heatwave | Charles Leclerc | re-writing

Chapter 17

Abu Dhabi, November 2022 - Charles Leclerc

I stepped into the room, and Clarice, our marketing assistant, greeted me.

"Good morning, Charles."

"Morning," I replied.

Joris was already seated beside the long table, and Carlos sat opposite us.

"We'd been waiting," Joris said quietly as I took my seat.

Johny, the strategist, wasted no time. "We needed to talk about the season's performance."

Clarice nodded. "Yes, we appreciate your efforts, Charles, but a Ferrari podium just isn't enough. Second or third place - that isn't what we wanted."

"We want the win," Johny cut in, staring me down. "You need to outdrive Max."

Carlos jumped in. "He's probably going to be champion. We just have to accept that."

"No," Johny snapped. "There is always a way. Win a race. Take the top spot. We all want that."

I finally spoke up. "It's tough to be on top when the car feels like a piece of junk strapped to four tires."

Johny just shook his head. "I'm so over you, Charles."

"Yeah, and I am over this," I muttered, pushing myself up from the chair.

How could they expect us to win with this pile of garbage? I just wanted peace. Just one last race.

I slammed the door to my private room, hit the wall, and slid down until I was sitting on the floor. My face buried in my hands as exhaustion crushed me. Tears threatened to spill.

A knock came at the door.

"Buddy, you good?" Joris' voice cracked through.

"Yeah." My voice flickered. I swear I was about to break.

The door opened. Joris knelt before me, worry written all over his face.

"What happened, man?," He grabbed my shoulders tightly. "You know I am here. Always have been, always would be."

"I know... I'm just... fucking tired."

He squeezed tighter. "Look, I know these days have been rough, but you can't give up. You areCharles Leclerc. You run the world."

"I don't want to disappoint anyone. But I feel like that was all I've done this season."

He cupped my face gently, forcing me to meet his eyes. "People love you. You inspire them to believe, to chase their dreams. I'm letting you down. Not again."

He pulled me in, and I let the tears fall. This was what I needed - someone to hold me up when I was drowning.

[...]

Milan, November 2022 - Victoria Marino

We had just settled into our seats on the plane, the hum of the engines filling the cabin, but my heart was racing as if we were already hurtling through the skies. My nerves bubbled up instantly.

"Jeremy, I'm nervous." With my voice barely above a whisper, I tried to steady myself.

He turned his head, a smirk playing on his lips. "We've just got on the plane and you're already dying," he chuckled, but then brushed his hand against my shoulder. "I love when you're in love with someone.. you're absolutely adorable, Victoria."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't stop the smile tugging at my lips. "I just can't wait to see his reaction. He actually thinks I'm still with my parents, pretending to clean the house. Silly boy."