Between Lines and Lanes

PART XII : AVA SINCLAIR

 Yellow daffodils for new beginnings — because I have a feeling we'll have one.

I can 't wait for our date.

P.S. Keep your eyes on number 29.

—LVC

Ava exhaled sharply. Now she had a new problem - finding a place to put the gigantic bouquet, and she didn't even plan where to go on this stupid date.

'Wait. If he wins. No way he's winning, right?'

There are thousands of more talented drivers. He might not even make it to the podium. Yes. That was it. He wasn't going to win.

She sees the white, blue, yellow bouquet again. She should be annoyed. Should be rolling her eyes at his persistence. Instead, warmth crept up her neck, and she hated it.

The man was relentless. Annoyingly charming. And worst of all—sincere. Before she could process it, her phone buzzed. A name she didn't want to see. Mom. She hesitated. Letting it ring would only make things worse. Then a text came through.

Mom: I need money.

Ava clenched her jaw and replied I sent you €1000 last week.

Mom: And I need more. Just pick up the damn phone.

Ava inhaled slowly, then asked how much she wanted.

'I need €2000,'her mother replied, skipping any pretense.

Ava called her mother then said "I don 't have €2000." Ava said flatly.

Her mother scoffed. "Oh, please. You 're an architect and interior designer in God knows where. Do you expect me to believe you 're broke?"

Ava pinched the bridge of her nose. "I just lost a big project."

"Not my problem. I need it now." And just like that, the call ended.

She stared at the screen, pulse drumming in her ears. No thank you. No, how are you? Just another demand. Ava exhaled slowly, blinking away the sting in her eyes. Her father had died in an accident right before she went to college. Her mother had promised to support her financially, but in reality, Ava had worked part-time jobs and side gigs just to survive.

She could ignore it, but that would only lead to more messages, more guilt-tripping. With a loud sigh, she pulled up her banking app and sent the money. The second it went through, she shoved her phone away. Out of sight, out of mind.

A noise from the front of the office broke her out of it— Alessia and Milo were back. "Milo, I got you something!" Alessia's voice rang through the office. "My cousin's a junior crew member for GP Racing, and they get to take the merch home. Here you go!"

Ava barely paid attention—until Milo squealed.

"Oh my God, Alessia! This is a limited edition! Do you know how expensive this is online?!" Milo is practically screaming.

Curious, Ava glanced up.

"What is it?" she peeked through.

Milo beamed. "A limited-edition poster of a rising F1 star - Leo Vargas-Clairmont! "

Ava froze. "What?" she blurted out.

"Leo Vargas-Clairmont, the rookie? Sure but his potential is insane. You haven't heard of him?" he asked and Ava quickly shook her head.

Milo waved it excitedly. "He's been on fire this season! Even if he's not make it to the podium tomorrow, Ferrari might sign him. Some say he's the next Ayrton Senna."

Ava's stomach dropped. 'Oh, hell.'

"And he's just been announced as GP Racing's June centerfold!" Milo added. "I mean, look at him. Absolute star power." Milo showing the poster around.

'Milo fangirling Leo. This is an absolute nightmare.' Ava swallowed "So... he's legit?" Ava asked hesitantly.

"Super legit. Why?" Milo frowned.

This man—this absolute menace—wasn't just some random racer. He was on the verge of breaking into Ferrari. One of the biggest teams in F1 history. And she just bet him a date if he won.

Before she could spiral, Maya's voice rang from the front. "Who the hell sent you this giant bouquet, Ava Ichika Sinclair?!"

That moment. She felt like her soul left her body. She turned just in time to see Maya marching in, the flower on her right hand and the card on her left hand. She quickly grabbed the card, sprinting to her office and slammed the door. She had to hide it before anyone read it. But Maya chased after her.

"Show me, show me, show me!" Maya knocked on the door repeatedly. "Oh my God, who is it? Tell me, tell me, tell me!"

Even Milo and Alessia hovered behind her, eager to know. Ava groaned. The world wasn't ready for this. Even she wasn't ready for this.

But Maya kept knocking.

Ava exhaled sharply, then swung the door open and Maya quickly took the cards in her hand.

"'I can 't wait for our date. P.S. Keep your eyes on number 29—LVC.'" Maya murmured the text in the card.

Then, she was utterly silent.

Then—chaos.

"WAIT, WHAT?!" Maya screaming. Exhilarated.

"Is it Ethan?" Milo asked innocently. Alessia clapped her hands.

"No!" Ava blurted. She hesitated, then sighed. "It's Leo."

Silence.

"Leo Vargas-Clairmont," she clarified again. "The F1 driver. He asked me out."

Then, three jaws dropped simultaneously. Maya clutched her chest. "Ava.. Ava. Tell me right now.. Are you dating Leo freaking Vargas-Clairmont?!"

"I'm not dating him!" Ava practically shouted.

"But he sent you flowers!" Alessia said.

"That doesn't mean—" she hesitated.

"He called it a date Ava!" Maya clarified.

Ava groaned, dragging a hand down her face. Then Milo gasped, eyes wide.

"OH MY GOD—all of the weird questions just now, his excitement during the GP interview, you made a bet with him, didn't you?"

Silence.

Ava's lack of denial said everything.

And then—absolute pandemonium.