Is this a love story?

Time to start again

Mia

I walk through the paddock with Max and Arthur , we just picked him up from the airport "I haven't been to the Canadian GP before" Arthur comments as we scan our passes at the gates. Max chuckles "you haven't missed much mate, its a pretty tame weekend" He comments and I nod my head "It's not the most exciting weekend but its a good race anyway" He nods "have you spoken to Charles this week?" I take a deep breath "We spoke yesterday about having Charlotte in the garage" Max's face turns to a scowl "Sorry! Surely he understands why you don't want her there" He says and Arthur looks concerned "what did you say Mia?" I don't mind sharing "I compromised and said that she can be in the hospitality suite but she wont be entering my garage" Max still doesn't look impressed and Arthur shakes his head "I'm gonna have a word" I start to say something when the man in question jogs over to us "HEY!" Arthur turns and gives his brother a fist bump "How are you?" He asks and Charles grins "All good here! Did Mia manage to pick you up on time?" He jokes but I know he is digging at the fact that I forgot to collect him from the airport once, it was an honest mistake. "She was there waiting for me" Arthur assures him and sends me a grin. I catch Max's eye and he can tell I'm ready to head off "I need to get to the garage, Mia are you coming?" He asks me and in that moment I don't think I have ever been as grateful for my best friend as I am right now. We leave the Leclerc brothers to catch up and I go into the garage spotting Ally waiting for me "Hey Mia! I've sorted the weekend for Arthur, and we are having a quick interview after qualifying today with Nat Pinkham" I feel relieved, I always enjoy my interviews with Nat "Thanks Ally, good work! I need to check on the cars" I say gesturing to the bustling garage behind me. I search out Francesco and he grins at me as I approach "Ciao Mia" He greets me as I scan over his screens filled with telemetry "Ciao Franny, all set up for Quali?" I ask and he nods "As much as we can be with the data" he tells me and I know we have been in a good place this year "Perfect, I will see you on the pit wall in a few" He nods as he knows the usual routine now.

I am accompanied by Ally as we make our way to the sky sports interview "Hi Mia!" Nat greets me with a grin "Hey Nat!" She gestures to the mic and I get myself into position "Super qualifying for you guys today, Carlos seems to have full adjusted to the team now, he keeps out qualifying the Monegasque" she tells me and trust me that I'm aware "He is doing an exemplary job for the team and he is a great character to work with" She nods "There was some speculation at the beginning of the year of you being the leader of the most successful F1 team of all time, but you have taken the lead of both championships now, anything you would like to say to the people who thought this might not work out?" She asks and I take a second to think "I knew that I was going to be judged, for my gender predominantly, It cant be my experience as I have worked for Ferrari since I was 16 and the 3 years prior to this position I have been head race engineer for Sebastian and Charles, I helped design the new car and I am fully committed to the success of this team, I am happy to prove myself this year." She smiles "Females in motorsport, what's your take on the male dominance in F1?" She asks and I know I need to be diplomatic in my answer "Well I think anyone should have the same chances, regardless of gender, race, religion or sexuality. Being female doesn't hinder someone who works in motorsport but the opportunities aren't the same, if a person has the correct qualifications for their position surely that is all that should matter?" Nat nods "Absolutely, very well put! Are we going to see Ferrari win the championship this year?" She asks me and I know I need to be confident "Absolutely, these new regulations were our chance at starting again and we have started at the top and that is where I intend for us to stay" She thanks me and I head off with Ally back to the garage.

It's been the longest day, Quali day always is, the work needed on the cars for the race tomorrow is always more than you would expect it to be. People assume we just lock the garage and go home but in reality there is an awful lot to do tonight to have us in the best position tomorrow. I sling my bag over my shoulder after finally finishing up in the garage, I always stay and help where I can, I am a fully qualified engineer and I know I can be useful to the team. I stretch my back out before leaving the office and shouting a quick goodbye to the few remaining team members. I walk out of the back of the garage and immediately spot Arthur waiting for me "Ciao Mia" he gives me a quick hug "Ready to head back?" He nods and we walk towards the car park "Did you have a good day today?" I ask him and he grins "It was great, especially with Carlos getting pole!" The team are elated at our front row lock out for tomorrows race and I know that the pressure is on "It was a great session" I agree and he nods "things seem okay with you and my brother" he tells me with a slight questioning tone "As good as a divorced couple can be who have to work together" he lets out a laugh "MAVIS" My head immediately turns when I hear my new nickname being yelled "Daniel?" I ask curiously "Hey! Oh Hey Arthur hows it going?" He asks greeting the both of us 'Good mate, Mia was just giving me a lift back to the hotel" He lets him know and Daniel has a look of understanding cross his features "cool, well I was wondering if you wanted to watch a movie and get room service?" Daniel asks me and I hesitate for a second "She would love too" Arthur answers for me and my cheeks go a deep shade of red "Cool! Meet you at my room?" Daniel asks and I agree before we walk out of the paddock together. Arthur gives me a knowing look and I can only imagine the gossip he has been reading online.

Once I've dropped Arthur off with a promise of no funny business I quickly get changed out of my team kit, I always smell like the garage, oil and gasoline linger! I'm about to pull on some cute cycling shorts when my phone pings. I grab it quickly off of the side and read the message

Forgot to say, wear comfies!

Im not remotely surprised by his text, which is also probably a nudge to get myself sorted. I pull my hair up into a bun before pulling on a bralette and an oversized sweatshirt that I'm pretty certain belongs to Max. I throw my key card in my handbag and make my way up a floor to Daniel's room. I knock and wait patiently outside for a few seconds before the door swings open and I see him stood with his trademark grin "Hey Mavis!" He greets me warmly pulling me in for a hug "Hey! You good?" I ask him and he nods as he pulls away "All good! Bet you are too Miss Front row lock out!" He jokes but I can also tell that he is happy for me "Thanks! It's been a long time since we've had one of those!" I say thinking back to 2020 and last year where the results just weren't coming. He leads me over to his bed where I see the pillows sat up against the headboard and the room service menu waiting "I'm absolutely starving" I tell him and he picks the menu up handing it over to me "Order whatever you fancy, its on me! Go wild!" He jokes but I can tell he means it "hmmmm" I say as I glance over the different menu items hoping that something will jump out at me "I really want this pizza that I had here last year, it was from Stromboli's and genuinely it was the best pizza I have had outside of Italy" Daniels face lights up "Well then lets go!" He tells me picking up his car keys from the side. I freeze, remembering what I'm wearing"Umm, I dressed for comfy movie night" He nods "and?" He looks me up and down confused "Well I dont usually go out like this" I say pulling at Max's sweatshirt "You look beautiful, we can get take out and bring it back?" He asks kindly and I agree "Perfect! Let's go!"

Daniel

"Perfect! Let's go!" She agrees picking up her handbag from the side she dropped it on when she arrived. I am trying my hardest to not fall completely for this girl but she is everything I've ever wanted. I follow her through the corridor to the elevators and she pushes the button waiting impatiently "I hate hotel elevator systems" she mutters to herself and I can't help but laugh at the cute expression on her face "Well perhaps you can put your engineering expertise to good use and come up with a new system" I joke but her expression suddenly turns serious "If only I had the free time" this girl is something else. Finally we step into the elevator and she pushes the button for the ground floor "How's Arthur?" I ask her and she grins "He is good, its been really nice to catch up with him, I felt like I lost half of my family when the divorce happened so I'm glad I bumped into him in Monaco" Max had mentioned the brother/sister bond they share "I totally get that, its cool that you still get to hang with him though! He started F2 this year right?" She nods "He did! Following in Charles' footsteps, hopefully not all of them though" she jokes and for the first time I didn't see the sad look when she mentioned Charles "well Charles has the lifetime Ferrari contract so I suppose he cant follow completely" Her expression changes and she looks like she is hiding something "Right?" I ask her and she looks up at me just as the door open for us to get out. She walks confidently across the reception area knowing where my car would most likely be parked. I jog to keep up with her "Mia what is it?" She shakes her head "Not here" I walk with her to my waiting Mercedes and she slides into the passenger seat. "I probably shouldn't be telling you but it feel wrong to lie" she starts and once I hear what's going on I can't quite believe how she has pulled this off. I give her a grin and she smiles back at me and I cant help the flutters I feel. She is slowly but surely stealing my heart but I hope that she will let me have hers in return.