Formula 1 | One Shots

Obsessions | Charles Leclerc

Authors Note: This storyline was requested by user: Csmyth289

Done in reader's POV. This is a longer one, enjoy!
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The sun was shining brightly as I walked down the cobblestone path, heading into town. It was one of those peaceful weekday mornings, the kind that made me appreciate how life could feel so calm just before the chaos of a race weekend, especially when it was Charles' home race.

The routine of picking up pastries from our favorite bakery was something I loved doing once a week. It gave me a moment to breathe, to escape the chaos of work, and just be...me. Charles had a busy day ahead prepping for the Monaco GP, and I thought surprising him with some fresh croissants would make his day a little sweeter.

The bell above the bakery door chimed as I stepped inside, the delicious smell of freshly baked croissants filling my nose. I smiled at the woman behind the counter, familiar with her by now.

"Bonjour, Angelina," she greeted, "your usual?"

"Oui, merci Marie," I replied, glancing at the displays of baguettes and pastries in the window. Everything looked so delicious, but I stuck to my plan, croissants for Charles, and maybe a cookie for myself...I deserved a little sweet treat.

As I waited, I pulled out my phone to send Charles a quick message, letting him know I'd be back soon. He wouldn't be home for a bit but I knew he'd appreciate the message. He loved the little updates, always reminding me to text him whenever I left the apartment, a small habit he'd picked up to make sure I was safe in this world that could feel too exposed at times.

"Here you are cherie," Marie said as she placed the bag of baked goods on the counter. I thanked her and paid, putting the bag under my arm as I stepped back outside. Suddenly I felt a weird chill down my back. Something felt off, but I shrugged it off, telling myself I was just overthinking. The sun was shining, the streets were calm, and it was just another beautiful morning in Monaco.

As I made my way through the streets, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. There was a strange sensation, like someone was watching me. I started walking a little bit faster, glancing over my shoulder, but saw nothing out of the ordinary, just locals going about their day and a couple of tourists snapping photos.

I shook my head, smiling at myself. You're being paranoid, Angel. I took my phone from my pocket to my hand, just in case. It wasn't until I crossed the street that I noticed him. An odd man, who looked like he was in his thirties. At first, he seemed to blend in with the surroundings, but as I turned the corner, his figure became more noticeable. He wasn't too close, but close enough that I could feel his presence just behind me.

My heart pounded in my chest, and I cursed myself for not driving today. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe I was imagining it. But every instinct in my body told me something was wrong. I picked up my pace, trying to stay calm as I moved through the crowd that was now growing. The closer I got to the busier part of town, the safer I felt. But he was still there, following at a distance, his gaze on me.

My heart was racing, and with every step, the man felt closer. I glanced at my phone, knowing Charles was tied up with interviews for the next few hours. It was his home race, and there were events all week. He had so much on his plate, and I didn't want to bother him. But this...this was different. I opened my contacts, landing on Max's name. If anyone could make me feel safe right now, it was him.

Max had always been like a big brother to me, protective in a way that made me feel secure. Even though he and Charles were fierce rivals on the track, off it, they were family and he'd dropped everything for me before. I pressed call and brought the phone to my ear, looking over my shoulder again. The man was still there, his movements slow and steady, like he was trying not to be obvious, but failing miserably.