Faded Love - Charles Leclerc

Chapter 29: Monza Curse

🎶 STAR WALKIN' (League of Legends Worlds Anthem) — Lil Nas X 🎶

"Good morning" Charles whispered into my ear and caressed my face.
"Mmmmhhhh... it's too soon" I said with my eyes still closed and turned around.
"It's eleven! I have to drive in two hours!" he chuckled and I opened my eyes.
"You know... you should really move in with me. This bachelor pad of yours is way too small and I'm falling out of this bed every time I turn around!" I said and looked at him.
"If that's what you want, I'll move in with you" he said and smiled, before giving me a kiss, which I immediately deepened. His hands roamed over my body and in no time he had positioned me on top of him, where he was now looking up at me expectantly. I sank myself onto his dick and rode him slowly but firmly, until we both came undone.

"Are you excited for Monza?" he asked me while he was throwing tons of socks into his suitcase.
I sighed. It was almost the end of September and Monza was the last European race on the calendar. Carmen had persuaded me to accompany her as it was her first full weekend back at the track, leaving James back here in Monaco with her parents. It was also the first race I was attending since... Monaco a year ago.
"Bit nervous. But I'll manage" I said and sent him a smile.
"It will feel so adventurous sneaking around behind containers to find you for a good luck kiss" he chuckled.
"Just one more month. Polls are in and it's extremely close for Joe - I hope he'll win" I said deep in thought.
"Ok, I think I've got everything. I'll drop you off at your place on your way" he said and reached out his hand for me to take.

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"That's Pole Position George! What a lap!" Marcus said over the radio and the whole garage, including me, clapped for him. The other team radios were played and I heard Charles in my ear saying: "Arrrgh, sorry guys, I had a bad exit out of Parabolica, sorry. I'll try and make it up tomorrow..." On the screens I saw my secret boyfriend driving up to the number 2 post on George's right side.

Charles was definitely going to be frustrated tonight, but that would probably give him enough drive for tomorrow. Carmen hugged me tightly, she was over the moon - George needed the points badly to close the gap in the championship race.

Thankfully, the Mercedes and Red Bull teams were staying in the same hotel and I was able to sneak into Charles' room later that evening.
"Hey - sorry about today, but you'll do great tomorrow" I said while hugging him.
"Sleep here tonight?" he asked me and I nodded.
When I woke up the next morning, he was already gone and when I saw that it was almost eleven I sprang up and ran to my room to get ready. I had left my phone there last night and saw that Carmen had already called eight times. I quickly sent her a voice message mumbling "I'm on my way, I'm on my way" and sprinted to the lobby downstairs in hopes to catch a shuttle ride with someone I may still know.

"Mary! Didn't expect to see you here!" Binotto exclaimed, dressed in an Alpine polo.
"Hi! Do you guys still have a place for me to ride with?" I asked, even though it was one of the last cars I wanted to be in.
"Sure, come in, this is André, he's our strategist" he introduced me while getting into his car.
"Hi André." I said and gave him a friendly smile to which he only responded with a nod. Pfff, the French.
"So tell me, are the rumours true?" Mattia asked and I froze.
"Did Ferrari really ask Charles to choose between you and the team?" he asked curiously. I let out a breath of relief.
"I'm sure you still have some friends at Ferrari you can ask that." I said diplomatically.
"Unbelievable" he said and shook his head while laughing.
"Just like your strategies in 2022 that cost Charles the world championship." I replied dryly and that wiped his stupid smile off his face.
We all stayed quiet for the rest of the ride and when he had parked I thanked him and got away as quickly as I could.

After having a late lunch with Carmen, we made our way to the grid and she was even interviewed by Martin Brundle about her hopes for her husband today. Eventually, it was time for us to go to the garage and she waved to George, who was sitting down in his car. I turned around to have a look at Charles and even though he already had his visor down, I felt him looking at me. I gave him a smile and a discreet thumbs up before disappearing with my friend.

The cars had now lined up after the formation lap and the lights went on one by one. I was crossing my fingers so hard and held my breath when the lights went out. Charles had closed in to George immediately and was now battling him into the first chicane when it happened: they touched and the navy car was sent flying into the air and thrown against a barrier, while the silver one went straight into another barrier. Carmen looked at me in horror and I just sat there, eyes still looking at the screen, but my brain was blank.

"I'm ok, I'm ok" George said over his radio and I saw him get out of his car on TV. There was still no message from Charles and my heart was beating so fast while I felt myself thrown back into time when I was standing on the track in Monaco after hearing Bobby's crash.
"Mary" Carmen said and gripped my hand. The race was obviously red flagged and some cars were already returning into the pit lane. After what seemed ages, there was finally a radio message from Charles, where one could hear him just moaning. In the meantime, the TV was replaying footage of the marshals helping him out of his car and albeit he was still a bit wobbly on his knees he gave a thumbs up. I finally started breathing again, but I was still feeling awful.
"Excuse me, I'll... I'm getting back to the hotel" I said and stood up.

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I had been back in my hotel room for a few hours now, staring at the ceiling when I heard my phone ringing. Of course it was Charles.
"Hey" I said while picking up.
"Hey" he whispered back.
"How are you?" I asked.
"At the hospital, doing some tests. I feel fine, just a bit sore..." he answered.
"You should get some rest" I said.
"I had to hear from you first. I don't think I can rest until... I know where we're headed. I was told you disappeared immediately after the incident" he said with a shaky voice.
"Please, let's not do this right now. Think of getting back on your feet quickly" I replied.
"Hear me out. This... made me realise that we don't have a minute to waste. It's my carpe diem moment, I must seize the day-" he said but I cut him off.
"No." I answered.
"I'm sorry, what? What do you mean?" he said agitatedly.
"I'm sorry, I wouldn't have said this now, but today has made me realised something too. We're not meant to be together, Charles. We're not right." I said with a shaky voice.
"I... I... I can..." he stammered.
"Please don't say you'll give up racing. I don't want you to give up anything, except for me." I said.
"I can't give you up!" he exclaimed.
"Please. I wish you nothing but good. I want you to have a long and happy life." I said, fighting back the tears.
"Mary, please don't do this" he said with a trembling voice and I knew that tears were welling up in his eyes, even though I couldn't see him.
"I must. Good night, Charles" I said and hung up.

"I wish you wouldn't do this" Carmen said and I startled. I hadn't noticed her coming in and eavesdropping.
"Do you know what the worst thing is?! I wished it was George that was impacted by the crash! Think of that!" I said, now bursting out into tears.
"You're not seeing straight. Today brought up Bobby's death and all the rest of it, you're in a mist!" she exclaimed.
"It's not what I want!!" I shouted.
"You're frightened of being hurt again and let me tell you: you will be hurt again, because being hurt is part of being alive. But that is no reason to give up the man who is right for you." she replied, but I just turned away from her.