When we first met [Charles Leclerc]

8 - Charles

And then I just kissed her. I couldn't help it but I've been wanting to do this since I saw her that afternoon. Caroline is truly driving me insane. I can't remember the last time I was so interested in a person. In one ways she remembered me of myself a couple of years ago after I lost my father. I felt lost but at least I had racing to keep me going, to give me a purpose in life. But from what she told me Caroline didn't have that anchor and still she tried her best.

After we parted our lips for some air Caroline looked at me in the sweetest way. Her bright blue eyes could lighten up everything and her pinkish lips formed a smile. "What was that for?" She asked, her smile growing even bigger. I chuckled and just pulled her back into that kiss. Our mouths colliding for the second time. I didn't mind we were in the middle of the paddock. I didn't want to hide how happy I was. I knew a lot of rumors were about to get started if a photographer caught us kissing in the paddock but it didn't matter. In this moment I just wanted to kiss the girl that had grown a lot to me in the last couple of days.

"So, coffee?" I asked as if we didn't just make out in the paddock while most of them still believed that I was in a relationship with someone else. Caroline just sighed and nodded. I grabbed her hand led our way out of the paddock back to the parking lot. Once we arrived there we stood at Caroline's car which turned out to be a Audi R8 indeed.
"To be honest, i thought you were kidding when you said you had a R8" I said a bit impressed with that. This just made me realize that she was much more than just a pretty face.
"I guess you're not the only one to drive fast cars now and then. Now get in, I know a great place back in Harlem. It won't be crowded there so we don't have to deal with people recognizing you like in Amsterdam" I did ah she said and joined her in the matte black car.

We talked the entire 20 minute drive to the cafe about all the great thing you can do here on non race weekends. Turns out Caroline also drove on race tracks from time to time with her own car, meaning she already drove here in Zandvoort as well, one thing I only did on the simulator.

We sat down in the back of the cafe so would have some privacy. We both ordered an iced vanilla latte with oat milk because Caroline swore this would be the best I could possibly have here. When our drinks arrived she looked at me in curiosity waiting for me to try it. I took a small sip and loved it. Until now I was more the plain espresso type of a person but this was amazing.
"Wow, that's great, Caroline. A bit sweet but still really refreshing" she chuckled in response. It seemed that she was at a loss of words again.
"Can I ask you something, Charles" Caroline asked rather shyly for her which made me afraid of what was to come next. I nodded mentally preparing for more questions about my relationship status.

"How did you cope with losing your father? I know this is very personal but you seem to have everything figured out and I just feel so lost without my mom and my dad living so far away" I saw tears building in her eyes so I grabbed her hand across the table to calm her down.
"Well, it for sure wasn't easy and I still miss him, a lot but I had to come that everything happens for a reason. Losing my dad so early made me the person I am today. Of course I miss him and would rather have him still here with me but I came to peace with it. I try to give everything I do a purpose, just like my racing. This was the one thing I always used to do with my father and Jules of course. I see it as my destiny to keep on with it for my father and Jules. I know that they would be pretty proud of me and what I achieved to far" I smiled at the memories of me, my father and Jules together when I was younger. Jules and me became inseparable and we shared a passion for racing.
"You make it sound so easy but I don't even know where to start. I have no idea what I wanna do in life now my mom is gone. I don't enjoy going to university anymore which used to be my favorite thing to do. I thought a lot about dropping out because I dot see myself ever going back to that. Or I switch majors" I nodded while trying to figure out what to say next.
"Is there anything else that you're interested in besides business? Maybe try to find an internship in that field first and then go on from there on. At least you would've tried something else that maybe would help you clear your mind" Caroline took a big sip of her coffee, processing what I just said.
"Media" she said still lost in her thoughts and chewing on the straw of her coffee. I smiled because I just had a brilliant idea of how to may solve Caroline's problem.

We left the cafe about 20 minutes later, staying silent for the rest of the time. We drove back to the track so I could get my car. We made plans for later today to go to dinner with Daniel and Victoria, meaning I had enough time to settle everything for Caroline. I remembered that Mattia told me that we were looking for an intern in our media team. This would be perfect, Caroline would get the chance to try this and we would to get to know each other better.

I said my goodbyes to Caroline and kissed her before she drove away. I jumped into my car and immediately dialed Mattia. He still kinda owned me a favor and I hoped this wouldn't be too much to ask for.

I got off the phone with Mattia just as I arrived at the hotel I was staying in. He agreed but said he had to double check with the head of the media and communications department since he didn't want to decide things over their head. I couldn't believe this was all happening. I thought back to a couple of nights back when I met Caroline at the party. We've been on two and a half dates ever since and I was certain that there were more to come, especially if she would become an intern at Ferrari.

I just gotten back to my hotel room when I received a call from Daniel which surprised me a bit because we would meet up later for our double date. I felt like a whole new friendship was forming here. In the last days I've spent so much time with Daniel and he was such a bright person.
"Meet me at the pool in 10, no arguing. See you chérie." I could quite literally here his smile through the phone. I changed into a blue pair of trunks, grabbed a towel and made my way to the pool where Daniel was already waiting for me with my best friend alongside him. This already smelled like an intervention. I debated wether I should just turn around and leave but Pierre was faster than me and already noticed me. He waved me over to the pool where he and Daniel were seated.

"We gotta talk, Charles. Daniel and me are a bit concerned about you" I just frowned because I already knew this would be about my break up and Caroline. I was just waiting for Pierre to address this ever since I told him about what happened with Charlotte.
"Don't. What ever it is that you want to say, I don't want to hear it. I'm happy with the situation and I get that you are concerned I am just using things with Caroline so I forget about Charlotte but that's not the case" and with that I left, leaving Pierre and Daniel sharing a concerned look with each other.

A/n: Don't know how it happened but here is another update within a week. I guess my trip to Monaco provided me with enough inspiration for this. Feel free to interact, leave a comment here and there. I would love to hear your thoughts on the story!