The British Grand Prix had been disappointing for Charles, he couldn't qualify that well and nor could he finish as well as he was expecting to.

He didn't come back to Monaco for the week's break, he spent the week at the factory. He was a little too harsh on himself, he hadn't spoken to any of us.

I went for lunch with Pascale, she told me this was who he was. He gets so passionate about work he forgets everything else, Ferrari will always be first she sighed.

The day was here, I was at the Nice airport being dropped off by Harriet and the gang. Julia was the only one that was genuinely enthusiastic, asking me to take pictures and get souvenirs.

Harriet couldn't be bothered and Gabriel was sulking about how it's unfair I get to go to races just because I'm seeing Charles. He didn't know the half of it and all I could do was awkward laugh.

"Stay warm okay? And wear your scarf!" Julia hollered at me from the gates.

"Yes mother! I'll see you in a week!" I waved at them before walking into the terminal.

I sent Charles a text saying I was on my way, I'll be at Graz in a few hours. He left me on read, it hurt a little. I needed to stop taking everything he did as a personal offence.

Six hours later, I landed in Graz. It was warmer than I expected, I exited the terminal and was greeted by a hotel concierge, he was going to get me to Spielberg.

I thanked him and we started our journey to the little town, Austria was scenic! The hills, the greenery, the streets of the city. It was all so beautiful, I sent the pictures straight to Julia.

I was finally in Spielberg! The town was in spirit of the Grand Prix, the RedBull logo was as as far as one could see and Max Verstappen posters glared at me everywhere I walked.

I was tired from the travelling and hit the sack as soon as I was given my room. I woke up refreshed and baffled by how hot it was!

Charles was no where to be seen, I don't know what I was expecting. I lay in bed until late into the evening, I didn't feel like doing anything, there was a cloud in my brain and it didn't seem to leave.

I woke up the next morning, to a somewhat chilly day. I bundled up and headed down for breakfast, I ate to my content and then realised I had to find a way to get to the track because Charles didn't seem to care.

Maybe two weeks ago I would have cried about this, but not today. He had a life and I was definitely not invited to be a part of it, as much as I tried being a friend he didn't want it.

I asked the receptionist if there was a way for me to get to the track, he told me that he could arrange for a chauffeur and I was glad. This meant I didn't have to interact with Charles at all, keeping the awkwardness at a minimum.

The chauffeur dropped me, I walked to the paddock and was greeted by Nat at the gates. She waved at me with a big smile on her face and my day was made.

I headed to the Ferrari unit with a spring in my step, I was smiling big. I entered the unit and spotted Andrea sitting at a table, sipping on some coffee.

I scanned the place for Charles but I couldn't seem to find him, he's with his engineer Andrea answered. I thanked him and took a seat next to him.

"So how's it been?" He asked me.

"Weird! I haven't spoken to him in a week he didn't even come back to Monte Carlo."

"He's been really harsh on himself, he just threw himself into work the minute we landed in Italy."

"Why is he like this? He hasn't spoken to his own mother in a week, we're worried!"

"He's been at the factory day in day out, spending hours studying and perfecting the car set up and training twice as hard. It's who he is, working twice as hard when things don't go his way!"

"Why is he doing this?" I raised my eyebrows.

"He wants to the world champion." He smiled.

"Well freezing out on the people who care about you isn't going to make you world champion." I caterwauled.

I got up to leave for the balconies, I had missed practice but I could definitely watch the qualifying race. I walked into the balcony and took stood there.

My head was throbbing and I could feel how tense my body was, I took deep breaths. The chilly air calmed me down, with every breathe of fresh air I felt like my body was easing out.

I looked back into the unit and spotted Nat, I waved at her. She was talking to another person, she looked beautiful! The woman with Natalie had a smile on her face and waved at me.

"Tara!" She smiled as I walked towards her.

"Hey Nat! How are you doing?" I greeted her.

"Tara, this is Lily." She smiled at the woman next to her, "Lily, this is Tara!" She introduced us to each other.

"Nice to meet you!" She smiled shaking my hand.

"The pleasure's all mine!" I smiled.

"She's dating Charles," she told Lily. "And Lily's dating Alex!" She smiled at me.

"Oh really? That's so cool! Our boyfriends are always gaming together and we didn't even know each other." Lily laughed.

"Yeah..." I awkwardly laughed.

"Periwinkle! Get your butt here!" I heard someone yell.

"That's Erica, my boss and Pierre's wife. I have to go for now, you two have fun!" She sprinted.

Lily and I headed to the balcony to watch the qualifying race, we talked through the time about our interests. She was a very intriguing person, I learnt from her that she was a pro golfer.

Q3 ended with a good result for Charles, he managed to qualify P2, right behind Max. I thought of staying around to congratulate him but quickly abandoned the idea. I sent him a congrats text and decided to head out.

I called up the hotel to see if they could send a chauffeur to pick me up, it took a while to get to the parking lot. I stood there still trying to get in touch with them, when I felt a familiar touch on my hand.

I turned to see him, changed into his polo shirt with a giant jacket on. Trying to link his arm with mine, just to tease him I moved my hand.

"What are you trying to do?" I asked him.

"Give me your hand, let's go." He took my hand anyway leading me to his car.

"No. Leave me."

"What happened?" He left my arm.

"Are you really going to pretend like nothing ever happened?"

"I'll answer all your questions if you come with me." He walked towards the car.

"What if I don't?"

"Then you stand all by yourself in this freezing parking lot." He smirked.

"You wouldn't do that."

He shrugged his shoulders and got into the car and started the engine, this man was really going to drive away without me! I quickly opened the door and slid into the seat.

We drove in silence to a place named Judenburg, I hate to admit it but there was something incredibly attractive about seeing him drive. I snapped out of my thoughts and went back to looking outside the window.

He parked the car outside an old building and started walking towards it, I followed him trying to keep up. He waited at the top of the stairs, we entered the building, it had beautiful archways. The hall was lined with musical felicitations, we were in a music school.

He froze outside a ballroom entrance and leaned against the doorway, I stood next to him. Having no idea what we were doing in an a sleepy town's music school.

An old man sat at the piano, he started playing a piece. Charles looked mesmerised, there was a coy smile on his face I had never seen before.

For the first time I got to study his face. His eyes, his beautiful nose, his cheekbones. This man was angelic, he was as alluring on the outside as alluring his mind and aura were.

The old man continued playing his music, Charles felt every emotion as he heard it and his face showed it. Let me into your mind, was all I could think over and over looking at him. The piece came to an end.

A single tear trickled down his face, he was so moved by the music. He quickly wiped it away, probably hoping I didn't see it.

"How was it?" He asked me.

"That was beautiful, I saw someone tear up." I teased him.

"Hey!"

"I think it's adorable." I shrugged, "Why did you bring me here?"

"I don't know." He walked towards the stairs.

"Charles-"

"To remind myself not to freeze people out of my life." He smiled at me.

"So you heard my rant?" I walked behind him, visibly flushed.

"I spent my whole week working, spending whatever little free time I had practising the piano. I didn't mean to push anyone away."

"Then why did you do that?" I asked rubbing my hands together. It was chilly and my fingers were starting to feel cold.

"I was angry, I was furious at myself." He gave me his hands. I placed my hands on his, they were so warm. I wanted to hold them and let time just freeze here.

"You're supposed to tell me, share things with us." I gave his hand a squeeze.

"I was afraid that I'd lash out on you so I just channeled all of into work."

"How about you start by returning your mother's calls? She's accepted this treatment and I'm not okay with it." I tried to frown, but the warmth from his hands was making it impossible.

"I'll get to it alright." He laughed, "I'll be flying straight to Belgium after this weekend but tell her I promise to come home before Monza." He let go of my hands.

My fingers already missed the warmth, I told him that I'd tell that to Pascale and he had to deliver to his promise.