108: You're late?

Friday

Sienna's point of view

The sun is already high in the sky by the time we step out of the hotel, a warm breeze brushes against my skin. It's Friday here in Abu Dhabi and we have the whole day ahead of us. No race stress for Maeve, no noise from the paddock... just a old school girls day out.

Luciana is laughing at something Maeve just said as I glance over at her, her bright blonde hair flowing down her back and Maeve walking beside her with that confident yet somewhat childish bounce in her step, just like I know her. Today is about relaxing before the storm of thisweekend hits.

'I'm so fucking excited for this', I smile, adjusting my sunglasses as I glance down the busy shopping mall. 'Haven't shopped here before, in Abu Dhabi'.

Luci laughs. 'Believe me, it's like shopping in a palace. Malls here are insane... and a lot of delicious food'.

'I could eat, freaking starving over here', Maeve says for like the 50th time this day, that girl has a appetite suddenly.

'Well, good thing Mr Leclerc handed me his card', Luci adds with a grin, pulling out his black credit card from her pocket. 'We can't get too crazy, though'.

I laugh. 'So, we can go a little crazy, then?'.

We walk into this elegant boutique as the first store. It's full of designer clothes that I know I don't need, but everything here just screaaaaams luxury. I run my fingers over a soft cashmere sweater and I can see myself lounging in it during the off-season, in my new Monaco home. It's beautiful but my closet is overflowing with things I have barely worn.

Luci holds up a pretty dress. 'Well, what do you think?'.

'Perfect', I say. 'Charles will lose his mind, you have to get it'.

'Might even lose his mind so much that he'll crash his car this weekend if you wear it, be careful', Maeve jokes. 'I don't think I could ever spend Max's money without feeling guilty. Not to shame you of course! But I don't know...'

'That's what they want, si?', I say. 'Lando loves it when I spend his money', I whisper softly. 'It even leads to the most amazing se-'

Maeve almost drops a pair of leather boots that look far too expensive to even try on. 'Stop, Sienna. Let's not talk about your sex life'.

I smirk, picking up a delicate silk blouse. 'I can't help I'm a freak in the sheets'.

'Sienna, for the love of god, stop', Luciana interferes.

We wander through the aisles, each of us picking out things to try on, laughing about the insane prices of some items. Luciana pulls me into the changing rooms, her arms full of dresses and shoes.

'I'm getting these', she declares while holding up both a red and white dress.

'I'm sure Charles won't complain', I grin as she turns in front of the mirror.

Maeve joins us in the fitting room, a pair of sunglasses placed on her head and a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. 'You two are so cute with your boys. Max doesn't even blink when I buy stuff. I swear he doesn't even notice half the time.'

'That's because you're always in a race suit,' I say. 'You two are never in the same place long enough for him to keep track.'

Maeve laughs. 'True, true. But sometimes those clothes do come off'.

'I told Sienna to stop talking, don't let me tell you the same', Luciana holds up her finger.

We finish in the boutique and make our way to another shop, this one full of perfumes and jewelry. Luciana is immediately drawn to a shelf of delicate gold necklaces, while Maeve makes a turn for the perfume section, sniffing various bottles and handing them to me to try.

'This one smells amazing', she says, holding up a bottle. 'Try it.'

I take a small sniff and smile. 'I love it.'

'Should I get it for Max?', she asks, her eyes twinkling with that playful energy she always has.

'If you don't, I will', I joke.

We spend the rest of the afternoon walking from store to store, the bags in our hands multiplying as the hours pass by. We try on everything, dresses, sunglasses, shoes, perfume and laugh until our stomachs hurt. It's exactly the kind of day we needed, and I feel better than I have in weeks.

Luciana's point of view

As we leave the last store, my arms heavy with bags, I can't help but think about how perfect today has been. Abu Dhabi's luxury is almost overwhelming, but there's something beautiful about it. The way the city brightens under the desert sun, the way every store feels like it's plucked from a dream, and spending the day with Maeve and Sienna? That's the cherry on top.

I glance down at my phone. Charles has sent me a text, something sweet about making sure I don't go overboard, but I know he doesn't really mind. He loves seeing me happy.

I text him back: 'Don't worry, just a few things ;) See you later, love.'

Maeve catches my eye and grins. 'Charles checking in?'

'Of course', I reply. 'He's just making sure I'm not going to bankrupt him'.

Sienna laughs beside me. 'I think Charles could handle a little shopping spree, Luci'.

'True', I admit, smiling at the thought of him. 'But I'd never take advantage of it. I like treating myself now and then, but I'd rather spoil him'.

Maeve picks up a necklace from one of the bags. 'You're too good for him'.

'I think he'd say the same about me', I joke, nudging her playfully.

'Can we get a quick stop? I have to check, monthly period you know?', Sienna asks.

We agree to walk to the restroom, but I notice Maeve slowing down, her eyes narrowing slightly.

'You okay?' I ask.

She looks up, a little hesitant, before shrugging. 'Yeah, just... I noticed I haven't had my period in like three weeks.'

I stop in my tracks, my eyes widening. 'What? Maeve?'.

'It's probably nothing', she says quickly. 'I mean, we used protection and I take my medicine'.

Sienna, who's a few steps ahead, turns back toward us. 'Did you say you're late?'

Maeve groans, running a hand through her hair. 'Yeah, but don't make a big deal about it. I'm not pregnant or anything. It's just stress from the season'.

'Maeve', I say softly, 'You should probably take a test, just to be sure'.

She waves me off. 'If it doesn't come by Sunday, I'll do it. But really, it's nothing'.

I exchange a glance with Sienna, both of us clearly concerned, but Maeve is as stubborn as ever. Although she is right, periods come late with stress.

Maeve's point of view

I can feel Luciana and Sienna watching me out of the corner of their eyes, probably freaking out about what I just said. Yeah, okay, maybe I should have kept that little detail to myself, but it's not like it's that serious. I'm 1000% sure I'm not pregnant.

We've used condoms every time, I take my medicine and I'm just stressed from racing. That's it. My body's probably just off because of everything going on with the championship. No big deal.

'Seriously, guys', I say as we walk toward the next store, another jewelry shop that looks way out of my price range, 'I'm fine. If it doesn't come by Sunday, I'll do the test, but there's no need to freak out'.

Luciana raises an eyebrow. 'We're not freaking out', she says, but I can tell she is.

'We just care about you, that's all', Sienna adds, giving me a reassuring smile. 'It's probably nothing, but it's always better to know, right?'

I sigh. 'Yeah, yeah, I know. I'll take the test if I need to. But for now, can we just enjoy the shopping?'

They nod, and we step into the jewelry store, where everything sparkles like it's dipped in magic. I don't even need to look at the price tags to know I'm not buying anything in here. But it's fun to browse, and Luciana immediately gravitates toward a pair of diamond earrings, while Sienna is eyeing a bracelet that probably costs more than my car.

But I find myself looking at a simple gold chain. It's understated, elegant, something I could wear every day without feeling too flashy. Max would probably like it, too. He always tells me I don't need to wear anything fancy to look beautiful, but I know he appreciates the little details.

'Thinking of getting something?', Luciana asks, coming up beside me.

I shrug.

'Come on, Maeve. Treat yourself, you deserve it'.

I smile, but my mind is still wandering back to what I said earlier about my period. Maybe they're right, maybe I should just get it over with and take the test. But I'm not ready to deal with that right now. Not with the race coming up.