It has been a week since I helped Erin and to my pleasure, it has been quiet. Sure I have had things to do like my training. Which is proving to be interesting since Nyck has decided to join me. It is due to the fact that we are very competitive. Even the sim work was fun due to our competitive nature. Anyway, today is going to be interesting as the royal family are holding their annual charity ball. The thing is I have normally found some excuse not to go. Whether it be racing or an exaggerated sickness I just haven't been bothered to go. I have never understood the reason behind the charity ball. I guess that I have never exposed myself to something like it. This time Nyck has convinced me to go. He even promised to help me with dress shopping if I need it. Right now I am rummaging through my wardrobe. I am looking for something other than the black dress I wore to last year's FIA gala. The reason why I am not keen on the black dress is that I feel like something with a bit of colour would be better. I can feel Nyck's watchful gaze as I come to the realisation that I am going to have to go dress shopping. Oh well. Just another excuse to go out with Nyck. The thought brings a smile to my face as I close the wardrobe door.
"So are we going dress shopping? Nyck asks.
"Unfortunately yes but I was thinking we could make a date out of it," I explained. Nyck seems satisfied with my response. As a resident, I know some good cafes around Monaco.
"We can do that," He confirms. My suggestion has an added bonus. It will give Nyck something to look forward to. With that, I grab a few things that will be useful for dress shopping. Like me, Nyck is quick to get ready.
"Ok. Let's go," I remark as we leave. After a short walk through Monaco, we have made it to the boutique that I want to start with. My eyes are drawn to a nice emerald dress. It looks simple yet elegant which will suit me perfectly. Now for the hard part.
"Nyck what do you think?" I ask tentatively as I show him the dress. Unlike me, he is out of his element. Which is something that I can understand. To be honest I was going to try it on regardless of what Nyck has to say.
"I think you should try it on," Nyck replies. Like I said before I was going to try it on regardless of what he said. However, now I have permission. With that, I head into the change room. Thankfully I am able to quickly exchange my outer layer of clothes for the dress. I use the mirror to make up my mind. The simple yet elegant design fits my body nicely. The colour even suits me which I was a little sceptical of before I tried it on. I tentatively leave the change room to show Nyck.
"What do you think?" I ask, announcing my presence. I can tell that he is gobsmacked by my first choice.
"Much better," He replies. After an hour of trying various dresses, I have decided to go with the emerald dress as it is the one that I feel the most comfortable in. I'm just glad that Nyck and I weren't interrupted. After dropping the dress off back at my apartment we head out to one of my favourite cafes in Monaco. I notice that Mitch Evans and Edo Mortara have the same idea. To be honest I'll see them tonight so I'm not going to say hello unless they join us. For some bizarre reason, my apprehension about tonight has flared up again. Thankfully Nyck and I are quick to order.
"Are you alright Jess?" Nyck decides to check on me.
"Yeah. I'm still a little apprehensive about tonight. I don't know what to expect," I responded. It is due to the fact that I have always had some excuse not to go.
"I'm sure you'll be fine. Think of it as another FIA gala," Nyck retorts. Yeah, one with actual royalty. Don't get me wrong, Nyck is right. It is just another event that I have to attend but still. I am worried that I will do something embarrassing in front of the royal family. I inwardly giggle at the thought. Thankfully the food is quick to arrive. Nyck and I soon settle into idle chit chat while we nibble on the food. After an hour of socialising, we have finally finished at the cafe. Now for the interesting part of the day. Since I only know how to do basic make-up I reached out to Charles' mum for some help to do more. Nyck and I walk hand in hand back to my apartment so I can fetch a few things before leaving.
"So I'll meet you at the palace tonight," Nyck clarifies.
"Yes. If that is alright with you," I reply. It will give me the chance to catch up with Charles' mum and his older brother. Plus I would like to make a grand entrance. Nyck sends me off with a hug. It doesn't take long for me to make it to the right apartment. With a swift knock on the door, I announce my presence. After a pause, I am greeted by Charles' mum. She seems happy to see me.
"How have you been Jess?" She asks as she gestures for me to come in.
"Well, Pascale, it has been interesting," I responded as I followed her to the bathroom. It doesn't take her long to get to work on making sure that the make-up is perfect. She also gets to work on catching up with me.
"So Charles tells me you are a Formula E driver," She gets to work on getting the details out of me.
"Yes. I thought it would be better for me," I explained. Pascale gives me an understanding nod.
"He also told me you are on your way to becoming the world champion," She adds.
"Well, I wouldn't get your hopes up. The next half of the season will be doubleheaders," I counter. She is right. I am ahead right now but there is a lot that can go wrong in two consecutive days of racing. It will be an interesting challenge as it is something that I have never experienced anything like it before. After thirty minutes of various bits of chatter, the application of the make-up is done. It feels weird for me to have make-up on. Oh well, I wanted to dress up for tonight and that includes make-up. After an hour of various preparations, the time has come for us to leave. I feel like I should have asked Nyck to pick me up yet Pascale insisted we should go as a family. Well in my case my adopted family. It's just a pity that Arthur and Charles had racing commitments. After a twenty-minute drive, we made it to the palace.
"If you'll excuse me I have someone to find," I excuse myself as we enter the courtyard where the ball is taking place.
"We will see you later then," Pascale replies as I leave. To my amazement, I am able to find Nyck quite quickly. To be honest it was only because he was having a conversation with Prince Albert. Whose attention is now turned to me. I can tell that Nyck is stunned to see me dressed up nicely.
"So you must be Jess Bianchi," Prince Albert remarks
"Yes, your highness," I responded. Ok, this is weird. I am actually talking to a real prince. I find myself tensing up. No. I just need to relax.
"Please drop the formalities," He replies. We soon break into a conversation after fifteen minutes of various conversation topics with Prince Albert the music starts. I find myself watching the couples sway to the music.
"Can I join you for a dance?" Nyck asks as he joins me. He is quick to offer me his hand. Like me, he is out of his element.
"Sure," I responded as I took his hand. I can see the look on Nyck's face change. He flashes me a warm smile as he guides me to the dance floor. Despite his smile, I can sense a feeling of awkwardness so I take over. I mutter some instructions to him. I flinch as Nyck pulls me closer.
"I'll Bloody lose you as well,"
For some reason, my mind goes back to the conversation that I had with Mick after Anthoine's death. No. I will not let negative thoughts ruin my night. I know for a fact that I need to treasure my time Nyck.
"Are you alright?" Nyck whispers.
"No. It's a long story. I'll explain when we get back to my apartment. I want to enjoy my night," I responded. I don't want to explain as I feel like Nyck would worry about me more if I did. I mean he is going to worry about me anyway but it is his nature.
"Just let me know when you want to go," Nyck replies.
"Of course," I say as Nyck pulls me closer. After three hours of various activities, the ball is winding down. Even with the lingering doubts, I enjoyed myself. It turns out that a lot of people watched the Formula E race and enjoyed it. The person that caught me by surprise, in that regard, was Prince Albert. I thought for sure he would have been a Formula 1 fan more than a Formula E fan. Oh well. I'm just glad that someone with his level of influence enjoyed the race. Thankfully it doesn't take long for Nyck and me to get back to my apartment. The first thing that I do is head to the bathroom. I am desperate to get my makeup off as I don't really feel comfortable with it. I am quick to get ready for bed. I brace myself for the oncoming nightmares.
"Jess, are you sure you're fine? I only ask because you were hiding the fact that you weren't really happy," Nyck remarks as he joins me in bed. I take a deep breath to gather my thoughts.
"When you pulled me closer for the dance I was reminded of a conversation that I had with Mick after Anthoine's crash. I was overwhelmed by the events to the point where I almost shut him out and I am scared that I will do the same to you," I explain.
"I realise that this promise won't help but I promise that I will stick with you no matter what," Nyck says before planting a kiss on my forehead. With that, my worries seem to melt away. I realise that I need to let go of the past as it is not going to change. I just need to learn from it with some help. Nyck seems to be the best person to ask for help as he knows what I have been through.