Ophélie

Part 37

We fly out to Abu Dhabi with a bunch of the other drivers, and immediately after landing we're in and out of meetings and starting to wrap up the year.

I decide I want to watch the last press conference, and take a seat in the back of the room, listening to the drivers speaking.

George, Daniel, Max, Charles, and Mick are in the second group.

He smiles widely at me before he takes his seat. Will, who is sitting next to me, nudges me lightly in the arm.

"He is so in love with you," he whispers.

I smile up at him, grinning from ear to ear. "I know. I'm the luckiest girl in the world."

They ask George if Carlos was as generous as he had promised to be when he said they would party on the flight to Abu Dhabi to celebrate his win. I already start laughing, knowing the answer, but I wait to hear George's response. He talks about the celebrations with the team and how the flight didn't leave until three in the morning and then Charles whispers to Max and Max laughs.

"You slept the whole flight!" Max laughs.

"Not all of it." George quickly defends.

"Charles says you slept the whole flight!" Max laughs.

"You definitely slept the whole flight," Charles adds, laughing.

I laugh and look at Will nodding. "He did indeed."

We listen as they ask Daniel a question but I'm watching Max and Charles, who are whispering to each other.

They both look at me, smiling, and then carry on talking amongst themselves. Will nudges me again nodding towards them and shrugging. I shrug, shaking my head. But I'm pretty sure I know what they're talking about.

I tear up a little when they ask Daniel how he's feeling about this being his last F1 race for now. I hate this. He deserves so much better. He makes jokes but you can see he's tired. This isn't right. I shake my head and look at Will who is also shaking his head.

While Dan is talking, Charles is staring at me, smiling. I smile back at him and he grins wider, then quickly looks down at the microphone in his hand.

They speak to Max and then move on to Charles.

They ask Charles about Seb leaving, the rumours about Mattia possibly leaving Ferrari, and the pace of the car for the last race.

"And then just one more question, more for the fans than anything else, you and Ophelia Monet recently announced your engagement, first of all, congratulations." the interviewer says.

"Thank you." Charles smiles.

"Can we expect a Leclerc wedding over the winter break?"

Charles looks at me and then at Mia who is sitting in the front row. "We're really enjoying being engaged right now, and are looking forward to spending a lot of time together during the break, I guess we will see what fate decides with our wedding."

"Great, well congratulations again."

Will, who has been invited to the wedding, grins widely at me, I smile, trying to suppress a laugh.

They move on to Mick and then the conference is over.

While I'm waiting for Charles, Mick walks out and I grab his hand.

He turns and smiles widely. "Hey, what's up Ophelia?"

I pull him to me and he opens his arms, pulling me into a hug.

"I just wanted to let you know that what has happened with your seat this year is a joke. You should never have been put in this position, Mick. I don't know what your plans are, but I hope that whoever is offering you a place under their roof will treat you the way that you deserve to be treated."