Under the helmet | Charles Leclerc

~Chapter 19~

5 days later, Wednesday, in Australia, Melbourne

Charles and I had really been starting to get along the past 5 days, more pancakes and sight-seeing around Monaco before we arrived in Melbourne along with another trip on the boat. I'd really enjoyed spending so much time with him, and I've considered him not being on my hate list anymore, and in fact a good friend of mine now. I arrange to meet with Ferrari in the garage in Melbourne for a meeting about next years offer, as I'm staying at ferrari rather than going to red bull, as ferrari is where my heart belongs and where my mind prefers to be.

I wake up early and get out of the hotel before it's even light and I see a very tired Viola waiting in the lobby, strangely enough, without her iPad, it's not normal she doesn't have it with her.

"Where's your little iPad, Viola? I don't think I've ever seen you without it?" I ask her.

"It broke a couple of days ago, and I need to get a new one, but it hasn't arrived yet, I'm a little bummed that it's broken as I've lost everything on the one I had, but hey, a new driver a new start, although you've been here for two races now." Viola explains to me, looking a little down, rather than the neutral expression she normally has.

"Well, I'm not the new driver yet, Carlos is still the driver, but he's injured. Also, you seem a little down, are you alright?" I ask her.

"That's a good point, but hey, it may arrive in time for next season at this rate." She says, avoiding my question, starting to walk off.

"You avoided my question, Viola." I point out.

"What question?" She tries to avoid it further.

"Are you alright?" I ask again, repeating myself, trying not to pry, but she doesn't look herself at all, her hair is in a state and she hasn't slept and her eyes are puffy.

"Yeah, don't know why you think I wouldn't be." She says coldly.

"Well, I think your lying to me. Now, I'm not trying to pry, but more of a shoulder to lean on. But your eyes are puffy indicating you've been crying, you look like you haven't slept for days and your hair looks like it hasn't been brushed this morning. Along with the slight slouch in your posture and I know how dear your iPad is to you, and you wouldn't let it drop out of your calloused hands, so really, Viola, what is wrong, if you want to say." I lecture, while she tries to interrupt me multiple times.

"Your right. I'm sorry for lying to you, I'm not in the best place right now. And to be honest, I think I need to process it all before talking to someone about it." She explains to me.

"That's fine Viola, why not tell Fred to take a few days holiday? I'll be alright." I ask finally walking out the lobby as I realise we'll be late if we don't leave now.

"He wouldn't let me, I told him what happened and he doesn't have anyone spare for a few days." She responds looking down as she walks.

"Let me handle this then." I say coldly looking towards the car.

We get into the car and Viola is silent like normal, but the silence feels very uncomforting, like something bad was going to happen. Viola looks concentrated on driving, whilst I look out the window at where we are going, noticing every small detail, as I feel very on edge. She then misses a left turn and I point that out to her and she corrects where she's going. She's definitely not ok, and I decide I will speak to Fred about it when we get there.

We arrive at the lobby on time and I get out of the car waiting for Viola, as I don't want to leave her on her own in this state without helping her a little bit. She walks beside me and I notice Fred in the garage.