On and Off the Track

S I X T Y F I V E.

As the plane soared through the clouds, a familiar excitement bubbled within me. Charles sat next to me, scrolling through his phone while I flipped through the photos we had taken throughout the summer. The memories flooded back—romantic dinners by candlelight, lazy afternoons lounging on the boat, and moments of laughter that felt like they would last forever. I stumbled upon a candid shot of us taken by Charlotte on our boat day. It was a sweet moment and neither of us were aware of the photo being taken, making it even more special. I felt a rush of warmth at the thought of sharing this moment with everyone.
"Hey, Charles?" I turned to him, an idea forming in my mind.
"Yeah?" He glanced up, eyebrows raised in curiosity.
"What do you think about me posting this photo?" I asked, pointing to the image.
"Go for it, I mean everyone already knows we are together" he said, a teasing grin spreading across his lips.
"If we are posting a photo of us, why not this one as well" I showed him another selfie we took together, it was my favourite photo of us.
"Sure. Just make sure I look good." I laughed, quickly selecting a few photos, adding a simple caption: "summer days" It felt perfect—light, fun, and full of meaning. I hit 'post' and watched as it uploaded, feeling a flutter of nerves mixed with excitement. Charles leaned closer to look at the post, and I could see a hint of pride in his expression.
"Looks good. You look amazing, as always."
"Thanks," I said, a slight blush creeping into my cheeks. "But you're not too bad yourself."

As the flight continued, I kept checking my phone, and within minutes, the likes started pouring in. Friends and followers were quick to comment, and my notifications began to light up like a Christmas tree. I couldn't help but smile at the outpouring of love and excitement.
"Wow, it's going viral," I remarked, glancing over at Charles. "Look at all the comments!" He leaned in to read some of them, his amusement evident.
"I think people are going to start connecting the dots."
"Yeah, it's our first post together, even if we haven't officially announced anything yet," I replied, feeling a mix of exhilaration and nervousness.

Once we landed and stepped off the plane, I felt a rush of adrenaline. The vibrant energy of Monaco was intoxicating, and I couldn't wait to get back home to our little routine. Charles took my hand, and as we walked through the airport,
"Ready?" he asked, glancing down at me with that charming smile that made my heart flutter.
"Absolutely," I replied, squeezing his hand.

Once we arrived in Monaco, the familiar vibrancy of the city enveloped us. The sun glistened off the Mediterranean, casting a warm glow that filled me with a sense of excitement. It felt almost surreal to be back, especially after such a magical getaway in Lake Como. Charles and I dropped our bags off at the apartment before heading out for a quick lunch at our favourite café. The lively chatter of locals surrounded us as we settled into a table. I watched him as he animatedly spoke about the upcoming race in Belgium, his passion evident in the way his eyes sparkled.
"I can't believe I have to leave so soon," he said, a hint of disappointment lacing his voice. "It feels like we just got back."
"I know," I replied, taking a sip of my iced tea. "But think of it this way—after Belgium, you'll have some time off, and we can plan something fun together." He grinned, and for a moment, all the worries about the race faded. We shared a plate of bruschetta, laughing as we playfully competed to grab the last piece.
"You're not getting away with that easily," he teased, stealing the final bite right before I could.
"Hey! That was mine!" I exclaimed, feigning annoyance but unable to hold back my laughter. After lunch, we took a stroll along the waterfront, hand in hand, savouring the moment as we passed by luxury yachts and vibrant beach clubs. Every so often, I'd steal a glance at Charles, appreciating the way his presence made everything feel lighter, brighter.
"Just a few hours left," he said, glancing at his watch as we walked. "I need to get to the airport soon." I felt a pang of sadness at the thought of him leaving, but I knew this was part of his life, a life I was beginning to understand.
"You'll do great, Charles. Just remember to have fun out there."
"I always do," he replied, squeezing my hand. "And I'll call you as soon as I land."

As we neared the apartment, I could see the sadness in his eyes. He didn't want to leave either. We paused at the front door, the tension of the moment hanging in the air.
"I hate goodbyes," I admitted softly.
"Me too," he said, stepping closer. "Just for a few days though, and then I will meet you in Monza." With that, he leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. I closed my eyes for a moment, savouring the warmth of his affection. When I opened them, he was looking down at me, a mix of determination and softness in his gaze. "I'll see you again before you know it," he assured me, stepping back. "And when I am, I want to make plans for our next trip."
"Deal," I said, forcing a smile despite the ache in my heart. "Now go, or you'll miss your flight." He chuckled, brushing a stray hair behind my ear.
"You're the best. I'll call you, okay?"
"Okay," I replied, watching him head down the hall, the sound of his footsteps echoing softly in the quiet apartment. As soon as he disappeared from view, I let out a sigh, missing him already. I spent the next few hours in a daze, trying to occupy my mind with work and planning for the upcoming week.

During my busy workdays, I moved through the confines of my apartment, where the soft morning light filtered through sheer curtains, casting gentle patterns across my desk. The air was filled with the faint scent of fresh coffee, a comforting ritual that kept me energised. I hunched over my laptop, diving into emails and creative briefs, my mind racing to meet deadlines while occasionally glancing at my phone, half-expecting Charles to call. When he did, it was like a breath of fresh air. His voice crackled through the speaker, smooth and teasing, instantly lifting my spirits.
"What's your excuse for being busy today?" he quipped, and I could hear the playful smirk in his tone. I laughed, letting the stress of the day slip away as we joked about everything from our favourite shows to the latest gossip. Every word exchanged was filled with warmth and familiarity. As we talked, I found myself nestled on the plush couch, absentmindedly toying with the hem of my top. Charles's laughter danced in my ears, and I couldn't help but smile at how he made even the mundane moments feel special.

Between calls, I flipped through my social media feed, my heart swelling at the outpouring of love for our first photo together. Each comment felt like a cheer from the sidelines, propelling me forward as I read glowing remarks from friends and fans alike. The countdown to the 5th loomed in the back of my mind like a sweet promise. I daydreamed of lazy mornings spent tangled in sheets, soft laughter echoing through the air, our private world shielded from the eyes of the public. Every passing moment solidified my excitement to see him race again.