[3] MARANELLO || C. LECLERC

THIRTY NINE

* a new chapter is finally here!! enjoy, and vote / comment throughout!! also, please make sure to read and engage with the note at the end of this chapter! *

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CAMILLE

"What is it? I can tell there is something playing on your mind." Our alarms rang out a short while ago and my eyes were still heavy with fatigue. I didn't want to get up, to move from my comfortable position with my head resting on Charles' chest. It was race day, and we needed to leave for the track soon. I couldn't bring myself to do it.

Over the past few days, since the news about Stefan surfaced, I'd kept myself to myself in the paddock. I kept my head down and didn't speak to anyone. I didn't want to draw attention to myself, or have to look at anyone in the eye because I knew it would just hurt and I would break down in tears. Somehow, despite this news actually being rather positive, I was caught up thinking about what people in the paddock would think of me. I despised the way my mind worked sometimes.

"Mon amour, come on. You can tell me," Charles was brushing his fingers through my hair and softly caressing the hot skin on my cheek as he went. "What is it? I'll make it better."

Also, I feared people noticing that my body was slowly beginning to change. Realistically, there was absolutely no visible change to my body at this moment, but that wasn't the point. It was all psychological, and I didn't want anyone to ask questions around Charles because he didn't know yet. I wanted to switch my mind off for one day. I couldn't stop thinking - it was never ending.

"Camille."

"Sorry," I felt bad for ignoring him whilst I collected my thoughts. "Sorry, it's just nerves."

"Nerves? Why are you nervous?" Charles wanted to sit up so that he could look at me with ease, but I didn't budge from his chest. I was too comfortable here to even think about moving.

"What if people come up to me today and ask all sorts of questions about the news?" Whilst chewing on my lip, I removed my hand from Charles' chest and instead, locked my fingers together. It prevented me from anxiously fiddling with my fingertips. "I know I've been in the paddock all weekend, but it's race day so there might be more people."

"Camille, you don't need to worry about that," Charles' words were reassuring. I appreciated it more than he realised, especially right now, because his tone was probably unintentional. "The entirety of the paddock are all about keeping you safe. I know you don't like the added attention, but everyone you pass will smile at you, just like they have already this weekend. Your safety is not only my top priority anymore, it's Mattia's, Seb's and Mia's. It's everyone's."

"I don't want to go." I tried to prevent tears from falling, but as I opened my mouth to speak, they fell without fail, and there was nothing I could do. There was, of course, a totally valid reason as to why I was feeling so emotional; my hormones were all over the place for obvious reasons. Charles just didn't know why yet, so I had to mask it in the best way I could.

"If it's really bothering you, then you can stay here. I don't want you to be alone though, mon amour, and we're heading straight to the airport after the race. I don't want you in the car by yourself," Charles shifted under the sheets and I finally had to give in to the urge to lie on his chest. "I'll be able to sort something."