At eight in the morning, Luca stepped out of the training facility, having justpleted his Daily Routine and an early Daily Quest notification. The sky was a canvas of dark clouds, and sheets of rainshed against the building, creating a rhythmic drumming that filled the air with a steady hum.
Inside, the crew gathered around the breakfast table. Luca joined them briefly, savoring a warm, hearty meal while consciously limiting his intake of liquids because of the rain. The heavy rain outside amplified the cozy atmosphere, making it feel like they were wrapped in a cocoon of sound.
He exchanged farewells with the team, ncing at Ansel to remind him of their dinner ns for the evening as he grabbed his backpack and duffel bag, dressed in the same tracksuit. With a nod of acknowledgment from Ansel, Luca turned to leave.
Umbre in hand, he stepped out under the canopied ramp that connected the facility to the parking area. The rain pelted the metal awning, the noise sharp and rhythmic. A security guard stationed at the entrance pulled the door open for him, and Luca offered a quick nod of thanks before stepping into the downpour.
Luca instantly spotted Sara''s car standing at the far end with its headlights glowing faintly in the mist of rain. He then navigated through the downpour until he reached the car, tossing his bags into the backseat before sliding into the passenger seat.
"Goooood morning, Mr. Champion," Sara said as Luca settled in, shaking off the cold droplets that clung to his sleeves.
Luca managed to grin. "I don''t get called that everyday, but I''ll take it, why not?"
"I was so proud of you," Sara continued, shifting the car into reverse. "I was the one who started the chant of your name."
"Really?"
"Yes," she replied, maneuvering the car out of the parking spot with a precise L-turn. "So, we''re headed to your family''s house, right?" Her eyes flicked briefly to the notepad with the address scrawled in her neat handwriting before returning to the road.
Luca nodded as they rolled into the main street. They were indeed going to his family''s house, but not that dusty, creaky, old building they had struggled in for years. No, he had ensured that those days were behind them. As soon as he started earning, the first thing he did was order his mother to find a better ce.
Now, they resided in a charming, modern townhouse in pham. Luca had heard about the neighborhood before, learning about its leafy streets lined with terraces, quaint cafes, and a sense ofmunity that felt safe and weing. It was still close to Sophia''s school as well, and a bus could service that.
Luca sighed and pulled out his phone, his mind drifting back to this his racing career. He had just won the sixth round of Form 2 this season, and now they were officially in midseason which wouldst a month or so.
The most important thing to Luca was that Trampos was still at the top. This would help him focus very well on individual effort and sess, knowing fully well that the team in general was driving to victory. To be certain, he pulled up the team''s standings of the championship to gauge the points difference.
PROVISIONAL TEAMS'' CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (TOP5) Scroll for more.
Position | Team | Points
-------------------------------------------
1. | Trampos Racing | 181
2. | Bueseno Velocità Jnr. | 148
3. | Squadra Corse Jnr | 98n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om
4. | Hatcherk Motorsport | 92
5. | Retona Racing | 38
A 33-point difference from Bueseno Velocità Jnr was still not enough. If one race spelled disaster for Luca and Ansel, then Max Addams and Dani Walding would surely im the top.
Squinting closely, Luca noticed a change in the table. He found out that Squadra Corse Jnr had moved up to third, dethroning HM by six points.
No wonder Aaronson was so mad and frustrated, Luca thought with a smile, recalling Aaronson''s earlier misfortune in Stadhaven. The DNF had really slimmed his chances of winning the championship and even Luca could feel the strain just by staring at the figures.
Wondering how much it had affected the yer standings, Luca navigated to that section.
PROVISIONAL DRIVER''S CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (TOP5) Scroll for more.
Position | Team | Points
----------------------------------------------
1. | Max Addams | 109
2. | Ansel Hahn | 107
3. | Miles Bellingham | 82
4. | Sean Aaronson | 80
5. | Luca Rennick | 72
A lump formed in Luca''s throat as he stared at his position. His two-race absence had really taken a brutal toll on his points, widening the gap between him and his rivals. Even Aaronson, who had suffered a DNF, had surpassed him with a fair lead.
Luca sighed and switched off his phone, determined to close that gap as quickly as possible. He nced behind at the backseat where his bag was, wishing he had pulled out his mp3 yer before entering the car.
Taking a deep breath, he rxed into thefort of the passenger seat as the familiar streets of London rolled by in a blur of wet gray and brick facades. The rhythmic patter of rain against the windshield created a soothing backdrop, broken only by the asional swoosh of passing cars and the steady hum of the engine.
It had been nearly a thirty-minute drive, and Luca kept himself upied by ying his simple candy-matching game on his phone and casually browsing through various apps. Despite having his phone in hand, he refrained from calling his mother. Today was Sunday, and he was confident she''d be home, most likely enjoying a peaceful day with Sophia.
Luca preferred it this way—showing up unannounced. He wanted to catch them in their natural state, without the pressure of preparing for his arrival. If he called ahead, he knew they would tidy up the house, put on their best smiles, and act as if everything were perfect. But what Luca craved was authenticity. He wanted to see them as they truly were in their new home, rxed and living their lives. It was the only way he could genuinely assess how they were settling in and whether they were trulyfortable.
They rolled further south toward pham, and the London scenery gradually shifted, save for the constant downpour.
The narrow, bustling streets opened up to quieter residential areas lined with rows of Victorian terraced houses and leafy parks shrouded in mist. There were fewer pedestrians shielded under umbres as the greenery upied everywhere.
Luca''s mind kept drifting off into a hundred thoughts, subconsciously listening to Sara''s melodic humming as she drove slowly behind another car in the quiet, residential streets. His eyes focused in between the windshield wipers as they moved back and forth, sweeping away the rain droplets.
Slowly, he returned to full consciousness, his gaze focusing on the car before them. Luca slowly sat up straight and told Sara to follow the white car.
Luca knew his mother and sister like aputer, their kind of clothes and even their silhouette. Despite the misty rain, Luca recognized both of them instantly. His mother was at the wheel, speaking animatedly to Sophia, who was reaching into the backseat, perhaps to keep something. Luca wondered where they had been so early on a Sunday. Church? A visit to a friend''s house? Whatever it was, seeing them so unexpectedly sent warmth through his chest.
Sara, as smart and intelligent as ever, asked, "Is that them?"
"Yes," Luca replied, studying his mom''s new car. "Such a coincidence."
Sara eased off the elerator and gently followed Mrs. Rennick''s car, navigating through the quiet neighborhood. The rain softened, turning into a drizzle as they turned down a serene street shaded by old but healthy trees, their branches dripping rain onto the sidewalks.
Luca adjusted his seating as his mother''s car slowed to approach one of the homes. His eyes darted to a charming two-story townhouse with cream-colored bricks and a navy-blue door that stood out against the wet pavement. Nice.
Mrs. Rennick''s car came to a stop at the curve, prompting Sara to quickly park a short distance away and cut the engine. They remained in silence in the car, both watching Mrs. Rennick and Sophia step out of the car, their umbres unfurling. Luca smiled as Sophiaughed at something their mother said with a bright smile. She then opened the backseat and reached inside.
Luca was d to see his mother and sister getting along so well; the shared smile and giggle between them said everything. He reached down and grabbed his umbre from beneath the seat before pushing the door open. Sara stepped out right behind him, already popping her umbre open in one swift motion.
How long will it even rain? Luca thought as he dodged a puddle that threatened to ssh up his pant leg. He shut the door beside him, standing still and awaiting their recognition.
Instantly, Mrs. Rennick nced in their direction, and her gaze fell on Luca. Just as Luca expected, she stood there in a moment of shock, trying to process the figure under an umbre. Sophia''s reaction, however, was different. As soon as she brought out some grocery bags from the backseat, she ced them on the roof of the car. Noticing her mother''s distraction, she looked in that direction and caught sight of Luca.
"Oh my God!" Sophia shrieked loud enough to silence the clouds as she threw away her umbre and began sprinting toward Luca.
Sara burst intoughter at Sophia''s reaction, while Luca only opened one arm to embrace her. Sophia reached him in seconds, practically throwing herself into his open arm, wrapping him in a fierce hug. "You didn''t tell me you wereing!"
"I never tell you anything. C''mon, you''re pushing me to the puddle. Let''s meet Mom," Luca said, guiding her by the shoulder.
They walked over to Mrs. Rennick, who had already processed that Luca was really there. She locked her car and ced her hands on her hips, giving him a look that said she was ready to scold him for showing up without warning.
"Mom, Sophia, this is Sara, my Personal Assistant," Luca said. "Sara, this is my mother and my younger sister."
Mrs. Rennick''s expression softened as she turned to Sara. "It''s nice to meet you, Mrs. Rennick," Sara said, shaking her hand.
"Nice to meet you too," Mrs. Rennick replied. "Are you the one keeping me from my son when I call?"
Sara shot Luca a side re. Handling his personal line was out of her work, meaning Luca blocked any calls himself. However, sheughed it out. "It''s all work, ma''am, I''ll try and make him avable for you next time," she said.
Luca chuckled, shifting his weight to bnce the bags in his arms. "Alright, can we head inside? The rain is picking up again," he said, noticing the droplets growing heavier. He handed Sophia her abandoned umbre while gathering the three grocery bags with ease.
Luca took a good look at the house as they approached the doorstep. The new home had well-tendered flowerbeds and freshly painted shutters. Once they were on the balcony, they furled their umbres.
"What''s that on your face?" Sophia asked. "When did you get a mustache?!"
"Don''t be silly," Luca muttered, watching closely as his mother unlocked the door. He moved his gaze to his mother''s face, trying to study her expression as she ushered everyone in.
Sara mentioned she would go park her car properly and get his bags, before she headed out into the rain again.
"Is it your car?" Sophia asked.
"I will answer all your questions once we settle in," Luca replied, stepping into the dark living room with the grocery bags.