PRE-SEASON testing was about to begin.

Charles had been mentally preparing himself the night prior, knowing he was about to walk into a tsunami of questions and greetings both from the team and from any media who managed to get themselves into the Bahrain circuit where testing would be taking place.

Not to mention new introductions, there had been quite a few new hires for this upcoming season but none who he thought he'd be interacting too much with. Still, he wanted to make a good first impression.

Charles had high hopes for the day, feeling good about the season and knowing he potentially had many victories ahead of this year. His main goal, as is every year, is to become the World Champion.

Admittedly though, these last few days he had been distracted. As celebration of the new season, all of the teams decided to go out to a club. One drink lead to another, driving his confidence and recklessness up to a hundred, and he had ended up in bed with a girl he had never met before but fuck did he want to see her again.

She was beautiful and he was beyond annoyed that the night was covered in a haze of liquor. He knew her first name but felt like an asshole for not remembering her surname. Then again he couldn't even recall if she had told him.

He had spotted her from across the room, her body dancing in rhythm with the beat that matched along with his heart. Charles felt like he was being drawn to her, as if she was magnetic. When she smiled up at him with those pretty hazel eyes of hers he knew he was done for.

Even if he hadn't been drunk he knew she'd be on his mind for days. Maybe even weeks at this rate, he was almost getting desperate. Charles tried to look her up but hadn't a clue where to start and he didn't want to ask around in fear one of the other driver's might know her. It was unfortunate to find out many of the drivers weren't just competitive on the track, but also in the dating pool.

Given that's why his ex and him had broken up. Finding your girlfriend in bed with someone you considered a friend and good colleague was a shot to the ego and morale but he tried not to let it get to him, especially during the season.

He waved at the media as he walked to the entrance and scanned his pass, stepping into the well recognized world of F1 racing although it was considerably less busy than a race weekend. He was all smiles, greeting hello as he passed and navigated his way to the Ferrari garage to meet up with Carlos and Fred.

His teammate was the first one who he spotted, leaning against the wall along with some of the crew as Fred talked to someone but he couldn't see very well over the crowd of people. "Hola," Charles greeted his friend with a pat on the back.

Carlos looked up at him, looking a bit tired but he nodded back at him. "Bonjour." He said in a heavy Spanish accent and Charles couldn't help but smile at him. Of all the teammates he's had over the years, him and Carlos just seemed to click.

"Have you met any of the new team members?" He turned to the left and spotted a small coffee bar and started to pour himself a cup, Carlos grunting indicating he wanted one as well.

"Not yet, I got here a little bit before you. Although I heard we have a new lead analyst for the team."

"Really? Martin left? Why didn't I hear of this?" He handed Carlos his coffee and poured his own, blowing on the hot steam that wafted up from the cup before risking a sip. Racing with a burnt tongue wasn't fun.

Carlos shrugged. "I don't know, it was pretty last minute."

"How did they find someone in time?"

"Apparently it's Fred's niece."

Charles blinked at him, he didn't even know Fred had a niece. Would she even be old enough? Most data analysts have an advanced degree in engineering or physics and he would assume that would take awhile. Fred didn't seem old enough to have a niece for that.

As if the universe was playing a cruel and sick joke on him, he looked up just as Fred moved out of the way and he made eye contact with those all too familiar eyes.

"Blair?" He blurted before he thought better of it and both of their eyes widened in nearly comical fashion as they looked at one another from opposite sides of the garage.

Carlos looked between the two with brows furrowed. "You know her?"

Charles hoped to God he wasn't blushing but with the way his face felt on fire he doubted he had much luck. "Not really, no."

His throat felt dry as flashes of her naked body in his bedroom sheets flashed through his mind and he begged the sinful thoughts to go away. This was not possible, it couldn't be. Maybe she was someone else, scored a VIP pass for testing, it was just a lucky coincidence he was seeing her again. She couldn't possibly be Fred's niece.

Fred clapped his hands and everyone turned to look at him, though Charles and Blair were locked in a trance as they stared at one another. A mixture of shock and a little bit of pleasure at seeing each other again, although a bit of horror began to bleed into her features as her eyes flicked down to look at his shirt.

"Everyone, I'm pleased to introduce you to my niece, but more importantly our new data analyst! This is Blair, be kind and behave!" There were claps and greetings before Fred moved on to introduce some of the other new hires but Charles couldn't hear anything but ringing.

The blood had drained from his face as he stared at Blair Vasseur, the woman he had had a one night stand with a week ago in his apartment in Monaco.