[3] MARANELLO || C. LECLERC

FIVE

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CAMILLE

"Adam, Cisca and Oliver will be down at McLaren, of course, Sophie, Victoria and Dilara are at Red Bull, but I'll be back as soon as we finish this hot lap," I let go of mama's hand as Charles slipped his arm around my waist. I didn't understand why I'd ever agreed to let him drive me around the Yas Marina circuit at God knows how many miles an hour, weeks after he proposed to me. I was terrified to say the least; the hot lap I did with Max last year was bad enough. "If he drives safely enough."

"Of course I will, mon amour," Charles pressed his lips to my forehead and I giggled as I allowed my hands to rest over his abdomen. He looked so smart in his red Ferrari polo shirt and it made me weak in the knees. I couldn't believe he was all mine. "Come on. I'll keep you safe."

I waved at my parents, as Andrea moved towards them to start conversation, whilst Charles escorted me towards the pit lane. I held tightly onto his hand, whilst he carried his helmet in the other, tucking it gently beneath his arm and holding it into his side. I exhaled with a shaking breath, my heart pounding against my chest as I glanced at the cars on the grid. I couldn't believe this was only the first time Charles had taken me round any circuit for a hot lap. A helmet was thrust my way and I smiled, securing it over my head as Charles ensured it was on correctly before I pulled my phone out of my pocket. Once he'd put his helmet on too, we were both smiling for the camera as I uploaded the selfie to my Instagram story. He then led me towards the red Ferrari and climbed in one side, waiting for me to join him by sitting in the passenger seat.

I chewed on my lip as he revved the engine, "are you ready?"

"Not at all." With nervous eyes, I looked at him, his hand slipping onto my thigh to give it a reassuring squeeze. I relaxed in the chair as Charles firmly placed his hands on the wheel, my teeth digging into my bottom lip as warm sparkles rushed through my veins. He looked so perfect like this, and I was excited for Abu Dhabi to be followed up by the winter break, to allow Charles and I to spend some real quality time together. The thought of being able to plan our beautiful wedding, of which we both envisioned happening in the summer, unable to believe that this was actually happening to us.

I was violently pulled from my thoughts when Charles added extra force onto the accelerator pedal and suddenly, we were off, and my heart was pounding against my chest. My breath caught in my throat, a high pitched squeal slipping from my mouth.

"Charles!" As exhilarating as this was, part of me was so desperate for this to end already. Of course, I trusted Charles with my life, therefore, this wasn't a totally terrifying experience. He took the corners so tightly, turning his head to glance at me whilst an innocent grin lay on his lips. I giggled, whilst clutching tightly onto the side of the Ferrari, the adrenaline pumping through my veins as I shivered.

"You're enjoying this," Charles' grip on the wheel tightened, as we took yet another tight corner. I had no idea where we were, but I was loving every single second of this, Charles' voice ringing through my ears as the speed of the car seemed to become a little more intense. "God, you look so beautiful."

"Stop complimenting me and focus on getting us back to the line." I gasped, shaking my head whilst I pointed at the track in front of us, watching Charles' eye line focussing back on the circuit. My chest was moving so quickly, rising and falling as my breathing remained a little unstable, yet the adrenaline was pumping uncontrollably through my body. I shook my head as yet another squeal passed over my lips.