IL PREDESTINATO | Charles Leclerc |

Chapter 8

Thursday night in Imola. The drivers had fulfilled their media obligations, attended some FIA meetings and were now relaxing in the hospitality common room before they'd be able to leave the track.

"Is that Christina on the TV?" Sebastian asked as he pointed at the screen. Everyone's attention drifted from their phones or partners to the screen.

It was indeed Christina. They were playing a footage of her in the airport showing that she arrived in Italy for the Grand Prix.

The girl was walking towards the exit with her two body guards following her as always. The place was filled with fans and paparazzi who were aware of her arrival.

"God, she looks drained" Pierre sighed as he looked at the girl. Christina did look tired. For the past two weeks she'd been working non-stop for her upcoming movie.

She had already started filming some scenes in which the male protagonist, Hayden Christensen, wasn't needed. And travelling every other weekend didn't really help.

"She just got out of a 11h flight which she got on board right after leaving work. I think she is drained" Lewis replied.

"Look how well she's handling the situation though" Carlos pointed out. The camera was showing Christina walking through the airport while answering questions to the paps and giving autographs or taking pictures with the fans that were waiting for her.

"Where does she find the patience and the strength? I would make my bodyguards carry me to the car at this point" Lando said in honesty making everyone laugh.

"No cause same, Lando" Arthur chuckled. The youngest Leclerc had joined his brother for the day since he arrived in Imola a day earlier. The rest of the family members were already home sleeping off their long ride from Monaco.

"Charles has been awfully quiet, don't you think?" Sebastian smirked while staring at his former teammate whose eyes were glued at the screen.

"He's day dreaming again" Pierre rolled his eyes before slapping his best friend so he'd wake up.

"Of course he is. My best friend is on the screen" Lewis laughed looking at Charles who had a shy smile on his lips and blushing cheeks.

"Anyway I'm leaving guys. See you tomorrow" Lewis exclaimed raising from his seat and placing his phone in his pocket. "Going to pick up Christina?"

"Oh no. She has already arrived at her hotel. That was taken 30 minutes ago" Lewis replied pointing at the screen. "I'm going to meet her at the hotel, keep her some company"

"Why don't we all go to surprise her?" Lando suggests looking between the drivers. "She's tired we shouldn't" Pierre replied to the McLaren driver.

"Don't look at me. I'd go anyway later to see her. We haven't met in two weeks" Charles exclaimed making everyone mutter an 'of course you would' among other lines that were mocking him on how smitten he was with the girl.

"I'm sure she wouldn't mind. Even the better, you'll help her get her mind off of things" Lewis said.

That made Charles look at him confused. What did she want to take her mind off? And why didn't he know about it?

The time they were apart they were constantly texting or calling. Charles would tell her about his day and Christina would talk about hers.

"I'm sure she'll appreciate it guys. But I can't come. Hannah and the kids are waiting for me back to the hotel. I'll take them out with Mick tonight" Sebastian explained before saying his goodbye.

The drivers all got into their cars and drove towards the hotel that hosted the teams for the Grand Prix.

"Why did we stop? The hotel isn't here" Arthur who was riding with his brother in the Ferrari asked. Charles had just parked in front of a bakery for a quick stop.