"Lily?" Charles woke Lily gently as they have arrived to his apartment.
"Wow.. it's nice" she looked around.
The place was definitely home feeling one can say.
"You have a nice home" she says as she sees his childhood pictures.
"It's not much but it's okay" he shyly says.
"Thank you.. Charles" she smiles.
"no problem.. it's my pleasure to help"
"so uh.. how many rooms to you have here?" She wonders.
"I have my room, simulator room and here"
"Do you have extra blankets?"
"Uh.. yeah I think" he scratches his head and went to get them and hands it to her.
"I can sleep here" He says.
"Don't be ridiculous. Sleep on your bed Charles. I'm fine here plus your couch is unusually big" she cracks a smile.
"You sure? You can tell me if you change your mind" He retreats but still offers.
"I'm sure on this one" she chuckles.
The night went smoothly.
Lily fell asleep and Charles watched over her before going to bed too.
This morning seemed different for Charles.
It was the first time he smelled breakfast in the longest time. He smiles as he makes his bed.
"Good you're awake" Lily was cooking probably some eggs and bacon.
"I hope you don't mind. I went through what's left here and cooked this" She says as she makes the sandwich.
"You can cook whatever you like" He says as he sits on the table.
"It's been awhile since I heard someone cook" he says.
"What are you talking about" she chuckles and places the food on the table.
They sat there quietly eating.
Charles looked at Lily and noticed she put her hair up in a ponytail. It's his first time seeing this.
"You.. seem different" Charles said.
"I recover fast when I want to" she smiles
Somehow he is not convinced. It feels as if it was a mask she made instantly.
"I need to be strong no? It's gonna take a lot of time to figure out how I'll be doing a good job for you and Ferrari" She says as she eats her sandwich
He let it go. Maybe it was for the best. Eventually he thought he can make her smile again. Her true smile.
"So what do you usually do?"
"For me.. it's usually training, simulator and food.. sometimes I play with Pierre, Lando or George. We go out for activities too.. there are couple of meetings here and there"
"How about on race days?"
"It is quite hectic but it's all meetings, interview then simulator on the side. Training is quite light because I do often go to the gym"
"So everyone's schedule is almost the same?"
"Well not really. Pierre gains weight fast so he has different training. George practically lives in the gym.. Lando since he's quite light already, he is quite free doing more simulator"
"So you're in between?"
"Pretty much" he chuckles.
"That's good. I guess I'll be able to make a schedule"
"You really don't have to"
"I have to warn you though" she grins
"What?"
"I'm quite strict and bossy" she laughs as she states her working attitude is very different
"As long as you're here, I won't mind" Charles gave her a big smile.
"Hey.. can I borrow your phone? I need to call my family"
"Yeah sure its on my desk"
She went inside his room and got his phone. She noticed the piano.
"Ohhh.. you play piano right?" She yelled as he was washing the dishes.
"Yeahh why do you play?"
"When I was little but I can't remember anymore" she laughs and faces his phone to his face
"I guess I'll download fbmessenger. I'll videocall them.. do you mind?" She asks.
"No it's okay you can show them around" He smiles.
"Thanks"
"Hi! How are you there?" Lily started her videocall and sat on the table.
"I'm good.. it's all good"
"Did you see kimi??" Lily's dad suddenly asks.
She laughs. "Unfortunately no.. but hopefully next time" Charles was actually listening to the call.
"So what are your plans now?" Her mom asked.
"Hmm right now I'm in Monaco"
"How'd you get there"
"Uhm.." she hasn't thought things through now she can't think of a lie.
"Uhh.. hello Mr and Mrs Cruz. I'm Charles.. Charles Leclerc" Charles suddenly pops on the screen.
"Actually Sir.. Lily will be staying with me so she could get used to her job. We are processing the papers and she will probably go back there before the next race"
"Ohh.. is that so" they hear her mom and dad whispering and talking to each other.
Lily gave a smile to Charles and mouthed "thank you"
"Well then.. we'll leave it to your hands. Take care of her.. will you" her dad says. He gives them a big smile and nodded
"Yes sir will do"
The call ends and Lily slaps Charles arm lightly.
"You didn't have to do that but thank you" she chuckles.
"You can use my phone for now.. We'll get you a new one tomorrow"
"Hey Charles. Do you watch youtube?"
"Sometimes. Why?"
"Nothing" she hides her laugh.
"Why why" he asks.
"Look look" she plays a vid of him.
"Are those compilations" he asks
"Yes" she was laughing so much that he just savored the moments.
"It is a great vid for a good laugh"
"At least you're having fun" Charles said as he was setting up his simulator.
"So.. this is the veryy veryy expensive simulator" she states.
"Pretty much.. do you want to try?" He asked.
"Ohhh noo.. I'm bad at them." She scoffs at the thought
"But you like karting right?" He lightly pushes her to try and do one lap.
"Come.. just 3 laps.. okayy just one lap" Charles was giving her the puppy eyes.
"Fineee.. but I'm telling you I'm terrible" she sits down and he tells her which ones to use. She didn't quite get everything but what the hell she thought. It's a one time experience so.
After one lap.
"Seee you're not so bad. You just need practice mon chou" he says with such a smile.
"But you have a console right?" She suddenly asks.
"Yeah here" her eyes widens. "Whooaa that's nice"
"You play?"
"Ahh yeah sometimes.. more on the playstation 2 though"
"We can play together I have two controllers"
"Maybe next time" she smiles
"You can practice now.. I won't disturb you anymoree" She pushes him lightly to his seat and closed the door.
He has been practicing for some time now and Lily then decided to make lunch.
Charles stopped for a while and heard some song outside. He quietly opens his door and hear Lily singing out to a song.
"I'm all out of faith, this is how I feel. I'm cold and I am shamed. Lying naked on the floor..
Illusion never changed into something real
I'm wide awake and I can see the perfect sky is torn
You're a little late.. I'm already to—"
When her eyes saw Charles she instantly paused.
"You have a very nice voice" Charles said in awe.
She gulped in nervousness. "I thought you were still training" "I just stopped for a while" he gives out a smile.
"Uhm.. do you eat shawarma? Because that's what I'm making" she changes the topic.
"Ahh yeah i do.." he walks to her and helps her wrap the chicken and together they sat down and ate.
"What can you not do" Charles asks as he compliments the food she made.
"Lots and lots of things" she laughs.
"But really how can you know so much"
"Because I had to." She smiles for a bit then it turns into a sigh.
"I've always been into art stuff.. Dancing, singing, decorating, painting, sewing.. you name it I've almost tried everything I wanted but.."
"But..?"
"But we're not from a privileged family.. so I had to be practical. I had to graduate on time. Pick a course that would give a stable job. Ended up doing health care customer service then freelance.. then to the online finance consultant" she suddenly opens up.
"You're amazing honestly.. we're only what 20-23.. and yet you've already gone through a lot" Charles was so enamored by her adventure in life.
"You're not so bad yourself though.. 22 at Scuderia Ferrari. Racing for Formula1. I am kinda jealous you got to do what you wanted"
"But you can still chase your dreams ma chère"
"Oh! I know that one. You have to teach me some french if we're going to spend lots of times together" she says.
🧩🧩🧩🧩
I'll be updating daily again 😂 just took a break because of my birthday. 💚
How you liking the Charles' side so far? ❤️