-𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐄𝐒-

I walked into the paddock with Lowen on media day. Our hands were intertwined as Lowen was a little worried she would lose her way and not be able to find me. She couldn't ask people for directions easily of course. We walked past some hospitalities when I saw Toto Wolff coming towards us. He had a new kind of expression on his face. He stopped in front of us and Lowen looked at me in confusion.

"Héloïse?"

He was looking at Lowen when he said a name of a woman. Lowen looked at me and I looked at her before looking back at Toto.

"Toto? This is Lowen... my girlfriend."

"Lowen Christi Gastaud..."

"Yes... how do you know her?"

He didn't respond as I looked at Lowen. She was softly shaking her head as if she couldn't believe who was in front of her.

"Lowen... I'm so sorry."

"She's deaf Toto."

"Deaf? How?"

"An accident back in 2015. Her mom died and she didn't have the money to save her hearing. She's still saving up for it."

Lowen let go of my hand gently. I looked at her eyes and then it hit me. He must be her dad. They have the exact same eyes. Almost nobody knows her second name. I found out when we flew here yesterday. Toto his eyes watered a little as he looked at her. They just stared at her. She was the first to give him a hug and Toto didn't hesitate and hugged her back. When they let go it was silent. Toto was being joined by Susie as she must be curious about what was happening and why he would suddenly hug a random girl like it was personal.

"Toto. Oh hey Charles."

"Susie. This is the daughter I told you about... Lowen. We finally found her because of Charles."

"Hai it's a pleasure meeting you Lowen."

"Lowen is deaf Susie. Charles just told me."

Susie pulled her hand back that she was holding out for Lowen to shake.

-what's happening.-

-that's Susie Wolff. Toto's wife. She was introducing herself to you but she didn't know you were deaf.-

-okay thank you.-

I looked at her face and suddenly it came to my attention how pale she suddenly looked. I turned my body a little more towards her and frowned.

-do you feel alright? You look a little bit pale.-

-just a bit light headed nothing to worry about.-

-be careful please. Tell me if you don't feel good.-

-I'm the doctor I should tell you that.-

-now I'm a worried boyfriend.-

-over worried boyfriend.-

I talked and translated with Toto, Susie and Lowen a little bit more before we went to my drivers room. I went to grab us some water and when I came back I saw Lowen passed out on the ground. Her throat had a big wound and I looked at the point of the table. She must have fallen against it! I rushed to her side and screamed for help. Somebody called an ambulance and quickly she was rushed to the ambulance.

"I'll go with her Charles. Your team needs you."

Susie laid a hand in my shoulder and I thanked her. She would text me when they would arrive and I saw Toto jump into the ambulance as well as he grabbed her hand. I know they will look after my girl but still my heart stung a little. I had all my media duties and team duties to do and I couldn't skip them so it was better that they went with her instead of me but still I wished I could go with her.

-𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐍-

I opened my eyes and looked around the room. I was in a hospital? Right... I fell. I looked on the white with black clock on the wall to see it was already 17:15. I heard noises coming from the hallway. Wait. I can hear! How is this possible. I looked to my side to see Susie and my dad. They looked hopeful towards me.

"I can hear?"

They both let out a sigh of relief. Susie left the room and my dad sat down on the side of the bed.

"I don't understand."

"They needed to do surgery on your throat. I let them do your hearing as well... I wanted to do something for you because your mom wouldn't allow me to do anything with you when I left. ...it's overwhelming isn't it? I could imagine that."

"It's a lot yes. Thank you..."

"Dad. Just call me dad Lolo."

I smiled at the nickname. I remember he used to call me that because I wanted to have matching names with him.

"Can you keep it from Charles? I want to make sure I'm fluently speaking before I speak to him. I haven't spoken since my accident..."

"You're perfectly fluent Lowen."

"I don't know how to thank you enough."

"Just building a daughter father relationship... that's all I want."

"I think we can do that with time..."

"I'm sure we can."

We both staid silent and the door was thrown open and I looked past my dad who had turned his head now too. Charles was looking panicked and as hr saw me I saw tears stream down his face slowly. He walked towards me and sat down on the chair on the other side of my bed as he grabbed my hand. I looked at my dad and he nodded leaving the room. Charles looked at my eyes with tears and worry.

-are you okay? I was so worried about you?-

-I'm alright. I'm better then I was even.-

-how?-

-I don't even know why. I just feel better.-

-did you get enough rest? Did you even eat yet or drink? Should I get some more medicine?-

-I'm alright. Calm down. There's nothing to worry about.-

-I know but I want you to be perfectly good.-

I smiled at him as I opened my arms. He stood up and hugged me tightly.

-when can you go home?-

-tomorrow. But I'll need to rest tomorrow and the day after.-

-so no race week in Azerbaijan together?-

-our hotel has track view so I guess I'll watch you race only in a different place.-

-I'm so glad you're fine.-

-I'm glad too.-

(1058 words)