The encounter of a lifetime - Charles Lerclerc

Chapter 67

The test day yesterday was really cool. My family came with me to the garages and they really enjoyed it.

Today is qualifying day. My sister took her best Ricciardo t-shirt, her cap, in short, everything. Barely arrived on the circuit she joins Heidi who accompanies her to Mclaren. With my parents we head to Ferrari to join Charles.

***

Charles finished first followed by Max and Carlos. Tomorrow's race promises to be eventful.

My parents and my sister returned to our hotel, but I stayed at the hospitality to wait for Charles. He had meetings so I sat down on one of the sofas and read one of my favorite books.

I was lost in my thoughts between my reading and the music I had in my ears, like in another reality. But I felt like an insistent look on me. I look up from my book and see Charles across from me leaning on a high table staring at me while biting his lip.

Emma: You know it's rude to stare at people.
Charles: You know it's illegal to be this beautiful.

He runs his hand through my hair to clear my face. His green eyes stare at me.

Charles: Follow me.
Emma: Where are you taking me?
Charles: You'll see.

I take my bag and follow him. We leave the hospitality and walk to one of the stands. We go up to the top before sitting down. We are alone in the world up there.

Emma: Why did you bring me there sweetheart?
Charles: Because that's exactly where I came to see my first Grand Prix. When I was 11. Well apart from Monaco but which I did not watch from the stands. We came to see the grand prix with my dad, Jules and his dad. It's one of my best memories. I wanted you to see this place because it's important to me.

I kiss him on the cheek and lay my head on his shoulder. It's those simple little moments that make me fall even more in love with him.

He turns to me and takes my head in his hands. He tells me he loves me and he doesn't know what he would do without me. We kiss passionately. As if there were only us in this world, him and me for eternity.

After a while we both go back to the hotel. Tomorrow Charles has a big day and therefore decided to eat in our room but he offered me a good restaurant for me to go with my family.

***

Today is the race. We are in the Ferrari garages, more precisely of Charles obviously. Before the race he does his mental preparation. It goes through reading his little notebook where he writes down advice for his driving, ideas for improving the car or even strategy.

But before getting in the car he comes over to me and kisses me. He whispers in my ear before getting into his single-seater "I'll be waiting for you at the foot of the podium".

The race is going pretty well. My sister is delighted because Daniel is in 3rd place. She will definitely be able to see one of his podium.
It's the last lap and Charles is still first. Behind him Daniel and Max are fighting for 2nd place. It's hot, but at the last corner Daniel manages to take the lead and finishes 2nd.

We all run to the podium. I want to see my man with his angel smile on the top of the steps. First it's Max who returns, a little disappointed to have lost his 2nd place, then Daniel arrives who has a huge smile as usual. And finally, comes Charles. His eyes sparkle with happiness. He receives his trophy and points at me in the crowd, as if dedicating it.

Then it's time for the champagne celebration! Except that if Daniel is on a the podium that means doing a "shoey" which means putting champagne in Daniel's shoe and drinking directly from it. Daniel does it first, then he fills it up again and hands it to Charles. He plays the game and drinks it, but I see from his face that he is not convinced by the taste.

After the race Charles comes to give me a hug before going to the interview. He's full of sweat but I don't care. I love it all the time, even when he stinks. And to be honest even when totally sweaty he still smells good. It really looks like this man is not human.

I go back with my parents to the hospitality to wait for him to finish all his meetings etc. My sister is waiting to meet Daniel so she can congratulate him in person. I think she's happier than him yet. Obviously when after about ten minutes he finally passes in front of my sister he is delighted to see that she thought of him and waited for him.

***

We finally get back to the hotel, which means I'm finally going to have some alone time with my man. He tells me how the race went and especially how much Daniel's shoe stinks. He looks traumatized.

My parents are coming home tonight, so we go say goodbye to them before ordering room service and watching Netflix together.

At around 8 pm someone knocked on our room. We're going to open and it's none other than Pierre.

Pierre: Hi, I was bored and saw that you were at the hotel. So I thought we could watch a little movie the 3 of us, you say?

Charles laughs and looks at me to wait for my answer.

Emma: Yes of course go come there.

We use ourselves to leave him a place next to us. There's a bit of chocolate cake left that we ordered to celebrate Charles' victory. He asks if he can take some and swallows all that remained in two or three movements. It really is a phenomenon.

Pierre: Good horror movie you say?
Emma: Oh no, this kind of film scares me.
Pierre: But it's good you sleep with your boyfriend. Look at this strong man he will protect you.

He touches Charles' arm to support his words, and obviously Charles goes into his game and tenses his muscles.

Emma: Okay but then not too horrible.
Pierre: No, don't worry.

He lets out a sly little laugh. I have a feeling he's going to put me on the scariest movie he knows. But hey at least the 3 of us are having a good time.

*****