It's always been you

- Chapter 1 -

The weather is lovely in Monaco these days. Seriously, are people who prefer winter crazy ? If I don't get my daily dose of sunshine, I end up crying under my bed with an XXL sweater and a cup of tea. You really have to be crazy to prefer winter !

And it's a good thing the weather's nice today, because we've got something to celebrate ! I told Caro to meet me at our favorite café in town to announce it to her.

I graduated from my journalism school a few months ago, and I couldn't be prouder of myself ! It was my childhood dream, you know, the dream jobs you have in mind before you even know what a salary is. Some people want to be a footballer, a dancer, a singer... I wanted to be a journalist.

Dad used to say that it's thanks to journalists that people enjoy watching sport so much, because they're the ones who always go fishing for the latest news ! And even if he can't be there to see me, I know that from heaven he's proud of me.

But that's not why I asked Caro to join me, it's for something much bigger, much more exciting !

MESSAGE ON MY PHONE :

Tripod Gasly : sooooooo it's official ?

Me : well, I guess hihi

Lord Perceval : wait, what's official ?

Tripod Gasly : Charles ?? Do you really know how to us Twitter ?

Me : He's an old man Pierre, don't judge him hahaha

Lord Perceval : ffs will someone explain me what's going on ?

Tripod Gasly : JUST OPEN TWITTER CHARLES

Tripod Gasly : god damn

Lord Perceval : I'M SCARED !!! WHAT DID I DO AGAIN ???

Me : Things aren't always about you, Charles Leclerc...

Lord Perceval : OMG I JUST SAW !!!! SO IT'S OFFICIAL ???

Me : Yes it isssss, call me « Lucie Verano, journalist for F1TV » now haha

Tripod Gasly : proud of you stupid

Lord Perceval : you deserve it Lu

I can't blame him for never opening Twitter, every morning there's a new rumor invented about him ! But for once, it's me they're talking about, and to be honest, all I get is good feedback like "oh, the new journalist seems so nice" or "yes a woman, girl power on the grid !" so that makes me want to get started even more quickly.

For the moment I'm still waiting for Caro, being on time isn't her thing unfortunately, but I'm used to it ! We've known each other since we were 3, so 20 years later, I can tell that being on time isn't her thing, but anyway...

I'm an only child, but I've managed to build my own family.

I've got Caroline, whom I consider my sister, who's been by my side for over 20 years, never letting me down. We grew up together in the same school until we were 18, and even though our universities weren't the same, we still saw each other as much as possible and went on vacation together. She's the kind of friend who tells you when you've done something wrong, wipes away your tears when you're not doing well, and gets drunk with you to celebrate small and big victories.

Then I have Charles and Pierre, my two bodyguards whom I consider my brothers. I met them one day by chance in Nice, on Dad's go-karting track, about ten years ago. Charles had taken Pierre go-karting on a weekend during the summer break, and Dad was the one who trained them that day. They are the ones who made me realize that friends off the track are rivals once they're on the track. While helping Dad to pack away the helmets and suits that day, Charles came up to me and asked for my name, telling me that he and his friend would like to be friends with the coach's daughter, and we've been together ever since.

And then there's Mom, my whole life, I've always been very close to my parents, and Dad's death only made the bond with my mother even stronger. Unfortunately, she's been working in Paris for the past 5 years and I've preferred to stay in Monaco, so we don't see each other very often...

Anyway, it's my family, I don't need anyone else, and I'm fine that way, of course I have other friends, but none of them will have such a big place in my heart !

While I was lost in my thoughts, still in front of the café, I felt someone pinch my waist, followed by a feminine voice saying "hi there".

No need to turn around, I know it's Caro "Well, next time I'll make an appointment for you at 2 PM, so we'll both be there at the same time at 3 PM" I said sighing before entering the café.

"Oh honey boo is in a grumpy mood today" replied Caro as she followed me into the café "I thought sunny Sundays were good for your energy, not the opposite" she said laughing.

Arriving at the counter, surprisingly, there's a new waitress, very young, that we've never seen before. "Hello, have you reserved a table?" she asked.

Indeed, you always have to reserve a table here, it's always full, especially on a sunny Sunday like today. "Yes, I called Nico to get our usual table" I replied politely "he probably booked the table under my name, Lucie Verano".

She looks at the computer for our reservation, but from her facial expressions I don't think she can find my name.

"I took the reservation in Caro's name" shouts a male voice from behind the bar "Maggie you can check the computer for table 18 under the name Caroline Loret"

"Oh Nico, I didn't see you" I say, looking towards the bar "I'll come and see you in 5".

"Oh, do you know Nicolas?" asked the new waitress.

"Yes, we went to high school together" replied Caro "and he's been our personal barista ever since" she said, laughing.

"Are you new here?" I asked discreetly "we've never seen you before".

"Yes, it's my first week here, Nicolas recommended me for the summer break" she replied shyly "Nice to meet you, I'm Maggie, Nicolas's little sister".

Stunned, Caro and I looked at each other "Oh, but we didn't even know Nico had a sister ! Well, nice to meet you, I'm Lucie and this is Caroline" I said before adding "We know the way to table 18, don't worry, we're going, don't move" and I took Caro by the arm to guide us to our favorite table, in the corner of the café in front of the window, bathed in sunshine with an incredible view of Monaco.