Gold || Charles Leclerc

6

Belle

It was the day Charles would be heading back to his schedule. My father had this plan of going out on the yacht before charles had to leave. I put on a long blue dress putting in a little extra effort in my makeup.

Charles fit right in with us. He was so natural with papa and with me... it was like sparks flew every time we were near. I was hanging on the line of remaining professional and giving into my desires. Although i think after the night in the gazebo i was too far gone.

We spent a relaxed day on the yacht under the southern sun. I watched as the two men talked about something, laughing occasionally. It warmed my heart. My eyes lingered on charles' face. What we'd had at my villa was amazing... but could it last? Was this all it was? A temporary summer fling.

He caught me staring and I quickly looked away but he'd already started making his way over to me. "Whats wrong?" He ask softly while sitting down. "Nothing." I smile but he doesnt seem to believe it. He puts his hand on mine where my father can't see. "I can see it on your face Belle tell me whats wrong." His voice sounds a bit more demanding.

"I was just thinking about what this is. This thing that we have is amazing but is that all it is? Just a thing?" My eyes scan the horizon and all i can see is blue. "Belle.." i turn towards him to look into his eyes which have a hue similar to the sea. "My career is on an all time high right now and i cant afford anything serious." I look down trying to keep my emotions from showing.

"Yeah i get that." I nod my head. He sighs. Time seems to go by much slower which was unlike us. His point was understandable. Being involved with a sponsor's daughter wasn't going to help his reputation. I muster up the courage to say the next words. "Friends then?" I smile.

Something seems to break in his eyes, but he manages to smile back. He holds his hand out toward me. "Friends." I take his hand in mine. The act was simple but between us it seemed so intimate.

_______

*1 week later*

After Charles left, i busied myself with work at the company and stuff at home. It didn't help that i was on summer break and there was practically nothing for me to do. It was easy for him to go back to racing while i was left here to clean the mess that both of us made.

I was supposed to fly out to Le Castellet the next day but my instincts told me not to. My suitcase sat on the floor waiting to be packed. Only 12 hours left till my flight. I had a small team from Vincents flying with me so i basically had no option.

As expected, i was sat in the plane the next day on my way to Circuit Paul Ricard. A pit formed in my stomach. I didnt know how to face Charles after our conversation on the yacht. And it wasnt like i was just going to be in attendance, Forza Ferrari wanted me to be in the garage to get the full experience.

We landed at around 10 in the morning on friday and headed straight to our hotel. My room overlooked the track. We were just in time for practice which started at 12. I put on an off the shoulder top with brown slacks. Business casual was the way to go especially for practice.

The track was really close by but the team at ferrari insisted we got picked up. The perks of being one of the main sponsors of their star driver. The driver pulled up outside the hotel and me and chloe, the marketing team's manager, sat in the same car. Me and chloe had been friends since she started interning at our company which was just a few years ago. She was a 23 year old at the time and i was barely 17. She was like an older sister to me. I trusted her with my life. Now at 21 and her at 29 we were inseparable.

When i was told I'd be going to the french gp my only condition was that chloe had to come. "I'm just taking this as my time off from work Bella, ever since this new sponsoring deal has started i havent had one day to rest." She sighs closing her eyes. I smile at her and say, "dont worry chlo, I'll make sure your long deserved vacation is worthwhile. Every night of this weekend will be a girl's night."

"I cant wait to throw my guts up the morning after." We laugh. Our conversation is cut short by our arrival at the circuit. As soon as we step out of the car we are greeted by a small entourage of Ferrari employees. "Welcome Ms. Vincent, we will be guiding you through the paddock today if you need anything you can tell us. My name is Camilla." She puts her hand out and i shake it. "Nice to meet you Camilla. Oh and its just Belle no need for formalities." I smiled.

The paddock was buzzing with photographers and media personnel.

A few photographers managed to snap a few pictures of us as well before we entered the Ferrari garage. The first person we saw was Frederic, he smiled upon seeing me. "Lovely to finally meet you Frederic." I smile warmly. "Of course Ms. Vincent your father praised you a whole lot during our meeting." My hand covers my mouth as i laugh "Oh its just Belle and yes my father can be a bit overbearing."

"I still dont think he praises you enough. Handling official matters at such a young age is a big deal Belle." He says and i say something to deny it. The atmosphere in the room changes when i spot a set of sea green eyes. My smile drops. How come he looks even better in his gear. Frederic's gaze follows mine. "Ah the man of the hour. Charles!" He calls out to him. But charles had already noticed me. In fact he'd been watching us even before i noticed him.

The look on his face was dark. He looked different. Stressed. He was nothing like the carefree charles that id seen at my villa. His moves were calculated as he made his way over to us. "Im sure you've met Belle by now. Such a remarkable young woman." Frederic compliments me and i cough out an awkward chuckle. "Of course, nice to meet you again Ms. Vincent. If you don't mind i had some things to discuss with the engineers." Charles nods at us and heads back to where he was.

I was stunned. All i could do was stare at him as he walked away. An unsettling feeling brewed in my chest as my heart started to hurt. My eyebrows furrowed. I was confused by the stranger act when just a week ago he'd agreed on being friends. "Whats up his ass? Anyway you can do whatever you want around here. Theres ofcourse the hospitality region and if you want you can stay down here and get a hands on experience." Frederic says. "I'll get back to work now, but camilla is with you at all times to guide you." I nod after which he walks off.