Driven by fate || Carlos Sainz / Charles Leclerc ||

Unexpected Encounters

Amelia and Carlos found themselves tangled in a web of sheets and limbs, their bodies still pulsating with the remnants of their passionate night. The morning sunlight peeked through the curtains, casting a warm glow on their entwined forms. The serenity of the moment was shattered by a series of urgent knocks at the door.

As the knocking at the door echoed through the room, Amelia's heart skipped a beat, and she glanced at Carlos with a mixture of panic and amusement. They exchanged a brief, wordless conversation through their eyes, each understanding the urgency of the situation.

Carlos, his mind racing, blurted out in Spanish, "¿Qué hacemos? What do we do?"

Amelia, a mischievous glint in her eyes, motioned for Carlos to hide under the bed. " Go under the bed, quickly."

With a mix of confusion and amusement, Carlos scurried beneath the bed just as Daniel entered the room. Daniel's eyebrows arched in surprise as he noticed Amelia's disheveled appearance, but he chose not to comment on it.

"Good morning, Amelia," Daniel greeted, holding out a cup of coffee. "I thought you could use a pick-me-up. How are you feeling?"

Amelia accepted the coffee, hiding her nervousness behind a facade of calmness. "Thanks, Daniel. I'm feeling better. Just a little tired from yesterday's incident, but I'll be fine."

Daniel's gaze swept across the room, but he didn't seem to notice Carlos's absence. "That's good to hear. Listen, we're all heading out to the boats today. It's a chance to relax and unwind. Are you up for it?"

Amelia nodded, mustering a smile. "Sure, that sounds like a nice way to unwind. I'll get ready and meet you all downstairs."

As Daniel left the room, closing the door behind him, Amelia exhaled a sigh of relief. She turned to look under the bed, where Carlos was still hiding. Their eyes met, and they burst into laughter, the tension dissipating with each peal of shared amusement.

"You're ridiculous, Carlos," Amelia giggled, her voice filled with genuine mirth. "Under the bed? Really?"

Carlos crawled out from his hiding spot, a sheepish grin on his face. "Lo siento, I panicked. I didn't know what else to do."

Amelia approached him, wrapping her arms around his waist. "It's alright. You did what you had to do. Let's not dwell on it. Now, go to your hotel room and freshen up. We'll see each other later."

Carlos nodded, his gaze lingering on Amelia. "Te veré más tarde. I'll see you later."

They shared a lingering embrace before Carlos slipped out of the room, leaving Amelia to prepare for the day ahead. The thought of Carlos hiding under the bed brought a smile to her lips as she considered the unpredictable nature of their newfound connection.

***

Downstairs, Amelia spotted Charles waiting for her, his charismatic smile lighting up the room. She approached him with a mixture of anticipation and familiarity, their PR relationship seamlessly blending with their genuine camaraderie.

"Good morning, Amelia," Charles greeted, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Ready for a fun-filled day on the boats?"

Amelia matched his smile, her eyes alight with excitement. "Absolutely, Charles. Let's make it a memorable day."

They walked together, engaging in lighthearted banter and sharing laughter as they made their way to Charles's car. The paparazzi swarmed around them, their cameras clicking incessantly as they captured every moment of their interactions.

Inside the car, Charles glanced at Amelia, his gaze filled with curiosity. "You seem different today, Amelia. Is everything alright?"

Amelia shrugged, a touch of melancholy in her voice. "I suppose I'm just feeling a bit off today. Maybe it's the aftermath of yesterday's incident."

Charles reached out, placing a comforting hand on her arm. "If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here for you, Amelia. Remember that."

Amelia nodded, appreciating his support. "Thank you, Charles. It means a lot."

Arriving at the venue, the bustling atmosphere enveloped them. The sound of engines and the scent of gasoline filled the air, creating an intoxicating mix that was both familiar and thrilling. Amelia's eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for Carlos, but he was nowhere to be seen.

Brushing off her concern, she focused on the present moment, joining in the conversations and laughter with her fellow drivers. Max Verstappen, known for his jovial nature, approached her, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

"Amelia Ricciardo, the star of the show!" Max exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear. "You had us all on the edge of our seats yesterday. You're quite the force to be reckoned with."

Amelia chuckled, a sense of camaraderie blooming between them. "Thank you, Max. It's good to know I can keep you entertained."

They exchanged playful banter and shared stories of their racing escapades, their laughter filling the air. In those moments, Amelia found solace and genuine connection with her peers, the weight of her complicated emotions momentarily forgotten.

***

As the day progressed, the playful atmosphere continued. Amelia found herself engaging in friendly competitions and playful challenges, her spirits lifting with every moment of shared laughter. Charles, always by her side, added an extra sparkle to her experiences, his genuine friendship a source of comfort.

Yet, as the day wore on, the absence of Carlos lingered in Amelia's mind. She couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was amiss, but she chose to push it aside, opting to enjoy the festivities instead. After all, she had a couple of shots of alcohol, which helped to numb her worries, if only temporarily.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow over the venue, Amelia found herself locked in a playful moment with Charles. They chased each other around, laughing and teasing, their carefree spirits taking center stage. The cameras captured their every move, immortalizing their jovial interactions.

Unbeknownst to Amelia, Carlos had discreetly arrived at the venue, his eyes scanning the crowd until he spotted her in the midst of the festivities. His heart skipped a beat as he watched Charles playfully lift Amelia over his shoulder, both of them genuinely enjoying each other's company.

A surge of possessiveness coursed through Carlos's veins, his concern for Amelia overriding any rational thought. Unable to contain himself any longer, he yelled, "Charles, take your hands off her!"

The surrounding noise drowned out his words, and no one seemed to notice the urgency in Carlos's voice. Amelia, caught up in the moment, remained oblivious to Carlos's presence and his outburst.

The tension in Carlos's body dissolved as he realized his voice had gone unheard. He took a step back, watching Amelia and Charles interact, his expression a mixture of longing and resignation.

Meanwhile, Amelia's laughter continued to ring through the air, unaware of the emotions brewing just out of her sight. Little did she know that the delicate balance between her secret love and the expectations of her PR relationship was about to be tested in ways she could never have imagined.