10. Work and distraction
BIANCA'S POV
"I won't be back for a month or so, but call me when you need something Cam," I asked my sister's husband, since he would be staying home and I'm worried he would drink again like he had done a couple of months "Bianca, it's not the first time you've left since I've been like this. I promise you I won't touch a single bottle and Dom will keep me distracted by teaching me mechanics" he responded, letting out a laugh, even though it wasn't a completely real one, it was a better one than two months ago.
"You better Edwards, because the moment I find out you've got drunk, I'll take the first flight and come to kill you," I threatened. "I know, but seriously, between work, physio, training, and continuing to test driving with the prosthesis I won't have time to grab a bottle" I answered, and I know he's serious.
"Okay, anyway, anything, don't hesitate to call me" I insisted "I will, now don't worry and go before you miss the plane" he pointed out and I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, yeah," I replied, getting into the car and lowering the window to give him the opportunity to say what I'm completely sure he's going to tell me. "If you know anything about Lara…" he began and I smiled. "I'll let you know and tell you in detail." Whatever I heard or talked to her about in detail," I promised. "Thank you," he thanked with a small smile on her face. "You're welcome, but now get out of the car and let me go." I laughed. "Okay, okay."
With that Cam left the car and I headed towards the airport. Hours later, the plane landed in Australia and before doing anything, I greeted the mechanics and the rest of the team except Eric, who apparently hadn't arrived yet.
I started to do some work when I heard Serena and Eric's voice not far from me "But look who we have here! One of my favourite Galicians" said Eric, with a big smile on his face and coming towards me "Hello Eric" I said giving him a hug "I've missed you. How are your sister and her husband doing?" He asked curiously and I couldn't help the shiver that ran through me. "They're doing great, you know how they are," I responded, not wanting to be the one to tell him how things really are.
"Well guys, why don't you tell me how things are looking this year?" Serena asked, entering at that moment that I remember she was there, and it is at that moment I notice the girl next to her, making me freeze. "Lara, what are you doing here?" I asked even though it didn't quite make sense. The girl had blonde hair, and my sister doesn't like the way it looks on her, she had glasses that took up half her face and she was darker.
The girl didn't even flinch looking at the screens and Serena laughed "No, she's not your sister, this is my niece Alex and she's mute and deaf, so she won't hear you," she informed and I still didn't understand anything. What's happening, because that girl looks too much like my sister. "What is she doing here then?" I asked, stunned. "She likes cars and everything that has to do with them. She would like to learn things from the championship, so I brought her here, and now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to introduce her to the others. Then I want you both in my office so you can tell me a little about how you're going to plan the season. See you later" she said with a big smile on her face, she caught her niece's attention and they both headed towards the garage.
"I was also like you at the beginning. Now are you going to tell me what's going on with Lara so you don't know it wasn't her?" my best friend asked, raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms. "It's not my turn to tell you," I admitted. "I haven't heard from Lara for a month and a half and that's weird, so you better tell me what's happening before I have to force it out of you"
"Okay, but as soon as you manage to talk to Lara, don't even think about mentioning any of this, much less I've told you about it," I asked and he nodded. "I won't, now let's go get the things to go talk to Serena later" We both went to get our things and not long after, we went to the meeting to tell our boss what the season would be like.
LARA'S POV
The meeting had ended a few minutes ago and I had sat there waiting for both Eric and my sister to leave. "What do you think of the car?" Serena asked after a few minutes. "It's not giving the best results, but it can be improved" I answered. "And how do you think it can be improved?" My boss asked curiously, "I don't know, I'll have to try the simulator first, then I'll tell you."
Serena nodded, and ended up leaving the papers on the table, focusing her gaze on me. "Are you comfortable being here?" She asked seriously and I shrugged. "I do not love the situation, but I couldn't be doing anything else. The distraction will be welcome" I admitted "You can be here as much as you want. If you feel bad, let me know and we'll go straight to the doctor..." she started, but I denied "You're not going to be able to be with me all the time" I pointed out and she nodded "I know I won't be able to, but Eli will come to some races, we don't want your sister and Eric to suspect anything. I will of course be in other races, but Sam will be in most of them and will make sure everything is okay with you."
"Serena, I don't need a babysitter," I protested. "I know you don't need a babysitter, but Sam wants to know how things work around here. He asked me if he could be here, so I said yes, if he would do me a favour and help you with what you needed" she answered and I rolled my eyes "You shouldn't have done that" I said sincerely "I know, but I know Sam will take good care of you." Serena responded with a big smile on her face "Thank you" I replied "Don't thank anything, I know what it's like to be in your situation, maybe not completely your situation, but very similar and I know you need someone who's taking care of you already every time you have your head somewhere else"
"True, but I can't do anything to avoid it" I answered "I know, that's why doing something you like will distract you and let your mind rest from so many thoughts" she answered "I also know" I admitted "Great, now let's see what it will be your break room and your own simulator," my boss and friend said with a big smile on his face. "Was all that necessary?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "Yes, because it will only be possible to enter with your fingerprint. It's a way to make sure no one can come in and mess with your things or blow your cover."
I thought for a few seconds, knowing it's for the best. I just hoped this cover would last a while before Bianca found out it was me. "Yeah. Better tell me when Sam will arrive" I asked with a sigh "He will arrive in a couple of weeks since he first wants to fix some things and spend some time with our son" she admitted "And do I really need Sam? The only thing we will achieve with him here is that your relationship stagnates and he loses time with your son" I pointed out and she denied
"Don't worry about it, because we'll see it every week. And my relationship with him will remain the same as it is at the moment, so don't worry about what may happen to us" Serena assured "Okay, if you're completely sure things will stay the same, that seems fine to me" I replied "Perfect, now "Let's go see that," she said excitedly, getting up from her chair and taking me by the arm to do the same.
In the middle of the afternoon, we left the circuit since I'm tired and the moment I got to my room and went to bed and fell asleep until the phone woke me up and I answered without even looking "Hello?" I asked, leaving my head back on the pillow and closing my eyes. "Lara…" my husband's voice whispered, causing me to quickly get up and look at the name on the screen. Once I realize it, I hang up without thinking and throw myself on the bed, putting a pillow over my face and kicking myself for not having looked before.
After a few minutes, I hear the sound of notifications on my phone, so I pick it up and see it's a message from Cam, which says thank you that I pick up the phone and that he loves me, causing a couple of tears to fall. I couldn't help but send him a message saying that I love him too.
I don't know how much time had passed, when I heard someone banging at the door, so I dried my tears and went to open it, leaving my boss and friend in sight. "I was going to offer you to go out to dinner somewhere, but I see you're not in the best mood. Would you like to have dinner in your room?" She asked with a smile on her face and I nodded, because I didn't feel like going out at all and pretending everything is fine. "Perfect," she said with a big smile plastered on her face, and once she closed the door, she hugged me, making me cry again "Everything will be fine, Lara, don't worry" Serena whispered over and over again in my ear, making me calm down minutes later. "How about we order? I'm starving," she said and I nodded. "Do you want something specific or do you not care what I order?" She asked "I don't care."
With that, she picked up the phone in the room and started saying things that appeared on the menu next to the phone, but I have no idea what, since I'm more in my head than anything else that I hadn't even realized, she had finished talking on the phone until I saw her in front of me.
"What is it that has you like this, Lara?" Serena asked in a soft tone. "I answered a call from Cam," I admitted with tears building up in my eyes again. "Have you guys argued again?" She questioned and I quickly denied "Once I realized it was him, I hung up... Not much later he sent me a message thanking me for answering him and that he loves me" I said the last part controlling a sob that wanted to escape me. "Then I don't understand…" she murmured confused "I hung up without saying anything and he still thanks me… He tells me he loves me…" I answered and she laughed "I know what's happening" she said still laughing "What is supposed to be happening?"
"What happens is that your hormones are altered, and even though you know Cam loves you and that he probably thanked you for answering the phone, you feel thousands of emotions inside you," she answered, completely convinced she's right, but not completely, because Cam could be angry or I don't know "Serena, I miss him" I admitted and a small smile appears on her face.
"I know honey, I know you miss him. Do you feel ready to go back to him?" She asked, and I quickly denied "So, how about you talk to him? Not by call since it seems you're not prepared for that, but you can start by messages" my boss suggested and I thought for a while, because it could be that would help, but I also know I could talk to Bianca, and the last thing I wanted It's for her to find out I'm really me and not Serena nice.
"I don't know if I'll be ready for that yet," I whispered. "I'm not saying to start right now, just to think about it. It probably helps you feel calmer" she responded and I nodded, considering what she said "Perfect. Now, we don't want you sad, so let's talk about something more exciting and happier" Serena said with a big smile on her face.