*Charles Leclerc and I had been together for two years, and as far as everyone around us was concerned, we were the definition of a perfect couple.

There was never any doubt about how much we loved each other.

Our relationship wasn't something we tried to hide. We traveled together, spent time with each other's families, attended events together, and supported each other through everything.

Charles' family had welcomed me from the very beginning.

His mother treated me like another daughter, his siblings always included me in everything, and even the people closest to him constantly joked that I had somehow become part of the Leclerc family.

My family loved Charles just as much.

My parents adored him, my friends considered him one of their own, and nobody could remember the last time we'd attended a family event without Charles beside me.

Even the Formula 1 paddock had completely accepted us.

The drivers constantly teased Charles whenever I appeared.

Lando would immediately start making jokes.

Carlos loved telling embarrassing stories about Charles whenever I was around.

George would smile and say, "Honestly, you two make too much sense."

Even the Ferrari mechanics knew that whenever I walked into the garage, Charles' mood instantly improved.

And then there were the fans.

They absolutely loved us.

Every photo of us together would explode across social media.

Fans analyzed our interviews, our little gestures, the way Charles looked at me when I wasn't paying attention.

They called us the paddock's favorite couple.

Sometimes Charles would post a simple picture of us having dinner, and within minutes the comments would be filled with thousands of people talking about how happy we looked together.

Neither of us ever understood why people cared so much.

To us, it was simply our relationship.

Normal.

Comfortable.

Real.

One evening after the Monaco Grand Prix, we were standing together at a private dinner with several drivers and their partners.

Everyone was laughing and talking when Lando suddenly raised his glass.

"To Charles and Guest."

Charles looked at him suspiciously.

"What now?"

Lando grinned.

"Nothing. I just think we should appreciate the fact that somehow you two have managed to become everyone's favorite couple."

Carlos laughed.

"Seriously. Your families love each other, the drivers love you, the fans love you..."

He looked around the table.

"...even the Ferrari mechanics are emotionally invested in this relationship."

I laughed and leaned against Charles' shoulder.

Charles smiled and wrapped an arm around me.

For once, nobody teased us.

Everyone simply smiled.

Because after all the races, the traveling, the cameras, and the chaos surrounding our lives...

There was one thing everyone seemed to agree on.

Charles and I were meant to be together.

And neither of us could imagine it any other way.*