The mojito arrived swiftly along with a free shot to my glee. I downed it instantly.
"Slow it down, Hakimi. I don't want to be driving a paraplegic back to the hotel." Charles grimaced at me across the table.
"Just because I'm faster than you on track doesn't mean I'll go slow off track." I retorted, taking a large sip of my cocktail and I heard George slightly snort with laughter. Charles rolled his eyes and turned to talk to Pierre who sat on the other side of him.
"He's driving you home?!" Lando enquired. George 'ooohed' me until I gave him another deathly stare.
"He's trying to prove he's actually a gentleman." I explained. "I don't think he has it in him, but we'll see."
"I really ship it." George repeated with a chuckle. "Chedom! Or Lekim-"
"Zip it George, or I'm running away with Carmen and you're not getting her back."
"Okay, okay sorry." George slumped back into his chair. "I think Lekimi is better though." I gave him a small slap on his shoulder.
A waitress came over and took our food orders, and I ordered another drink - this time a Sex on The Beach. After she took our orders, she awkwardly hung around; she clearly knew who we were. I was unfortunately corrected when she eventually piped up due to the grid awkwardly waiting for her to say whatever it was she clearly wanted to.
"Are you Charles Leclerc?" She gushed to Charles. Ok. So maybe she didn't know us all. I looked at Charles, who looked slightly embarrassed she had singled him out.
"Yep, that's me." He said and gave her the closed mouth smile he gave to his fans. The waitress looked like she might faint.
"I'm a big fan!" she said, blushing violently.
"Do you not know us?!" Yuki couldn't hold himself back and I chuckled. The waitress looked confused.
"Ummm no, sorry." She said.
"Clearly not that big of a fan then," he muttered and I nearly spat out the bit of cocktail I had just sipped. God, I love Yuki. Charles didn't say anything, but I could feel how uncomfy he was and I revelled in it. The waitress finally understood she had outstayed her welcome and left and a few of the guys burst out laughing.
"Don't even guys." Charles said with a straight face. Most won't back to their previous conversations.
"Are you Charles Leclerc" Pierre put on a high-pitched voice. "Hey, pretty boy."
"I swear to God Pierre, you keep that up and i'm spilling some your secrets." Pierre piped down pretty quick after that.
"Oh I want to hear these secrets!" Lando demanded. Charles pretended to zip his lips. "Awww come on."
"I'm a man of my word. I don't break promises." Charles looked me in the eyes. His eyes were so gorgeous. I hadn't seen him properly out of the paddock and I couldn't help but study his well-kept face. I hated to admit it but he was gorgeous. His slight stubble further defined his sharp jawline, his lips a light red, his nose an attractive shape. His eyebrows also looked well shaped and I wondered if he got them done. Charles raised his eyebrows at me after a few seconds of me studying and I turned to George.
George, Lando and I chatted together until the food arrived. We had ordered lots of sharing platters. The idea was that you picked and chose what you wanted from the middle. I wasn't super fussy in the slightest but, like Lando, I couldn't stand seafood and a big chunk of the selection contained as such. We both groaned and the seafood platters were moved to other parts of the long table.
I created my dish and started eating- it was so delicious. I had got these potatoes that were so delicious, so I went back in with my fork to get another until I was stopped by another fork going for the same delicacy. Charle's fork.
"You can have it," I said polietly, although I wished I hadn't as I loved those and Charles really didn't deserve it.
"No, Hakimi, you have it," Charles said back. My eyes widened; was Charles Leclerc being nice to me?! I didn't have to be offered twice and I took it.
"You need something to soak up all the alcohol you're having," he carried on. There it was. I knew a dig would have to be said somehow. I just rolled my eyes. That being said, I could feel the alcohol already and I knew that was only from the first drink so I ordered a water.
For a second, I sat in silence, taking in the supportive atompshere and couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with how lucky I was to be there, with such a lovely grid. I whipped out my phone and took a photo for my instagram story.
The night was lovely, with everyone getting on - even Charles and I! You wouldn't think that our group was filled with drivers so fuelled for winning that they would kill for that dream.
Max, as the winner of the GP and current WDC leader, had plenty to drink and by the end of the night it started to show. Everyone was swapping seats throughout the night to sit by other drivers to chat to them, and when dessert arrived Lando went to sit with Yuki and Max replaced him.
"Congrats on the win, Max." I smiled at him. He turned his head to me, his eyes slightly red and cloudy with inebriation.
"Thank you Edom," He smiled back at me, his words slightly slurred. "Well done on your podium yesterday - or whatever you call them for sprints." He took another large sip of his drink.
"You're one of the best rookies we've had in a while, Edom." He stared into my eyes and placed his hand on my thigh. I didn't want to make a scene and was sure he was doing it out of kindness, so I said nothing, but I felt slightly on-edge.
We carried on chatting about the season and I felt Maxs hand slowly edge up my leg. I tried to gently move his hand off, chuckling to take off the edge, but Max forced it back down and gave my leg a squeeze.
"Max, come on," I looked at him tellingly.
"What! Come on Edom, lighten up. We've done a lot more than this." He said back winking at me. Well, an attempted wink but with his state of mind, it was more of a slow doll wink.
"Shush Max, we promised not to tell anyone." I said quietly, trying to keep a smile on my face. "Look, you've had a lot to drink Max, maybe come off the booze. You don't know what you're doing."
"I'm in control Edom. I'm always in control." I didn't like the way he said my name. He gave my leg another squeeze and it travelled even further up. I once again tried to pry it off but to no luck. I was really starting to worry now. In a public space, I couldn't really do much without ruining Max and making a scene.
"Get your hand off her." Charles was still sat on the other side of the table and had seen what was going on. "She asked you to stop."
"Leclerc, mind your own business." He said, loudly enough to get drivers sitting closely to look.
"She is my business, Verstappen. I'm driving her back, and we're leaving now." Pierre, on the other side of Max, saw what was going on and tried to tell Max to get off but was ignored.
"She can make her own mind up for when she wants to get back. I can drive you back Hakimi." Max offered - or more stated.
"It's not safe for you to drive Max." George butted in. "You're wasted mate. Let me drive you back."
Charles had stood up and was walking round the table. "We're leaving Edom, let's go."
I couldn't be more happy to and stood up, but Max still clung on. To my humiliation, everyone could now see what was happening. "Max, please let go." I said calmly. "Think straight. Everyone is watching."
Max looked around, and saw the pairs of eyes watching and slowly let go, chuckling. "Just a misunderstanding, I didn't mean any harm."
I nodded quickly, "Goodbye everyone. Thank you so much Carlos - the food here is amazing." The drivers all said goodbye, a slight sense of awkwardness in their voice.
I left quickly, and as soon as I was outside the restaurant, I sat on the ground taking deep breathes. Charles came out a few seconds later and stood over me.
"Are you ok, Edom? George is going to drive Max home once we're gone. What he did wasn't acceptable. You could report him you know." He looked down at me, concerned.
"He was really drunk Charles. No way am I ruining his life over a drunken mistake." Charles looked like he wanted to press, but instead nodded and folded his arms.
"Let's get back to the hotel. How drunk are you right now?" He helped me up, and we walked over to the carpark.
"I'm a bit tipsy, but I ate a lot and had water, so not that bad." He nodded again and opened the door for me. I got into the Ferrari and did my seatbelt. He got into the drivers seat shortly after.
We pulled out the carpark in silence.
"That was a really nice night though!" I broke the silence.
"Until that." Charles replied.
"Well, yeah." I quietned again. After a while, I turned on some music and 'Blinded By Your Grace Pt. 2' by Stormzy started playing. The ride back was smooth and we pulled into the hotel at around 12:30am. The hotel lobby was empty, including the reception desk. I suppose they didn't welcome new guests at these hours.
We took the elevator up to our floor (I really couldn't be bothered to walk) and stood facing each other. Charles had undone his tie and top button, and I almost preferred this look to the more formal one. We stood in silence, but a tension stood between us like the ghost of an iron statue.
"Night Hakimi. I'm sorry about Max." Charles said when we got to our floor. I was searching through my bag, trying to find my room card, but it wasn't there. "A thanks would be nice for the lift though," Charles continued as my look started to become more frantic.
"Charles. My room card isn't in my bag. I'm locked out my room..."
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Locked out her room?! Where is Edom going to stay...?😏
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