heatwave | Charles Leclerc | re-writing

Chapter 31

Los Angeles, January 2023 - Victoria Marino

It was wrong. It was fucking wrong.

How the hell could I be making out with my not official ex's teammate?

Carlos was indeed a nice person, but I couldn't simply leave Charles behind.

And it wasn't even that bad. Sometimes things happen and I feel like I was being a little dramatic, but at the same time I want him to feel like he made some real shit. Basically I want him to feel bad.

Well, that's a problem for later.

Right now, I have to get dressed, otherwise Jeremy will get really pissed. Valentino invited me to a fancy brunch, but I only knew I had to go yerterday in the morning. We booked a flight really quick and now we are in Los Angeles.

It's been a week since the incident in the ferrari event so I've had some time to relax and organise my thoughts. Still not sure of anything.

Jeremy left my dress hung in the door handle, making me snap back to reality once I look at it.

I have to get dressed, Jesus.

Valentino is always iconic for everything they do, and this brunch is not different. This will be a great opportunity to meet new models and to show to their american representant that I am the best person to be their new face. I want to model for them, that's for sure.

That means I have to do everything I can to prove that I deserve to be associated to them.

I'm wishing myself the best of lucks.

Los Angeles, January 2023 - Charles Leclerc

I decided to take some time off before Albon's wedding.

Los Angeles always feels like home. The movement of the city kind of conforts me and my messed up thoughts. I feel safe. It's my favourite alternative for Monaco. Well, I can't compare one thing to the other, but it does its job when it comes to making me feel like me again, after losing myself over and over.

The traffic in this city doesn't even bother me. End of Begining by Djo is on max volume coming from the car speakers. Los Angeles really is my Chicago.

I'm alone in the car that ferrari provided me, so I can sing out loud without getting judged by anyone.

I start getting into the vibe really fast and suddently I catch me singing my loungs out.

- YOU TAKE THE MAN OUT OF THE - the dramatic pause made me chuckle of myself - and when I'm back in Chicago, I feel it, another version of me, I WAS IN IT - I scream again - I WAVE GOODBYE TO THE END OF BEGINNING.

Gosh. What music can do to you. Unexpectedly, The Strokes are now playing and The Adults Are Talking is my hype song, I'll have to admit it. There's no better music than this one. I let the beginning of the song pass by and then it comes. My favourite part. Here we go again.

- I'm climbing up your wall, climbin' up your wall - I tighten my grip on the steering wheel, anxious for the chorus - AND DON'T GO THERE 'CAUSE YOU'LL NEVER RETURN, I KNOW YOU THINK OF ME WHEN YOU THINK OF HER, BUT THEN IT DON'T MAKE SENSE WHEN YOU'RE TRYING HARD, TO DO THE RIGHT THING BUT WITHOUT RECOMPENSE, AND THEN YOU DID SOMETHING WRONG AND YOU SAID IT WAS GREAT, AND NOW YOU DON'T KNOW HOW YOU COULD EVER COMPLAIN, BECAUSE YOU'RE ALL CONFUSED, 'CAUSE YOU WANT ME TOO, BUT THEN YOU WANT ME TO DO IT THE SAME AS YOU.

I take a deep breathe, recovering from that ecstasy moment. I really enjoy having time with myself. Race weeks get really chaotic and, somedays, I don't even have time to think about life.