Melody of death | English Version | Charles Leclerc FF

nineteen ఌ

„And where do we go now?" I asked Charles who apparently didn't seem to let go of my hand. At least he held it very tight.

„I have to go to the garage right away because qualifying starts in half an hour, but I want to talk to you first." Charles explained and sounded extremely honest. My stomach contracted unwell. He wanted to talk to me. Talking. There could be so much behind this word. Positive and negative, but in his statement he sounded more like he had to talk to me about the second. And that was what caused me so much concern. I have never been a fan of serious conversations and have always done everything to avoid something like that.

Charles led me back to the Ferrari motorhome and stepped with me through a large glass door. We walked up the stairs, where Charles let go of my hand to open the following door with a small card. With an inviting hand movement, he meant to me that I could enter. The room was anything but huge, but still big enough to accommodate a couch, a wardrobe and a lot of free space.

„You have it nice here," I murmured to distract from the real reason why we were here. Charles nodded with a smile.

„So what I wanted to talk to you about..." the Monegasse began thoughtfully. "Maybe you've already seen a few paparazzi and presenters or not. Anyhow. They can sometimes ask quite provocative questions and also questions that are actually inappropriate because they are far too private.", he leaned on the refrigerator, „Since you are an unknown face in the paddock, it could happen that they literally jump at you to know who you are.", he made a break, „Why I warn you because of that... we should be clear about what you say if they ask about us." questioningly Charles' eyes looked for mine and hook his gaze in them.

Somewhat surprised by his story about all sorts of presenters and paparazzi, I was briefly silent. I asked myself why Charles wanted to know what I would say. I mean there would only be one answer that would correspond to the truth. 'I'm a friend of Charles and I'm here to watch the grand prix.'

Or did Charles think of something else? Was he less sure about such an answer than I did? Did he think we were more, or even less? Only people who know each other? I didn't know...

„I could say that I'm a friend who watches the grand prix." , I suggested to the brown-haired man. Shortly it seemed to me that I had seen a touch of disappointment or similar in his expression. „Yeah, that would probably be the best." he nodded as a sign that he agreed.

„Do I have to say anything at all?" I asked as I saw how Charles looked past me in the void.
Somehow I wanted to say something to stop the uncomfortable silence.

He looked again in my eyes and shook his head. „No, for sure not. But it could happen that they act so disgusting that you feel obliged to answer. But you surely never have to answer." I nodded and relief spread in my inner self. If I would be honest I would rather stay unknown first and move under the radar.

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Certainly for the fifth time in ten minutes I looked at my phone. "No more messages" was big on the lock screen, which was a picture of my siblings Linnea and Benjamin. Sighing, I closed it again and let my cell phone slide into my back pocket. I put my hands on the railing and looked straight ahead at one of the spectator stands. The fans radiated unbelievable joy and were ready to pay tribute to the drivers when they left the Pit Lane running under me in a few minutes in a row.

Ally wanted to be here a long time ago. It's five to two o'clock. At half past one she wanted to meet me here again. Instead, I am now standing on one of the balconies of the paddock and waiting the last few minutes until Charles start in qualifying. Alone.

The pointer in the middle over start and finish line hit two o'clock. The first car that drove out was Alex Albon from Alpha Tauri. How do I suddenly know that? In my waiting for Ayla, I had studied the drivers and teams earlier.

Afterwards, both Renaults drove out, including Daniel. They probably wanted to take advantage of the still almost empty route. My heart jumped when I saw Charles' car leave the pit lane. Lando drove directly behind him and behind Charles' team partner Sebastian Vettel.

In the next fife minutes the last drivers also had left the pit lane. Charles had driven his flying lap, through which he fell to 5th place. I proudly clapped in my hands and watched him retreat into the pit lane. In Q1, only one driver, namely Lando, managed to push himself to 5th place. But Charles place in Q2 was still secured with 6th place. In the break between Q1 and Q2, I went to the toilet and dialed Ayla's number. Slowly I was seriously worried about her. It beeped. Once. Twice. Three times. The fifth time I almost gave up the hope that she'd caught the call. Then I suddenly heard rastles at the other end of the line and shortly afterwards Ayla's bright voice. „Hello Sally?" A stone fell off my heart and I sighed. „God bless. Ayla what is going on? You wanted to be here almost an hour ago." I asked reproachfully. For a moment there was no answer, which seemed strange to me, since Ayla is actually the most quick-witted person I know.

„Sorry. I was in a radio hole and therefore had to walk far to be able to call a taxi. I'll be there in five minutes. Is Charles on?" Frustrated, I drove through my hair. Ayla could have happened something. How could I have ever forgiven myself for that? After all, she was alone even though I could have accompanied her.

„Yeah, he's in Q2." I heard a noise from her side, which should mean something like "good." Then we said goodbye and shortly afterwards I hung up.

I left the toilet and still washed my hands so that no one thinks I was unhygienic or something.

Then I made my way down and landed directly in Charles' garage. His engineers took care of the car or checked its data. Then I saw him. He stood with his back to me and was looking at something on screens with Sam and an engineer.

I stepped to the group and tapped Charles on his back. He suddenly turned around and looked down at me. When he recognized me, a warm smile crept onto his lips. „Hey." he mumbled. „You've been driving perfectly." I praised him. „Thank you. But that wasn't enough." He criticized his performance and pointed to the monitor. For him, everything that showed up on this probably made sense, but I only understood the train station. He apparently noticed this when I didn't say anything but just stared hard at the screen. He laughed. "Oh, I'm sorry. Well, it's not that easy to understand either." he waved off and turned back to me. "Is your friend still not there?" He asked and looked around. I shook my head as a response. "But she should be there right away. We talked on the phone."

Charles nodded understandingly.