Counterpoints (Counterpoints #1) Read online

  When the traffic lights went off, Christopher jumped ahead of the race with a great start. He overtook Simoncini immediately, fans cheering him as he turned over the first corner. The crowd went wild, when Noah too gained a position at the very first lap. The race couldn’t have started better for MB team.

  Chiellini was right there, in front of Noah’s car and right behind Christopher’s, but also Performance Racing team had enough speed and a good grip on the track that weekend.

  The cars roared past the harbor and the crowd went wild again, as Simoncini tried to overtake Christopher and take back his position.

  Christopher defended himself with all his strength, leaving little space for Simoncini and kept his foot down, causing the other driver to push on the break, as they approached another corner. He wasn’t going to let him go through easily.

  After the first fifteen laps, the situation looked sort of stable. Christopher was still leading, the gap with Simoncini was now considerable, due to the fact that the Chiellini driver had put on soft tires first and the degrading had been high. It was a very hot day.

  Noah had overtaken the other Chiellini driver, Satienne, and was now aiming at Simoncini.

  Noah’s rhythm that day was unbelievable. He was fast, precise and hadn’t made a single mistake so far. But the other Chiellini car seemed slightly faster than MB.

  When Christopher went back in to change his tires, he was followed by Simoncini, but by the time he got back on track, Noah had passed them, becoming the leader of the race.

  All the while, Isabella watched the show on screen, next to Hillary in the boxes, having to remind herself to breath. Especially when she saw the yellow flag a couple of times because of two minor accidents, which luckily didn’t involve MB.

  She watched Christopher get closer to Noah now, his new tires were warm after a couple of laps and therefore he was going faster than his team mate, who’s tires needed to be changed.

  Isabella heard Noah’s engineer tell him to box on the radio, but Noah didn’t seem to agree.

  Once out of a big turn, Christopher and Noah were so close, that they were almost side by side. Christopher’s first attempt to overtake his team mate unsuccessful, but he took a chance near the second curve and put his foot down. They were almost out of the curve, Christopher’s car slightly further ahead than Noah’s, who was forced to take his foot off the pedal. At least that’s what he should have done.

  He kept his speed up instead and managed to pass Christopher again, closing the gap in front of him and sending Christopher on the side. To avoid collision with Noah, Christopher went slightly out of the white line and his car hit the border on his left hand side. Sparks were flying everywhere, as his car twirled a couple of times and came to a stop. The side was beaten and badly damaged.

  On a normal, nonurban track he would have probably gone on the grass, without possibly hitting the side like that. This however was Cannes, a spectacular circuit but with very little exits and safety routes.

  They all gasped and seemed to jump rather surprised in the box, looking at the screen incredulously. Christopher’s car had come to a stop and the race marshals were all running towards it. He seemed to have a flat tire too, probably due to the collision with Noah.

  While they were all stunned at MB boxes, Isabella watched the screen worried for Christopher. When she saw him stand up and leave the car to the marshals, she was able to breathe again. He was fine, that was all that matter to her.

  Her eyes went to Mr. Johnson, who kept looking at the screen, a million things crossing his mind, but seeing that nobody was hurt, he was mostly thinking about the points that the team had lost during the race.

  Technically speaking, Noah hadn’t breached any rule, but apparently- from the whispers Isabella heard in the stand- what he had done wasn’t nice either. He had sort of pushed his team mate out of the race, giving him no space on the track.

  He had closed him off and sent him twirling off the tarmac, after just twenty laps, when the race had barely just begun.

  Isabella also heard some technicians say there had been no need for Noah to push so hard, as he would have had a clean chance of overtaking ahead.

  On screen Isabella watched a disappointed but still charming Christopher – he managed to wave at his fans, who cheered him as he walked past - walk back to the boxes.

  Her heart was pounding in her ears when she saw him enter the box, his helmet still on, with a slow pace and sad eyes.

  Those deep, green eyes spoke millions of words. He was frustrated, his pride was hurt and he was upset that his race had ended so quickly.

  After preparing so hard for it, his adventure in Cannes was over for the year.

  “Are you okay?” his engineer and some of the guys on the team asked him.

  They patted him on the shoulders and he nodded, thanking them for their concern.

  Mr. Johnson briefly went over to talk to him, taking off his headphones, to check if he was okay and to reassure him. They would have a meeting with Noah later, to clear the air, he told his driver.

  Then Christopher went to the back of the room, where Isabella and Hillary’s had been working, putting pictures and posts online.

  He took his helmet off and slowly peeled the rest of the gear and lowered the suit to his hips, without saying a word.

  Isabella tried to look at him as little as possible, failing miserably.

  Christopher was sweaty and hot, his hair was a little wet and his cheeks looked flushed. He looked incredible as always.

  “Hey” Hillary said giving him a sad look.

  “Hey” his eyes went from her to the screen. Simoncini was now chasing Noah.

  Christopher seemed calm as usual, but deep down Isabella could see he was upset and thinking about the accident. It must be terrible for them, not to get a fighting chance after preparing for the race all week, Isabella thought.

  “Can I get you something Christopher?” Isabella asked, when she really wanted to say something else, but couldn’t. Too many people around, listening and passing by.

  “No thanks, luv. I got my water” he took the cap off his cup and took a few sips.

  He hinted a smile at her and then went back to the screen. He didn’t say another word, until the race was over.

  Noah won the race with his eyes closed, followed by the two Chiellini drivers, a result which could have been easily predicted, as MB and Chiellini had been the fastest teams of the year so far.

  Despite Chiellini seemed faster during qualifying sessions, Noah had managed to stay cool and keep them at a safe distance behind him.

  For once, he looked happy when he got out of the car. The whole place was cheering him, but Isabella was pretty sure she heard some people booing him from the stands.

  The whole MB team had moved under the podium, to celebrate the victory. Hillary had followed with her recorder, ready to take Noah around for interviews and to the winners’ press conference.

  Isabella stayed right where she was, Hillary said she didn’t need her, as Phil was there, taking pictures of the podium.

  Isabella stayed next to Christopher in silence, until the few people around them cleared the area.

  “Hey” she said looking at him briefly.

  Isabella then turned towards the entrance of the box, making sure nobody was around to listen.

  “Hey” he said back with a little smile.

  His arms were crossed over his chest and his eyes kept looking at the screen.

  “Are you sure you are okay?” she asked, not knowing what to say really. Of course he’s not okay, what do you think?

  “I am just disappointed” he said and turned to look at her.

  Isabella was sitting behind a counter, while Christopher was sitting on a stool on the other side of it. He reached for her hand and placed his on top.

  “I’m fine, shit happens” his smile got wider now, as he lost himself in her sweet honey brown eyes. She smiled back and turned her hand up to squeeze his a l
ittle.

  “What really bothers me now is answering all those questions out there”

  “Don’t worry. Keep it simple and vague. And repeat, five hundred times”

  Christopher nodded and smirked.

  He wasn’t exactly looking forward to hearing the same questions on and on again, but with Isabella by his side, it would be easier to endure. Definitely.

  Chapter 27

  Isabella sat in her hotel room, checking the profiles on the net and the blog dedicated to Christopher and Noah. She had already posted their comments and pictures of the race- pictures that Phil had promptly given her- and was now reading the fans comments.

  It was unbelievable.

  By the time she had left the race track, taken a shower and dressed again, the web had gone wild about what happened. Most people claimed that Noah had done Christopher wrong. He had been aggressive, too aggressive towards his team mate and his actions could have resulted in a very serious accident for Christopher.

  Some also said that Noah, being an experienced driver, knew the rules very well: when the other car is already ahead of yours, the driver must let it go by and not close in like he had done. He should have let Christopher go through and try to overtake again at the next section. Instead, Christopher had had to drive off the track, to avoid collision with his team mate.

  Reporters’ reoccurring question had of course been ‘do you think it was a mistake or did Noah see you and pushed you out on purpose?’ and again ‘Did you two talk about it? Are you two okay?’

  As instructed by Hillary, Christopher had answered that he still had to view the recordings of what had happened, but anyway mistakes during races are quite normal. Drivers are so focused on getting everything right in the smallest amount of time possible, that during a chase accidents were very common, especially on a track like Cannes- where overtaking is a little difficult and very challenging.

  He also said that they still hadn’t talked about it –Noah had been at the press conference at that time- but surely they would discuss it during debriefing. Anyway, there was nothing to talk about. They were fine.

  Of course, Isabella knew that was true, no hard feelings from Christopher, but knowing how straightforward he was, Christopher would definitely go up to speak to his team mate. In fact he did, just after they had all taken a picture together as a team with Noah’s trophy.

  Isabella still didn’t know what they had said to each other – since they kind of got separated at some point, on their way back to the hotel- but she hoped things were cool, for the sake of the team of course.

  If anyone was the exact representation of calmness, that was Christopher.

  And so passionate, too at the same time. Her face went red, thinking of how intensely he had kissed her in the boxes, just before everyone got back from the podium. He definitely likes risks, not only in the car. And Isabella discovered she liked risking, too. It made her feel alive.

  It wasn’t until she had loaded all the pictures and posts online, that she remembered how upset she had been the night before. It all seemed kind of irrelevant now, her reaction to Giselle had been a little too much. Maybe it’s because it’s almost that time of the month, she thought to herself, thinking about her recent mood swings.

  Where was Giselle now anyway, if things between them had really started again? She was nowhere to be seen.

  Then again were was Christopher? He hadn’t called her or texted her since they had gotten back to the hotel. He didn’t have any sponsor event. Maybe he was still talking to Noah or to Aaron Johnson. Or maybe he was just resting. Keep that Giselle out your mind, she is not with him.

  A knock on the door startled her. She looked down at her feet, she was still with a towel around her damp body and her long wet hair were lose on her back.

  “Who is it?” she enquired.

  “It’s THEE” she recognized that mocking tone immediately. Christopher.

  He sounded in a good mood again. Isabella opened the door with a grin on her face.

  “I can’t curtsey my Lord, I am naked, by grace” she hurried him in, hoping that nobody saw them together like that.

  She shut the door quickly behind her back and Christopher laughed. Isabella’s heart started racing, as he touched her shoulder with the tip of his fingers.

  “You do this on purpose, don’t you? You walk around your room naked and wet, waiting for me to show up, to drive me crazy” he was so close to her that he pinned her back on the wooden door and stroked her face. Then he placed his hand on her neck and started tracing circles on her damp skin, his thumb lingering on her soft lips.

  Whatever it was she had been thinking, it was out of her head suddenly. A face like his should be illegal.

  “Feeling better, I see” she teased him and they kissed slowly. She tasted so good, he thought. Her full lips were warm and sweet. He smelled her clean, damp hair and then kissed her chin and her neck, all the way down to her chest.

  Isabella arched her back a little and raised her leg, placing her foot on the door. His hands were all over her, she almost forgot to breathe.

  “Shouldn’t we talk first?” the rational side of her wondered out loud. She knew that was the right thing to do, but it felt like a useless, waste of time.

  What was there to talk about, really? He wanted her so badly, he couldn’t care less about Giselle or anyone else, otherwise why had he run to her as soon as he could? He didn’t seem upset about the race anymore. What was there to talk about?

  His hands slid behind her back and went to her behind, as he moved closer to her and kissed her again, leaving her wanting more. Then he looked at her and said:

  “Are you sure you want to talk?” his breathing was heavy. Christopher wanted her, he felt like he was going crazy. He craved her touch, her presence was like a drug.

  “Screw it” she said jumping up in his arms and wrapping her legs around him. With a single move he took the towel off her, whilst holding her up in his arms with his other arm and then pushed her on the door again.

  “Yes, signorina” he murmured and then kissed her hard.

  Isabella’s phone rang just as she made her way down to the foyer. Ten minutes late, she was. Damn. She picked up her pace and reached the elevator doors. They were both busy and at the upper floors. Shit! She would have to take the stairs.

  “Hello?” she said, without even checking the caller ID.

  “Well, you are alive. Thank God” she heard her mother’s voice on the other side. Isabella closed her eyes for a second.

  “Sorry mom, you are right. Don’t even say it, I should have called you days ago. I was very busy. I’m so sorry…”

  “At least I got to see you on TV today” she said, letting out a sigh.

  Of course after the race, during the interviews, Isabella and Hillary- as every other press agent and press agent assistant- stood next to the drivers, while the journalists asked questions.

  “How is everything going there?” Isabella asked.

  She walked quickly down the three flights of stairs.

  “Good. Your sister is getting all serious about this one” she told her briefly about Emilia’s new boyfriend, how he seemed a nice guy and how he made her happy.

  Isabella was very happy for her, Emilia was a smart, outgoing young woman and she was sure her sister was a better judge of character than she was.

  Emilia was a leader, she had a very strong personality, too strong sometimes, so this guy had better be ready to handle her.

  “Grandma is always asking of you. Marco wants to kill you by the way”

  “Why?” she asked surprised.

  “He’s still waiting for that pass to come and watch a race” her mother said, with a tone in her voice that implied the answer would be kind of obvious.

  Why else would Marco want to kill her?

  “Damn, I forgot all about it” What is on your mind all day? Work… and sleeping with Christopher.

  “So what were you doing earlier? I called you
like an hour and a half ago” her mother asked.

  Isabella kept going down the stairs, she was only one floor away from the lobby. What had she been doing? Let’s see. Making Christopher go crazy, doing it against the wall, on the bed, on a chair, ten minute sleep in his arms, talking about the night before…

  “I was resting” that did it, a brief summary of her afternoon.

  It wasn’t a lie, she did rest at some point, in good company. Christopher’s words echoed in her head.

  “You make me crazy”

  “Ditto”

  “I was talking to the freckle on your cheek” he laughed at her face then, so entertaining to watch as usual.

  “Freckle and I would like to ask you a question”

  “Fire away” he stroked her shoulder with his free hand. The other laid permanently on her behind and squeezed it gently every now and then.

  “Are you seeing Giselle?”

  “What?” he looked confused.

  “I’m just asking. If it’s a yes, I’d like to know”

  “You know I saw her last night at the dinner” he answered.

  “I meant after the dinner” she rolled her eyes at him and he smiled to the side.

  “You are so sexy”

  “I just rolled my eyes, how can that be sexy?” she wondered out loud.

  “It’s a fact” he shrugged.

  “If you don’t want to answer that, it’s fine I understand…” she said and the weight was back on her chest, as it suddenly dawned on her that Christopher could be buying time.

  “I am not seeing Giselle. Why did I get a feeling you were upset last night?” his voice sounded honest, sincere.

  “I was confused”

  “Because you saw us talking?” Christopher wondered.

  “Not just that. I thought you two were discussing about your relationship…”

  “There is no relationship” his voice was serious now, calm but incredibly serious. Just two minutes ago he was all funny Christopher, now even his body felt tense.