The Only Man I Ever Loved

🧚‍♀️F O U R🧚‍♀️

Estella - Present Day
📍Austin, Texas

I effortlessly flicked the ash off the end of my cigarette, took one last drag and then put it out on the designated smokers bin. It was something I did when I was nervous. Kelly had sent me the location of where to meet here and I had been standing waiting like a looser. Eventually I heard the familiar sound of Kelly's voice. We had got close over the past week, sending each other memes and talking over messages.

'Estella!' She called rushing over to pull me in for a hug. 'How are you feeling?'

'Nervous. I've watched the Monaco Grand Prix when I was younger. But I have never been to a circuit to watch a race before.' I giggle as we head in arm in arm.

'Max is so happy you hear. Between us, he is a massive fan of yours.' Kelly says as the Red Bull garage was now in sight.

'I actually met max before. We had a mutual friend when we were younger. I doubt he would even remember me.' I say, 'My friend's dream was to make it to Formula One but I am not to sure if he did make it. We don't talk anymore.'

'I am sure if you mention it to max he would remember. He's really good at remembering stuff like that.' Kelly giggles warming me up

I entered the Red Bull garage in absolute awe of the place. I had never realised how much effort goes into the preparation of a race. I didn't even realise who many individual people it required. There was clearly a lot more to this sport that I had possibly thought. Kelly introduces me to the mechanics and makes me feel welcome from the moment I entered the garage. I see Max in the corner of the garage preparing himself for the race. A smile appears over his face when he sees Kelly and I.

'Hello Ladies.' She smiled as he approached us. 'I am glad to see you here Estella.'

'Kelly was just telling me how much of a fan you are.' I teased. Max shot her a look to say 'you've embarrassed me now.'

'And Estella was telling me how she actually knows you from her childhood.' Kelly said

'Oh yeah?' Max raised his eyebrow at me, 'How's that?'

'You used to race against a friend of mine when he was younger. I used to come and watch him race, I was like a daughter to the Leclerc's.' I fidget awkwardly with the cap that was in my hand.

'Your friends with Charles?' Kelly asked

'I used to be. Not any more.' I sigh, 'he did something kind of shitty so we haven't spoke in years.'

'Oh my god.' Max days before disappearing, leaving Kelly and I confused with what had happened. In the mean time a guy name Sergio had appeared and Kelly had introduced me and we got talking in no time. I found he was Max's teammate.

After about 5 minutes Max reappeared with an object in his hand. Not just any object, it was my book. Unable to speak he flipped the book open to the first page.

'Aw you carry my book everywhere with you. How cute.' I tease. He point to the first page of the book and the words glared back at me.

To Charlie,
Wherever you are, I hope you made it big.
I hope you have the life you dreamed of.
And I hope you are happy.
I love you looser x

'I have so many questions.' Max said as picked the book up to get a closer look. Did I really write a sloppy message like that in my book? I had written the book over 3 years ago and I had forgotten I had wrote that.

'Yes. Charlie is Charles.' I say as I knew that would be his first question.

'So you must be Stelly.' He points his finger at me. Kelly stood next to us confused

'Only Charles called me that.' I say handing him the book back. 'But yes, he couldn't pronounce my name so he called me Stelly.'

'Oh my god. It's Kelly.' He pauses to point to Kelly 'And Stelly.' He points at me. 'Kelly and Stelly.' He laugh earning a laugh from Kelly and I

'Nobody calls me...' I start but I am interrupted by another voice. 'Stelly?' He shouts

Charles. Of course. I see him rushing over to us. I point to Max to hide that book and he does just that. Of course he was here. Why was he here?

'Stelly? What are you doing here?' He asks as he makes his way to us.

'What are you doing here?' I question him. 'Somehow I manage to go 5 years without you and suddenly you appear 2 time in the space of 2 weeks.'

'I work here' he exclaims. Kelly and Max give me a look to say 'we'll let you catch up'

'Work here?' I question

'I drive for Ferrari' he says.

'Oh.' Is all I say because part of me wanted to pull him into a hug for achieving his dream but I had to be stronger than that.

'So why are you with Max and Kelly?' He asked as we stepped out of the red bull garage.

'I think we are friends. I only met them recently but yeah they invited me. I'd never been to Texas. Not like it's your business.' I say

'Stel, just stop. I messed up, but that was 5 years ago. Please believe me when I say I'm sorry.' Charles pleads with me as we start walking down what I think is called a pit lane.

'I believe that you're sorry, but I can't forget how you hurt me. It's going to take time.' I sigh messing with the strap of my bag.

'Did you really not know I made it to Ferrari?' He questions

'No. I never gave you much thought after I left. Everyone around me saw how hurt I was, so they decided not to talk to me about you.' I lie. 'I am happy to know that you're living your dream.'

'What about you? What have you been up to.' Charles asks stopping us in our tracks. 'Did you write your book?'

'Yes. Almost sold 1 million copies. I've travelled the world. I have a YouTube channel. I have my own apartment. I am happy.' I say smiling at him

'I am happy you're happy.' He rubs his finger against my cheek making me tingle all over. 'I've missed this.'

'Don't you have a girlfriend to pester? How's Violet these days?' I compose myself and take a step away from him.

'Violet? That's a name I haven't heard in a while. No, We broke up years ago Stelly. So as long as I know you're here I'll be pestering you.' He smirks at me.

'Okay well, I should go back to Kelly now.' I smile back at him. 'Good Luck today.'

'I'm surprised you know.' Charles continues 'Red was always your favourite colour.' He points to the Red Bull garage. 'You're a traitor.' He laughs

'Red is in the name so it technically isn't cheating.' I wink at him before walking back to Kelly who was now standing outside the Red Bull Garage.

'You would look even more beautiful in a Ferrari hat.' I heard him call as I was walking away.