On and Off the Track

S I X T Y E I G H T.

As the sun rose on qualifying day, the air buzzed with anticipation and energy. Charles and I woke up in our hotel room, the excitement of the race weekend palpable between us. His eyes were alight with enthusiasm, already dressed in his Ferrari gear, the iconic red contrasting perfectly with his dark hair. He moved around the room with an infectious energy, glancing at me as I got ready.
"I can't believe today's the day!" he exclaimed, his voice brimming with eagerness. I smiled at his excitement, my heart fluttering at the sight of him.
"You're like a kid on Christmas morning," I teased, running a brush through my hair.
"Can you blame me?" he shot back, his eyes sparkling. He crossed the room and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me close. His hands roamed my back, fingers lightly brushing against my skin, sending shivers down my spine. "I want you to see me at my best today."
"You'll be amazing," I reassured him, leaning back into his embrace, savouring the warmth of his body. "Just remember to have fun out there."
"I will," he promised, though there was a nervous energy in his voice, something I could sense beneath the surface. "I just... I want to make a good impression, especially with you watching."
"You always impress me, Charles," I said softly, tilting my head up to meet his gaze. "Now let's get going otherwise we will be late.''

As we left the hotel, the buzz of the race weekend hit us full force. Fans lined the streets, their cheers and chants echoing off the walls. Cameras flashed as we made our way through the throngs of supporters, and I felt a rush of adrenaline as I took in the sheer passion of the tifosi.
"Charles! Over here!" a fan shouted, waving a Ferrari flag.
"Can I get a picture?" another called out, holding up a phone. I could see the joy in Charles' eyes as he stopped to sign autographs and pose for photos, his infectious smile lighting up the faces of the fans. He was in his element, thriving under the attention and admiration. Amidst the chaos, he kept one arm wrapped around me, pulling me closer as we navigated the sea of fans.
"I love this part," he said, his voice barely audible over the cheers. "It reminds me why I do what I do." I smiled back, feeling a swell of pride for him. He turned to me, his expression softening, and for a moment, the noise of the world around us faded away. "Thank you for being here," he said sincerely, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "It means everything to me."

As we made our way to the car, I couldn't help but notice how Charles' excitement was contagious, fueling my own adrenaline as we reached the track. The atmosphere was electric, filled with the hum of mechanics and the roar of engines being tuned. We approached the entrance where more fans were gathered, eagerly awaiting a glimpse of their favourite driver. Charles, still holding my hand, turned to me with a playful grin.
"Ready for the show?"
"Always," I replied, my heart racing in anticipation. With a squeeze of my hand, he stepped out of the car and we made our way to the paddock. After spending some time with the fans, watching him take photos, and sign autographs we parted ways.

I settled into a comfortable chair in the Ferrari hospitality, cradling my steaming cup of coffee as the morning sun streamed through the glass windows. The atmosphere buzzed with the excitement of qualifying day, but my focus was drawn to the gentle chatter with Isa seated across from me.
"So, how are you finding it all? Experiencing the first ferrari home race" Isa asked, sipping her own drink and glancing around at the bustling paddock.
"It's amazing! The energy here is electric," I replied, feeling the excitement thrumming in my chest. "It's different seeing it from this side, you know? I love it." As we chatted, my gaze drifted toward the entrance of the paddock. That's when I caught sight of Lando walking past. He seemed to be in his own world, his shoulders hunched slightly, and there was a distinct weariness etched on his face. Despite the vibrant atmosphere around him, he looked almost muted, and my heart tugged at the sight. "Is everything okay with him?" I murmured, trying to keep my voice casual, curiosity finally getting the better of me. Isa glanced over at Lando, her brows furrowing slightly.
"I'm not sure," she replied, her tone thoughtful. "He's been quieter lately, not quite himself." I nodded, feeling a wave of concern wash over me. I hadn't spoken to Lando since Monaco, but seeing him like that stirred something in me. There was a time when I could read him like a book, and right now, he looked lost in his own thoughts, disconnected from everything around him. "Maybe he just needs some time," Isa added with a reassuring smile. "Racing can take a lot out of them, both mentally and physically."
"Yeah, I hope so," I murmured, though my mind still lingered on the image of Lando as he disappeared into the crowd. I tried to shake off the worry, focusing back on the conversation with Isa, but a part of me couldn't help feeling like something more was going on with him. I felt a surge of empathy for Lando, remembering the complexity of our shared past and the emotional aftermath that seemed to linger.  "What's going on with him and Yvie?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
"Carlos and I were close to them, but I don't really know the details." Isa sighed, looking thoughtful. "Honestly, it's complicated. I thought they were together for a while, but Carlos keeps saying it's not as simple as that. There's a lot of back and forth, I think." I nodded, processing the information.
"Complicated how?" I pressed gently, hoping for more insight.
"Well," Isa began, stirring her coffee absentmindedly, "they've had their ups and downs. It's like they're in this weird limbo where they care about each other but also have their issues. Carlos has mentioned that Lando seems to struggle with it all, especially with the pressure of racing and everything else going on in his life." That explanation hit home for me. I had seen Lando at his best and worst, and the thought of him being caught in such turmoil felt heavy.
"That sounds tough. I can't imagine trying to juggle that with everything else." Isa looked at me, sensing my concern.
"I've seen him, right and the way he interacts with Yvie. It's like they're stuck in this push and pull, and it's hard for both of them."
"I get that," I replied quietly, my heart aching a bit for them. "It's just... I hope they can figure it out. No one deserves to feel that lost."
"Exactly," Isa agreed, taking a sip of her coffee. "But who knows? Maybe they'll find a way to work through it. Lando just needs to take a break and recharge." As we continued our conversation, I couldn't shake the image of Lando's tired face from my mind. I hoped that whatever complicated situation was unfolding between him and Yvie, they would find the clarity and peace they both deserved. In the meantime, I leaned into the warmth of my own life with Charles, grateful for the love and support that surrounded me. As the excitement in the paddock reached a fever pitch, Isa and I made our way toward the Ferrari garage, anticipation buzzing in the air. The sun hung high, casting a warm glow over the cars and the crowds of fans gathered outside, eager to catch a glimpse of their favourite drivers.
"Can you believe it's finally happening?" I asked, my heart racing with the energy of the moment. I could feel the adrenaline surging as we stepped into the garage, where the mechanics were finalising last-minute preparations.
"Right? It's incredible!" Isa replied, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm as we settled into a prime viewing spot near the pit wall. "I can't wait to see how they do today."