Chapter 10
Ingrid was also getting more interest from potential clients.
She had to weed out those looking for a story from genuine clients.
The rule she had put in place about no male clients remained in place.
Her current clients were slightly concerned about her newfound celebrity, but she reassured them that it wouldn’t affect her availability or confidentiality.
Just before the Canadian GP qualifying, she got a call from Jonathan.
“Have you had a chance to speak to Antoine?”
“Yes, we spoke about it. He’s OK with it because he doesn’t view it as a matter of competition but as a matter of safety. I think that says enough about his views.”
“And did you manage to speak to Mark at all?”
“No, I haven’t seen him since Miami or the London incident. Has anything happened in Montreal that concerns you? Erik hasn’t mentioned anything to me.”
“Nothing in particular, apart from London, of course. I just wanted to check in with you.”
Ingrid could hear that Jonathan was holding something back. Erik hadn’t said anything to her, so perhaps it was just a conversation between himself and Mark.
“Ok, I still think the best approach would be to chat to him and see if he would be open to seeing someone. At this point, I definitely don’t think that I’m the right person for him. I think getting a sense of whether he’s open to help is the first step.”
“Thanks for your help on this, Ingrid. I know it isn’t your job, but I do appreciate it.”
“Happy to help, Jonny.”
“Keep my guy safe!”
“Will try.”
It was another successful weekend for both Erik and Antoine.
Second place for Erik, behind Nico, and a steady fourth for Antoine.
Mark finished in third and again sulked on the podium.
Ingrid had watched the race with Oliver at his place.
He had a full Multiviewer setup, so it was always better to watch there.
Plus, he was a numbers geek and explained all the data to her.
“Have you decided about moving to Monaco?”
“Are you mad?” She boomed.
“You told him you were going to do it.”
“Yes, but not right now.” She lit a cigarette while he got up to make coffee. “Plus, I’d miss you and the parents too much.”
“Don’t let me stop you! And our parents’ only complaint is that they haven’t met him yet.”
“But don’t you think it’s too soon?”
“Sister, you are the settle-down-have-babies type. You were always going to work while doing that. I think you’ve found your match to do that with. Erik is similar, as much as you didn’t think he was. Sure, it’s an odd lifestyle, but secretly you love the thrill of it all.”
Ingrid considered this for a moment. Erik had been the one dragging her along all of this time to settle into this relationship. She was the one afraid to do it because of what it could all mean.
“You might be right, Brother. We’ll have to see how Monaco goes.”
“Personally, I can’t wait for Monaco. Yacht parties, casinos, the nightclubs…”
Ingrid laughed because that was not the Monte Carlo she had experienced so far. They left two days later to join Erik at home. Oliver was beyond excited, then slightly disappointed at how boring Erik’s life was at home.
“Don’t worry, I’ll set you up with Mark and a few others who will happily take you out on the town. Plus, I always do my yacht party on the Saturday before race week.” He laughed. “Rookie, unfortunately, I have a few official parties to attend. Plus, some sponsorship events.”
“Oh, how exciting,” she said with irony.
“Don’t worry, I feel exactly as you do. A stylist will come through and bring some dresses for you.”
“A stylist for me?” She raised her eyebrows.
“Yes, and makeup and that other stuff.”
“Darling, I can’t go with you to these events, and you know it. We’ll cross paths at the ones that Wentworth and Dunham share, but that’s it.”
She was slightly disappointed because she wanted to go with him and experience it all together, but they both knew she couldn’t.
“Sorry, I forgot. I’ll cancel the stylist. But you’ll be coming to the yacht party, right?”
For Erik’s famous yacht party, Chanel had sent her an outfit with a note:
Dear Ingrid,
We noticed you love our handbags. Here’s an outfit fit for a yacht to go with one of them.
Love Chanel
She had no clue how they had found her at Erik’s place. Perhaps her new publicist, Jean-Pierre, whom she had hired on Julia’s advice, had given them her location.
“Oh, Ingie, I can’t believe it! Chanel? You’re so lucky!” Oliver exclaimed.
“No, Oli, this is the start of turning me into one of the influencer girlfriends! I’ll publicly thank them and wear the outfit, but I’m not doing more of this.”
“Oh, nonsense, Sister! Enjoy it. Everyone knows how serious you are about work.”
“Are you at least having fun here?”
“Oh yes, Mark’s a riot! He can drink me under the table. I’ve also met that cute Callipel, as well as some of their DJ friends. It was also fun to see you let loose a bit the other night.” He laughed.
“Well, enjoy it. Back to the very serious Ingrid next week.”
Ingrid was having fun with all the boys back together. She even played padel with Nico, Erik, and Antoine. She was starting to think that living a life here wouldn’t be too bad. It still wasn’t reality, though, for her.
???
Astrid arrived for race week with her baby and husband.
Erik was looking forward to seeing how she would get on with Ingrid; he wasn’t looking forward to the combined lecturing.
She was staying with his mother and stepfather, while Sigrid stayed with him.
His place already felt full with Oliver’s larger-than-life presence.
“Alright, I just have this last sponsorship party to go to tonight, and then we’re done with the nonsense. At least you’re coming to this one.” Erik kissed Ingrid on the cheek as he brought coffee out onto the balcony.
“Oh, thank god,” she said. “I don’t know how you do all of this ahead of a race! I’m just exhausted watching you!”
“You get used to it,” he said. “Are you enjoying your time here?”
“When it’s just the two of us doing normal things like this, yes.”
She smiled at him and reached out for his hand. He took this as a good sign. He wasn’t going to push the issue of moving in again; he'd wait for her to bring it up.
“Where’s Oliver?”
“He’s gone for a run to get rid of the hangover from last night.”
“Are you going to come train with Antoine and me this morning?”
“Yes, I told you all that I was going to get fit!”
“Oh, I just enjoy it because I get to see you in those tight leggings and sports bra.” He smiled, and she hit him playfully with the paper.
“You get to see me naked every day, so I don’t know why seeing me all sweaty in leggings and a sports bra is so appealing.”
“Because you look so good like that.”
Ingrid rolled her eyes and went back to the paper. Erik was enjoying these moments with her. He was desperately trying not to jumpstart the conversation again. He made it through yet another day without saying anything.
“Can you help me with this zip, please?” Ingrid said as they were getting ready for bed. “This dress is gorgeous, but I don’t know how I got into it!”
“And you look gorgeous in it,” he said, rubbing his cheek against hers as he undid the back zip, then kissed her neck.
They were interrupted by Erik’s phone ringing.
“I wonder why Jonny is calling so late?” Erik said, looking at his phone. “Hi TP, what’s up?”
“It’s Mark. He’s crashed his car. Erik…he was over the limit.”
“Is he ok? What do you mean by over the limit?”
“He took his car on a joyride to Nice, drunk. He’s been arrested.”
“What the fuck?” He looked at Ingrid, worried. “Where is he?”
“He’s at the hospital here right now, but they’re going to take him into custody or something. I’m not sure how it works here. I just thought I should let you know.”
“He only left us about an hour ago. He seemed fine. Are you sure?”
“Very sure. The police called me to inform me, and I’m on my way to the hospital.”
“Do you want me to join you?”
“No, I want you clear of this. You didn’t drink at that event, right?”
“Of course not, you know I don’t drink during race weeks. I didn’t see him drinking either.”
He looked at Ingrid questioningly. She just shrugged her shoulders.
“Ok, I’m calling an emergency team meeting with essential people only: you, Elizabeth, Simon, Julia, and Carlotta. They’ll be at my place in an hour, and I’ll join you as soon as I can.”
Simon was the team’s legal counsel, and Carlotta was Mark’s team spokesperson. Erik wondered why Mark’s manager, Ben, wasn’t being included. There was no way that, if all of this were true, Mark would be able to race in F1 again. Erik explained everything that was going on to Ingrid.
“I told you that I thought he had been driving drunk!”
“But how is that even possible? We get random testing. He wouldn’t risk that.”
“Also, we told you that he’s been reckless.” She stroked his back gently with her fingers. “I’m sorry that all this is happening. Do you know what you’re going to do?”
“I don’t know what’s going to happen. Let me go to this meeting, and I’ll see. Fucking Mark,” he muttered. “Can we just lie here for a bit until I have to go?”
Erik held her as his mind raced through possible scenarios. He eventually went downstairs and walked the two blocks to Jonathan’s building. His wife, Lisa, buzzed him up. Jonathan hadn’t arrived yet.
“Great, you’re here,” Elizabeth started, “Jonny is still on his way, but will call in. Everyone knows the situation. I have an update. Mark is being arrested and will be held overnight.”
“Is there any media around?” Carlotta asked.
“Yes, because it’s an accident, so it isn’t considered against the paparazzi law.”
Jonathan called at this point.
“Jonny, I have everyone here. I just let them know about the arrest and the media.”
“Simon, do we have any options?”
He went over the legal options. There was no way that the team could keep Mark. If he had just been drunk and out on the town, it would have been a different story, but he had crashed a car.