Behind the Lens | Charles Leclerc

To Carolina's relief, there was not much time to get into many details about her absence down in the garage. Besides, the brief condolence exchanges, and sympathetic looks were just enough for one day. She wondered, how Charles managed his legendary winning race only a few days after his father's passing.

She couldn't shake the way he looked at her. There was this weird... thing in his eyes. Was it pity? Or surprise to see her back? She was relieved to see him, to say the least. To see everyone. She could do without the group photo though. But at the same time, it made her feel... seen. Included. Wearing the red again, she was a part of something bigger than her small world back in London.

Eric nudged her with his elbow, snapping her out of her thoughts. "What's with the Cinderella thing, by the way," he broke the silence, as they made their way to Maria's office.

Carolina lifted her head and shrugged her shoulders. "No idea. You should ask the guys." She was still lost in her thoughts, only halfway present in the conversation.

"I did, actually. Apparently, you like to disappear without a clue," Eric explained as he reached for the handle of Maria's office door.

She let out a short laugh, but something about it stuck with her. Did they really notice when she was gone? She had always thought of herself as the girl behind the camera. Replaceable. But maybe... she wasn't as invisible as she thought.

Eric opened the door for her to enter Maria's office and she pushed the thought aside as soon as she entered.

They were greeted by a soft smile from their mentor. As Carolina met her glance, Maria's eyes lingered with a glimpse of sympathy. Though it was only a silent exchange, it reminded Carolina that she could count on her. To trust her.

"Happy to have you both here," Maria began, adjusting her glasses as she observed them. Her official tone suggested it wasn't just an ordinary catch-up meeting. Carolina was dreading this moment since she entered the paddock.

"It's an unusual situation..." Maria paused and folded her hands on her desk. "...but due to your great results, we've decided to continue working with both of you."

Carolina exhaled. Her shoulders relaxed and she gave Eric a glance of relief. Despite Maria's reassuring words, there was something into it. Like an unsaid condition. Before either her or Eric could react, Maria continued.

"However," she leaned back in her chair, "at the end of the season, there will only be one photographer position available."

Carolina nodded, but her mind raced with questions. Only one photographer spot? That's the catch. Did this mean what she thought it did? It already felt like swimming among sharks. But she never expected Eric to be one of them.

"We need to focus on three main areas. The fast-paced shots, the behind-the-scenes for social media and the day in a life video," Maria continued.

The rules were clear and fair. But the fast-paced shots? Carolina's fingers twitched instinctively just at the thought of standing so close to the track. The vibrations, the deafening roars, the sheer power that felt like it could swallow her whole. She'd done it before, but it never felt natural. Now, her future depended on it.

But before she could get completely lost in her anxious spiral, Maria continued. "To make it simple, Eric, you'll work with Carlos. And you, Carolina, you will work with Charles," she summed up.

Charles? Her stomach twisted. Of course it had to be him. As if it wasn't enough to ignore the lingering touch of his hand on her waist since morning. As if she didn't spend the past hours trying to push the moment out of her head.