Chapter 3
Molly
From the moment I step into the paddock I feel the shift.
Suddenly, people are looking at me.
People who would normally never spare me a second glance.
Now, they’re all looking from me to their phones, and I feel the dread in my stomach. I try to keep my face down as I hurry down the paddock towards my team.
Well, that went quickly.
Formula 1 is really a bunch of gossip bitches.
Not even one week into the season, and the news of my father must have gotten out. Or rather, the connection to me.
Molly MayWilder is the millionaire daughter of the newest team principal in this sport.
I rush over to my team, quickly finding Jessica, who gestures for me to follow her into the bus. I wish I had at least told her.
Now I feel like a liar for withholding information from her. The only one who knew was my boss, Anne.
When my dad told me he was buying the Audi team, I talked to her in case it would breach my contract.
Working in media means we strive for objective analysis, and with my father’s role, I was afraid they’d restrict my position.
Luckily, Anne reassured me that as I’m working as an editor, it wouldn’t be a problem on their end and promised to keep my secret.
She didn’t have to keep that secret for long.
Jessica locks the door behind me before we sit down in the lounge area of our bus. “Well? When were you going to tell me that you’re loaded?”
She’s looking at me with a playful smile, and I’m grateful.
Thankfully, she doesn’t seem angry or hurt, probably understanding that I’ve had my reasons for not saying anything.
She’s had her fair share of doubts about sharing information or personal relationships with the public as you never know how people will react.
You also don’t know how the media will use that information. They love to craft extravagant stories to drive traction and clicks.
Being at the center of that is not something I’ve envisioned for myself.
I let out a long breath before I tell her about my family, my father’s investment, and how I’ve longed to make a name for myself, hoping to keep my surname under wraps.
She grabs my hand, understanding written all over her face.
“I get that, babe. It must be hard growing up like that. I know Luke’s had his struggles with trusting people and their intentions, especially after they learn who he is.”
I ask her how bad it is, given the looks I got in the paddock. It’s like a small community where everyone knows everyone.
I both hate and love that.
Usually, it feels like an extended family.
On days like this, though, it feels like everyone is eager to discuss the latest gossip, no matter how it affects other people.
“It’s not too many stories, at least yet. Hopefully, it will blow over with time. And you know our team is solid.”
Jessica is right.
The Star News team is solid.
I know that all the people there love me as simple Molly, and not Molly MayWilder, which is all I need.
This will probably blow over quickly, and people will go back to writing stories about more interesting things.
～
I’m waiting in line to buy myself a coffee when Peter saunters up beside me in the queue.
“Mind if I cut in here, sweetheart?” he asks, oblivious to the stares of the people around him, angry that he’d cut the line.
When they realise who he is, though, they all avert their eyes.
I’m not them.
“I do mind, actually. You can go to the back of the line like the rest of us.”
He snickers beside me, finding this exchange amusing, it seems.
Life must be stress-free with an attitude like his. Always taking the easy way out. Using his privileges at every corner.
I do my best to ignore him; maybe he’ll go away.
I move forward, Peter following closely.
“What do you recommend?”
I look up at him, confused until I see that he’s looking at the menu, which is hanging on the wall of the coffee stand.
Noticing the way his Adam’s apple moves as he talks, a tattoo sneaking up from his t-shirt over his throat.
The black lines move as he looks down at me, and I quickly avert my eyes forward.
Okay, so he’s good-looking, I’ve already established that.
And he has some beautiful artwork on his body.
No big deal.
“I usually get the regular coffee with two pumps of vanilla, but that might be too girly for you,” I tell him, and as he leans closer, pointing to the sign, I get a hint of his scent, which is divine.
Looks good and smells good.
“Sounds sweet, kind of like you.”
He looks down at me before giving me a wink, which makes me chuckle and shake my head at him.
This man.
I’ll give it to him; he is charming when he wants to be.
It’s finally my turn to order, and Peter cuts in, ordering the same for him. I bring out my wallet, but he’s already paid by the time I fish out my card.
I’ll have to be quicker next time.
Stop right there, Molly May.
There will be no next time.
He simply didn’t want to wait in line.
“Didn’t know you were capable of being a gentleman, Centimo,” I tell him, taking a sip of my coffee.
He looks at me, studying me over the rim of his cup. “I can be a lot of things, sweetheart.”
Suddenly, my head is filled with images of Peter, not being a gentleman, but I stop my train of thought before it goes any further.
I’ll admit I find him attractive, and part of me is intrigued by him.
When I ran into him last week, he seemed troubled and lost.
I’ve never seen him like that. It made me want to dig deeper, but then I realised who this is.
A man who not only had one woman on his arm, but two, when I thought he had asked me out.
He may be handsome as sin, but I’m not interested in getting involved with a man like that.
“Yeah, that’s right. Preferably a gentleman for several women at once, or so I’ve heard,” I tell him before I move past him, a snicker escaping me.
I get that a lot of women would jump at the chance to be with someone famous.
Growing up in a world of money, I prefer to stay grounded with the people I love. The glitter and glam can be saved for those who want to take part.
Sure, I’ll attend some galas and parties from time to time. It’s fun getting dressed up and feeling beautiful for a night, but I’m not about having that kind of lifestyle every night.
Like Peter.
“I’ll see you around, sweetheart,” he drawls from behind me.
I turn back.
“No, you won’t.”
～
“Jessica, this isn’t funny. I don’t want to break the poor boy’s heart.”
Jessica is howling with laughter, not helping my case at the moment.
One of the mechanics from Audi asked me out on a date earlier, and I panicked.
God, it’s been too long since I’ve dealt with stuff like this.
I didn’t have the heart to tell him no, even though I don’t even feel a slight interest in the man.
Jeremy is a nice guy.
He seems alright.
But there is zero chemistry between us. In the few interactions we’ve had, I’ve been the one doing all the talking. Imagine my surprise when he formulated a full sentence and asked me out on a date.
“Maybe I should just go? And then let him down gently,” I say, and Jessica finally gets a grip on herself.
Like me, she thinks Jeremy is adorable, but we don’t share a connection beyond friendship.
At least on my end.
“A pity date?”
Now, I’m the one laughing over this absurd situation.
Pity date seems like the fitting term.
“I’ll just pretend we’re there as friends, and then I’ll talk his ear off while he sits there and listens,” I say.
“Gosh, I might have to go and observe this exchange, bring Luke with me and make a date out of it.”
Unlike me, she already has her man.
Blissfully in love and thriving together.
“Ha, ha. You’re enjoying my misery a little too much, missy.”
Even though I don’t feel a connection with Jeremy, it could potentially grow into one, right?
It’s not always explosive right from the start.
Maybe a date would do me good.
～
In the end, I didn’t have the heart to cancel our date, so now, I’m seated at a table with Jeremy opposite me.
So far, I’ve been doing all the talking as I expected. I’ll ask him questions, but then he’ll answer them with fewer than five words, and the ball is right back in my court.
I can’t wait for this to be over. I have my whole “I’m sorry. I’m just not looking to date right now” speech ready. It’s not exactly true. I do enjoy going on dates, but I prefer them to be with men I have chemistry with.
When the waiter comes over, I’m ready to ask for the check, but Jeremy interrupts me—which I don’t appreciate—and asks for the dessert menu.
Is he for real?
How could he want this date to go on for any longer than it already has?
I’m desperate for this date to end, and I excuse myself to go to the bathroom.
I’m tempted to bail on him, but I’m not that kind of person. I’ll also have to see him in the paddock, so it would be even more awkward if I snuck out.
Now I kind of wish Jessica was here with Luke. At least then I could text her to come over and save me.
I look in the bathroom mirror, at least happy to see myself looking beautiful.
Jeremy didn’t seem to bother to even change from his regular clothing, showing up in the same outfit he was wearing in the paddock earlier.
We’re at an upscale restaurant, so he doesn’t fit the expected attire for a place like this.
We’re not matching each other in clothes or anything else, for that matter. I’m wearing a light blue silk dress with a loose scarf hanging off my shoulder. My tawny skin complements the colour beautifully.
“Okay, I can do this.”
Dessert, and then this will be over.
I move through the restaurant, dreading every step in my heels as I get closer to our table.
“Molly?”
I stop in my tracks, closing my eyes as I recognise the deep voice behind me.
Great. This evening just got even better.
I turn around, plastering a smile on my face as I look up at Peter.
He’s a man who cleans up well. Peter is wearing a suit, his hair slicked back, and a bow tie around his neck. My breath catches in my throat as I drink him in.
He looks incredible.
And unlike Jeremy, he’s actually dressed for a place like this.
“Peter. What a surprise,” I say, praying to whatever’s up there that he doesn’t ask me what I’m doing here.