The encounter of a lifetime - Charles Lerclerc

Chapter 16

Today I spend the day with Katerina in Milan. She shows me the best places in town, makes me discover little restaurants and shows me the best little shops. She tells me a bit about how she and Pierre met and got together, and I do the same with Charles. I tell her the story of the Instagram story and the additional subscribers I got and ask her how she managed to put up with all that.

Katerina: It's true that when Pierre formalized our relationship on the networks, a lot of people were interested in me. There are people who are super nice, some even created fan accounts of me, but some others will say bullshit about you. You have to try to focus on the positive and not listen to others. Most people criticize you because they're jealous. And as long as you trust your man and that things are clear between you everything is fine.

I listen to her advice carefully. I had never thought about this part of the life of girlfriends of pilots before getting together with Charles. It's clear that we have a dream life because we can travel a lot and the boys make a good living, but there are also disadvantages. You can never be at peace when you are outside because there are always people who recognize them or even paparazzi who are there trying to find something to fill their magazines with. You need to have your head on your shoulders to bear all that.

We decide to spend the end of our day at the circuit to meet Pierre and Charles there. We cross the paddocks looking at the photos we took during the day to find a good one to post. Obviously, since I don't look where I'm going, I bump into someone. The collision is so strong that we both drop what we had in our hands. I excuse myself and quickly bend down to retrieve his things without even looking at who it is. It is only when I get up that I realize that I have entered Max Verstappen. I lose my words a little by finding myself in front of the last reigning world champion. He really stares at me and puts his hand on my shoulder to tell me with a smile that it doesn't matter.

Max: In any case, I'm glad to have met you... *he looks at the badge I wear around my neck* Emma Carlier. Maybe next time.

I turn to Katerina and ask her if it's just me or if this conversation was really weird. She tells me it was really weird how Max reacted. We keep moving and I notice that Charles is outside the Ferrari building looking at me. He doesn't look very happy. I say goodbye to Katerina and go to join him.

Emma: Hello how are you? You had a good day.
Charles: Yeah that's fine.
Emma: My day was good too thanks for asking.
Charles: Yeah okay cool.
Emma: What do you have, Charles? Why are you so cold?
Charles: You think I didn't see that Max flirted with you?
Emma: He didn't flirt with me I ran into him because I was looking at my phone instead of looking or setting foot and I just apologized and that's it.
Charles: I'm not convinced. This guy is deceitful I don't want you to approach him. You know very well that he is my number one enemy this year.
Emma: Yes I know don't worry.

I approach him to hug him. I don't really understand why he reacts so much to a simple conversation, but he must just be really stressed about the championship and it must have pissed him off to see me near Max.

***

Today is Sunday which means it's the grand prix!! I decide to put on my Ferrari t-shirt to support him and put on a nice red lipstick to mark my outfit even more. I curled my hair and let it loose so it could fall over my shoulders.

I go to Charles's garage and land in the same place I was given in Belgium. The stands are filled with Ferrari fans. There are team flags everywhere, and even red smoke bombs. Everyone is ready to celebrate a victory for the Scuderia.

The battle is quite complicated, but the two Ferrari drivers manage to stay in the lead, Charles is in front and Carlos Sainz is just behind in second position. It is the dream that is coming true. It's faultless. Engineers run to greet them at the finish line. Everyone is overjoyed. If they could only win one race, that was it. We then run to get below the podium, where the drivers come to park their cars before going up to take their trophies. Carlos arrives before Charles and jumps into the arms of his team. Charles arrives behind and comes towards me he takes my head in his arms and says "I love you Emma" before kissing me. He then jumps into his team's arms and hugs his teammate. His kiss totally unsettled me. I so wanted to hear those words coming out of his mouth. I know that by doing this Charles wanted to show the world that I was with him, and that there is no better place than THE race of the year for him.

He goes up to take his trophy accompanied by Carlos, Lewis who finished third and Mattia Binotto, the team boss. The crowd is delirious and shouts Italian songs. When the Italian anthem starts it's madness. It is an incredible moment to live. Everyone jumps into each other's arms and celebrates this victory. After several difficult years Ferrari is back, and they are motivated to go for the wins.

***

We return to the hotel quietly after this memorable day. Tonight the whole team is coming together to eat together to celebrate these victories and I am also invited. We shower and change to be all beautiful. Charles put on as usual jeans with a t-shirt and a sweatshirt over it. I put on a long black skirt with a loose white top. I hadn't really planned on a classy outfit so that's all I managed to do. I will know for the next times that it is necessary to plan outfits for all circumstances.

During the meal everyone is very happy they only laugh. There is a good atmosphere. Everyone speaks in Italian, but luckily, I had chosen to take Italian instead of German when I studied in Switzerland. I don't understand everything because it's been a long time but at least I have an idea of what they are talking about.

I leave the table to go to the bathroom. I take this opportunity to check and my phone. And there I see notifications that could really annoy Charles.

@maxverstappen1 followed your account
@maxverstappen1 liked your photo
@maxverstappen1 liked your photo

Guess Max remembered the name on my badge and looked up my Instagram. I don't know what his intentions are but one thing is certain, Charles must not know that. I know he would get way too upset for nothing and I'm afraid they'll get violent. They're already pissed off enough with each other over the championship, no need to add that. I just hope Max understands that I'm not interested in him and would leave me alone.
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