this love | o.piastri

twenty-five

XXV. Secret Tattoo

JAPAN: September 2023

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Oscar stood in front of a shocked Daniel, "What do you mean if I know a tattoo artist?" the older Australian asked. The younger driver sighed, "I don't know any other language Daniel, I just want to know if you know one-"

"No, I understand what you're asking but why are you asking? For who?"

"Me."

Daniel raised an eyebrow at him, "You? Oscar, are you sure? Tattoos stay forever-"

"I want to get the sign I got earlier."

The older driver raised an eyebrow at him, "The butterfly?" Oscar hummed and nodded as he remembered when the monarch butterfly suddenly landed itself on his arm. He remembered Lando's face and his warnings that there was one on him.

He had frozen when he realized but then he actually looked at it. Remembering Olivia's words, "They're signs of happiness or memories."

"But you're afraid of them..." Daniel concluded, clearly confused especially when the McLaren driver smiled, "I am."

"You're making me confused."

"Being scared of something shouldn't stop us from trying to get through it. You can't always be scared forever."

Daniel hummed and smiled at him, "Give Olivia my congrats. She has made you wiser."

So, the older Australian gave Oscar the address and contact number of the local tattoo artist that Yuki had recommended him not more than a year ago. Oscar didn't waste time, he arrived at the tattoo parlor with his PR Manager and assistant.

"Are you sure about this Oscar? This is a tattoo, you can't change your mind when you get it." Ken, his assistant asked. But the driver gave the sketch Lettie gave him days ago.

He looked at Ken and nodded, "I won't regret it." Ken shared a look at Jeremy, the driver's PR manger. "Just cover it up for now. After what happened with Olivia, you don't want another field day."

That was the only thing that Oscar agreed with his two friends. He didn't want any speculations until he had talked to Liv about what they are again.

So, as he sat there and got stabbed thousands of times, the tattoo was done.

Ken was talking to the tattoo artist who gave him advice to help the driver how to take care of it while in the healing stage. But Oscar let Ken take the lead, he was staring at the tattoo.

It was now a sign for him. Not just for happiness, or a memory when he finally accepted the fear of butterflies and moved on from it, but also a promise, he was not going to get tired of waiting for Olivia.

No matter how long it took. He had already decided on it; Olivia Flores was someone who did not deserve to be left again. And he intended to stay.

It was dumb, impromptu idea but he will live with it. Just like how he would be living with his feelings.

Race Day: Oscar was prepping, fixing his race suit when Ken walked to him. The assistant offered his phone to him.

The driver looked at him confused, "No phones Ken, I thought you were confiscating it already." Oscar asked confused.

But the assistant smiled, "I think you'll want to listen to your voicemail first." He said and placed the phone on his hand. He glanced at his team who were still prepping. He was beyond confused, it was race day and he was given his phone, an hour before the race.

But Oscar decided on following on his assistant's request. Opening his voicemails, his eyes brightened as he realized who had left him a message.

Immediately opening it and placed the phone on his ear.

VOICEMAIL:

Hi Oscy! Sorry I couldn't be there. I'll make it up to you. What do you want? Adobo or leche flan- eh I'll just make both. I hope you are doing well. Know me and your nana are cheering for you all the way from home!

I know you'll do great. Can't wait to see you. Bye bye.

It wasn't the first time Liv had left a voicemail before a race. It worried the team at first but then they realized that it gave him the kick he needed to go fast so they let him.

Like always, Oscar felt like he could run around the track. Handing his phone back to Ken, he smiled, "Remind me to always listen to you."

"Copy that."

And as the race went on, he drove. Fast. As if at the end Olivia was waiting. He misses the girl and hearing her voice through the voicemail was not enough.

But right now he had the race in mind. Going through turns and straights, overtaking and being overtaken, pit stop after pit stop, he had reached the final lap.

"Lando will defend you from behind Oscar." The driver heard on his radio. He nodded and sped up, "Tell him thanks."

And within less than a minute he had reached the finishing lap with the fastest record that day. He was beyond amazed.

It wasn't podium finish but at least, he had exceeded his and the team's expectations.

Angel was beyond proud of him, so when he reached her for post race interviews, she couldn't help but hug him. "Sorry had to hug my brother." She said to Eliah who laughed and waved her off.

Oscar answered the questions with a happy smile and Angel took this opportunity, "I'm sorry Oscar but you seem so happy. What's up?" she asked with a smirk.

The driver chuckled and shook his head, "Let's just say I got a sign of happiness and memory and it came true."