Fake engagement
**Sarah**
Back in London, Enrico made it a point to pick me up and take me to the racing team on the first day back to work, further reinforcing the image of the perfect couple we wanted to portray. Although we weren't really in love with each other, we were genuinely good friends, and I enjoyed the company of that inveterate cynic.
"You must be thrilled with all the media attention surrounding the two of us," I commented.
"Of course, I'm happy," he confirmed, as I already knew. "But I'll be even happier when Rachel speaks up about it."
"I don't believe Rachel will contact me because of this," I said.
I hadn't spoken to Rachel since the night at the nightclub, exactly a week ago, and a photo of a kiss between Enrico and me wouldn't make her call me. Moreover, Enrico had told me she was in Seattle. Without him, I wouldn't have any news from any of them, as even Ryan hadn't messaged me for days. The situation seemed strange, but at the same time, I was determined not to let it get to me.
"Believe me, Rachel doesn't like to lose, especially to her 'dumb little sister'," Enrico said, parking the car in his designated spot near the Nessyscar offices.
"That's not what happened last time," I said, heading into the building.
"You're mistaken if you think Rachel only approached you on the night of the club because of Lorenzo," we entered the elevator now. "It's also connected to the fact that we're together, I'm sure of it. She just doesn't want to admit what she feels for me. At least not yet. But she still came to you, to blame you for what was happening to her, as she always does."
Faced with Enrico's unwavering stance on causing a stir with our supposed romantic involvement, I chose not to insist on my point of view any longer. As I was about to exit the elevator on the floor where I worked, my phone rang, and to my surprise, it was Rachel calling, something completely extraordinary considering the subject we had been discussing so far.
"Hello?" I answered, surprised by the sudden call.
Enrico stopped next to me instead of continuing on his way to the meeting room he had been summoned to that morning. He asked in a whisper, "Rachel?"
I was intrigued by how he could know it was her. Did he have clairvoyant powers?
"What's this story about an engagement between you and Bianchi!?" Rachel almost shouted, sounding extremely irritated.
"Rachel?" Enrico whispered again.
"I believe I don't owe any explanations about my life to you, Rachel," I responded to both questions at once, and Enrico grinned with satisfaction as he confirmed that it was indeed Rachel on the other end of the line.
"I can't believe you're giving that jerk another chance, Sarah! He left you alone at the nightclub, and we even slept together, you fool. Stop being so naive and dump that creep."
I was extremely upset with my sister, truly disappointed, but even so, I smiled humorlessly, finding it hilarious that she was saying that to me now.
"I'm so glad you're concerned about me, sis," I said with veiled irony. "But I don't need your sage advice."
Enrico applauded me upon hearing my response, and I felt great satisfaction in treating Rachel the same way she treated me, which is to say, with no consideration for her at all.
"Even after what he did, you still want him!? I can't believe you're in love with him!"
"Yes, I'm in love with Enrico, and we plan to get married," I lied. "If you called me just to confirm that information, you have your answer. Goodbye, Rachel."
I hung up on my sister, even though my deepest desire was to talk to her and find out how she was, why she had returned to Seattle, and more importantly, why she had been avoiding me for a week.
"Are we getting married?" Enrico asked, sporting an amused smile.
I smiled back because it was genuinely funny. How could the media blow a situation out of proportion like that? It was just a kiss!
"The media has created an engagement for us," I explained.
"I figured. And how did she react?" he wanted to know.
I have to admit that maybe he's right about my sister. She didn't like at all the fact that we were "still" together, even after everything that happened at the nightclub.
***********
Enrico made it a point for us to go out for dinner again that night. He chose a bustling restaurant frequented by many London celebrities, which meant a lot of people and even reporters disguised as regular folks, all looking for a good photo to post. I never liked the idea of being in the spotlight, unlike Rachel, but if Enrico had already attracted attention at places before, now that everyone was speculating about our engagement, the interest in the driver had increased significantly.
“At least I look very handsome in all the photos," the cheeky guy dared to say.
"Your biggest concern is looking good in photos, is that right, Enrico!?" I pressed him, pretending to be indignant.
"Don't you like looking good in photos?" he countered.
"It's not my top concern right now," I replied, already a bit nervous.
"What happened?" Enrico immediately noticed that something was different.
"There's a very important event happening this weekend, and Maxwell Smith has summoned the entire team to attend," I said, taking a big sip of my wine.
"Are you referring to the event where the newest investor for Cecati will be introduced?" Enrico asked, furrowing his brow.
"Yes, that's the one," I confirmed.
"I've also been summoned to attend, even against my will."
I already knew about the requirement for both team drivers to participate in the event, and I knew Enrico wouldn't be happy about being pressured in that way. While his years in the category had shaped him to always follow the rules, it didn't mean it was easy or that he liked doing so.
"Do you know who it is?" I asked, but I was sure he didn't have that information.
"I've heard rumors that it's an American from the tech industry, but I have no idea who he is."
"Hillary confided in me this afternoon that she suspects it's Kael because she saw him talking to the Cecati higher-ups during his trip to London last week."
"So, we need to prepare for this party," Enrico seemed quite excited about the possibility, unlike me. "Kael needs to realize what he's lost, don't you agree?"
"I'd rather avoid that confrontation," I insisted.
"But you won't," he retorted. "I want you to look even more beautiful and radiant at this party, with a beautiful engagement ring on your finger, and flaunting happiness. It's time for Kael Graham to learn his number one."
"Number one?" I asked, smiling at Enrico's enthusiasm.
"The lesson will be so big that we need to divide it into three parts, dear."
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