everything has changed ➺ charles leclerc

twenty - angeli

– angeli

THE WARM CALIFORNIA SUN BEAMS DOWN on my face as I step out of the airport, accompanied by Mick and our suitcases. We scan the area, searching for Bellie, who had promised to show us around. Spotting her, I excitedly leave Mick behind and run towards her. We meet in the middle, embracing tightly with smiles from ear to ear.

"Bellie!" I exclaim joyfully, pulling her into another hug. It has been a while since I last saw Bellie during my checkup at the hospital in Monaco, around a month ago. Even then, we didn't have much time together as she was rushing to catch a flight to New York.

"Angie! I missed you!" She smiles, giving me a once-over, perhaps checking for any signs of trouble.

"Thanks for leaving me behind, Angeli," Mick grumbles, wheeling our luggage over to where Bellie and I are standing.

"Mick!" Bellie exclaims, rushing to hug the blonde boy. Their gazes linger on each other for a moment too long, raising my suspicions.

"I missed you too, Bellie." Mick smiles sweetly at her, and her eyes light up.

"Are you two together or something?" I ask inquisitively, watching for any signs of confirmation between them.

"Oh, look at that! I see my car! Let's go!" Bellie quickly changes the topic, not-so-subtly diverting our attention. I give her a skeptical glance as she offers me a sweet smile, grabbing my arm and leading me towards her car.

Once we all settle into the car, we dive into a lively conversation, catching up on the events of the past few months.

"Wait, so he made a playlist of songs that reminded him of you?" Bellie gasps as I recount the story of my car ride with Charles—the one where I didn't almost die.

"Yeah! And then he took me on this incredible shopping spree in Milan and bought me everything I tried on!" I exclaim, recalling our shopping adventure with excitement as we approach a stoplight.

"I actually bought those Cartier bracelets I mentioned, the Trinity ones," I remark as Bellie turns to me, letting out another gasp. I raise my wrist to show her the bracelet, and she marvels at its sight.

"Hold on," she pauses. "You said bracelets, but you only showed me one. Either you're bad at grammar or you're hiding the others," she teases.

"How dare you!" I playfully gasp. "I'm not bad at grammar! I hid the other one in my suitcase; it's supposed to be for Charles," I continue, a tinge of sadness in my voice. I had planned to give him the bracelet after he won the race in Austria, but I never got the chance.

"So, why haven't you given it to him yet?" she asks, as Mick groans from the backseat.

"Ange, why don't you tell Bellie about what happened with Charles?" Mick interjects, poking his head over the center console between the front seats.

"What on earth do you mean, dear cousin?" I ask innocently as he rolls his eyes.

"You know, the psycho ex-girlfriend who is now his girlfriend? The one he kissed and the one who assaulted you in the paddock," he recounts, his tone mocking.

"Wait, this girl assaulted you?" Bellie screeches as the car comes to a stop. I hide my face in my hands, frustrated and not wanting to ruin the first day of my vacation with Grace's negative energy.

"Let's discuss that another time, preferably on the beach and drunk out of our minds on wine," I smile, sending Mick a warning look for bringing up the topic.

"Bellie, this is insane," Mick exclaims, changing the subject as we step out of the car. "You never mentioned you were loaded!" He marvels, admiring the stunning exterior of the grand house.