Hidden. To Follow one's own path with the heart

4.

Together we watch the sea and the ships. We sat a bit hidden in the shade so I could really relax even though the so celebrity boys were with me. But when we were almost running out of drinks, Lando got a call. Sighing, it is his turn. "Yes?" Carlos and I looked at Lando with interest. "Eh we can do it, but only if we have to" He looked slightly annoyed "mhm, yes. No problem" He drank his last sip and nodded "All right to see you soon" With that, he hung up the phone and put the phone aside. "It was Zac, we should come over for a meeting right now. The mechanics found something or changed something, I didn't understand it that way." Confused, Carlos looked at him, but nodded. "Well, there's nothing you can do about it" I looked at the two of them, "Your work is probably coming faster than expected, isn't it?" Carlos nodded, "Yes, unfortunately. Do you want us to take you to the hotel?" I waved it off "No, it's all good, I might go for a stroll or something" Lando raised his eyebrows "Are you sure? You don't know your way around here as much as we do" I looked at him with a frown "Yes, of course, and if I get lost, I still have my cell phone" Lando was thinking about it. "Okay... But if something happens, get in touch" I smiled and the boys stood up "See you later Ellie" Carlos was already leading the way and Lando was still rummaging in his pockets "Here" He held out his credit card to me, frowning I looked up at him "What am I supposed to do with it?" He looked at me piercingly, "Use, as long as you don't earn anything yourself, your brother spends you. Just please don't do everything, will you?" Grinning, he looked at me, and I did the same. "I'll think about it. Thank you" He nodded and quickly ran towards Carlos, who was standing in the entrance and waiting. I waved again and looked around, planning what I was about to do. I opened Google Maps on my phone and looked at the area. What do you think is here?

There was a weekly market nearby, I could stroll about it... No sooner said than done, after paying for the drinks with Lando's credit card and tipping the waiter, I walked in the direction my phone was sending me, cell phone in hand.

Until, all of a sudden, I bumped into someone and heard a soft splash. "Oh man, sorry, what happened?" I turned around and the person lifted something off the ground and then looked at me. My phone!" With his eyes fixed on his cell phone, he tried to reach something on his cell phone, but apparently nothing happened, he sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.

I approached him and realized who it was: Charles Leclerc.

I had seen him on TV quite a few times. Had also followed him partly, and watched interviews when he had won. And that he was standing in front of me now... I just swallowed and briefly blinked several times.

"Hey, I'm sorry, is everything still intact?" I inquired cautiously. Charles sighed, "No, unfortunately not at all. My phone is completely dead" He looked up and at me for the first time.

Blue-green eyes met mine.

Hypnotized by the clarity of his gaze, it took me a few seconds to speak again. "Shit, I wasn't paying attention and jostling you sorry" Another sigh came from him and he shrugged his shoulders "No I was at least as distracted, you don't need to apologize" I just nodded "Okay..." Undecided whether I should just keep walking, I looked around the area. "Well, I have to move on," I decided. Confused, he looked at me "You can still ask me for a photo, even if you wrecked my phone" He said amused, now I looked at him confused "Ehh" I was a bit perplexed. He grinned a little more "I saw that you recognized me" I raised my eyebrows "yes already..." I began, but I shook my head. "Yes, why not" The comment probably confused Charles for a moment, but nodded and we took the photo. I checked it out and looked quite acceptable. "Okay, I have to go on, the sun here is even worse than in Monaco" I nodded amused, "You're right." He wanted to turn around and walk on, but he stopped, "Have you ever been there?"

I nodded "To be more precise, I've been living there for a short time" "Interesting, but don't you usually inspect your own country before walking somewhere else?" I shrugged my shoulders with a smile "Yes, but not if you have to work" He tilted his head with interest and nodded. "What was your name?" I took a deep breath "Elizabeth, but don't call me Ellie" "I don't have to introduce myself, do I?" Grinning, he looked at me, and I pretended to be shocked, "But that's not manners, Mr. Leclerc, not to introduce yourself to a lady!" He looked at me with serious regret. "Oh man, I'm sorry" I waved it off with a giggle "No, it's all good, I'll survive" Charles looked at me calmly. "Then it's good" I looked at the floor with a smile.

"Charles! Where are you staying?" I looked up, startled. Another voice I've heard before. "Pierre, I'll come right away" Yep. It was Pierre Gasly. He arrived at our place "Hi" he said briefly turning to me and then addressing Charles. "It was your idea to rent the yacht. And now you don't come? I know you like to make time for your fans, but..."

I raised my eyebrows. Why does everyone always think you're a fan? So yes, I'm a fan of the sport, but the riders... I know them all, follow them on Insta, but the picture, for example, didn't have to be...

Charles, however, looked apologetically at me and then at Pierre and showed him his cell phone: "I just wrecked my cell phone when we ran into each other." Pierre looked at me, unfazed by Charles' explanation, "Accidentally, then?"

What was that supposed to mean? Frowning, I looked at Pierre and blinked several times to understand what he was insinuating to me: I had run into Charles just to have a picture or a conversation with him? Just as I was about to start, Charles took it from me. "yes, she apologized and then we talked for a moment, so let's just go ok?"

Was he mad at me or Pierre? I wasn't the only one who noticed the chilly undertone and Pierre raised his hands reassuringly. "All right, as soon as you want" Pierre nodded to me and turned around Charles smiled crookedly for a moment "We'll see and I'm sure we'll see Ellie again soon" He winked at me and followed Pierre. "If you say so" I said unexpectedly, but I didn't think he had heard that.

Confused as to what had just happened, I watched the two of them.

These two Formula 1 drivers were weird.