When two worlds collide

Easier to walk away

Charles woke up the next morning and glanced at the time on his watch. He couldn't believe it was only 6am, he'd only had a couple of hours sleep after he had another challenging day and having to deal with Charlotte didn't help either. She was constantly asking him to take her here, take her there and buy things for her. It was really beginning to get to him and he asked her for a bit of time for him to focus on his racing.

He'd already had a bad start to what should of been a good season and now he was back in Europe and closer to home and at an important time of his career he just wanted a clear head and no distractions. This didn't go down to well with Charlotte who began to huff and pout like a child saying she hardly seen him and she just wanted to be there for him. When he said he needed some space this weekend at Imola for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix she tried to say he was the problem and why would he need space. She just couldn't understand that if he didn't start putting in performances he could lose his seat for next year.

He had left her at her hotel saying she couldn't stay with him as he was sharing with Carlos, which wasn't true he just needed sometime by himself. He'd spend an awful night tossing and turning ignoring his phone as Charlotte had constantly tried to phone him, left him voice messages and numerous texts.

Choosing to ignore his phone he got out of his bed and padded to the shower letting the hot jets of water cascade down over him. Resting his head against the wall he knew he had to get his head back into the game and settle down as this was an important weekend not only for him but for the team.

Walking back to his bed he glanced quickly at his phone seeing another two missed calls from Charlotte and one from Carlos.

"Hey mon frere we've a medical this morning with the Doc just to make sure we are OK and fit for this weekend. Meet down in the lobby in 10."

Quickly drying off and pulling on a pair of shorts a t-shirt he grabbed his phone and keys and headed down to the lobby to meet Carlos.

"You look like s**t my friend" Carlos exclaimed when he seen Charles exit the elevator and join him at the doors. "everything OK?"

"I'll be fine just didn't sleep too good" replied Charles rubbing his eyes as they stepped out into the Italian sunshine.

"I'm here for you if you need to talk my friend. I think I'll drive us to the track today. Don't want any accidents before we see the docs"

"Docs?"asked Charles as they normally only ever saw one doctor and that was usually Dr Roberts or Dr Howard when Dr Roberts was held up.

"Yes apparently Dr Roberts is having a new doc shadow him today."

Charles suddenly remembered the girl he saw leaving the medical centre yesterday evening wondering if by any chance and luck it would be her. He was keen to find who she was. He sat in silence as Carlos drove them both to the circuit eyes closed and his head resting against the seat.

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Hayley arrived bright and early the next morning and scanned her pass to let her into the medical centre. Scanning around she realised she was the first person there. Sitting down in the reception area she waited for Dr Roberts to arrive. Glancing around her she watched team personnel, track officials and drivers of the f2 and f3 arriving.

"Dr Jones I presume?" a voice shock her out of her people watching to find Dr Roberts standing in front of her.

"Yes I am and sorry I didn't see you enter" she hurriedly said apologetically while standing up.

"Don't worry I'm glad to see your settling in and are punctual. It is a site to behold for the first time" he said gesturing to the hustle and bustle of the paddock. "I was the same completely awestruck by it all and I wouldn't change it for the world. But let's get down to today's business"

He began to walk towards his office and Hayley followed him wondering what was instore for her today.

"Please sit down" gestured Dr Roberts to a chair whilst he wait behind his desk. "I would like you to observe me today as I complete some assessments of the drivers prior to their racing this weekend.

Hayley nodded her head keen to learn from him as he was an expert in his field and she wanted to prove she had what it takes to pursue this chosen path.

The morning went in quickly having seen Dr Roberts assess a couple of the formula 2 drivers and passing them fit for the weekend. She excused herself to go out to get a drink. Pulling the door open she walked straight into someone. This someone was tall, lean and muscular. She could smell his aftershave as she took a deep breath before she looked to apologise. As she looked up she was staring into the green eyes of the young man she had seen watching her yesterday.

"Oh excuse me im so sorry I didn't know anyone was there" Hayley babbled still shocked at who it was.

"Don't apologise you weren't to know" he replied looking at her. "I've an appointment with Dr Roberts for my medical or has he finally decided to let a good looking woman finally do the assessment?"

"Mr Leclerc I see you've meet my intern Dr Jones?" said Dr Roberts as he came out his inner office hearing the commotion. "And unfortunately no she won't be assessing you today, she's going on her mid morning break." nodding his head that she was free to go.

"Maybe I'll see you around mon cherie" Charles said as he side stepped to let Hayley passed.

Hayley quickly went to the catering tent to grab a drink and began to realise how fast her heart was beating. Sitting down she began to take deep breaths to slow her heart rate down. Never before had someone made her feel that way