Chapter 87
Luca loved how the new home exuded a welcoming aura. The mingling scent of cinnamon, lavender, polished furniture, and freshly baked bread greeted him as he stepped inside.
He appreciated how his mother had showcased their framed family photos, lining them neatly along the living room wall and draping the couches with cozy quilts. A black, furry creature suddenly leaped onto the dining table, poking its nose into the grocery bags. Initially startled, Luca assumed Sophia had brought home a cat, but he quickly learned it was his mother’s new pet.
Without even pausing to settle down, Luca instinctively patrolled the house, moving from room to room to ensure everything was secure. He was relieved to find the back door locked and most of the windows shut tight—except for the one in Sophia’s room. Despite that, he was impressed by how tidy she had kept her space.
The house felt more spacious inside than it appeared from the outside. It had a four-bedroom layout with a cozy living room and a functional kitchen. A hallway connected the rooms on the ground floor with those upstairs via a central staircase. There was even a pantry stocked with Fijee drinks, which brought a small smile to Luca’s face.
Satisfied with his inspection, Luca finally settled onto one of the couches, secretly wishing he and Sophia had grown up in a home like this. The atmosphere felt warm and comforting. Sara entered shortly after, carrying her bag and Luca’s, which she carefully placed to the side before sitting on a couch adjacent to him.
Mrs. Rennick soon followed, bringing a tray laden with freshly baked scones, a small dish of clotted cream, and a teapot with two cups. Her warm smile lit up the room as she served them, eager to begin a conversation.
Luca started speaking to quench his mother’s thirst to know what was going on. He narrated how the season had unfolded so far, from Germany back to England. It was a mutual conversation as Sophia and his mother kept interrupting with questions that Luca answered. He did his best to keep certain details hidden, especially the grueling training sessions he endured to stay fit enough to drive a single-seater. However, he couldn’t hide the fact that his mother and sister watched every race religiously, and were even present at the British Grand Prix the previous day.
Mrs. Rennick didn’t waste any time voicing her concerns, particularly about the tense moments between Luca and Aaronson, especially their wheel-to-wheel contact on the track and their face-to-face contact in the tunnel. “It’s unhealthy,” she insisted, shaking her head. She didn’t stop there, bringing up the harsh weather conditions during the race and how dangerous it was to drive at such speeds.
Sara gently reminded Mrs. Rennick that the inherent risks were part of what drew people to the sport. The tension, speed, and raw competition captivated audiences worldwide, making motorsport the thrilling spectacle it was. That explanation did very little to ease Mrs. Rennick’s worry.
Engrossed in their adult conversation, Luca didn’t notice that his phone, set to silent mode, had been ringing for some time. The sky outside had shifted to the muted hues of early evening, signaling it was already 5 p.m. Their discussion was interrupted by a knock at the door.
Sophia, who had been less engaged in the conversation, sprang up to answer it. Luca followed shortly after, already guessing who might be at the doorstep.
Sophia reached the door first, opening it to reveal Ansel standing there with an umbrella in hand. Behind him, rain fell in shimmering sheets, creating a silvery curtain against the dim evening light.
Ansel’s gaze flicked between Luca and Sophia, quickly noting their strong resemblance before folding his umbrella. “I took a big risk showing up with your phone ringing endlessly. What if you weren’t home?” he teased.
“My fault. Sorry about that. Come in,” Luca said, stepping aside to let him in.
Ansel entered, shaking off his coat and slipping off his boots near the entrance as rainwater dripped from his clothing.
“Who’s this? He looks familiar,” Sophia whispered to Luca.
“He’s my teammate,” Luca replied in a low voice, taking Ansel’s coat to hang up. “Sophia, this is Mr. Ansel. Emphasis on the ‘mister’—he’s engaged.”
Turning toward the living room, Luca announced, “Mom, this is Ansel, my teammate. Ansel, meet my mom and my younger sister, Sophia.”
Ansel and Mrs. Rennick exchanged warm greetings, as though they were old acquaintances. Mrs. Rennick even embraced him in a surprisingly maternal way, making Ansel feel instantly welcomed.
Mrs. Rennick finally excused herself to prepare dinner, leaving Sophia to claim charge of the conversation. She tried her best to drag the attention of the two young men who instead, found joy in discussing about furnitures and their exquisite brands.
By 6 p.m., the aroma of freshly cooked food filled the house. Mrs. Rennick called everyone to the dining table, where a hearty meal awaited—roast chicken, mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, a fresh salad, and a loaf of warm bread, complemented by bowls of gravy and sauces.
Conversation flowed easily at the table, with Luca and Ansel sharing lighthearted stories. Mrs. Rennick asked about Ansel’s fiancée and whether wedding preparations were underway.
“Everything is going fine,” Ansel replied, sharing a few anecdotes about his personal life.
Everyone encouraged Sara to join in the conversation, but she preferred to stay quiet, eating while scrolling through her phone. Her silence didn’t disrupt the flow of the meal, and the dinner continued smoothly. By 7 p.m., they had finished eating and indulged in a rich chocolate cake with coffee for dessert.
At 7:30, Luca bid Ansel farewell. Though he offered to let Ansel stay the night, his teammate politely declined, explaining it wasn’t part of his plans. An hour later, Sara also left, driving back to her hotel in Fulham.
Luca was left alone with his mother and sister. After seeing them off, he locked the door and went upstairs to one of the spare rooms. His mother, ever thoughtful, had ensured there were plenty of rooms available should he ever decide to stay—a possibility she no doubt hoped for.
The room was sparse yet tidy, with just the basics: a white mattress, a closet, a nightstand, a table, and a chair. It reminded Luca of a typical middle schooler’s bedroom.
Luca checked the time—it was just a few minutes to nine. He took a quick, refreshing bath before sitting down to watch some past races. His scheme wasn’t over yet; Mr. Grant’s directives and the System’s requirements were still in play, so Luca immersed himself in the essence of Formula 1 to stay sharp.
When sleepiness began to take over, Luca closed his laptop and stepped out of the room. His OCD kicked in, compelling him to check every door and window in the house to ensure they were securely shut before finally retiring to bed.