10.Karting

CAMERON'S POV

After the cold shower and the help of my hand, I went downstairs to meet the girls, who were sitting on the sofa playing with the puppy. When I made my presence known, they got up and we left the house to go to their grandmother and mother's. 

While we were walking through the streets, I noticed many of the houses have their doors open with no one around, which caught my attention, and from what they explained to me, it seems to be normally done in the villages, I liked the trust people had in each other. 

Once we got to their grandmother's house, Lara leaves the dog on the ground and it doesn't take long to follow her, apparently, they had a new pet. I wanted to help them set the table, but Carmela wouldn't let me do it and Bianca sat at the table saying she wouldn't do anything since they had woken her up too early, which Lara ended up ignoring. 

"Lara, where did you get this puppy from?" Carmela asked. "She was outside the house, wet and hungry, so I took her." Lara said as if it wasn't a big deal "Tell grandma you woke me up to bring you the keys to the house." 

"What?" Carmela asked, raising an eyebrow. Now I could see where the two of them had gotten to raise an eyebrow at situations like this. "Yeah, I woke her up because I left my keys here and she wanted to take the puppy bottle you had." 

"You could have called me." replied Carmela, denying "It wasn't necessary." Lara countered "Of course, it's better to bother me than call Grandma." Lara laughed and nodded, leaving the dog on the ground "Well yeah." 

I laughed and we spent the rest of breakfast laughing, which made me realize apparently these were the mornings at Lara and Bianca's grandmother's house. We spent the rest of the morning helping Carmela with the garden, picking tomatoes, peppers and some salad which Lara and I would eat at noon. I was enjoying life in a village, and one day I would like to be able to live in such a small place, especially here. 

When it was time to eat, Lara helped her grandmother prepare the food while Bianca chased the demon dog, her words not mine, through the house while Lara scolded her for calling the dog those things. 

After an hour of cooking, Lara's mother arrives and sits with us on the sofa and we talk while the others finish cooking, and once it's served, everything is the same as breakfast, laughter and stories. 

When we finished eating, Bianca began to do the dishes while Lara went to her room to do something with the dog in her arms, leaving me alone with her family. "What time are you going to go to the date?" Rita asked as she washed the dishes with the help of Bianca "About five, from what they told me is when they would have everything ready." 

"You're not just attracted to my granddaughter, are you?" Carmela asked this time, which I denied, because at this moment I couldn't say much more "Probably not." I answered shrugging my shoulders "I'm glad to know Lara has a guy like you by her side. You will tell me when you start dating, right?" 

"You'll be the first one I tell." I promised "You better, because if you don't know what an angry grandmother is." We laughed and talked some more until it was half past four, I decided we better go. It's not it took too long to get to where the exit would be, like about ten minutes, but that way we could go for a walk and Carmela could keep up with us. 

"Lara, come on, we have to go." Bianca said entering through the living room door "Where to? Also, I remind you I…" she started, but she denied "You have your date with Cameron, I know, I know, but we have to go anyway." 

Lara goes downstairs and looks at her sister and then looks at me as if she wanted to understand what was happening. "Don't worry, we'll still go on our date." 

"With them?" she asked confused "Not exactly, but I'm nobody to stop them from coming." I replied with a shrug. "I don't know what you three are up to, I'm serious." 

"Nothing, we just want to make sure it doesn't give you a heart stroke the moment you see it." Bianca answered as if it were nothing, but I knew the three of them were worried about how Lara would react. "Why?" she asked even more confused "Nothing, let's just go." 

Rita closed the door and we started walking to the finish line. We were talking calmly and Lara asks why the streets were deserted, or at least until we were near the exit when there were more cars. 

"Lara, good to see you." said a man who appeared out of nowhere "It's good to see you too. I haven't seen you for a long time Carlo. Where were you at?" Lara asked after giving him a hug "I was out, but I wanted to congratulate you on your title. You did great last season." 

"Thank you." Lara thanked and I kept looking at this man, because I could see the close relationship they had "You have all the chances to win the title this year too." said Carlo with a big smile on his face "I hope so, clearly, I'm working towards it. I have to beat this one here in my remaining races, but I'm sure I can handle that." 

"Then what was said about you being in the village was true. No matter how good a pilot you are, I already tell you, you're in the wrong village. We're all fans of Lara." He said shaking my hand "Don't worry, I'm a fan of Lara myself." I said sincerely "Now seriously, can someone explain to me why it seems the whole village is here?" 

"Didn't you hear?" he asked with a frown, making Lara frown too. "What do I have to hear?" she asked "Today the go-kart race is held. Like the one made when your father was around." 

"What?" Lara whispered and stared at the man "Era unha sorpresa, Carlo (It was a surprise, Carlo)" Bianca said from behind us. "Oh merda, sintoo (Oh shit, sorry)" He apologized "Surprise for who?" Bianca and Carmela looked in my direction making Lara follow their gazes. The only thing I can do is give her a smile and hope she wouldn't get mad, but before saying anything, he runs off towards the starting line, leaving us behind. 

"I guess she doesn't believe it." Bianca said, shaking her head and leaving her grandmother's arm in Rita's "We'd better go just in case." With that, we started walking back towards the starting line and once there we could see Lara looking without understanding what was happening. Bianca quickly went to her side and put an arm around her shoulders. Rita and Carmela didn't take long to go, and I decided to leave them for a while, because I'm almost sure this wasn't too easy for Lara, for either of them. 

I decided to go to fix the last details and after half an hour almost all the cars were occupied except one of two seats Bianca had requested, the one Bianca would use and the one I would use. 

"Well Sonia, today you are lucky and you are going to go in the kart with Lara, what do you think?" That's when I notice Bianca has a girl who must be about ten years old and she's smiling like crazy. As Bianca was buckling up and putting the girl's helmet on, Lara appears next to me. "Thank you for doing this." she said. 

"Tell me at least I didn't screw up." I asked, because it was the last thing I meant to do. "You didn't. I wouldn't have imagined you would do all this for me to be honest." Lara said denying and closing her eyes for a couple of seconds "I would do anything for you, I assure you." 

"Why did you decide to do this?" she asked, looking in the direction where Bianca and the girl were. "When you told me about the races you did here, I could see that glow you have just like when you talk about your family or your career. You made it clear you love it, and you didn't do it again since that happened to your father, so I decided at least for one day we could do it" 

"Thank you." She thanked again "You're welcome. By the way, how old is that girl?" I asked now looking in their direction instead of having my gaze focused on Lara "Twelve." 

"Why is he going with you?" I asked once more "She has Down syndrome and likes cars, so she will come with me." Lara said with a shrug. "Shit, now we really don't have a chance to win." 

"You didn't have it from the beginning, but not now, so prepare to see my butt Edwards." she responded with a big smile on his face "I'm more than delighted." 

With that we each went to our cars in which the two of us were at the back. We were only ten cars and of course Lara and I are used to cars with more speed and more of them, but from my walk along what was the old route Lara's father created, I knew it would also be difficult to pass in front of anyone, and it's clear that what mattered least to me was winning, the important thing is everyone had a good time and especially Lara. 

Once we started the race, which consisted of ten laps, I could hear laughing. During the first few laps I could hear how the girl was laughing and moving the steering wheel she had on her side and also hitting some pedals. I guess those didn't really work, because that was Lara's way of driving, but after a couple of laps, I could see Lara pretty much in front of everything with only Bianca behind her, the rest of the guys ahead of me. 

When the race was over, Lara finished first, a girl second, and Bianca third. I put the kart aside while Lara unbuckled the seatbelt and led the girl to the podium that had been improvised in the village square. Bianca got into third position, the other girl went up and between her and Lara, they helped the girl who was with Lara to get on first place. 

Everyone was cheering for the girl; I think her name is Sonia with the biggest smile in her face. The mayor began to give the prizes which were a lot of candies leaving the girls happy. Lara ended up taking pictures with the two girls and then with the rest who had participated. She looked happy; she didn't even look this happy when she was winning real races. 

Then the man who had stopped to talk to us approaches where they are and ends up taking the girl in his arms. I was so focused on looking at Lara that I didn't even realize when Bianca appeared next to me. 

"Impressed huh?" Bianca said next to me looking at her sister "She doesn't look as happy as she is right now when she wins real races." I had never seen her so happy winning real races, and I can almost assure you she would be just as happy if she had not won." 

"It seems everyone loves her here." I said watching everyone crowd around her "Trust me, she deserves it. She does too much for the village." Her sister assured "What does she do?" I asked, focusing my gaze on the place where everyone was "Did you see any house in ruins?" 

"No, do they have to be?" I asked confused and she denied "Before Lara started in F1 world, there were more than standing. With the first pay Lara received from F3, she put part of it here and at grandma's house." Bianca replied "Wow, obviously they adore her." 

"Yeah. In addition, she sends signed shirts of hers to the boys or other pilots, but it's rare they ask for someone other than her, they adore her." she said proudly, and I nodded "And what else is she doing around here?" I asked curiously "Oh, whenever someone needs to fix something and she finds out, she sends the money to have it done. At first no one knew because she did it anonymously, but now everyone knows it's her." 

"Why?" I asked confused, "Who else would invest money in a village that didn't have more than fifty people? Because I can tell you no one ever did anything to start now." 

"And what about that girl? I think her name is Sonia." I inquired "She's the one who pays for her education, the best school in the city and who attends to all her needs." She replied, "She's a great girl." I said more to myself than to her "I know, that's why everyone loves her." 

"You too, it can be seen." I assured looking in her direction "Not at her level to me." Bianca said laughing and I denied it, because it's something I still don't believe "Are you telling me you don't help around here? Because let me tell you, I won't believe you for a single second." 

"Oh, sure I do, I invest some money too, but mostly I fix cars whenever I get the chance." She said like it wasn't a big deal what she does "Why do you do it?" I asked "Our father helped everyone here, and it's where he, mother and grandmother were born..." 

"And you have no intention of leaving the place where your parents and grandmother grew up." I said practically assuring "Leave such a quiet place? Not even dead." Bianca assured, and I laughed, because that would be stupid "What impresses me is everyone leaves the door of their house open, just like that." 

"We've all known each other our whole lives, and I'm telling you, the most impressive thing that happens around here is when Lara arrives, so you can get an idea." She answered "I would like to live in a place like this... quiet..." 

"There are many villages in the community…" she started, but I refused, because I didn't exactly want to go to another village "I don't need to go to another village, I love yours." I assured her and she stared at me for a couple of seconds "Well then, in that case, there are many empty houses." 

"I have to call someone. See you later" With that, I walked away from where everyone was and decided to call my mother. If there was one place my mother could do better, it was here. The people were friendly, there was a great atmosphere, and from what I could see, they helped each other, I just had to fix everything and talk it over with her. 

The times I had called Eli to ask about her, she told me she's fine, she looked relieved, and if what Lara was saying could be true, then soon she would be the mother I remember from when I was little and whom I miss. 

"Cameron! What a surprise." my mother said, and she seemed much better than when I had left her with Eli's mother. "Hello mom, how are you today?" I asked anyway " Great, today Eli's mom and I were going for a walk in Paris." 

"That's great, mom, really." I seriously said "Where are you now? I thought you were going to spend the holidays with us." she said, and I laughed a little "I came to visit a friend." I assured him "Don't mind him Isa, he went to visit the girl he likes." I heard Eli say near my mother. 

"You like someone, and you weren't going to tell me? Who is it? Is that girl both you and your sister were obsessed with?" she asked, and I frowned, because I had no idea how she could know it was her. "How do you know?" I asked, "Oh come on, I'm your mom and your sister were telling me you looked at her differently than you do at other girls." 

"Well, she was right." I said "I would like to meet her. Does she speak Galician by any chance? mom asked and now I'm more confused than a couple of minutes ago "Yes mom, why do you ask?" I questioned "Because it's a beautiful language. What's more, I miss hearing the accent many of them have." 

"Hear it? Have you ever heard someone speak it?" I asked confused "If I heard it? When I was little, it was almost the only thing I listened to." she assured, and now I didn't understand anything "How?" I asked curiously "My grandmother was from there, and when we brought her to live with us in London, she didn't speak anything other than Galician." 

"Then what I'm going to propose you may like." I said convinced that he would do it "What?" she questioned "You don't want to go back to London or anything to do with England..." I started, but I didn't have time to finish it "Cameron, I don't want you to put me back in there." 

"I know, and that's why I have two possible propositions for you. You just have to choose the one you want." I assured "Okay, what are they." she asked a little calmer "One is you spend the rest of the season with me and when it's the home grand prix you can go with Eli's mother..." 

"I like that idea. What's the second?" she asked now with curiosity present in her voice "I'll buy you a house here." I just said "And where is Cam here?" she asked, almost confused. "In my friend's village." 

"The girl you like you say." Mom replied and I'm pretty sure she's rolling her eyes "Well, you understand me." I said laughing, " They are both tempting." She said "You also have the option of doing both. I can buy you a plane ticket right now so you can come here, and I'll buy you the house you want." 

"You don't have to buy it for me Cam, you know that." she started, but I denied it because it was something I wanted to do "I know, but I want to do it. Also, you will love this place. Everyone leaves the doors open like nothing happened, does that seem normal to you?" 

I heard my mother laugh and Eli's surprise behind her. I kept telling her things about how life was lived here and Eli said if mother decided to come, she would accompany her because she had to see that for herself, and to my delight, my mother ended up agreeing to come here, which made me happy. Now I just hope my mom likes the place, because I really would love to have my mom back. 

Before joining the others, I bought plane tickets for my mom and Eli when I feel someone hug me from behind. "I don't know who you really are, but for the record, I don't want anything with anyone. My heart already has an owner." 

"Oh yeah? And can you tell who's the owner of your heart Edwards?" I heard Lara's voice, I put my phone away and turn to see her with a big smile, which she automatically returns it to. "She's a great girl…And she has a great accent. Do you think she could be around here?" 

"Everyone here fits that description. You should be more specific if you want me to help you find that girl. Oh wait, it's Bianca, right?" She said playing along with me "She has an accent, I can't deny it, and she's not ugly, but it's not her. You're still close." I said nodding "Um, my grandmother. I knew she could get the man I like for myself. What is it that attracts you to her? Her charm, right?" 

"You got me, but you can't deny it, she's lovely." I said laughing my head off "I can't deny it, no." This time I was the one who hugged her. The current I usually feel when I hold her hand or hold her arm runs through my arms like never before in my life, and I really liked the feeling. 

"Now seriously, the man you like? I didn't think we could get to this part of our relationship, Gallego." I said with a big smile on my face "Wasn't it clear to you I'm attracted to you?" she asked crossing her arms. "You're hard to read. I swear I can read a career sooner than I can read you." 

"And is that a bad thing?" she inquired, and I denied, because it wasn't "That's wonderful. What would you say about me coming to live here?" I asked "I don't understand what the question is about, but honestly, it wouldn't bother me. I would just have to work out the patience to put up with you all year instead of months out of the year." 

"Ha ha , how funny Lara." I said rolling my eyes "Okay, maybe I don't mean it at all, at least the patience part, but the other part is true. Why you ask?" she asked "Since my mother is in France with Eli's parents, she's much better, and apparently my great-grandmother is from here and according to her she misses the accent." 

"So, you're thinking of bringing her to live here." Lara assured, and I nodded "There can be no better place in the world than my mother. You spend the day with the doors wide open without anything happening. You help each other. What more can I ask for my mother? There's nothing better and nothing more peaceful than being here. Also, the air is wonderful." 

"Well, if you think your mother can do better living here, bring her here. You don't lose anything by trying." she assured "I know, and that's why she arrives tomorrow. Are you ready to meet what your mother-in-law can be?" 

"You already met her, and you weren't scared, do you think it would scare me to meet yours?" she asked raising an eyebrow "I don't know, she's quite demanding when it comes to her children." I assured "I can assure you I exceed all your minimums." 

"Wow, what a confidence, Gallego." I said laughing, "My job requires it, didn't you know?" she asked sassy "Oh, of course I knew. Do you forget I have the same job as you?" 

"Nope, I always see you small in my mirrors, I thought it was my imagination." She jokes. "You don't say the same thing when I give you trouble." I assured and she nodded "Maybe, and it may also be the races I enjoy the most." 

"Well, get ready, Lara, because from now on you'll be the one who will look so small in my rear-view mirrors I'll wonder if you're real." She laughed like she had practically never heard before, and it was great to hear her laugh. "We'll see about that, but I'm ahead of you in the world championships for now." 

"There you said it, for now, you won't last too long there." I replied, "Don't celebrate your victory, Edwards." she assured turning around "God, you don't know how much I want to kiss you right now." I said with a big smile on my face "And what is it that prevents you from doing it?" Lara asked and now I'm stunned. 

"Would you let me?" I asked, "You should try it, but to save you that, I tell you I don't kiss until the second date." she assured with a big smile on her face "We are leaving right now for our second date." 

"Don't be stupid, as far as I know, the first one didn't end." She said laughing and turning back in my direction "Mhm, what do you want to do right now, Miss Gallego?" I asked. "Since this is your date, you should have it planned, but I'll skip it because you don't know anything about here." 

"Good thing, because I had no idea where to take you at this time." I assured "I knew it, what is your opinion of hiking?" he asked. "I never have." I assured "That must change. Come on." 

We started walking in the opposite direction to where everyone was, and we started to go into the forest nearby. "I hope you're not planning to murder me and leave my body here." I said hesitantly, "Tempting offer, but no, I'm going to take you to a place I'm sure you might like." 

With our fingers still intertwined we continue into the forest. I was happy to be able to spend time alone with Lara, and at least now I knew I also attracted her, which gave me more chances of one day, I hope soon, we can become a couple.