Chapter 42: The Car Reveal

The morning of the car reveal started like any other, a blend of routine and anticipation. The system's familiar chime woke me up before sunrise.

"Rise and grind, Rookie," the system's voice cut through my grogginess. "Today's tasks are ready. Let's keep climbing the ladder, shall we?"

The daily exercise tasks appeared in my mind like clockwork:

• 50 push-ups (+2 Strength).

• 2-mile run (+3 Endurance).

• 10 minutes of stretching (+1 Flexibility).

"Let's get this done," I muttered, throwing off the covers.

By 6:00 a.m., I was in the gym with Marcus, my personal trainer. The air smelled faintly of rubber and sweat as I got into position for the push-ups.

"Today's the big day," Marcus said, a slight smirk on his face as he handed me a towel. "You ready for the cameras and the questions?"

"Ready as I'll ever be," I said, lowering myself into the first push-up.

"Good. But don't let the event throw you off," Marcus added. "It's just one part of the job. The fans will be looking for confidence, and you've got plenty of that."

The workout was as grueling as ever, but Marcus made sure it stayed efficient. After finishing the two-mile run on the treadmill and completing my stretches, I leaned against the wall, catching my breath.

The system chimed in as I wiped my face with a towel. "+2 Strength, +3 Endurance, +1 Flexibility. Keep it up, Rookie. Who knows? Maybe I'll let you have the spotlight today."

"Generous," I thought dryly.

After my workout, I met Olivia in the living room for our morning debrief. She was perched on the couch, tablet in hand as always, scrolling through her seemingly endless list of schedules and tasks.

"Big day today," she said with a grin. "Let's go over everything."

I nodded, sipping my protein shake as she ran down the itinerary.

"The reveal starts at 10 a.m. Camille will do the introductions, followed by the unveiling of the cars. There's a Q&A segment where fans and media can ask you and the other drivers questions. After that, you'll mingle with the fans. Sound good?"

"Sounds packed," I said.

"It is. But remember, this is your moment to shine," she said, her tone firm but encouraging. "And one more thing, Lamborghini sent over a suggestion to drive the Revuelto to the event."

I smirked. "I think I'll stick with the Gallardo today. It's been good to me."

Olivia rolled her eyes but didn't argue.

After the debrief, I headed to the shower, letting the hot water wash away the morning's fatigue. By the time I stepped out, I was fully awake and ready for the day ahead.

Dressed in a crisp, tailored suit with a subtle ART Racing logo on the lapel, I slid into the driver's seat of my Lamborghini Gallardo. The engine's roar as I pulled out of the driveway was a reminder of just how far I'd come.

The event venue was buzzing with energy when I arrived. Fans were lined up outside, cameras flashing as I parked the Gallardo and stepped out.

I was greeted by Camille as soon as I entered the venue.

"Good to see you, Henry," she said with a smile. "The fans are excited. Let's give them a good show."

I nodded, heading over to join Luca, Matteo, and Damon. Luca was his usual easygoing self, but Matteo and Damon barely acknowledged me.

"Nice suit," Luca said with a grin. "But I have to say, driving the Gallardo instead of the Revuelto? Bold choice."

"I like to keep them guessing," I said, earning a laugh from him.

At exactly 10:00 a.m., Camille took the stage to address the crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the ART Racing car reveal for the upcoming F2 season!" she announced, her voice confident and commanding.

The crowd erupted in cheers as she introduced Matteo Ricci and Damon Steele as the reserve drivers. The applause for them was polite but restrained.

"And now, our main drivers for this season," Camille continued. "Luca Moretti and our new addition, Henry Calder!"

The noise was deafening as Luca and I stepped onto the stage. Cameras flashed, and the crowd's excitement was palpable.

Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived. With a flourish, Camille unveiled the new ART Racing cars. The sleek, black-and-red design was stunning, and the crowd's reaction made it clear they approved.

During the Q&A, I was asked everything from my thoughts on the car's design to how I was handling the transition into F2.

"Henry, how does it feel to join a team like ART?" one reporter asked.

"It's an honor," I said. "ART has a rich history, and I'm proud to be part of it. I'm looking forward to proving myself on the track this season."

Another fan asked about my Lamborghini deal.

"It's a dream come true," I said honestly. "Lamborghini has been incredibly supportive, and I'm excited to represent them both on and off the track."

Luca leaned into his microphone after I finished answering. "For the record, I'm jealous," he said with a grin, drawing laughter from the crowd. "I've always wanted a Lamborghini deal."

After the formalities, the drivers stepped off the stage to mingle with the fans. I was signing a poster for a young boy when I noticed her, Taryn.

She was standing near the edge of the crowd, her strawberry blonde hair catching the light. For a moment, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me.

"Taryn?" I called out, walking over to her.

Her eyes lit up with recognition. "Henry! I thought that was you up there."

"What are you doing here?" I asked, still trying to process the coincidence.

She smiled. "I told you I was into the design of F1 cars. I couldn't miss a reveal like this."

We spent the next few minutes catching up, and once again, the conversation flowed effortlessly.

"You didn't tell me you were a driver," she said, raising an eyebrow.

"I did say my job involved F1 cars," I teased.

She laughed, shaking her head. "Fair enough. Still, this is impressive."

Before the event ended, I finally worked up the courage to ask for her number. She handed me her phone, and I quickly saved her contact information.

"Don't forget to use it," she said with a wink before disappearing into the crowd.

As the event wound down, I couldn't stop thinking about Taryn. Meeting her again felt like fate, and this time, I wasn't going to let her slip away.

The system chimed in as I got back into the Gallardo to drive home. "+5 Charisma. And here I thought you'd never seal the deal."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," I replied mentally.

"Don't get used to it, Rookie."

I smiled to myself as I pulled out of the venue, the roar of the engine echoing my excitement for everything that lay ahead.