Staying with the team in the facility until their day of departure, Luca returned home to Clapham, keeping in regular contact with Ansel and McCauley. He begged them to cut out any fun in his absence, staying updated on all progress and activities through frequent calls.
During this time, he also helped his mother prepare for Sophia's graduation, ensuring everything was in order and more. On the fateful day, Mrs. Rennick and Sophia left for her school early in the morning. With the house quiet, Luca took the opportunity to pack up all his belongings, neatly rolling them to the side of the room for easy access come daybreak.
Afterwards, Luca took a nice shower, got dressed in clean underwear and the all-black suit Sophia had requested, putting on shades as well to finalize his look. He applied a hint of cologne, combed his hair into place, and paused briefly to check his reflection in the mirror.
Once ready, he stepped outside, locking the door behind him. On the curb, Sara was already waiting in her car. True to her punctual nature, she had arrived early. Luca slid into the passenger seat, buckled his seatbelt, and greeted her with a casual smile.
Sara started the engine, guiding the car out of the neighborhood and onto the main road, heading toward Sophia's school.
"I gave you three options for a house, and you said they were too expensive," Sara remarked, breaking the silence as they merged into traffic.
Luca laughed. "And they weren't? If they're so reasonable, why aren't you living in one yourself?"
"Urrgh. You said you wanted somewhere quiet and convenient. I was just narrowing down the choices after you couldn't decide from the gallery I sent you."
"Fine. But isn't there anything cheaper?" Luca asked.
"It's an investment," Sara reasoned. "We don't have millions to drop on a house, so we take it step by step, see how the race season goes with your bonuses, and reassess by year's end." She bit her lower lip. "Honestly, I'm even starting to second-guess this whole house thing."
"Really? Why?" Luca questioned.
Sara briefly took one hand off the wheel to gesture as she spoke. "What if you make it into the first division after this season and your new team isn't based in Germany? That house would become a burden. The goal is to make it to F1, right?"
Luca rubbed his chin thoughtfully as they drove into North Kensington. He remembered there was really no popular German F1 team. "You've got a point," he admitted. "So, what's it going to be?"
Sara shrugged. "Let's just buy you a house. You can't be homeless, Luca. And if the time comes, we can always sell it. Besides, it wouldn't hurt to have property overseas."
Luca nodded again as her words trailed off, his gaze drifting to the familiar streets around them. The neighborhoods stirred a wave of nostalgia, reminding him of his family's earlier days. They were driving through the region he used to live with his mother and sister.
They arrived at Westborough High a few moments later, a surge of nostalgia hitting Luca as he remembered his school. The premises sure looked like a graduation event; the sight of decorations and banners with small gatherings of proud families said it all.
As Sara pulled into the parking lot, Luca quickly called his mother to let her know he'd arrived right when Sophia wanted. The faint, indistinct voice over a microphone hinted that the event was already underway.
Grateful for the cover his shades provided and aware that his growing mustache might make him look a bit different, Luca stepped out of the car with a confident stride. He scanned the open area filled with rows of seats facing a decorated podium. People moved around, some casually seated as if the ceremony was already over. Luca exhaled, dialing his mother again to find out their exact location. The last thing he wanted was to run into a familiar teacher, an old classmate, or even a junior who might recognize him. He preferred to keep his presence under the radar, though he had no doubt Sophia had already broadcasted that her brother, an F2 driver, was attending.
Sara locked the car and followed Luca to where Mrs. Rennick had directed. Luca kept close to time as he settled in a seat in between Sara and his mother. Sure enough, he did recognize a lot of people. And he was sure they recognized him too. A lot of glances were shot his way, but no one approached, save for his mother's own friends who were parents as well.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please give a warm round of applause for our graduating class as they come forward to receive their diplomas..."
A wave of applause swept through the crowd as parents, including Mrs. Rennick, stood up to honor the graduates. The graduating class moved across the stage, and Luca's eyes immediately found Sophia. Her black and blue gown complemented her brown skin perfectly, and her radiant smile sparkled even from a distance.
Luca got to realize that the diploma presentation was the final official act of the ceremony. Next would come the casual parts of refreshments, photographs, and goodbyes. A happy Sophia stepped off stage and returned to her family, certificate clutched in hand.
They headed out to a shade under the tree for light refreshments while Sophia still cheered with her mates. Exchanging pleasantries with some of his mother's friends, Luca hurried a photographer and called Sophia to the photo lane.
An hour later, Sara excused herself, needing to catch up on work that couldn't be done from a crowded, noisy venue. Luca nodded in agreement, understanding her departure. He busied himself with his phone as the crowd thinned and the post-ceremony buzz began to wind down.
As 5 p.m. approached, Luca felt a twinge of impatience, not wanting to deal with the late evening rush. He gathered his mother and called Sophia to regroup. Once the family was together, they made their way to Mrs. Rennick's car and drove out of the school lot.
Realizing that cooking dinner at this hour would be exhausting for his mother, Luca suggested they stop at a restaurant to celebrate properly. The idea was met with approval, adding to the joy of Sophia's special day. They pulled up at St. Remy's, a well-known spot in the area. Luca placed orders that catered to everyone's taste while carefully selecting a dish that would align with his strict training diet. Mrs. Rennick, always mindful of waste, packed some leftovers, and Sophia, still clad in her graduation gown, began to show signs of fatigue and sleep.
They arrived home a little past 7 p.m., and within the hour, both women had retreated to their rooms for the night. Luca, however, remained awake until 9 p.m., tuned into the Motorsport channel on the TV. He searched for any updates that hadn't yet appeared on his F1 app but found only analysis pieces discussing Marko Ignatova's incredible overtake against Marcellus Rodnick during the British Grand Prix.
Still restless, Luca turned to his training regimen, this time, reviewing race footage from the past three seasons. After immersing himself in the details of each race, he wrapped up his night with a shower and his usual night routine around the house. With his mind focused and ready, Luca climbed into bed, prepared to return to Berlin and continue his career, his pursuit for ultimate victory.