Coming back now. I hope you haven't taken a shower yet, because I'd be quite disappointed. Seb messaged. Valeria smiled, she had just got out of the shower, the humidity of Singapore mixed with the champagne shower the two drivers had given her wasn't a good feeling on her skin.
I just got out (someone decided to shower me in champagne)...but one can never be too clean. She replied, smirking. But you know we are meeting the team at the bar, to celebrate.
Seb: I'll be super quick
Vale: exactly what a gal likes to hear.
Seb: don't worry, you'll enjoy it.
Valeria shook her head, smiling. Seb always had a way to make her feel like she was a teenager at her first crush. She didn't even bother changing from her bath robe, as she just threw herself on the bed looking at her phone.
She scrolled through socials, she was curious about what people were saying but also knowing she was going to regret it.
Seeing @proiettivale on the podium trying to contain tears just shows us how pure their relationship is. I don't care what others say. #singaporeGP
Uhm... interesting to see the choice of having the PR officer for the team up there when she's dating the guy that only won because of strategy. #singaporeGP
So, Sebastian couldn't win without the strategy screwing over Charles, but his gf still gets to celebrate up there on the podium? #singaporeGP
Fuck you all, you're jealous. You can see from miles away what this win meant to both of them. And Seb did a kick ass out-lap. Let them be. @proiettivale, I'm with you #singaporeGP
Valeria was so tempted to reply to all of them, instead she put her phone by the side of the bed and put it on charge. She heard the door unlock and she jumped up. Seb had just walked in, a bright smile on his face. She didn't even give him a chance to speak, she just jumped at him, latching her arms behind his neck and kissing him.
'Wow, somebody missed me' Seb teased her, giving her a soft kiss.
'I wanted to kiss you after the win, I wanted to tell you how proud you made me... I wanted to do so many things but I couldn't. I hate this. I hate not being able to be myself.' She kissed him again. 'I love you so much. Don't listen to anyone saying shit about you. You won because you kick ass, not because of strategy. Now...' she kissed him again, taking his hand to lead him to the bathroom 'for that shower you promised?' she smirked.
Valeria had changed into a summer dress, opting for sandals instead of heels for a more casual look. Singapore was too hot, in her opinion, to put on a full face of make-up and struggle on heels. She and Seb joined the team, late, as it had become their habit to do so.
'you guys are always late. I think you're a bad influence' Pietro told Valeria, after she had grabbed a drink.
'Don't blame me, it's Seb's fault.' Pietro didn't look too sure 'I swear. I'm usually ready before he is... we... just... get distracted easily' she blushed.
'Ew! I didn't want to know that' he laughed.
'Have you seen Charles? I promised him a drink'
'Yeah, he's over there with Albon and Co.' He pointed to the other side of the room.
Charles was in deep conversation with the three 2019 rookies and Max. Valeria ordered a drink for him and walked over.
'I don't think it was fair, but I have looked at data and he did push on the out lap. I don't think it was strategy' Charles was saying. Valeria noticed the Dutch driver looking up to her , which made Charles stop to see who it was.
'I'm extremely sorry to interrupt, guys. Charlie, I can come back?' she said 'i don't mind drinking this myself
'no, no, it's cool, Vale. Thank you!'she grabbed the drink from her hand, with a smile. 'guys, I'll see you around' he excused himself from the group.
'I'm going out for a cigarette' she told him, wrapping her arm behind his back. 'come out with me?'
'Sure' the Monegasque gave her a small smile. 'I hope I'm not in trouble for talking to the guys' he added.
'No, Charlie. As long as you trust them not to go around and repeat the stuff you tell them, then work me doesn't have to worry. Even if...i don't think there will be a work me for long' she sighed.
'what do you mean?' he asked surprised.
Valeria took a deep drag out of her cigarette. 'I'm tired. Really tired. It's a year's contract, so I guess I'll just say no if they renew it. I didn't join Ferrari thinking I was going to meet the love of my life. Priorities change and, to be completely honest, I would like to be next to Seb as much as possible... but as me. And then I could be myself around you too.' She explained.
'I see what you mean, but what has pushed you to this decision?'
'People. Nothing I do will not be scrutinised. If I hug you, or go on the podium with any of you... it will always be an issue.' She quickly showed him some of her mentions.
'don't listen to them' he told them with a smile. 'I like having you around, I know for a fact that Seb likes having you around' he joked 'let's finish the season and then you can decide. Ignore everyone but the two main men in your life. Me and Seb. And I'll try to be less of a dick. Charlotte is helping me out with this'
'Who the hell is Charlotte? Are you telling me you have a girlfriend and you just forgot to mention it?' Valeria asked, shocked.
'yeah' he blushed. 'I thought you'd say it was too early... she's a friend of mine, I have known her for years...' he showed her a picture.
'She's nice!' she told him 'and also who am I to judge? Moved in with Seb after three months, we got engaged after six. I don't think I have any ground to stand on!' she joked.
'Thanks for taking time for me' Charles told her, as they walked in again. 'you're a good friend'
'anything for my little Charlie' she told him, ruffling his hair.
'Vaaaaal' he moaned, trying to escape.
'20 plus years of knowing each other, you know I'm not going to stop'
'I hate you' he laughed. They heard a camera click and looked up. One of the f1 photographers had caught them playing around.
'Can we take a normal one?' Valeria joked.
'sure' he replied. The posed together, Charles' arm around her shoulders and Valeria leaning in towards him.
'thanks' she told him.
'I'll tag you both once it's online' he replied.
The photographer walked off, Charles looked at Valeria, smiling. 'go back to Seb, now. You don't need to worry, celebrate with your man properly. Thank you again' he kissed her cheek and walked back to his group of friends who were still chatting in the corner.
'sorry, Bärchen, I'm back' Valeria told Seb, wrapping her arm behind his back.
'It's OK, how is he? He didn't look nor sound happy' he asked. Valeria was surprised by the question. Seb looked genuinely worried about Charles' happiness and he wasn't just asking to be nice.
'he'll be fine, he's annoyed but things happen. I think the Italian media has got to his head, but it's getting to my head anyways, so I can't judge!'
'Hey' he turned her around to face him 'don't. Just don't. People will always say things. You and I know the truth. And that's all that matters to me' he leaned in to kiss her. 'Don't let anyone dim your light, Schatzi.'
'you guys are boring' Kimi interrupted them, making them both jump. 'Valeria, I thought you said you liked to party. Now it seems to me you're becoming more and more like Seb'
'hey!' the German interjected.
'I don't see it as an insult, Kimi' she smiled.
'Don't care, come' he grabbed her hand and brought her to the bar. She mouthed the word sorry to her fiancée, who could do nothing else but smile.
It had been a hard season, but with her by his side nothing else mattered.