-𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀-

We've arrived at the Sakhir circuit. The PR managers their plane had some delay which meant they would only arrive tonight. That sucks because it is media day. Fred asked me to go with Charles to media duties. So I did. I carried some of his stuff as we had argued earlier about it.

"I'm not gonna let you carry my stuff ma belle!"

"Does Mia carey your stuff?"

"Yes..."

"Then I'm doing it too."

"But you are not Mia! You are Della!"

"I know that but it will catch people their eye."

He had been arguing with me for at least 15 minutes before he gave in and called me stubborn. I had slapped the back of his head before pushing him out of his drivers trailer. We went to the interviews and I recorded them for Mia. One question in particular caught my attention. It was a question from Lissie. So it wasn't a real f1 related question but more questions fans wanted to be asked. I thought it's a good change for the drivers. To keep it diverse.

"What could you stare at forever?"

"Leafs..."

I had been looking at the camera equipment but his answer made my head turn. His eyes already on me. I smiled softly at him knowing damn well he didn't mean actual leafs but my eyes... he said they reminded him of leafs. He smiled softly as he looked back at Lissie.

"Leafs? Why so?"

"I find them... interesting. They're all different colors and shapes. They grow on trees and then I. The autumn they color brown and fall off."

"Is that why you have a leaf tattoo on the side of your finger?"

"One of the reasons yes."

"There are more reasons?"

"One more bit that one is a secret. Only I can know... and my family of course."

I had to contain my smile a little as I thought about his words. When media was over after 3,5 hours we walked back together.

"Media isn't so bad if you're going with me."

"Don't get used to it Leclerc."

"You don't feel a switch coming from Engineer to Media?"

"Definitely not. I was bored to the bone."

"Not even enjoying your view?"

"What view?"

I said my question with a soft smirk coming onto my face. He laughed softly and disapprovingly shook his head a few times before we entered his drivers room. He closed the door behind him and wrapped his arms around my waist. I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him back.

"You smell nice ma belle."

"Thanks?"

"Like strawberries."

I giggled softly before letting go of Charles. I grabbed my laptop that I had left here before we went to media and walked to the door.

"I'll see you later okay? I need to get some work done."

"See you at lunch?"

"Maybe..."

I closed the door behind me and walked to my small office on race weekends. I sat down and got to work.

It was already late. Around 23 o'clock I think. I was sitting on my bed and my hotel door opened. The door closed and I heard someone flop off his shoes. Charles walked around the corner in his sweatpants and a hoodie. He looked sleepy and his hair was a bit messy.

"Why are you still awake woman?!"

"Why are you still awake?"

"I'm waiting for my good night text."

I lifted my phone and saw he had send me a good night text about 45 minutes ago. I looked up at him and he looked at me with a frown.

"Are you still working?"

"No..."

"Yes you are."

"I am... I had to go with you to media so I need some extra time to get everything straight."

"You are gonna work yourself into a burn-out."

"I am not. I have plenty of time off."

"Like when? Even on off days you're doing work."

"Only 3 hours thank you."

"You are weird."

"Tell me something new please."

He let his body fall onto my bed... face first though. He groaned and then sighed.

"Ah you poor baby."

"I know right... my life is hard."

"Very hard. Driving a car around a weird shape every Sunday while other people make sure your car is okay."

"But I have a hot engineer so that makes everything better."

"A hot engineer huh?"

"Yeah. She's a ginger with beautiful dark green eyes... she has the most perfect smile accompanied with a pair of the cutest dimples and beautiful freckles all over her pretty little face. Her lips are the perfect amount of thick and thin and well... she's just beautiful."

"I think I just turned gay. She sounds like my dream."

"Are you crushing on yourself?!"

"I was joking Charles."

I gave him a smile as he softly chuckled. The sound coming from the back of his throat.

"Can we get some rest now."

I closed my laptop and laid it on the bedside table. I looked at Charles who smiled at me.

"Can we go out for dinner tomorrow evening?"

"Meetings..."

"Again?"

"Yep. I won't be back at the hotel till 21."

"What about Sunday after the race?"

"Team dinner Charles."

"Oh right. Well I'll see you there won't I?"

"Maybe."

"Maybe?!"

"I was joking Charles."

"Monday then?"

"I suppose I could fit you into my busy schedule?"

"Busy schedule?"

"I have all day on Monday for you."

"Good."

He got up again and placed a soft kiss on my forehead. He left my hotel room and probably went back to his own room. Maybe it was a good thing that we're starting to date... it was meant to happen so why not just do it. I smiled softly at the fact I had my first ever dating stage with someone that I wanted and not my dad. I went into the bathroom and brushed my teeth before climbing into bed and falling asleep. Today was a really fun and nice day... I could get used to more of these days.

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