the F1 journey begins | Part 2

Chapter 11 : Lunch before Sprint Qualifying

(Cara's POV)

As Monique told me everything, my anger was slowly bottling up. This girl better back off or I'll break her actual neck. According to Monique, she looked a lot like Charlotte, one of Charles' other ex. I actually loved Charlotte as she was very pretty and kind but this girl, Alex, looked terribly different. As all girls went out, I asked the boys if we could go eat something quickly before the qualifying started in around an hour's time. Lando gave me a quick smirk and agreed with me. "Let's go, beautiful." He told me as he grabbed my arm and walked to the McLaren Facility. He waved the boys a good bye whilst I looked back as the girls gave me a huge thumbs up. They understood that both me and Lando needed some alone time together.

As we walked around the paddock, many wanted Lando's Autograph and I told him to sign a little boy's hat which was so adorable. They took pictures with us as well as we were on our way. We got inside the Facility and went straight up to his driver's room. "What the hell is wrong with Alex. Can't she leave the man alone and live. If I see her, you better stop me from strangling the woman." He said as he moved from side to side. I sat down as I heard the Brit's hot accent. "What happened to Charles and her?" I asked as he gave a sigh. "Last year, in Abu Dhabi, whilst our drivers party after the race, Charles saw her making out with one of the Mercedes CEO's. He confronted her and told her to never talk to him again. From that day, he felt horrid and defeated. Me, Carlos, Max and Pierre have been there for the man. He was even planning on marrying her on her birthday. Ever since Monique came, he's changed for the better." He told me as he sat near me. I was so shocked for Charles. That must've felt horrible. Some minutes had passed, Lando's Race Engineer, Will, came in with a salad and a hotdog alongside some chips. Lando got up, thanked Will as did I, and took the salad and hotdog.

"Here's your hotdog and chips." He told me. I looked at him with big eyes and the biggest smile as I said thank you. "Anything for my girl." He said as I chew on the hotdog quietly. It was delicious.

(Carlos' POV)

As Lando took Cara with him, the remaining four of us went to my drivers room as it was rather huge. We all got in and sat down. I turned on the TV as I watched the weather forecast for the second time today. Everyone was quiet. All of a sudden, Leah spoke. "I have to say it , If I see Alex around, I'll speak to her no matter what" "Don't try." Charles said. "Yes, I will try because I ain't letting that piece of small talk get to my best friend and then proceed to get away with it. I've seen Monique's panic attacks and they are not pretty ones. You might not have the guts to speak to her again but I do. Even if I don't know her." Leah said getting up from her seat. Charles looked furious. "Alright guys please calm down. I'm fine now. No one needs to speak to her." Monique replied. "But-" "Even if you knew her, it isn't your business! For god damn's sake!" Charles said storming out of the room. Sh!t. I went running out as I grabbed him from his bicep.

I noticed how angry he was. I hadn't seen him this angry since his last crash. Which turned out to be the worst crash in Australia the year before. "I just can't Carlos. I can't stand there and hear your girlfriend try to be the hero. She doesn't know what happened to me the day I found out. I can't." He said as he lost it and started crying. Oh god how I need Monique out here right now. He needs her. As I held Charles, I saw Monique coming out and waved her over. She ran as she hugged him tight. "Hey, hey! I'm here, my love don't worry, what's wrong? Come, let's go to your room. I'll take him, see you after the quali" Monique said as I nodded. I went inside my room to find Leah sat down crying.

"Hey carinõ. Don't cry. Just a bit of a fight don't worry. Everything's going to be perfectly fine love." I said as I hugged her. "I'm so sorry, I lashed out at Charles for no reason." She said softly whilst hugging me still. I sighed. Alex better not come again today or tomorrow, or the whole group will fall apart. This thought kept racing through my mind as time went by and Leah relaxed on my shoulder as I watched some TV. She slept peacefully with her red eyes shut. All of a sudden, my Media Manager came and told me that Sprint Qualifying would start soon so I slowly put Leah in the right position on the couch to sleep and left her a quick note and left.

Hey darling, I'm at quali right now. Sorry I can't be near you asleep 🫶🏽 love you so much.

(Monique's POV)

As I took Charles to his room, I saw Alex flirting with some guy at the station. God I don't need to see her right now. I told Charles she was here as he removed his tears and wore his glasses. "Grab my hand, shorty." He told me as I turned a bit red. We walked to his room as I looked at her and made eye contact. That was cold. We went in and closed the door as he sat down, wasted. "I know how you're feeling but the Spring Qualifying is soon so please can you try for me?" I asked him as he looked at me and smiled. "You know I always try for you, shorty." Charles told me with a wink. "Your wink just made everything sooo cute, Lord Perceval." I said teasing the man. "Mhm?" "Yeah.." I said as I saw him get up and coming closer. God he's getting close. I put my back to a wall as he cornered me. Well this was going to be the death of me. As he came closer and closer. I looked up to him with big eye contact and smiled. Maybe a bit irritating enough for him to leave me alone? Never would happen to be fair. He smiled and said "A kiss would be nice, would it now?" "Sure.." I said.

He grabbed my neck and kissed me. God he's hot and I can't stand him. After a bit, he stopped for a bit. "You're amazing at making me better again." "Well, why'd you stop." I said as he smirked. We went on for a while but then stopped. We sat down on the couch and watched the TV and talked. As we relaxed, it was soon time for the Sprint Qualifying of Miami.