𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 charles leclerc

𝟬𝟬𝟰

VEDA'S POV

Arthur drove us to the paddock as usual, though the air in the car was different this time. Acknowledging the fact that I was in deep thought, the entire drive there was filled in a comfortable silence. I silently appreciated him for giving me time to think to myself about everything, to gather my thoughts before the meeting tonight.

We'd said a brief goodbye to each other, a hug and a kiss on the cheek, before going our own ways. I was to meet with Bree at a coffee truck by the Ferrari headquarters. It seemed she was spending an awful time there lately. I considered the possibility of it being because she was plotting something alongside Vasseur, but hoped she still had my best interests at heart regardless.

I spotted her from a distance, two cups of warm coffee in her hand as she waited for me to make an appearance, her blonde hair tied up in a messy bun, two strands falling to frame her face.

"Well hello there," she gave me a warm smile, offering me one of the cups. "White mocha with cinnamon on top just how you like it."

I muttered a thank you hoping she'd just get to the point (she was one to often beat around the bush when it came to hard topics). "What do you need?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to check on how you were."

My eyes narrowed in speculation. "Im fine, why?"

She gave me a light shrug, leading the way to a nearby table. "Well with everything going on I just want to make sure you know I've still got your back."

She sat first and I followed her lead, relieved there was a large umbrella shielding us from the scorching sun. "I know." I wasn't sure I did but said it anyhow, hoping it would stop her from pestering me further with this. "I think we both know the choice im making today."

She nodded in understanding. "I know how much this career means to you."

I took a sip of the coffee, needing the caffeine. "It takes a hell of a lot to get me to kiss someone's ass, Bree," I clarified. "A lot."

"I'm aware."

"Especially fucking Charles Leclerc." I could barely look at the guy without it sparking rage within me I highly doubted I'd be able to film him and write about him in a positive light. The mere thought of it brought shivers down my body.

"Think of it as kissing Frederic Vasseur's ass instead."

I rolled my eyes. "Oh isn't that just so much better." Unfortunately it kind of was, but I wouldn't admit it, still upset she'd be willing to put me in this situation to begin with. Then again, what else could she do about it?

She placed a warm hand over mine. "Listen, I won't let anything happen to your career if you can just pull through on this, alright? It'll be just until the end of this season and then you can go back to writing whatever you want."

"Except I won't be able to write whatever the hell I want because when I choose to write something negative about Charles I'll seem fucking bipolar." I couldn't go from using my platform to make him look amazing to shittalking him a month later, Vasseur knew that when introducing the idea. The strategic bastard.

"Well maybe that's for the best."

"You sound like Arthur," I sighed. Maybe it was for the best. Maybe I was the problem, focusing so much on being stripped of the opportunity to write negatively about him that i was realizing perhaps I wanted to write negatively about him. perhaps my personal feelings towards him were getting in the way of my professionalism, making me biased. "But it's fine. I get it."