Love and Rivalry {Female F1 driver}

Heart to heart

"Hungover, are we?" He teased and I just gently pushed him after I locked my door. "You could've told me to stop drinking, you know?" I said, dragging my feet as we walked down the hall. "Oh, so it's my fault?" He looked playfully offended and I nodded my head, "Who else's fault could it possibly be?" I joked and we both laughed. 

"Oh, I should warn you, by the way. The paparazzi are already here." He said, coming to a halt as he looked at me. I stopped and groaned as we waited for the elevator. "Did they write anything about last night?" I asked and he pulled out his phone. We were making headlines again, as people had seen us leave 'hand in hand' from the club yesterday. "There isn't any stopping it, huh?" We walked in the elevator and he shook his head, looking apologetic.

"They already saw me walk in here as well, so if we don't leave in front of them, they'll just think I'm staying in your apartment all day." He grabbed a pair of sunglasses from his bag, as well as a hat. He handed the hat to me as he put on the glasses himself. It was a Ferrari hat, of course, so I couldn't help but chuckle a little. "And wearing your hat is gonna help how?" I laughed and he just shrugged. 

"I don't care about the rumours, you know that. Wear the hat and keep your head down, I'll lead the way to the car and we will be out of here quicker than you can say paparazzi," He winked at me and I felt a sense of comfort as I put on the hat. He knew I hated the paparazzi, so him taking care of me like this warmed my heart. 

The elevator doors opened and he looked at me, reaching out his hand for me to take. "Ready?" I nodded and grabbed his hand tightly. He lead the way outside, guiding us through the sea of paparazzi and blitzing cameras, and I did just what he told me to; look down and follow right after him. He opened the car door for me before getting in himself in the driver's seat. 

I took a deep breath as soon as the doors were closed. "So, where are we going to eat?" I asked as he began driving out of the parking lot. "You'll see," he replied and I looked at him. He was smiling mischievously and I shook my head in disbelief. "What are we having?" I tried, but he just shook his head, refusing to reply. 

As we were driving, I received a call on my phone, it was my dad. I looked at Charles and he nodded, signing for me to go ahead and answer. "Hi, dad." 

"Hi honey, what are you up to?" He seemed cheerful, making me smile. "I'm just on my way to get some food, what about you?" I asked, noticing Charles glancing at me from time to time. "I'm at the airport honey, heading to my next destination and wanted to just check in and congratulate you on your win yesterday!"

"Thank you, dad! Where are you headed to next?" I asked and he paused for a second before replying. "Uhh, some city in Japan." I giggled. "Alright, be careful, text me when you get there, okay?" I said and he cleared his throat. "Trying to get rid of me already, hm?" I glanced at Charles who had a smile on his face. "No, of course not. You know I love hearing from you, but I'm in the car right now." I explained, and I could almost see his facial expression before my eyes. He sounded suspicious. "Are you driving?"

I paused. Should I tell him..? "Yn Carter, are you driving?" I sighed. "No, Dad, I'm not driving." Charles giggled and I shot him a glare. "Who is then? Who are you with?" I just stared at Charles who seemed to be enjoying this a little too much. He could probably hear my father on the phone, as the car was completely silent otherwise. "It was nice talking to you dad, have a safe flight, bye!" I quickly said and hung up the phone before he could say anything else.

Charles let out a laugh and I lightly hit him on the shoulder, "Don't laugh!" I whined and he shook his head. "I'm not laughing!" He tried, but still, he was laughing out loud in the car. I shook my head in disapproval as he winked at me. "You could have just told him you were with me." He said. "If I had said that he would just jump to conclusions and ask weird questions." I tried, but Charles looked at me with a teasing smile.

"Oh yeah? What conclusions?" He wiggled his eyebrows and I turned my face to hide the blush that was creeping on my face. "Oh shut up Leclerc," I muttered, earning another giggle from him.

After a few moments of silence, he pulled up a small road in the countryside. I was so confused about where he was taking me, and it clearly showed on my face. "Trust the process, Carter," Charles said and I decided to just lean back and relax. 

We finally made it to a beautiful viewpoint, where you could see so much of London. He parked the car and I couldn't help but look around. The place was stranded. "You took me here to kill me or something?" I joked, as there wasn't a sign of any other person within a mile's radius. "Yeah, exactly. Masterplan, isn't it?" He chuckled and got out of the car. I followed him out and went to the railing, holding onto it as I looked out on the city.

I honestly thought we were just going for lunch, I didn't think we would stop at this beautiful place first. After a few minutes, I noticed how Charles hadn't joined me to look at the view, and as I turned around he was setting up a whole picnic for us. I was in complete awe, my eyes wide and mouth open wide. "Charles!..." I gasped.

"I thought we should go somewhere without anyone to take pictures of us and such... Do you like it?" He asked, fidgeting with his bracelet. "Are you kidding me? I love it!" I smiled widely and almost jumped onto him, wrapping my arms around his neck. He swung his arms around me right away, hugging my waist tightly in response. 

After letting go, we both sat down on the blanket and he began unpacking everything that he had packed for us. "Charles... When did you have time to do all this?" I looked at him completely baffled. "Let's just say that I'm glad you agreed to go, or else I'd have spent hours on it and be stuck with all this by myself." He laughed while scratching the back of his neck. This man never failed to amaze me.

As we were sitting there, eating the food, we spoke about anything and everything. About our childhoods, passions outside racing, about our families and even about past relationships. I felt so comfortable with him, I didn't try to hide anything at all, and neither did he seem to. 

"So, are you going back to Monaco soon?" I asked naturally, as we did have some time off. He smiled and looked out on the horizon. We had spoken for many hours at this point, the sun was starting to go down. "Yeah, I'll be flying back the day after tomorrow." He explained and I nodded. "Sounds nice. I bet your mother misses you and Arthur a lot when you're both away all the time." 

"She does. I think about her all the time. After my dad died, she must be feeling extra alone when we're gone..." He diverted his gaze to me and I gave him a soft smile. He seemed to love his family so much and it was truly admirable. "Are you going to be all alone then? With your dad travelling?" He asked. I could see the pity in his eyes.

"Yeah, I think so. It's alright though, I'm pretty used to being alone whenever I'm at home." I said in attempt to make it sound better, but when I heard the words come out of my mouth, it sounded worse than intended. "Why don't you come to Monaco?" He suggested. I thought he was joking, so I chuckled and diverted my gaze elsewhere. "I'm serious, Carter. Come with us to Monaco. It will be so much fun, and we can all spend more time together." He actually sounded genuine, which threw me completely off. 

"I couldn't possibly-" I started but he interrupted me. "Of course you can! You can stay at my place, I have a spare room. You can come out on the boat with Arthur and me. He would love it too, you know?" I could see the sparks in his eyes as he spoke about it, but it all seemed a bit too hasty. I also couldn't help but think about all the media, and how they would interpret the situation. They were already sure we were dating, so should we really put fuel to the flame?

"I don't know Charles, I don't think it's the best idea." He looked slightly disappointed at my response but nodded whatsoever. "I get it. I guess it was too much to hope for." He pouted and I couldn't help but smile at how adorable he looked. "How about this..." He looked back up at me. "We both have a break again between the German and the Dutch GP. If you're going to Monaco then, and still want to have me, I'll go." 

"Really?!" His eyes lit up quickly as a smile spread wide on his lips. "Sounds good?" I asked and he nodded rapidly. I laughed at his reaction and he went on to talk about all the things he would show me when I would come to Monaco.