76: To Jules and Anthoine

Wednesday

Charles' point of view

The meet and greet was... hectic, but Luciana was amazing. We are now walking to the bowling alley in Zandvoort. I'm really excited. Spending time with Luce away from the spotlight along with my best friend Pierre and Kika promised to be a fun and relaxed afternoon. I look down at Luciana, her hand folded comfortably in mine and I can't help but smile. When my mind rushes and I can't think straight it is her presence that brings me a sense of calm.

"Are you ready to show off your bowling skills, princess?", I ask with a playful glint in my eyes.

She laughs, shaking her head. "I'm not sure I have any skills to show off, but I'll do my best."

As we enter the bowling alley, Pierre and Kika are already here, waving at us enthusiastically. Pierre grins widely as we approach them. "There they are! Ready to get beaten?"

"Hey, speak for yourself, Pierre," Kika says with a smirk. "I'm here to win."

Seeing Luciana relaxed and happy makes my heart swell with affection. What started as a PR stunt had grown into something real, and I couldn't be happier. I squeeze Luciana's hand, feeling grateful for this moment.

"We'll see about that, Kika," I say teasingly. "Luciana might surprise us all."

We get our shoes and head to our lane. The vibe is light and filled with laughter as we take turns bowling. Pierre, as expected, is competitive, but it only adds to the fun.

Watching Luciana enjoy herself is the highlight of my day. She looks more relaxed than I'd seen her in a while. There is something magical about seeing her smile.

Luciana's point of view

The meet & greet went great, exhausting but also amazing.

Charles is so sweet with his fans and a lot of them asked for me too. Now we're on our way to the bowling center.

We're going bowling with Pierre and Kika and then we'll head to a restaurant because Mrs. Leclerc is also in The Netherlands.

Now, being at the bowling alley with Charles, Pierre, and Kika, I feel my nerves start to settle. This was a side of Charles I loved—the relaxed, playful side that I don't often get to see amidst the pressures of racing.

"Ready to bowl?" Charles asks, his playful tone making me smile.

"Absolutely," I reply, trying to sound more confident than I feel.

As I take my turn, I feel Charles's eyes on me, cheering me on with his unconditional support. I manage to knock down a few pins, earning cheers from everyone, especially Charles.

"Nice one, princess!" he exclaims, clearly proud. "You're getting the hang of this."

I feel a blush creep up my cheeks. "Thanks," I replied, smiling. "But don't get too comfortable. I might just beat you."

Charles laughs, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I'd love to see that."

This afternoon is turning out even better than I'd hoped. We are all having a great time. It makes me at ease I get along with Charles' friends really well. After my particularly good roll, which earned me a fucking spare, Charles pulls me into a hug

'You're doing amazing, Princess', he whispers in my ear. His eyes full of pride and affection

'Thanks, Charles', I look up at him, his eyes are sparkling. 'I'm really having so much fun, Charlie'.

As the game continues I can't help but admire everones determination and spirit. And, to be honest, despite my nerves, I'm fricking thriving and it's great to witness.

After the game, which unfortunately, but still, good for her, Kika won (much to Pierre's chagrin, he really didn't want to lose) we decided to grab some drinks and snacks at the alley's lounge area. These Dutch people really talk to me like I understand them, but I suppose they can't tell if I'm Dutch or not. The conversation flows easily, filled with jokes and stories from the track.

Charles' point of view

Pierre and I began thinking about the past, sharing some of the more personal stories that had shaped our careers, and our lives.

'You remember that time in karting when Jules tricked us into thinking we had a night race?'. I say, laughing at the memory.

Pierre's eyes lit up. 'Oh god, Jesus yes! We were so serious about it. Jules had this way of making everything sound so convincing. We stayed up late, strategizing and everything, only to find out the next morning it was all a joke', he laughs.

Luciana and Kika are listening intently, smiling as we tell and relive our memories.

'Jules was always the prankster, I guess that's why he was around Danny Ric so much', Pierre adds, shaking his head fondly. 'He had such a big heart. Always knew how to lift everyone's spirits, even during the toughest times'.

I nod, feeling a wave of nostalgia. 'Yeah, he did. I remember that Jules was always there for me in a way that I can never forget. He kept me focused and motivated, always reminding me of my dreams and what my heart would have wanted'.

Luciana squeezes my hand, her eyes filled with understanding and support. 'It must have been really tough, Charles. But it's clear that Jules had a huge impact on you'.

"He did," I say, my voice softening. 'He was like an older brother to me. And even though he's not here anymore, I carry his spirit with me every time I race.'

Pierre nods, his expression thoughtful. 'Anthoine was the same for me. His determination and passion were infectious. I still remember the long nights we spent talking about our dreams of making it to F1. He had this unshakable belief that we'd both get there.'

Kika leans in, clearly touched by the conversation. 'It's amazing how these friendships shape who you are, both on and off the track.'

'Absolutely,' I agree. 'It's those connections that keep us grounded. Even though we've lost Jules and Anthoine, their legacies live on in us and the sport.'

Pierre raises his glass, and we all follow. 'To Jules and Anthoine,' he said. 'And to the incredible impact they've had on our lives.'

'To Jules and Anthoine,' we echo, clinking our glasses together. The moment is memorable, filled with a mix of sadness and gratitude.