Death of a Bachelor (COMPLETED)

#46 Somewhere in France

-George Russell was stripped of his victory at the Belgian Grand Prix after his Mercedes car was found to be underweight after the chequered flag. Teammate Lewis Hamilton was promoted to first place, securing his second victory of the season after his win at the British Grand Prix earlier this month.

-Lewis Hamilton Finishes P8 After Difficult Race in Zandvoort!

-Lewis Hamilton Finishes P5 in Italia Grandprix!

--Paris-September 2024--

“Want more grapes?” Lewis called out from the small kitchen area, his voice light and casual as he sorted through a bowl of fresh fruit.

Simone sat a few feet away in front of her canvas, completely absorbed in her painting. She didn’t even turn to look at him, her brush moving gently across the canvas with focused precision. Her curly brown hair was tied up messily, a streak of mixed color paint already on her wrist.

“Nope” she replied, raising her voice just enough for him to hear. “More strawberries, please.”

Lewis smiled to himself as he reached for the container of strawberries on the counter. The soft rustle of the fruit and the quiet hum of the studio were the only sounds in the room. He stole a glance toward the living area, where Simone sat in front of her canvas.

Her body leaned slightly forward, completely absorbed in what she was painting. Her eyes were narrowed in deep concentration, following every brushstroke with precision and care.

There was something peaceful about her in that moment—so lost in her own world, surrounded by colors and creativity. The sunlight coming through the windows cast a soft glow over the room, warming the wooden floors and adding a golden tint to the white walls of her art studio.

He walked over to the sink, rinsed the strawberries carefully under cool running water, and watched as the tiny droplets slid down their bright red skin. After patting them dry with a kitchen towel, he picked up a small knife and began slicing each one with care, removing the green tops and cutting them into neat halves.

He worked quietly and patiently, making sure every piece was just right. Once he was done, he placed all the slices into a small ceramic bowl and gave them a gentle shake to settle them evenly. The sweet, fruity smell filled the kitchen as he turned around and made his way toward Simone with the bowl in his hands.

“Say ahhh” Lewis said with a playful grin as he sat down beside her on the floor. He picked up one of the freshly sliced strawberries from the bowl and held it gently in front of her mouth.

Simone glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, lips twitching into a smile as she leaned in and took a bite.

“Mmm. Yum” she mumbled, chewing thoughtfully, her gaze already drifting back to her canvas.

Lewis followed her line of sight and stared at the painting she was working on. It was still in progress—broad strokes of bold color layered over softer, more delicate details. There was movement in it, emotion, something raw yet calming. He tilted his head slightly, trying to understand what it was she was capturing this time.

“What’s this one about?” he asked quietly, not wanting to break her focus but too curious to stay silent.

Simone didn’t answer right away. Instead, a subtle smirk played at the corners of her lips as she dipped her brush into a new color. “Take a guess” she said playfully.

Lewis narrowed his eyes he observed the bold strokes, the garden-like imagery, and the contrast of warm and cool tones. Then his gaze flicked over to Simone, who was watching his reaction with quiet amusement.