The hum of the jet engines eased as we touched down in Bologna, Italy. The evening was crisp, the lights of the city twinkling in the distance. I adjusted my jacket and glanced at my dad, who looked particularly smug about this mysterious sponsor meeting.
"You're going to love this," he said, grinning.
I rolled my eyes, half-annoyed and half-excited. My curiosity had been killing me since Olivia first brought it up.
As we entered the airport terminal, a black Lamborghini Urus with sleek yellow accents awaited on the tarmac. A driver, dressed impeccably, stood by the open door. My jaw dropped.
"Are you kidding me?" I asked, turning to Dad.
"Not bad, huh?" he said casually, patting my shoulder.
The driver greeted us with a polite nod. "Mr. Calder, welcome to Bologna. Please, step inside."
I slid into the plush leather seats, the aroma of luxury filling the air. The dashboard looked like something straight out of a spaceship, and the smooth purr of the engine was intoxicating.
"Where are we going?" I asked, my curiosity burning.
"You'll see," Dad said with a wink.
We arrived at Lamborghini's headquarters in Sant'Agata Bolognese, where the iconic bull emblem glowed on the massive building. The architecture was sleek, modern, and aggressive, just like their cars.
"Lamborghini?" I asked, my voice nearly cracking.
Dad just smiled as we stepped out of the Urus.
We were greeted by a middle-aged man with a commanding presence and a sharp suit. His silver hair and confident demeanor screamed authority.
"Mr. Calder, welcome. I'm Alessandro Romano, CEO of Lamborghini," he said, shaking my hand firmly.
"Th-thank you for having me," I stammered, trying to mask my awe.
Romano chuckled. "It's not every day we have the privilege of meeting a young driver with such potential."
The system chimed in my head. "Potential? He must be referring to me. Clearly, I'm the secret sauce."
I suppressed a grin and followed Romano as he gestured for us to enter.
The headquarters was a marvel. Romano led us through the assembly lines, where engineers meticulously worked on the latest Lamborghini models. The air buzzed with the sound of machinery and the hum of innovation.
"We see ourselves as more than a car manufacturer," Romano explained as we walked. "We're a symbol of passion, precision, and performance. And we see those same qualities in you, Henry."
"Wow," I said, still trying to wrap my head around this.
The system chimed in again. "Passion and precision? Clearly, they've been watching your practice sessions. Good thing I kept you sharp."
"Quiet," I muttered under my breath.
"Pardon?" Romano asked.
"Nothing, just... amazed by all this," I said quickly, brushing it off.
After the tour, we sat in a sleek conference room. Romano slid a folder across the table.
"This is our sponsorship proposal," he began. "We want to support your journey in Formula 2 for the next two years. We believe you have what it takes to become a world champion, and we want Lamborghini to be part of that story."
Dad picked up the folder and began flipping through the pages.
"Our offer includes an exclusivity clause," Romano continued. "Outside of the track, you'll only drive Lamborghini vehicles. We'll provide you with a new car every year to make this easier. For this year, we're sending a Lamborghini Revuelto to your home in France."
My eyes widened. "You're serious?"
Romano smiled. "Very. We're also offering a competitive financial package, but the most important thing is our belief in your future."
The system chimed in smugly. "Exclusivity? It seems they know a rare gem when they see one. You're welcome."
"Can you just be quiet for once?" I thought back at it.
"Where's the fun in that?"
Dad leaned forward, his eyes sharp as he addressed Romano. "This is an incredible opportunity for Henry, and we're grateful for Lamborghini's faith in him. That said, I want to ensure my son is fully supported."
Romano nodded, gesturing for his legal team to join the table. What followed was an intense negotiation session. Dad asked all the right questions, ensuring that the financial package, marketing commitments, and travel arrangements wouldn't overwhelm me during the season.
"Henry is here to race, not to be paraded around," Dad said firmly.
"Of course," Romano agreed. "We'll keep all commitments reasonable."
After an hour, the terms were finalized. The contract was fair and generous, and Dad managed to secure additional support for training and logistics.
As we prepared to sign, Romano turned to me. "Henry, I hope this partnership fuels your ambition. We believe in your talent."
"Thank you," I said sincerely.
"And they believe in me," the system added cheekily.
That evening, Lamborghini put us up in one of the finest hotels in Modena. The suite was luxurious, with sprawling views of the Italian countryside.
Over dinner, Dad and I talked about everything: the season ahead, the pressure of performing, and how surreal this journey had become.
"You've come a long way, Henry," he said, his tone full of pride. "But this is just the beginning. The real work starts now."
"I know," I said, nodding. "I'm ready."
The system interrupted my thoughts the following day. "Rise and shine, Rookie. Time to earn your keep."
It presented today's tasks:
Run 3 miles (+2 Endurance).
Perform 40 squats and 40 lunges (+2 Strength).
10 minutes of visualization exercises (+1 Focus).
I groaned but got to work. Completing these tasks had become second nature, and I wasn't about to lose points now.
The following day, Romano informed us that the Lamborghini Revuelto would be delivered to my house in France within the week. I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
As Dad and I prepared to leave Italy, I took a moment to reflect. This partnership was more than just a sponsorship; it validated my hard work and potential.
The system chimed in one last time. "Don't get too comfortable, Rookie. This is just another step. Keep your eyes on the prize."
"I know," I thought back.
"Good. Now let's see what that Revuelto can do."