Is this a love story?

Monaco dreaming

Mia

Ive been with Max now for 3 days, Charles has tried to call me bout 50 times but I'm not answering. Even Pierre sent me a message letting me know that Charles is distraught. Well I'm sure he has her there to help comfort him, he told Max he would let me have the apartment but I let Max tell him that I wasn't interested and all my stuff is already gone. I know its childish to talk through Max but I cant face him right now, I just don't get where it all went wrong

Three years ago

"Everyone say a big welcome to our 2018 Scuderia Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc!" Mattia says over the speaker and my eyes immediately lock with his. My heart starts to race in my chest and I tell myself to clam down, he would never be interested in a girl like me. Andi tugs my arm and I realise that the party is now beginning, its always the same when we announce a new driver. Ive seen him at race weekends before when he was with Sauber but I never really paid attention. I walk with Andi to the bar "what can I get you Mia?" He asks and I request a dry rose, he nods before asking the bar tender "You already trying to pick up women Andi?" a voice comes from my other side and I turn my head to be inches from Charles' face "Nah, me and Mimi here go waaaay back" He tells Charles and I stupidly nod "Oh I see! How long have you been with the team?" He asks me "Uhm, I was an apprentice engineer when I was 16 so about 6 years now" He looks impressed "An engineer huh?" I find myself nodding again "I'm going to be Seb's head race engineer from this season" he surprised "Really?" I feel my confidence peak "Yeah, he requested me actually" He looks shocked "Seriously? Well if he thinks that highly of you, then you must be special" just as he says this Seb comes over "Trying to steal my race engineer?" He jokes sending me a huge grin. Me and Seb have got along well ever since he joined the team, he always spends a lot of time with his engineers and I think that is part of the reason that he is such a good driver. "Not yet" Charles says but keeps his eyes fully focused on mine.

Present day

I thought we had a connection from the day we first met, he seemed to think the same. I shake my head under the stream of hot water, I should probably get out, Ive been sat under the shower for longer than I meant to be. I stand up stretching out my back as I went. I turn the water off and wrap myself in a fluffy towel. I walk out of the bathroom and I involuntarily shiver at the change of temperature. Max is hovering in the bedroom doorway "you okay Mimi?" I nod but deep down I know that this weekend is going to be an absolute nightmare. He wraps me in his arms "You are going to be with best team principle that Ferrari have ever had, don't let him take your success from you" He has such faith in me but I'm worried that the minute I see him I will fall apart. I take a deep breath "How long till we need to be at the airport?" He glances at his phone "We need to leave in the next 20 minutes if you can be ready?" I confirm and head for the wardrobe. I spent the last 2 days sorting through my clothes and getting rid of anything that I no longer needed. Max was helpful and hasn't left my side for the past 3 days but I know that reality is going to hit and my safe bubble with him is going to burst the second that I walk into the paddock.

The flight to Australia is always exhausting but luckily Max managed to get me on his flight so I didn't have to sit for the 18 hours with only my thoughts for company. "Wanna stay with me tonight Mimi? We can watch a movie?" I almost say yes but I know that I need to be ready to face the music tomorrow and he wont be able to be there "I think I will just get some sleep Max, but thank you" I tell him and I notice his face fall "No problem, but I will give you my room number in case you need me" We are staying in different hotels but we always know each other's room number just in case. He has always been my rock through my F1 journey, we have been best friends since we were 8 years old, my older brother used to Kart with Max and that's where my love of engineering comes from, Alfie didn't make it past Karting but after he dropped out Max insisted that I come to every race, I was his race engineer. My dad is Italian and my mother Monegasque and I grew up in Milan. We moved to Monaco when I was 14 and I then moved away to Maranello when I got my apprenticeship with the Scuderia. My childhood wasn't conventional in any sense but it has helped me get to this point and I couldn't be more grateful.