On and Off the Track

S E V E N T Y O N E.

Back at the hotel, the atmosphere shifted from the electrifying energy of the track to a cosy, intimate vibe. Charles flopped onto the bed, still buzzing from the race, his grin never fading.
"What a day, right?" he said, looking up at me as I rummaged through my suitcase.
"Absolutely incredible," I replied, glancing over my shoulder at him with a smile. "But I think we deserve some room service first."
"Good call. I could eat my weight in pasta right now," he joked, already pulling out his phone to place the order. As he scrolled through the menu, he couldn't help but steal glances at me. It made me feel beautiful, even in my casual clothes, my hair falling in soft waves around my shoulders. Every time he looked at me, I felt a rush of gratitude for having him in my life. We settled into a comfortable routine, sharing laughter and stories as we waited for our food. The room service arrived quickly, and soon we were surrounded by an array of dishes, pasta, risotto, and a decadent dessert that looked almost too good to eat.
"This is amazing!" Charles exclaimed, diving into the food as if it were the most important race of his life. "You know, I think I could win every race if I had you by my side and a meal like this afterward." I laughed, my heart fluttering at his words.
"I'm sure your team wouldn't agree with that strategy."
"I don't care. You're my lucky charm," he replied, his eyes sparkling with mischief. As we indulged in our meal, Charles kept complimenting me, clearly enamoured. "You look stunning tonight, by the way," he said, setting down his fork to give me his full attention. "Like, I can't even describe how lucky I feel to have you with me." I felt a blush creeping to my cheeks, but I smiled brightly.
"You're just saying that because I'm feeding you."
"Maybe," he said playfully, "but I mean it." As we finished up our meal, the anticipation of the night ahead bubbled between us. I slipped into a sleek black dress that hugged my frame perfectly, while Charles donned a stylish button-up that accentuated his athletic build.
"Wow," he said, his eyes widening as he turned to me, completely stunned. "You look absolutely incredible."
"Thanks, but you're not so bad yourself," I teased back, giving him a playful nudge as I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, confident and ready for the night. When we were finally ready to leave, Charles took my hand and pulled me close, our eyes locking for a moment that felt electric.
"Today has been amazing," he said softly, his breath warm against my skin.
"It's not over yet," I replied, my heart racing as we stepped out into the night, excitement swirling around us.

The club was a cacophony of lights, music, and laughter, the atmosphere electric as we entered. Fans recognized Charles immediately, and the energy was infectious. He smiled, waved, and even took a moment to chat with a few fans before making his way to the bar with me.
"Drinks first, then we dance?" he suggested, already scanning the menu.
"Sounds like a plan!" I agreed, feeling the music pulse through me. With drinks in hand, we found a spot near the dance floor where the vibe was pulsating. Charles pulled me close, our bodies swaying together to the rhythm of the music. Laughter erupted between us, and I couldn't help but feel swept up in the moment, everything else faded away, and it was just the two of us. As the night wore on, Charles became more animated, his laughter ringing out over the music as we danced and celebrated. We were lost in our little world, completely attuned to each other, and as the night went on, I realised just how much I adored him. The thrill of being in his presence, the way he looked at me, and the way he made me feel. As we danced the night away, the connection between us deepened, and in that moment, under the flashing lights of the club, I knew I had found something extraordinary with Charles, something that felt like magic. When we stepped back into the hotel, the laughter continued to bubble between us, a joyful echo of our night out. Charles kicked off his shoes at the door, looking utterly carefree.
"I think I pulled a muscle dancing," he joked, stretching his arms overhead dramatically. "Or maybe that was just my ego." I giggled, leaning against the wall for support.
"You were definitely channelling your inner dancer. I'm surprised no one asked you to perform onstage!"
"Hey, I might just have a future as a dancer," he replied, winking at me. "But first, I need a good recovery drink. Any suggestions?"
"Water?" I quipped, rolling my eyes playfully. "You need to sober up, superstar."
"Okay, mom," he laughed, heading to the mini-fridge. "I can handle that. But I also want pizza. Pizza makes everything better."
"Pizza and water, sounds like the perfect post-party meal!" I said, following him to the small table in the room. As I watched Charles pour himself a glass of water, he suddenly stopped and turned to me, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
"You know, I could have danced with anyone tonight, but I chose you. Just thought you should know how special you are." My heart fluttered at his words.
"And here I thought you were just too tired to dance with anyone else!"
"Hey, don't ruin the moment!" he feigned seriousness, crossing his arms. "I'm trying to be romantic here." I couldn't help but burst into laughter, the sound ringing through the quiet hotel room.
"Okay, okay, I'll let you have your moment. You're very romantic, Mr. Leclerc."
"Thank you, Miss Toussaint," he said with a mock bow, then leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "But between us, I think I might have outdone myself tonight. The way you danced... wow." My cheeks flushed.
"You're just saying that because I didn't trip over my own feet."
"True," he conceded, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "But also because I genuinely think you're amazing." The playful banter continued as we waited for the pizza, each moment filled with laughter and warmth. When the food finally arrived, we practically tore the boxes open, excited to indulge in our late-night feast.
"Look at this masterpiece!" Charles exclaimed, holding up a slice of pizza like it was the trophy from a race. "It's beautiful."
"I think you're just hungry," I teased, taking a bite of my own slice.
"Maybe a little," he admitted, chewing with delight. "But that doesn't take away from the sheer beauty of this pizza!"

We spent the next hour chatting and laughing, the atmosphere filled with an easy intimacy that made me feel at home. Each story shared, each laugh exchanged, made me realise how much I cherished these moments with Charles. The way he looked at me, the way he made me feel like the only person in the room, it was intoxicating. After we finished eating, Charles leaned back against the headboard, arms behind his head, a contented smile on his face.
"Tonight was perfect," he said, a glint of sincerity in his eyes.
"Agreed," I replied softly, snuggling next to him on the bed. "I'm so glad we got to experience this together." He turned to me, a playful seriousness in his expression.
"You know, I think we should make this a tradition. After every race, pizza and laughter."
"I'm in," I said, grinning back. "As long as I get to choose the toppings."
"Deal," he said, and in that moment, the laughter faded into a comfortable silence, both of us soaking in the happiness that surrounded us.

As the laughter settled, Charles moved closer, the playful atmosphere shifting into something more profound. He stood there, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he animatedly recounted the highlights of the race, his hands gesturing wildly. I couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm, the way his face lit up with each detail, his passion for racing evident in every word.
"...and then when he took that turn at the last lap—absolute genius! I swear, it was like I was dancing with the car!" Charles exclaimed, his voice rising with every beat of his story. I watched him, completely captivated, as he spoke with such fervour, completely lost in his world. But amidst his excitement, something shifted within me. The warmth of his presence, the depth of his feelings, and the spark in his eyes overwhelmed me. And before I could think twice, the words tumbled out of my mouth.
"Charles, I love you." The air in the room shifted instantly, the laughter falling away as his gaze snapped to mine, eyes wide in surprise.
"What?" he said, his voice barely above a whisper, the racing stories momentarily forgotten.
"I love you," I repeated, my heart pounding in my chest, the weight of the admission crashing over me like a wave. "I love how you light up when you talk about the things you're passionate about, how you make even the mundane feel extraordinary. You've turned my world upside down" I paused, catching my breath as tears threatened to spill over. "You've made me question everything I thought I knew about love and control. I didn't think I could feel like this again... after everything with Lando. But with you—it's different" Charles stepped forward, his expression softening as he took my hands in his, grounding me.
"You have no idea how long I've wanted to hear that," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I love you, I love the chows you bring to my life. I love it and I love you." With those words hanging between us, the world around us faded away. I could feel the heat rising between us, the urgency of everything left unsaid. And then, he kissed me. Not gently, not sweetly, but with the same passion and intensity that had fueled my confession. It was a kiss that spoke of promises, of love, and of a future we were both. Charles leaned back slightly, gazing down at me with a mix of relief and adoration.
"You're everything," he said quietly and I let out a breath I didn't realise I'd been holding, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips. In that moment, everything was perfect. Messy, chaotic, and absolutely perfect.