Enemies to lovers // C. Leclerc x C. Sainz

Chapter 13: Unwanted Attention

{{{[Lec's POV]}}}

The atmosphere in the paddock was electric as we prepared for the next race. The Mexico Grand Prix had been a whirlwind, and now we were gearing up for another intense weekend. But something had been bothering me since the last race, and it wasn't just the usual pre-race nerves. Lando and I were chatting about the upcoming race when I noticed the same fan from Mexico approaching us. My heart sank as I saw her eyes light up with excitement. She pushed through the crowd, making a beeline for Oscar and Carlos. "Oscar! Carlos! I love you both so much!" she exclaimed, practically throwing herself at them.

Oscar and Carlos exchanged uneasy glances, clearly uncomfortable with the situation. Before anyone could react, she grabbed Carlos's arm and kissed him on the cheek. Carlos's smile faltered, and a look of discomfort crossed his face.

A surge of jealousy and anger shot through me, sharper than I expected. I could see Lando's jaw tighten beside me, his eyes narrowing with frustration.

"Hey, that's enough," I said, stepping forward to intervene, my voice barely concealing my irritation. "We need to keep things respectful, okay?"

But she didn't stop there. She turned to Oscar, her eyes filled with a disturbing intensity. "Oscar, you mean the world to me!" she cried, leaning in to kiss him as well.

Lando's face turned red with anger, and I could feel my own temper rising. "Please, respect their space," Lando said firmly, his voice bordering on a yell. "This isn't appropriate."

The fan's expression shifted to one of disappointment and frustration. "But I love them! They need to know how much they mean to me!"

Oscar gently pulled away, trying to handle the situation with grace. "I appreciate your support, but this is not appropriate. Please respect our space."

Security stepped in, guiding the fan away from us. The incident left a bitter taste in my mouth, and I could see the discomfort in Oscar and Carlos's eyes. We made our way back to the team area, the atmosphere noticeably tense.

"Are you alright?" I asked, placing a hand on Carlos's shoulder.

Carlos nodded, but I could tell he was annoyed. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just wasn't expecting that."

"People can get carried away," Lando said, trying to reassure him, though his voice still carried a hint of anger. "You're a public figure, but it doesn't mean they can cross boundaries like that."

Oscar sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know. It's just... weird. I've never had someone do that before."

We took a moment to sit down and collect our thoughts. The paddock was still bustling with activity, but the incident had cast a shadow over an otherwise great day.

"Hey," I said, trying to lighten the mood. "At least you know you have some pretty dedicated fans."

Oscar chuckled, the tension easing slightly. "Yeah, I guess you could say that."

As we sat there, I realized that this was just one of the many challenges that came with our lives as professional drivers. The highs of victory, the lows of defeat, and everything in between. But through it all, we had each other's backs.

I couldn't help but think about how much Oscar and Carlos meant to me—not just as teammates, but as friends and maybe something more. The jealousy I felt when that fan kissed them was a clear sign that my feelings ran deeper than I had admitted to myself.

"Let's get ready for the debrief," I said, standing up and offering them a hand. "We've got work to do."

Oscar and Carlos nodded, taking my hand and standing up. "Thanks, Charles. For everything."

We headed back to the garage, ready to focus on the tasks ahead. The road was filled with uncertainties, but as long as we faced them together, I knew we'd be alright.