Home. (L.N.)

49. The Future Is Bright

I yawn, the hot sun burns down brutally on my skin as the engine of the fastest cars of the world fill the air. Just in these last days we were able to settle down a little. The controversy around Max's Worldchampionship sickens me and also angries me. But I guess this is out of my control to judge. "You are my sunshine" I jump as two arms sling around my waist. "My only sunshine" he sings in my ear quietly. I laugh out loud whatever got into him since the morning after the party he won't sing that stupid song to me. "You make me happy when skies are grey" we swing from one side to the other as Charlotte appears a bit further down the paddock strolling our way. "You'll never know dear, how much I love you."he sings, presses a kiss on my cheek and with that let's me go again. A wink in my direction and off he is to do the tiretesting stuff. The only thing why we are here. Three more days in the desert getting a lovely tan before heading home to England. To my surprise the two McLaren employees just exchange a few words before the head of communication comes my way. In her hand she carries a phone and holds it out for me. "It's important." I take it and thank her. She smiles at me and moves away again. "Hello?" I say. "Fuck sake Anna why you not answering my calls."I need to put a bit of distance between my ear and the device, otherwise Sue's shouting would've deafening me." Sorry, I didn't noticed. Is everything okay? " The try to purswade her seems to not work. But she doesn't even care about my behavior anymore." How fast can you get on a flight to London?" Confused I look around. Why the hell should I go to London right now?"I don't know really, but I will travel there anyway in a couple of days after the" "Yeah we don't have time for that" she interrupts me. "Sue" I intervene. "What is going on?" "Can you sit down somewhere?" "No not really" There is nothing close by that would make a good chair. "Okay nevermind then. I just got a call from a very nice lady. Damn I forgot her name, Lisa, Liza, lissandra. No it was short I think it was Liza." "Sue" impatient I step from one foot to the other. She better makes her point soon. "Apologies. So this Liza works for the formula one group and they want to meet you in London and offered you a job." I nearly drop the phone as my while body goes wobbly. Breathing seems so hard all of the sudden and the air even drier. Is this the answer to all my questions? Did I just got the answer to all my doubts and missing plans for the future? Somehow I manage to walk over to a wall where I let my body slide down against. "As what?" I mumble with my heart beating so load in my chest. "They didn't say specifically but as a content creator." "Wow" is all I get over my lips. I might can start my future here. In the environment with feels like home and friends around. This must be a dream. "Book me a flight asap. I am coming back to London."

It's freezing in the capital as I stop in front one of the big glass towers of London that rise high up in the air. Gorgeous, modern and impressive. It came as a little shock this weather but not the worst to handle. The jetleg is worse. I feel incredibly sleepy as a security guard opens the door for me. As a child I walked by these buildings wandering what kind of people sit in them. Now I am invited to an job interview here. For the sake of everyone I kept it quiet and told just Mick I would fly to London. The rest believes that I am in Monaco having to deal with a university problem. But I couldn't be further from the truth. Squeezed in the Highheels I cursed nearly a thousand times over the last half an hour while getting here I move towards the reception ignoring the pain of my feet. "Hello" the sound in her voice is beautifully familiar. Being back in England has been hard. Harder then I imagined but I have a thing to focus on. "Good day, my name is Anna Winter. Liza Darn of the Formula One Group shall awaits me." "Ahh yes. Mrs Winter, please take a seat over there. I will give them a notice, that you are here." she points to a group of armchairs surrounding a heavy looking glass table. With a slight sight I sink down in the soft cushions. Over my head hang a spirallight gifting me with a lot of light similar to a gigantic halo. Nervous I swift through my head and wipe away any mascara stains under my eyes. The last two days been nervwrecking. I didn't know how to prepare really and Sue wasn't a help either. Mick had long days at the track testing and I didn't want to tell Lando or someone else. I want it to be a surprise when it's working out. "Mrs Winter?" A short men in a Grey suit with a red bow tie comes my way. "Yes hello" I swing up myself not without a silent curse in direction of these bloody heels. He smiles politely. "Mark Ericson, I am Mrs Darms assistant. Thank you for coming, shall we?" he points to his right. "Yes thank you" I nod politely and follow him towards the elevators. "She is quiet excited to meet you." He smirks at me while holding open the door for me. The inside is covered in mirrors so I can see all the flaws on my cloths. With a red turtleneck under my black blazer and tight black trousers the loosen hair are very well noticeable. But I couldn't care less I have different problems. The long coat kept me warm in the could English air but inside it made me start sweating. I refuse to shake someone's hand if it's sweaty. "I am honored to be here" I politely say and try to wipe my hands on the side of my legs without him noticing. Then the doors swing open. By the time of the ride I assume we are quite on a higher level. "May I take your coat?" the assistant helps me out of it and I immediately feel better. It's not as hot anymore and I should be fine. I thank him as a tall woman comes around the corner. She had shirt black hair and her eyes sparkle in joy. "Anna, pleasure to finally meet you. I am Liza." she holds her hand out. I take it with a smile. The nerves calmed down real fast she gives me a good feeling. "My pleasure" She guides me to her office with a stunning few over the Themse. She opens up a folder in front of her with a couple of papers inside. "Thank you for coming Anna. As you know we would like to welcome you in this company for so many reasons as a content creator. We believe with you we can elevate the experience of the fans. You proved a massive talent for spotting trends and being reliable. With your growth over the last month you impressed us to the limit. So we decided to give you an joboffer even if you are still a student. I know your tutor Mrs Stanley personally and we have great relationship with the University of Monaco. There will be no disadvantage for you to finish your studies as planned. To support you fully we want to give you a small team by your side that helps in every way possible. A personal assistant as well as a camera man will lift of work from your shoulders so you can also put enough time into your studies. We want you as the face to know in the paddock. The girl next door. The relatable one. The one everyone wants to be." She leans back in her chair her eyes resting on me, waiting for my reaction. But I am pretty much speechless." We are aware that you need to find yourself first in the environment and we would like to introduce you in that matter to the teams, media and public also as the person responsible for the new introduction clip. We have no doubts in your abilities whatsoever, so this is the contract." She pushes a few pages over the table. I take them still overwhelmed. The terms and conditions are acceptable, the payment more than I could hoped for and also my description more than flawless. There must be a catch. This is too perfect." I am sorry" I stutter as I push the pages back. This is all a bit much. I don't know where my head is at. Two days ago I got that call, yesterday i flew to London and today I possibly sign the contract I dreamed of. Something that enables me to work in this industry turning my efforts from a private matter into a professional one. "Do you need a moment? That's totally fine, it's a big decision. Take a minute. I will wait here" she smiles patiently at me. "Thank, thank you" I stutter and lift myself from the chair. My whole body is shaking. Something inside holds me back and I know deep down it's my fear of failure. Just when I closed the tinted glass door being me I dail a well known number on my phone. "Hello?" "Seb, it's Anna" I spot the sign of a bathroom on a door and move that way. My legs are shaky and I feel breathless. "Hi Anna, is everything alright with the Uni? Can I help?" "I lied" I spit out and look around hoping nobody listens as I entrance the bathroom. "Oh?" I simply hear. He knows I would explain shortly. "I am actually in London. I got an joboffer from F1 and I am scared to take it." "Do you want to?" "I would very much to yes" My head is spinning. This could be the biggest step for my career. "So what is holding you back?" "It's too perfect. I am scared to fuck it up" There is a silent moment at the other end. "Anna, did you think for one moment that they need you? You don't need them, but they need you. They want to convince you and that's why they give you everything you want or need. You are priceless to them." "What if I fail?" "Are you feeling like you couldn't do it?" "No"I whisper out. The racing of my heart settles down."It's your future and only you know what is best. Whatever you decide you will make your way." "Thank you Seb." "No need to thank me. I am proper proud of you." With that he hangs up and I make my way back in the office. Liza stands there looking out the window with my back turned. "I would like to add something to the contract." She turns around giving me all her attention. "I want my manager being involved in it all. She will need to work closely with me and the team." "So you want her with you on the travel?" "If she decides to come along, yes." "Agreed" That was easy. Seb was right, they really want me. "And I want also the freedom to have personal relationships with the drivers without coving every single time we hang out. I want protection of my privacy to a certain level." "That is reasonable." "Then we have a deal" I smirk. And so is Liza.
"Welcome to the world of Formula One, Anna."

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