Is this a love story?

La France!

Mia

After a successful race weekend in Canada with Carlos winning with Charles coming home 4th due to an early collision with Lewis it's now full focus on the French GP. I decided to stay in Monaco as I should be able to drive to Paul Riccard instead of flying. Working remotely has been easier than I expected with Franny keeping me fully in the loop with everything going on in the garage and Ally doing the same with the media. I stretch my back out realising that I have been sat at my desk for the past 7 hours. The sun is starting to set over the harbour and I impulsively decide to go and watch the sunset from my favourite spot on the costal path. I push my desk chair out and pull over what must be one of Max's sweaters from the back of my sofa. I have spent the day in cycling shorts and an oversized T-shirt. I throw on my high tops and walk out of my apartment. Monaco is never quiet but I appreciate how unbothered people are by celebrities and how much privacy is offered towards the F1 drivers who reside here.

I walk through the streets with my AirPods firmly in my ears, my favourite summer themed playlist blasting into my ears. Part of me can't believe what my life has become, team principle at the team which has made me, found who I thought I was spending the rest of my life with, then I got divorced. The ups and downs of life I suppose. I focus on my route and see the familiar cliff top that I have been aiming for. The sun is dropping now and I hurry my steps and take a seat with my legs dangling. I feel a wave of contentment wash over me, life has been testing me but I'm finding joy in working and the time I've been spending with Daniel. I know me and Charles only divorced a few months ago but I am falling for him, his humour, his smile and most of all how he doesn't treat me like I'm falling apart. He makes me feel special and that's something that hasn't happened for a while. I adored my life with Charles and I suppose I wouldn't change it for the world but I haven't felt happiness like I feel when I'm with Daniel. Our evening in Canada has become my highlight of the year, we laughed, ate pizza and just bathed in each other's company. He has been back in the UK doing some simulator work for Mclaren ahead of the next race, exactly what I have tasked Charles and Carlos with. The sun is hitting the water and its breath taking, I really miss Monaco when I'm away in Italy, this was always my home, I grew up here, my family are here but Italy is convenient and also feels like a safe place for me.

2 years ago
"MIA" Charles shouts up the stairs "I'm coming!" We are supposed to be heading out with Seb and his wife Hanna for a dinner. Mattia requested some bonding between the drivers as Charles has stepped on some toes. We have been dating now for a few months and officially we are together, the media backlash wasn't great at the beginning but its calmed down now. I finish slipping my feet in my trusted Louboutins as I then make my way down the stairs. Seb is at Maranello this week so we are headed to a cute little restaurant where we should have privacy. Charles grins at me as I arrive in front of him"You look absolutely stunning" he tells me pecking my lips softly. My skin flushes from the compliment and he takes my hand as we walk through the streets to the small restaurant. I still feel completely that Charles is out of my league and sometimes that makes me feel anxious. He is incredible and I'm just Mia, F1 race engineer and average person. I shake the thoughts away as we arrive at the restaurant.

Now

My phone rings loudly bringing me out of my thoughts and I see its Daniel and I can't stop the smile that immediately spreads across my face. I answer immediately "Ciao Daniel" I say as soon as I pick up "Hey Mavis! Where are you?" He asks me curiously and I am confused "Watching the sunset on the costal path, why?" I ask as if its the most normal answer "Oh, well I'm at your apartment door" he tells me and I can't explain the butterflies that start going around my stomach "I thought you were in the UK till the GP?" I ask with excitement seeping into my voice "Thought I would ride with you to the circuit" he tells me like I shouldn't be surprised "Oh! I will head back, Max has a spare key if you want to let yourself in?" I say as I full myself to my feet "Sure" I hear knocking in the background "Hey man, Mia said you have a spare key" I hear Max respond in the background and laugh slightly, it was one of his stipulations of my renting the apartment across from his and moving out from under his feet that he has a key in case I need anything. I bet he wasn't expecting this to be the first use "Cool, thanks man" I hear Daniel say and he immediately lets me know "You sure you are good with me hanging in your new home?" He jokes "I will be 10 minutes, just behave" I joke back before saying goodbye, knowing that I will be seeing him in a few moments. My feet carry me quickly back towards my building and I can't help the apprehension that I feel, what if he doesn't like me in a romantic way? What if he is looking for the same thing that me and Max have? I shake my head as I climb the stair up to my floor, feel my nerves spike.

I unlock the door and immediately spot him sprawled out on my sofa, looking like this is where he belongs "Hey!" He says jumping up as I close the door. He jogs over to me and immediately wraps me up in his arms "missed you" he tells me casually and I can't stop the butterflies once more. He seems genuinely excited to see me "Me too" I tell him and he pulls away looking into my eyes "I'm glad" he tells me seriously, he looks so happy "don't tell me that I'm the only reason you came to Monaco?" I say jokingly but his cheeks tinge slightly pink "And what if it was?" He asks me giving me a look that I can't quite place "then I would tell you that you are crazy but I'm happy that you are here" he grins at me "good! I was worried for a moment then!" He tells me as we sit ourselves down on the sofa. I lean into him and his arm is already there to wrap around me, almost instinctively. This feels different to Charles, I remember feeling inferior to him, that I should be so careful as I was punching so high but there isn't anything like this with Daniel. I feel comfortable, I feel safe and I feel like I know what people mean when they say that home isn't a place its a feeling. I get that feeling with him, it such a different vibe to what I felt like with Charles, he loved me and I never doubted that but there was always that underlying tone that he was too good for me and that I needed to be perfect all the time. I mainly see Daniel in my comfies with my hair in a ponytail and he seems to like me all the same.

Daniel

I was beyond nervous just showing up, and when she wasn't home I worried that she was out on a date, but here she is, of course she went to watch the sunset. She keeps on surprising me, she is such an intense woman but yet she is fun and lighthearted and doesn't take herself to seriously. Although I have noticed that there has been a change since she was with Charles. She seems much more relaxed with herself and I'm hoping that she is always like this. I hear her stomach rumble and I let out a giggle "I take it you haven't eaten dinner?" I question and she shakes her head "have you?" She asks me and I shake my head "had a snack on the plane but that's it" she pulls away and gets up off of the sofa "Well then today is your lucky day!" She grins at me and it's infectious "And why is that?" I ask her as she pads over to the kitchen "you get to have my absolute favourite of my mums recipes, tarragon chicken pasta" she informs me as she pulls the ingredients out of her fridge. I cant help but feel flattered that she is cooking for me "Sounds great! Can I help?" I ask her and she shakes her head pointing at the stools around the breakfast bar. I take a seat knowing that there would be no use in arguing "alright" I tell her she gives me a smile before popping on a playlist and I realise quickly that is got the songs we have listened to on it, I decided not to say anything as I think it's adorable and perhaps she might like me, more than a friend. She hums away whilst cooking the chicken and I realise that this is what I want to come back to, home to, she is who I want to be with, someone who gets all the travel, who understand innately how hard my job is, who is interested in me for me. She is perfection, exactly how she is, right here in this moment. She dances across the kitchen to the fridge and pulls out a bottle of white wine adding a splash to the sauce before turning to face me holding two wine glasses "I just realised Ive been a awful host! Did you want a glass?" She gestures as she pours one for herself and my throat goes dry "Thanks" I manage and she pours a glass before sliding it across the counter. I can't stop what happens next as I stand without thinking a pull her towards me "Daniel?" She practically whispers and I lean in with my lips an inch away from hers "Can I kiss you?" I ask quietly almost waiting for her to break my heart but she leans in closing the space and I can feel the backflips my stomach is currently experiencing and I can tell you that a kiss has never felt like this, not with anyone. She pulls back and gives me a sheepish smile and I cant help but peck her lips again. There is no going back for me now, she has my heart.