Monza had a heartbeat of its own. A roar that shook the air, a rhythm that only grew louder when Ferrari won. And today, Monza was roaring for one man: Charles Leclerc.

You were still new to this universe. A 21-year-old model turned F1 reporter, hired barely three months ago. Your media pass still felt unfamiliar on your chest and every time you held a microphone, your hands wanted to shake. But today was different. Today Ferrari had taken victory on home soil, and the atmosphere was a living, breathing thing: red flags waving like flames, fans chanting, mechanics crying with laughter.

You pushed through the crowd toward the media pen, rehearsing your questions under your breath. Then he appeared.. Charles, fresh from the podium. His hair was damp from champagne, his suit unzipped slightly at the collar, cheeks flushed from adrenaline and celebration. His smile wasn’t the practiced PR smile you’d seen on broadcasts; it was rear pure relief and joy.

He answered a few questions for other reporters, but then his eyes drifted and stopped on you. Not by accident. Not a passing glance. A full second, maybe more. Long enough for your pulse to skip. When the coordinator waved you forward, you inhaled, stepped in, and raised your mic.

You: “Charles, congratulations. Winning in Monza is always emotional. How does this one feel for you?”

He looked at you like your voice had cut through the chaos around him.. focused, calm, almost intrigued.

Charles: “It feels… incredible. Really incredible. And maybe... even a bit more special right now.”

Your heart dropped into your stomach. Cameras were pointed at him, fans watching behind the barriers, yet his attention stayed on you alone with steady, warm, almost too direct.

Charles: “You’re new, no? How do you already know so much?”

You: “I study. A lot.”

Charles: “Good. I like people who take things seriously.”

You almost forgot you were working. Almost forgot he had just broken up with Alexandra Saint Mleux. Almost forgot the world watching him. Because in that moment, under the glow of Monza’s frenzy, Charles Leclerc wasn’t just answering questions.. he was watching you.