I was escorted by some Mercedes member to take me to the podium. The race was almost finished and it was close within first and second place. Because of a pitstop fault Lewis dropped down and got stuck behind Max. It was horrific and I could hear the frustration in Lewis' voice after he got back on the track, seeing a RedBull rear-wing right in front of his nose.
I heard the crowd roaring and I couldn't help but smile at the sensation. We walked up the last stairs and we walked onto the podium. The view was amazing and I could see the whole grandstand jumping around. I saw two blue cars pass each other, the Williams'. So that means that Lewis and Max would start the last lap in a few seconds.
The crowd in front of me starting cheering and I turned my head towards the last corner, where I saw Lewis and Max side by side going through Club. I couldn't help but silently cheer as Lewis pulled away from Max, making his way into P1. The crowd roared as they made their way towards Abbey, where Lewis stayed in front of Max and pulled away like crazy 'cause to a great exit out of the first corner of the last lap. I proudly smiled at the big screen and couldn't seem to wipe it off.
"AND THAT IS A GREAT RACE FOR LEWIS HAMILTON! MAKING A COMEBACK AFTER AN UNPLEASANT PITSTOP OF MERCEDES!"
The grandstand cheered as Lewis' car passed the finish line, winning with 1 second from Max.
They took an outlap and than returned to the pits, where 3 cards were placed for the podium. Max came in fast and quickly parked the car at it's P2 spot. A red Ferrari joined Max at P3. I squinted my eyes and made out the number 55. I didn't even look at the rest of the grid, but P3 is a great result for Carlos.
After a few more seconds Lewis rolled in as well. He parked his car and took half a minute to get out of his car. He stood up and placed himself on his car, he threw his arms in the air and the crowd exploded of screams. My body tingled as the cheers reached all to the podium. I grinned from ear to ear and kept my eyes on Lewis as he moved to his team, giving everyone a high-five or hug.
"He did great, hm?" Nick stood aside me and had a small grin on his face.
"Yeah, he did. Great result for our country." But that wasn't the reason I was smiling from ear to ear. And I think that Nick knew that too.
"You two are amazing together... I saw the Hotlap video, I haven't seen you so happy since grandma died..." Nick looked down at me and I believed that I saw some glinster in his eyes, something like hope.
"I am happy, Nick..." I smiled at him for a second and than took my gaze back to the ground where the cars were parked. And my eyes met Lewis' eyes. He winked at me and I could only smile even brighter. He than quickly walked inside, making his way to the cooldown room.
After 5 minutes the music started and the first one could come to the podium. Carlos got out and waved at the people down on the track. He jumped onto the P3 place and waited there. Not even a second later Max got out. He casually walked towards his block and stood on it, waving to the crowd shortly. And than the music changed and Lewis got out, he waved to the crowd and gave a bright smile to everyone. They all stood there and it was time to give the trophies. Nick was first and gave the P3 trophy at Carlos, whom took it with a big smile and raised it in the air. Then again Nick came with the trophy of P2. He shook Max's hand and nodded at him as he gave him the trophy.
And then it was my turn. I got the trophy handed to me and I walked up to where Lewis was waiting for me, his eyes following me with every step. I took one step up and handed the trophy to Lewis, giving him the brightest smile I ever had. Our hands touched each others shortly before I stepped back and walked back towards my original spot. The national anthem was playing and I proudly stood there, joining my brother with the national anthem. Nick took my hand and squeezed it shortly, making my eyes water a bit.
We got escorted back inside as the drivers started their champagne celebration. Nick and I caught up a bit and it was nice to be a bit closer with my brother again. He didn't ask anything about me and Lewis, but he for sure knew about us, he knew me too good for that.
"So what are you going to tell dad?" He began, and I knew he changed the subject.
"I'm not telling him anything. I first have to make sure that his idea of the arranged marriage is gone." I said to him, making sure that I'm committed to stopping this wedding.
"I want to help you, Jude... I know how it is to be in an arranged marriage, but for me it ended good, I love Margaret now, but I don't think you could ever love Grayson, he's an awful person." Nick said and I couldn't help but give him a hug.
"It's just so hard. Dad is really committed to this and I can't seem to talk to him about how I feel about this. It is as if Duke Williams the son is of our dad..." I said and I could feel my tears burning behind my eyes. "It feels like I'm not his daughter... like I'm just some handmaiden in his palace."
"I didn't know you felt that was, Jude... I want to help, really. I want you to have the love you deserve. You deserve that much after everything."
Nick stopped me and made me look in his eyes.
"I'm going to help you. We're going to find a way for this wedding to be stopped, I promise." And with that he hugged me and told me he had to go.
I was there all alone and had no idea where to go. So I just walked outside and mangled with the crowd. Reporters were running everywhere and I could see some drivers going in and out of the garage. I made my way towards Mercedes' motorhome and walked in. The motorhome was overcrowded and everyone was talking to each other. I luckily made my way to Lewis' room unseen since everyone was so busy. I quickly closed the door behind me and turned around.
"What a pleasant surprise." I jumped up as Lewis talked. He was sitting on his little couch, sitting in nothing but his race suit, which hung at his hips. His chest was bare and I checked out his abs. His skin was tight and the muscles of his upper body made him even more hotter.
I quickly shook my head and regrouped myself. "You were amazing today! P1!" I walked towards the couch and bend down to give him a kiss on his forehead.
"Thank you. And you looked absolutely gorgeous just yet on the podium." I blushed as he gave the compliment.
I sat down opposite of him cross legged. "Nick knows..." it felt like I had to say it to him, I couldn't keep that behind from him.
"About us?" His face didn't show any emotion, but his eyes were faintly showing some concern.
"Yes, but he wants to help me..." I mentioned and Lewis raised his eyebrow.
"With what?"
"Stop the marriage..." I smiled at him and a smile formed on his lips.
"That's amazing! Maybe he can convince your dad." He leaped forwards and hugged me. He dragged me with him and laid back on the couch, with me half laying on top of him.
"I hope he does..." I said and kissed Lewis on the cheek. "I don't want to lose you."
"You will never lose me, Jude." And he kissed me on the lips.
"But hey, shouldn't you be going to the media pen right now? I believe you have some interviews, winner." I winked at him and got up to sit on his lap.
Lewis sat up as well and placed his arms around my waist. "I don't know, I actually like this more." And kissed me on the lips. I smiled into the kiss and deepened it, making his smile as well. We totally lost our sense of time and devoured each other until there was a knock on the door.
"2 minutes Lewis! The reporters are waiting." A woman half-yelled from the other side of the door.
"That's Angela, my personal trainer." Lewis explained and I nodded. Getting up from his lap.
"You should hurry, Lew. You need to change as well."
"I don't know... I don't think they would really care if I got there bare-chested." He grinned and stood up, towering over me.
"Yeah but I care. You're mine." I said and Lewis' grin only grew wider.
"I'm yours, huh?" He walked over to me and there was only a few centimetres between us.
"All mine." I answered and walked towards the couch, taking place on it and taking out my phone. "You change now, you only have a minute left." I stuck out my tongue and watched as he grabbed his clothes and started to change.
Lewis quickly stole a kiss from me when he was fully changed and had his pants and white mercedes shirt back on and than left to go do some interviews.
I stayed back for a while and waited for him to finish his interviews. I checked the news and already saw some papers about me attending this weekend. There were also some rumours about my plans of marriage, but there were no names said further. I skipped those and only checked those from today. It was all pretty positive and some of them even mentioned me and Lewis' friendship, but no relationships near, since they know I need to marry a royal.
It took Lewis about 15 minutes to get back from the interviews. I was laying on the couch with my headphones in and on my phone when he got into the room. Without a warning he laid on top of me and squished my phone between us.
"Hey! I was reading something." I looked at him with an angry face and he laughed out loud.
"That will have to wait." He put his arms around me with some struggles, and than turned us around, making me lay on top of him. "You can keep reading whatever you were reading when I go to my meetings, but now that we have free-time I want to be with you." He grinned and held me closer to him.
I started playing with his braids and rested my chin on his chest. "I'm so proud of you... my winner." I smiled at him and his face softened. He didn't say anything back and just held me close to him.
We laid there for a short time before Lewis had to go. We stayed silent the whole time, just processing everything, and I couldn't help but think about our future. Maybe we could go on vacation soon, or maybe I could go to some more races. But that would be difficult with my situation. It made me sad to know that we maybe couldn't have a future, but I would do anything to get that future. Even if I had to leave the Royal House. For Lewis I would do anything.
YOU ARE READING
Royal Love (F1 x LH44)
RomanceAs 3rd in line to the throne, Jude has decided her life as a princess isn't as important as she was taught. Instead of following up her royal duties, she decides to find her interests, partying and sneaking around become a normal habit for her as sh...