SHIRT, charles leclerc (REWRITING)

TWO, the embers of fate

CHAPTER TWO,
the embers of fate

Juliette stepped into the lobby of the Scuderia Ferrari offices in Monte Carlo, her pulse quickening beneath the surface. The sharp scent of espresso and the faint hum of machinery tinged the air.

Her manager, Suki Liu, walked confidently beside her, the click of her heels echoing on the polished marble floor. As they approached the front desk, Juliette felt a familiar flutter of nerves begin to churn in her stomach.

"We're here for a meeting with Mattia Binotto," Suki said, her voice smooth and composed, a stark contrast to Juliette's jittery silence. The receptionist, a young woman with a practiced smile, glanced up from her screen.

"Name?"

"Juliette Bianchi," Suki replied, her calm demeanor never wavering, while Juliette absently fiddled with the edge of her sleeve, her fingers tracing the fabric as if seeking comfort.

The receptionist entered something into her computer, then rose gracefully from her chair. "Follow me."

The walk down the corridor seemed endless to Juliette, the bright Ferrari-red decor blending with the history and prestige surrounding her. The soft padding of footsteps and the quiet hum of conversation from distant rooms added to her anticipation.

At the end of the hallway, the receptionist led them into a meeting room with wide windows overlooking the city. Sunlight streamed in, casting long shadows across the polished table.

Juliette's eyes instantly landed on a familiar face—Charles Leclerc. His presence brought a wave of relief that she hadn't realized she needed. He was mid-conversation with Mattia Binotto, while his manager, Nicolas Todt, sat to the side, observing quietly. Charles flashed her a reassuring smile, and the knots in her stomach loosened slightly.

"Juliette, Suki," Mattia greeted them warmly, rising from his chair. He extended his hand, shaking theirs with a firm grip that somehow conveyed both authority and friendliness. After exchanging pleasantries, they all took their seats at the table.

Juliette's nerves spiked again as Mattia reached for a thick folder, pulling out several stapled documents. His expression softened, though, as he leaned forward, his glasses catching the light.

"Juliette," Mattia began, as he glanced at the documents in front of him, then met Juliette's eyes again. "We've been following your progress very closely, especially this past season in Formula 2. Your performance has been nothing short of exceptional."

Juliette's breath hitched as she felt the intensity of his words.

She had poured her heart into that season, every race, every turn on the track, culminating in her crowning victory in the Formula 2 Championship.

But hearing it acknowledged by Mattia Binotto—by Ferrari—was something else entirely.

"You dominated the competition," Mattia continued, his voice measured but filled with admiration. "The way you handled the pressure in those final races—especially the last one at Abu Dhabi—showed us your maturity and resilience. You've proven you're not just fast, but you can think like a champion. And that's exactly what we need here, world champion material."

Juliette glanced briefly at Charles, who gave her a knowing nod, his eyes filled with warmth.

Mattia leaned back slightly in his chair, his hands resting on the folder in front of him. "We believe you would make an excellent addition to Ferrari," he said, his tone turning even more serious.

Juliette felt her heart race even faster. The idea of being Charles's teammate, sharing the same iconic red cars, pushing the limits together on the world's biggest racing stage—it was almost too surreal. Racing beside her best friend was a dream.