The encounter of a lifetime - Charles Lerclerc

Chapter 35

We have a week left in Monaco before celebrating the New Year. The other pilots have decided to rent a villa between Nice and Monaco which is super large with indoor pool, spa, plenty of rooms etc. What a palace. I can't wait to see them again because since the last grand prix I haven't seen them.

Today Charles suggested that I go karting with his friends and him. He told me that there was no girl but that I could still come. And I told him that just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I'm worse than them. To tell the truth I love karting, the simulator etc and I think I can get a decent score. I imagine that I will not be able to beat Charles, but I will try to fight to be behind him.

We leave by car and we all meet in the karting parking lot. Charles took his jumpsuit, like if without that we wouldn't have known he was a pilot. They give us helmets and we go to settle in our karts. Charles is in front with his full equipment in true pilot mode. They even gave him kart number 16. I am just behind him on his right. Before leaving he turns around and gives me a sign to check if everything is fine. I make him a sign that everything is ok, then it's off. At the start I was overtaken by two karts, but I managed to regain places during the turns. Looks like babies they slow to death before the turns. I am second again and I can see Charles from afar. I try to get closer to him but it's complicated because he's going really fast. Suddenly he spins. It's just enough to get me past him. By the way I turn around and make fun of him, he is still passed by the girl who "could come if she wanted but yeah". For two laps Charles stays behind me, but he manages to pass me again.
The race ends with Charles as the winner, but I'm second and I'm very proud of my result and my race.

Charles: Hey bébé you really are a pilot actually. You drove really well.
Emma: I told you I was managing.
Charles: Really I'm super impressed. You drive almost better than me.
Emma: Don't abuse either, you overtook me after your mini accident.
Charles: Yes, but you weren't easy to pass. Anyway, I'm really proud of you.

He moves closer to me and grabs my head to place a kiss on my forehead. After that we take a photo on the podium, and Charles takes a few photos with the fans and the staff.

***

After this day/afternoon with Charles' friends we decided to stay at the apartment. I didn't feel very well at the end of the afternoon. I had a very bad stomach ache.

We order food and watch a movie. I make myself a hot water bottle and pose in PLS next to Charles.

Charles: Baby, how are you?
Emma: It'll be fine, don't worry.

We watch our movie then we go to bed. I take a painkiller to sleep better and lay my head on the pillow.

I wake up with a start and feel like I'm going to vomit. I run to the toilet, I just manage to open the toilet before throwing up. I vomit for at least 10 minutes. Charles wakes up and comes to see me. I hear in his voice that he has just woken up.

Charles: How are you mon coeur? Do you need help? Do you want me to come to you?
Emma: No it's fine. I don't want you to see me throw up.
Charles: Like you told me last time it's for better and for worse even if we're not married yet. Wait, I'll look for something, I'll be back.

After a few minutes he comes back with a glass of water. He sits next to me and strokes my back. He touches my forehead and sees that I have fever so he prepares a wet towel for me to put on my forehead to cool off. He stays with me for at least 30 minutes on the bathroom floor.

Charles: Do you want me to take you to the hospital?
Emma: No need I just have food poisoning.
Charles: You don't want to go check anyway? It scares me to see you like this.
Emma: I don't really know.
Charles: Wait, let's check your fever.

He fetches the thermometer and hands it to me so I can take my temperature. After a few seconds it indicates 40.5°C.

Charles: Ok I'll go get you something to throw up on and we'll go down to the car. You have to go to the hospital.

He goes to get me a jump and comes to help me up and down. He then drives me to the hospital where we go to the emergency room. He explains that I have a high fever and they take me right away. I go to a room with a doctor who gives me a whole bunch of tests.

She then tells me to go to the waiting room to wait for my results, so I go back to Charles.

Charles: So she said something?
Emma: Not yet, we have to wait for the results.
Charles: Ok, but she already told you if it's serious or not?
Emma: No.

After about 20 minutes of waiting the doctor comes back and explains to me that what I have is not very serious but that I will have to take antibiotics. I have 5 days, in other words until December 30th. She told me that I will be able to drink alcohol without any problem on the new year. I'm happy even if I didn't plan on getting drunk. It would have sucked not being able to drink champagne at midnight.

We get home, it's 4:30 in the morning. We go back to bed after this more than restless night.

Emma: Thanks for sticking with me all this time.
Charles: It's normal mon amour you're my girlfriend and you weren't well.
Emma: Not everyone would have, so thanks anyway. I love you.
Charles: I love you too. Come on let's go to sleep now.

It is in this kind of moment that we realize if people really care about us. And tonight proved to me once again that Charles is an exceptional man.

*****