Love, Leclerc (Complete)

4. The Race

Morning had dawned, it was race day of the French Grand Prix. Julia and her friends had paddock passes, merely so they could hang out and have a good time.
Little did Julia know that this day would change her life forever.

I woke up in my cold bed, feeling a little woozy and hung-over from the spectacle of last night. The rain had seized, and the morning sun over the french riviera was beautiful.

Everything looked so vibrant and lush, even my skin seemed to glow as I stepped out of my shower. Today was going to be a good day, I could feel it.

I put on a cream-colored zimmermann summer dress, along with heels and a tiffany diamond tennis necklace.

Driving to the circuit in my white sf90, I couldnt help but feel sort of giddy about the fact that he would be there.

Before walking up the paddock, I took a few extra minutes in the car to smooth my hair and re-apply my rose colored lipstick.

"Looking extra beautiful today!" Said Laurent, pulling me into a big awkward hug. He was wearing another one of his signature button-up shirts, although looking slightly disheveled.

I pulled up a chair in the sky lounge, followed by Marsie, Roberto (her boyfriend), and Louise.

"How is everyone this morning?" I said with a delighted smile and politely accepted a croissant from a waitress.

"Horrible," stammered Louise, staring off into the distance in anger, "The stock markets are down, I've been cheated out of 300 grand,"

"Ah, but it will come back. I'm down a sizeable amount as well. At least buisness isnt doing as bad; not as great as a few months ago, but I wouldnt expect people to use hazelnut spread in July!"

Everyone laughed politely.

I glanced up into the sky, the few whispers of clouds began to fizzle away and the sun beat down.

We conversed a bit about the state of the economy and Laurent eventually began to make a gesture for me to sit on his lap. I was quite comfortable where I was in my own chair, but gave in to what my boyfriend wished of me. He promptly patted his right leg and re-adjusted himself slightly. I sat down gently, making sure to tuck the skirt of my dress under me.

Laurent had a drink in his hand, as always and he could tell I disliked it for him. He put it down on his glass side table after making breif eye contact. No words were spoken between us, but I could feel he did have a large respect for me in keeping me satisfied. I rewarded him by snaking my arm around his broad shoulders.

All the while it had made me realize how much the spark was gone in our relationship. Really I was unhappy.

This whole relationship seemed like a role for me to play to keep money in the family and good connections. The intoxicating touch from when we were kids has seemed to wear off. Or at least, I had moved on.

All the while Laurent was still a child; partying, drinking, vacationing. And I always had to maintain my composure on behalf of our family "image" in which I think I entertain the role of a classy lady well.

I had gotten a bit shifty balancing on Laurent's leg, his arm wrapped around my waist protectively. I can admit it did seem comforting.

Until I realized something that made my heart drop.

"Oh no, my father wanted to call with me this morning regarding something and I completely forgot!" I immediately stood up from Laurent's leg, breaking the contact. Everyone shared their collective worried expressions knowing what this could possibly mean.

I ran out of the noisy lounge and hurried down the paddock in a rush to try and find a private place. I decided to head back for the car park, so I could sit in my car in seclusion.

My silky brown hair was blowing every which way, my heels clomping on the concrete below. The keys to my Ferrari ready at hand. I was a bit disoriented and trying to find where the car park was.

I wouldnt say I was paying attention to where I was going. My mind was rushing over and over to what trouble I was going to be in. My father was a very busy man and did not like to have his time wasted by anyone. I was no better than Laurent. How could I have forgotten?

...

My keys flew out of my hand, and came to a crash landing near by. I had collided with someone walking down the paddock.

I was so embarrassed and disheveled, with all my hair falling into my eyes.

"I'm so sorry, i'm so sorry," I said while desperately scrambling to find my keys on the floor.

"Dont worry about it, you are all okay with me," Said a voice speaking French from above. I finally had the courage to stand up and face the owner of the voice.

And my God it was the same man from the party last night. I had recognized him instantly.

He was not wearing a suit today, but his Ferrari team polo and some cream colored slacks. His acorn brown hair was swished every which way, and his bright green eyes seemed to gleam under the sunlight. And I couldnt help but admit to myself, that he smelled absolutely amazing.

I stood there in awe. Here he was, looking straight at me. My head was whirling as if in a hurricane. I knew I would eventually meet him, but never like this. Great, now his first impression of me would be an un classy mess.

His eyes finally took in my appearence and widened slightly as if taken aback. He bent down to grab my keys.

"Nice choice," he said with a nervous smile, looking down at the emblem with the prancing horse.

A thin veil of blush washed over my cheeks. "Thank you" I replied shyly. I had completely forgotten about the urgency surrounding the call, only perplexed by the beauty of this man.

"You are Julia Ferrero, right? Your father the candymaker?"

"Yes, and you are.." I noticed the number 16 embroidered into his team shirt, "You are Charles! I watched you take pole yesterday!"

"Yes I am," he paused, "and it looks like Charles needs to get back to the garage before his manager will be angry," he said in an almost playful tone and pointing to the end of the paddock. Was Charles Leclerc flirting with me? And why did I sort of like the idea of it?

I took off my sunglasses to unveil the glistening ocean of blue beneath them. It was always a sweet trick I had developed to get what I wanted, starting as a child, and it worked everytime.

"Yes, I really need to be going as well. It was nice to finally meet you, Charles." I could tell the instant effect I had on him. And him on me; I was utterly perplexed.

"Would you mind?.." His voice trailed off nervously as he politely suggested towards my phone, readily in hand to call my father. When I realized what he meant by that my feet seemed to be cemented into the floor. I handed it over to him and he entered his number into my contacts.

After, he slightly stumbled backwards. The beautiful morning light seemed to rebound off of his skin, making him glow like an angel.

He didnt say anything, he simply raised his hand to wave goodbye and continued walking off into the distance.

I called with my father, and it turned out to be only a slight liscensing issue with a global logistics partner, but nothing major.

Later in the day, Charles had dropped to third place in the race from pole.

The whole race my eyes were glued to that silly little red car, going around and around.

And my heart beat rapidly to what this silly phone number could mean.