally did photoshoots for Tommy Hilfiger, so he had seen her face on Instagram. She was a good friend of Vica's, but from what he had heard about her, he preferred her to stay as far away from the blonde as possible.

He didn't like seeing her there. However, she was dressed in clothes evoking Red Bull colors, which reassured him a little because it meant she might not be a guest of Mercedes and might not see Vica during the race.

Jess immediately clung to George when she noticed him approaching. She didn't care that there was a good chance he was dating Vica. She didn't care that her best friend might be happily involved with this brunette. Jessica hated seeing Vica's life better than hers, and at the moment, Vica was doing much better than she was—in Denmark, their accommodation had been robbed, so she lost expensive clothes and some money, and on top of that, the photoshoot in Singapore might never be published because the company had some legal issues. Plus, Josh seemed to be starting to suspect that the Asian girl was cheating on him.

Jess's life was currently falling apart, and she needed to know that her friend's life was even worse because she couldn't stand the idea of the blonde being happier than her. She was poor, without family, and wanted to become a writer—she didn't deserve a better life.

The Asian girl didn't want to believe that Vica's life could turn around so quickly. She didn't believe her friend could change her behavior. She didn't believe it, and yet it had happened. Vica almost had the best boyfriend. She was appearing more in public and seemed to handle the attention better. She spent her free time in Monaco with Formula One drivers. And on top of all that, she was about to publish her own book. Jess had to cut at least one thing—if she took George away from her, she would also take Monaco and her confidence.

"I saw your race in Canada," Vica picked up her suitcase when she saw her friend trying to look cute. She couldn't watch it anymore, so she excused herself.

"I'll go find Alex and leave you two alone," she said. She didn't wait for George's response and just left.

She sat at the catering area in the Mercedes motorhome for a good half hour when George sat down next to her. The brunette looked her over from head to toe and then stopped at her eyes.

"Can you explain to me what the hell happened out there?" he asked.

"You seemed okay with Jess being there, so I left you two alone. I'm used to everyone I care about leaving me because of Jess. I believe this won't be an exception. Jess is a lot prettier than me," she told him.

Her self-confidence was always at rock bottom when Jess was around. Without Jess, she did well, but when her friend was near, she felt more than invisible. When Jess was around, no one ever looked at her, and she saw it with George too—he only looked at Jess and didn't even glance at her.

"I... sometimes, I guess I kinda wish you could see yourself through my eyes," the brunette sighed.

"What?" Vica didn't understand.

"You're the most amazing person I know, Vica. You're beautiful just as you are. You don't need makeup to prove to the world that you're pretty. Look at yourself now. All those girls out there are painted up like Easter eggs, but even without makeup, you're the most beautiful girl in the entire paddock," he told her.

"But," she didn't finish because George interrupted her.

"No buts, Vica," he admonished with a smile, "I wouldn't change a thing about you. Stay just the way you are and trust me, I'll never turn to anyone else. If you remain this perfect, you'll be the one who's always my top priority. Stay like this and you'll always be in my sight, because it's you I want in my arms, not Jess or anyone else. I want you, Vica."

~•~

F1wags_

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❤ 2 815

F1wags_ We now know that Vica Pascall is smart as hell and work for publishing house (we don't know which one). She was seen in paddock in Spain. She went in with George but then she was seen on her phone and she speak woth someone. She loooked so happy when they talk...Can she really be just George's friend and has boyfriend the whole time?

💬 56

👤 Without make-up and still the prettiest

👤 Ugly AF

👤 She is so cute

👤 I love how she look like ordinary person
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👤 Because she is...she work in publishing house

👤 George is lucky guy ❤😍

~•~