𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞 | 𝐜. 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐳

25

[ PARIS, FRANCE ]
JUNE 2021

REINA WAS IN her office in Maranello when Carlos paid her a visit.

"Carlos? Qué estás haciendo aquí?" asked Reina, puzzled (What are you doing here?). She sat at her white desk, going through pictures at her computer. Carlos, conversely, was rarely inside, as he was usually busy testing upgrades or training.

Carlos approached her desk, tapping it with his fingers. "Yo estaba pensando..." (I was thinking...)

"About what?" asked Reina.

"I was wondering... if you wanted to go to France with me a few days before the race weekend. Just us two. We can explore Paris, and then head down to Le Castellet for the race."

Reina beamed. "Really?"

Carlos nodded. "I thought it would be nice. You can have some time to actually explore a different country instead of just working."

She felt ecstatic inside. "Okay," she said, blushing. Reina got up from her desk, giving Carlos a warm embrace. 

"We can figure out the details later," he said. A few minutes later, he left, having work to attend to, but not before giving her a kiss goodbye.

Reina returned to editing her photos, but not even a minute later, she was interrupted again.

"I expect you'll have all of your work done before you leave for your little trip?" asked a familiar man.

"Yes, Marcello, I will," sighed Reina. "Were you eavesdropping?"

"It's not eavesdropping if you speak loudly in my vicinity," he said, shrugging.

"Can I help you with anything?" asked Reina. "Or did you just feel like throwing in your two cents?"

He paused, then said, "I just don't get it."

Mildly exasperated, Reina replied, "Get what?"

"Why you're dating him."

Reina looked up from her computer. "Excuse me?"

"He's so... bland. So grossly perfect. Boring. While you're the opposite."

"You don't know anything." Reina let out an angry laugh. "And anyways, you care, because...? You don't even like me."

"Who said I didn't like you?" asked Marcello.

Reina, annoyed, replied, "I don't know, but maybe the constant insults and setbacks you've thrown at me since I got here gave it away."

"I'm just looking out for you, Rey," he said with a smirk. Reina shivered when she heard Marcello call her that nickname—Carlos's nickname. "You should be with someone who really knows you. Don't you want a little fire instead of plain old vanilla?"

"Please. If you're so wise, who do you think is that much better?" scoffed Reina.

"Me, of course," said Marcello.

Reina blinked. She was expecting him to crack some joke, as if he was the ideal man that all ladies would fawn after. But Marcello's expression was dead serious. He was not joking. He genuinely thought he was a better match for Reina than Carlos. "I- what?" she asked.

Marcello huffed. He scratched his eyebrow. "Maybe... I was a little... just a little... rude to you because I was jealous of you. I was jealous that you got the job I wanted, at first. But, I realized that you're special. You're... passionate. And someone like you needs someone like me. Not someone boring like Prince Carlos, over there."

"I... no!" exclaimed Reina. "Get out!"

Marcello put up his hands in defeat. "Okay, I'm gone. But just... think about it. What happens when all this novelty wears off with Carlos and you've explored all the nice, rich things? Don't you want a little excitement in life after that?"

And before Reina could utter a response, he turned and left. Reina was left dumbfounded, and for the next week, she avoided him like the plague. Carlos noticed the odd switch in behavior, but Reina could not bring herself to tell him what happened.

Nevertheless, the couple headed to France ahead of the rest of the team, ready for a getaway together.

Reina had never been to France, despite it being rather close to Spain. She simply couldn't afford the vacation before. But, Reina was so stricken by the city's beauty. The architecture, the sightseeing, the museums—Reina found a certain air of delicacy and timelessness within everything. 

But a nagging thought trailed around Reina's mind. She and Carlos were standing on a bridge overlooking the Seine when Reina finally cracked.

"Carlos, I need to tell you something," she whispered.

Carlos noticed her stressed expression, and his eyebrows furrowed. "What is it?"

"Before we left, something happened," she said. "And I just haven't found a way to bring this up. I really don't know how to explain it. I've never been in this position before."

Carlos looked concerned. "What, Rey?"

"Okay... and just know, I've never done anything behind your back," said Reina, prefacing her story. "I don't even know where he got this idea, I really don't."

Carlos's eyes widened at the mention of a he.

"Erm... that day, when you came to see me in my office and told me about this trip, Marcello overheard. And he tried to convince me that you weren't right for me," said Reina, looking down. "He said... he said that he was better for me."

Carlos took a step back.

"Carlos, I promise, I don't know where he got this idea from. All he's done is ridicule me or make my life difficult," Reina pleaded. "I've never done anything to show him any kind of interest."

After a moment of silence, Carlos whispered, "And you haven't told me this entire time? Is this why you were acting so weird this whole week?"

Reina felt her heart shatter—Carlos's eyes were full of hurt. "I'm sorry, Carlos, I truly am. I just... I don't know. I've never been in a romantic situation this complicated. I didn't know how to explain what happened without making it seem like a bigger deal than it is. It's been eating away at me for the last week."

"It is a big deal," said Carlos angrily. "You work together with him, for God's sake! You see him every day!"

"Carlos, please!" begged Reina. "I have never, and will never, be interested in anybody but you! Even if Marcello likes me, you don't have to worry. I will never return those feelings towards him."

Carlos looked down, shaking his head. "Reina... it's not you I don't trust. It's him. And the fact that he's always going to be there with you, day in and day out... No... I need to be alone."

He walked away, sullen and angry, leaving Reina on the bridge. She tried to get him to stay, but he pushed her away, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

-

a/n

DANIEL RICCIARDO IS BACK! he will be replacing nyck for alphatauri
although it's sad to see nyck go, i'm thrilled that our honey badger is back

anyways, is this some serious drama going on w carina?? stick around to find out