Pole position // Charles Leclerc

18

Mia's POV:
'I have so much cream in my eyes I can't see!' Lando exclaimed, squeezing them tightly shut as he swiped it from his face.

'I told you I'd win, Lando.' Charles teased, only a little cream smeared on his face.

'I revised.' Lando pouted.

'You shouldn't have admitted that because that's even more embarrassing.' I laughed, shutting off my camera and making sure to add that into the offcuts.

The boys had done perfectly and I was so excited to show the video in my meeting. Despite the racing and the pressure, all of the boys had such a good relationship and that made my job so much easier. It was natural. All I had to do was come up with the ideas and present them.

'I'm gonna go and wash this off because I stink.' Lando laughed, coming up to me and leaving a dot of cream on my nose.

'You do smell pretty gross.' I responded, dodging as he came in for a hug.

'Let me know when you edit. I can't wait to see it. You've always been good at your job.' Lando smiled.

'Her ego doesn't need the boost.' Charles chuckled.

'Good game, I'll see you tomorrow.' Lando smiled, holding his hand out for Charles to shake.

They did so, devilish looks spread across both of their faces, as Lando's hand reached for the pie.

'Um. Guys?' I asked, stepping back slowly, not managing to make it away in time.

Charles rushed towards me, clasping me by the waist and holding me still whilst Lando pushed the pie in my face, making sure to get it everywhere.

'Oh my fucking god.' I spluttered, opening my eyes as wide as I could, barely being able to see anything with the amount on my face.

'We thought you were looking a little clean.' Lando laughed.

It was then that I remembered why I hadn't been able to get away. Charles was still holding me right, both hands on my hips, making me giddy. I was trying to fight the attraction I had towards him but it was impossible to deny how attractive this man truly was.

'I look worse than both of you, and you played the game!' I laughed, putting my middle finger up at Lando, who'd taken a photo of me.

'Right. I'm gonna go and shower, you should too, you've got a tiny bit of cream on your face.' Lando teased, running from the room before I could catch him.

Charles had let go of me, and was now on the other side of the lounge, wiping the cream from his face with a cloth. If he was aware of me watching him, he was doing a good job of hiding it.

'You know? Normally I hate interviews and dread having to do videos for social media, but I have a feeling im gonna enjoy it this year.' Charles spoke, passing me a clean cloth.

'You hate it?' I frowned.

'It's so boring. The same questions, the same digs. When you've done a race and want to rest it's hard.' He shrugged.

'If you ever don't feel up to it please let me know, I don't wanna overwork any of you.' I insisted.

'I don't mind working with you, Bella.' He said, softly, taking a few more steps towards me.

We were close now.

'First conference in two days, are you looking forward to that? I know how much Danny sees it as a pisstake.' I smiled.

'Conferences are fun. The ones before a race, anyway. Afterwards we're all at eachothers throat.' He chuckled.

'I can imagine.'

'Do you plan on coming to any?' He asked.

'If I'm not working.' I responded.

'You should. It'd be nice to have a pretty face in the crowd.' He said, pushing a hair behind my ear.

'Okay.' I whispered.

'Okay.'

'Id better get some sleep. Busy day tomorrow.' I responded, snapping out of it and stepping away, grabbing my equipment and beginning to pack it away.

'What're you up to?' He asked.

I felt like not saying anything, but I knew he'd find out anyway. Boys spoke, and I knew Lewis spoke a lot.

'Lewis has apparently found me a date. He's not a driver, apparently barely knows what f1 is, and I'm going to meet him tomorrow.' I smiled, neutrally.

'Why did you have to specify that he's not a driver?' He frowned.

'Because that was the preference I gave him.' I said, trying not to give him too much.

'This is because of Pierre, isn't it?' He asked.

'No. I just don't want to date where I'm working.' I lied.

He waggled his finger, walking towards me again and helping me put my stuff away, his hand grazing along my arm on purpose.

'No, I remember you saying you don't date drivers because of what Pierre did. Do you even want to go on this date?' He asked.

'It's not a bad thing.' I shrugged.

'I hope you enjoy it then.'

'It'll be a miracle if I can get through it. I've not been on a date in years.' I laughed, happy to try and ease the tension.

'You'll do perfectly.' He responded, picking up my bag for me and carrying it to his car, putting it in his boot.

'I don't have a car with me or idve driven.' I insisted, aware he must be bored of driving.

'I'd never make a lady drive.' He said, looking at me as if I'd said something crazy.

I leaned back in my seat and closed my eyes. It had been a long day and I was more than happy to relax for the first time in hours. I was stressed about my board meeting. Yes, I knew they'd hired me, but what if they didn't like my ideas? What if they wanted more from me?

'You sleepy?' Charles asked, looking over at me.

'Mhm.' I responded softly.

He turned down the music until it was just a faint hum, and slowed the car down a little, the small and subtle gesture making me smile. It was the little things about him that made him so unavoidable.

At some point I must've fallen asleep, because 20 minutes later I felt myself being picked up and carried inside, stirring at the ding of the elevator.

'I can walk.' I yawned, opening my eyes and looking up at the man carrying me.

God he even looked good from this angle

'You were sleeping. I didn't want to wake you up.' He said in a duh tone.

'Where's my stuff? I need to edit.' I rubbed at my eyes.

'It's in my car and I'll get it for you first thing. It's late and you need to sleep, if I get it for you now you'll just stay up.' He said, like a firm parent.

'You're right.'

'What times your date tomorrow?' He asked.

'I don't know, I don't even know the guys name. Lewis said he'll text me in the morning.' I shrugged.

'Well, let me know how it goes.' He said, a little bluntly.

'I will. Are you trying to be my wingman?' I joked.

'I'm a lot of things, but I'll never be your wingman.' He said, seriously.

He was still holding me. The elevator reached our floor, and he put me down, following me down the hall and to our rooms. I stopped outside of my door, key in my hand. 

'Good luck with testing tomorrow, I'll see you for dinner?' I asked.

'Yeah, see you then, bella.'