Bonjour ma chérie || Charles Leclerc

•Chapter 37•

°I know I can treat you better than he can
And any girl like you deserves a gentleman
Tell me, why are we wasting time on all your wasted cryin'
When you should be with me instead?
I know I can treat you better, better than he can°

Leaving Fred's office, Diana bumped into Pierre, who was on his way to a team meeting. Once he saw her, his eyes widened. Diana greeted him warmly, and he approached her to make sure it's actually her.

"Diana, what a surprise!" He exclaimed, full of enthusiasm. "It's been so long since I last saw you." He added.

"Yeah, well, many things happened." Diana began.

"I heard. I'm sorry. I don't know what to say." He says, truly hurt by the news of her breakup with Charles.

"No, it's okay. Those things happen. But life still goes on. I got a job here so you'll probably see me more often." Diana said with a smile, even though she knew that it was still cutting her deep inside.

"Really? That's amazing! Do you work for the FIA or for a team?" He asked curiously.

"I work for Ferrari at the moment." She says, and Pierre's face turns white immediately, realizing what that meant.

"Oh, good for you! I'm sure you'll have such a great time on the team. The atmosphere that the tifosi brings to the club is immense." Pierre says, with genuine excitement.

"You are right, Pierre. Working for Ferrari is a once in a lifetime experience." Diana says, a smile on her face.

"Congrats again. It was nice to have a chat with you. Gotta go now cause I'm terribly late for a team meeting." He says.

I laugh at his oblivion. "Good luck with that, Pierre!" She says and waves goodbye as he rushes through the paddock.

Diana could not stop thinking about her date with Carlos on her way home. She knew that Carlos was a great guy. The brokeup with Iza shocked, not just Diana but the whole fan base when it was announced. After so many years of being together, everyone thought that they were endgame. Iza and Diana weren't best friends but did talk occasionally, so Diana had already cleaned up her mind about this date with Carlos. She was not going to give in in case of any flirt.

Once the clock hit 7pm sharp, Diana found Carlos waiting for her in the parking lot of her hotel, in his luxurious Ferrari. She was excited to meet Carlos mainly because it's been a long time since they last talked properly. She walked up to the car and got in before greeting him warmly. Carlos turned on the music and drove to a seemingly very expensive restaurant. He had already made a reservation, and a table for two was waiting for them, at a corner of the indoor space, offering a bit of privacy.

Carlos was a gentleman all along, helping her sit, giving her options, keeping the conversation alive, constantly trying his best to impress her. Diana was surely flattered by his actions. It's been so long since someone had treated her that way. For a moment, her mind raced back to Charles and their moments but forced herself to shake that feeling off.

"Diana, this may be too early, but I feel like i have to say it. I didn't ask you out in a friendly way, and I hope I've made it clear by now." Carlos starts, but Diana cuts him off.

"Carlos," she says and smiles. "I wanted to talk to you about that," said she, taking a sip of her wine.

"Did I rush it?" Carlos asks, worried.

"No, it's not about that. Just give me a second to explain." Diana says, not wanting to misspoke.

"I'm listening." Carlos says, turning his full attention to Diana.

"Carlos, you are a great guy. If the circumstances were different, I'm sure we would have a beautiful thing between us. But -" She begins, but Carlos has other plans.

"You have unfinished business with Charles." He says, sure of his words.

Diana lets out a breath she didn't even know she was holding, feeling relieved in a way. "You could say it that way." She says and pauses, gathering her thoughts.

"I want to be honest to you, Carlos. Charles and I..." she pauses again. "Charles was and still is the only person who has made me feel so strong feelings. His actions after everything that happened have hurt me a lot, I can't deny that. But I also can't deny that..." Diana begins, trying to find the words.

"That he is the love of your life." Carlos says softly, in an understanding way.

Diana lifts her gaze up to his eyes and notices a bit of sadness but mostly support. She smiles, more to herself that to Carlos.

"It sounds cliché but I can't word it any better." She says. "I haven't told anyone other than myself this, but... I came here on purpose. The job at Ferrari was not a coincidence, even if I pretended it was. I can't let a stupid misunderstanding ruin the best thing I've even come across." She adds, fidgeting with her hands under the table.

"Diana, there is no reason to apologize for being a human. We all fall in love, make mistakes, screw up, trip, then fall. The point is to acknowledge our flaws and mistakes in order to work for the better. We have to chase what we think is the best for us. I could never blame you for being after someone you love." Carlos says warmly.

Diana now has a wide smile on her face, happy that Carlos thinks like that.

"Thank you for being so understanding," She says.

Carlos smiles back before speaking again. "I can be helpful apart from understanding." Carlos says and smirks.

"I don't understand," Diana says and frowns.

"I mean... I can help you get back with Charles. I'm his teammate, and we spend so much time together. I can easily steal some words from him. Be a spy in a way." He says.

Diana giggles. "Carlos, are you for real right now?" She asks.

Carlos nods. "Surely. I want to help two people who belong together, Diana. It's the least I can do for you. It may sound terrible at first, but it's for a good cause, isn't it?" He says

"Carlos, I have no words," Diana says, obviously shocked.

"Just say yes, and you have it." Carlos insists.

Diana stays silent for a moment. She knows that if she wants Charles back, she should put into good use anything she has. After a moment, she nods.

"We have a deal," she says and smiles in hopes of some actual progress.
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hello there!
It's been a while, I know...
I just got really busy with school and got into a HUGE reading and writing slump.
To be brutally honest, I have no idea if I'm going to post another chapter anytime soon.
I just wanted to make sure y'all have something to read cause the numbers keep on increasing, and I feel bad for the people waiting.
Thank you for the support here and on tiktok.
Till the next chapter!