Reflections-C.L

Dark Paradise

DW: mentions of anxiety, alcohol abuse, smoking and toxic relationships

Monaco GP

Wednesday 25th May 2022
Lydia's apartment, Athens, Greece
02:45 a.m.

"You just hope you are close enough so they can protect you" Lydia remembers her own words as she looked at the stars. She is at her balcony with a glass of vodka in her hand. The need of alcohol rushing through her body after another sleepless night.

"You are magic Lydia"
"You are worthless"
"My Stargirl"
"You stupid bitch"
The voices of the two men echoing through her brain, wondering which voice is going to keep going through her brain.

"You deserve nothing" "You are too weak" "You deserve to die" the voice of the tall, brunette echoing through her brain, remembering all those times she was too vulnerable to speak,she was too weak to do anything.

"SHUT UP" she shouts , closing her eyes shut. She wants everything to stop, to go away. She wants his voice, his memory to go away. She looks up looking at the night sky above her.

She takes the packet of cigarettes in her hand taking a cigarette off the packet and putting it in her lips. As she lights it up a tear falls from her eyes, then another one and another, having one thought in her mind: the promise she gave the monegasque driver a few days ago.

I'm sorry Charles.

Friday 27th May 2022

Lydia's hotel room
6:57 p.m.

Lydia had just arrived back from the free practice about half an hour ago. Charles insisted that she stayed with him but Lydia was too afraid that she could get an attack in front of him so she told him that it was better if she stayed at a hotel, just to not grow any suspicions.

As she got out of her bathroom she heard a knock at her door. As she opened it a guy from the hotel gave her a bouquet of white roses. She took it from the guy, thanking him and closing the door of her room as she walked towards her bed sitting on it.

As she saw the white roses she knew immediately it was from him. "You are too special for red roses so I got you white" his words echoing through her mind.

As she found the little white envelope, attached to the bouquet she took it in her hand, opening it.
"Dinner at my place at 8? -C"

That man.

Charles apartment
7:46 p.m

Lydia was standing outside his apartment door. She wore a pair of black pants matching it with a black, lingerie top and her black, 3 inch mules. Her hair was straight and she had put light make up on.

She took a deep breath as she knocked on the door. As the door opened she saw the figure of a person she didn't expect to see.

"Hi Lydia" the blonde boy said.
"Yes I am" she said smiling.
"I'm Arthur. Come inside" the blonde boy said taking a step aside so she could get inside the apartment.
"Charles is coming. He is getting ready" Arthur said turning to look at her.
"Okay." Lydia said as she moved towards the living room sitting in one of the white couches, Arthur sitting in the other white couch.

"I've heard a lot about you" Arthur said.
"I hope only good things"
"Of course. Charles speaks a lot about you. If I didn't know that you existed I would think that you were from his imagination"
Charles talks about me to his family?

"What's going on here?" Charles said as he got inside the living room.
"Nothing I was leaving?" Arthur said getting up.
"Lydia, pleasure to meet you. Goodbye brother." Arthur said greeting then and going towards the door, leaving.

"Sorry for being late" Charles said turning to look at her as he heard the door closing.
"It's okay. It was nice meeting Arthur" she said with a smile on her face, getting up and walking towards him.
"I didn't know you were talking about me to your family" she said, standing now in front of him putting her hands on his chest.
"Arthur told you that?" He said. His face had become red by now.
"He said you were talking about me a lot. Is that true Leclerc? You are talking about me a lot?" she said. Her lips forming a smirk.
"Maybe" he replied back before kissing her.
"Anyway. I really liked the flowers." She said as they broke apart
"I'm glad that you liked them. Shall we start?" He said before grabbing her hand, interwinding their fingers together and taking her to the dining room.

Saturday 28th May 2022
Ferrari Garage

She got P6. She was pissed. Everything went completely wrong.

As she got out of her car she took her helmet of, talking with her trainer for a little bit before she was finally to free to go back to her driver room.

As she went there she felt her breath shortening and her heart pace rising. It was happening again. No no no no.

She opened her driver's room door but as she got inside she saw him.

Taking a deep breath she looked at him. Look happy. He can't know about anything.

"Hi. Why are you here?"
"Aren't you happy to see me?"
"I am but you caught me off guard."
"I'm so happy right now"he said picking her up and spinning her around.
He got P1. It's his home Grand Prix.
"Congratulations Charles. I'm proud of" she said giving him a kiss
"Thank you. Let's hope I will win the race though"
"You will. I have faith in you."
"You are the best" he said as he leaned in for a kiss but before he got the chance to feel his lips in her's his phone rang.
He picked it up, his hand still around his waist.
"Sorry but I have to go. See you tonight" he said,kissing her forehead and living her alone.

As she saw the door closing she took a deep breath before see went took a cigarette out of her bag.

Sunday 29th May 2022

Race

"And Lydia Hatzi wins the Monaco Grand Prix. Behind her following the red bull drivers as her teammate who started in pole position finished P4"

Lydia got out of the car feeling excitement rushing through her veins. She was going to sleep well tonight. After all the celebrations with her team she wanted to celebrate on her own way, with her boyfriend.

As walked towards the drivers rooms she heard a loud noise coming out of his room, like something had just fell down. Making sure that no one is around she opened the door getting inside.

"Charles?" she said distracting him, making him turn suddenly around.
"Is everything alright?" she continued.
"Yeah. I'm just mad. Really mad." He said holding back his tears.
"I'm sorry. It was not your fault. It was obviously the team's fault." She said hugging him.
"I think it's unfair. That's all. I just wanted to win my home Grand Prix."he said wrapping his arms around her.
"I know Charlie. Next year you will win" she said calming him, stroking his hair with her hand.

Tuesday 31st May 2022

Lydia looked at the notification on her screen as it lightened up.

Charlie❤️:"Can I call you?"

She opened her phone texting him back. A few seconds later answering the facetime call.

"Hi" he said.
"Hi" she replied back.

They talked a little bit. Lydia was trying to find the right time to tell him. Taking a deep breath she opened her mouth to talk.

"Charles"
"Is everything alright?"
"Yes. I just wanted to talk to you about something"
"You are not pregnant"
"No I'm not don't worry" she said laughing.
"Thank god. You scared. It's not that I don't want children with you but it's early. "
"Don't worry I think it's early too"
"What did you want to tell me?"
"Hmm yes right. Um I was thinking maybe I should move to Monaco"
"You are kidding right?"
"No I'm not. It's going to be better for my job as a driver and it's also going to be better for us"
"Lydia you make me so happy."
"Now I just have to find an apartment."
"You can stay at my house. We can live together." he blurred out.
"I mean if you are ready. I don't mind taking our relationship a step further" he continued after taking a deep breath.
"I would really like that" Lydia said with a smile on her face.
"So when are you thinking of moving here?"
"Next week"
"Perfect. Anyway I think I might go to sleep now. Goodnight my Stargirl."
"Goodnight Charlie" Lydia said hanging up.

She closed her eyes taking a deep breath. All was well.