The Bolter | Charles Leclerc

Chapter 8

"So," I said sitting in the passenger seat of a very fancy Ferrari. "How long were you watching me?"

"I wasn't," Charles replied very quickly.

"Yeah sure," I scoffed. "You just happened to appear at the right time?"

"So it was the right time?" He grinned

I bit my lip and paused, I didn't need Charles to save me, I was perfectly capable to standing up to a poor excuse of a man, I'd done it too many times, but this time, it felt nice to have someone in my corner.

But I couldn't let him know that. "You know what I mean."

"I saw you argue with Max," he admitted. "But I didn't follow you, I was trying to lose a group of fans, then I saw you. You argue with people a lot."

"It's a talent," I shrugged, "people are irritating."

He let out a small laugh. I looked over at him in surprise. We'd never been with each other for this long without tearing into each other. Maybe he wasn't as bad as I remembered. He had offered me a ride home after all.

"We're here," Charles said, pulling up outside the apartment block and abruptly stopping my train of thought.

"Right, thank you."

He nodded. "No problem."

I got out the car, and walked towards the building. When I heard the engine move away, a breath that's I didn't know I was holding escaped.

All the way up the the apartment, I processed the long day and all the events that lead up to me being in Charles Leclerc's Ferrari.

Mila had texted me to me to meet her at 9, so I had a few hours to pick an outfit and get ready for the evening. That was until I got a call from the one and only, Jos Verstappen.

I hesitated in deciding whether or not to answer the phone, but came to the conclusion it would cause even more problems if I didn't. "Hey Dad."

"Danique have you seen the articles that have been written about you recently?" A recognisable angry Dutch voice came through the speaker.

" 'Hi Dani, it's been so long since we last spoke', 'I know Dad, it has, lovely to hear your voice again,'" I mocked, testing the water.

"This isn't funny Dani, this is reflecting very badly on everyone."

Rolling my eyes, I placed my phone down on speaker  so I could finalise my outfit choice as Jos started his long, long rant about how much of a disappointment I was, and how I should be doing better, and that I should get a proper career like Max. There was a silence at the end of the line so I knew it was time to ignore everything he said and say my piece.

"Look Dad, I know you're trying, in a strange way, to look out for the family, but there's nothing to be worried about. Max is fine, I'm fine, everyone is just fine, plus my modelling is really taking off."

I heard a scoff that made my heart sink. "Have you got anything booked?"

"No," I replied. "But when my Miu Miu campaign goes live, I'm sure I will."

"So you've got nothing booked," he said flatly.

"Did you hear anything I literally just said?"

"Danique, you need to start thinking about your future, start taking your life seriously. Next week, we're having a family dinner, and you're going to be there. We can discuss plans then."

And with that he hung up the phone. I there my phone onto my bed, grabbed my pillow and screamed into it. Family dinner meant one thing. Manipulation.