Book 1: Oh love, how could I forget~ (Lance Stroll)

Chapter 19: Acceptance

Lily also fell asleep with her irritated eyes from all the crying she had done that night.
She woke up to the sound of Charles preparing to go to the race that day.

"Sorry.. did I wake you up?" He asks.
Lily shook her head slowly. Her head was definitely hurting from the alcohol and water therapy she had gone through. Her emotional turmoil settled down when she woke up.

We've gone through this. It is always like this.
She's going to sleep then wake up = fine.
But this morning she was different.
Fine but different.

"I'll try to finish as soon as possible then we can talk about what you want to do okay?" Charles holds her cold hands and looks at her eyes for the first time since yesterday.
Her eyes looked like it was as blank as black.
He sighs. She looked like life was sucked out of her.

Her lips curl up into this tiny smile as she nods to his question.

Charles was about to go when..
"Hey Charles.. bonne chance" Lily spoke too soft but he heard it. He heard her wish him goodluck.
He smiles and feels good today.
"I'll be back mon chou" He says as he closes the door.

Lily looks around again and lets out a deep sigh.
She tries to sleep only face a nightmare.
"Hey.. hey.. Lily.. I'm here" he says as he cups her face. She opens her eyes and saw green orbs.
She breaths in so deep like she was grasping for air.
"It's all a dream. I'm here now.. I'm here" Charles whispers as he wipes the tears on her cheek.

"Are you feeing better now?" He gave her a glass of water. She grabs it with both of her hands and nodded.
"I need to shower first" she nods again.

Lily remembers her phone getting wet yesterday. She forgot to take it out before showering.
"Shit. I'm stupid" she muttered to herself.
"What why" Charles heard this when he got out
"I broke my phone yesterday because of the shower thing" she sighs.
"Do you need to use mine?" He was drying his hair.
"Later.. i guess"

He felt hopeful at this point. Atleast she's talking and responding better than yesterday.

"Do you want something to eat? I think you skipped breakfast and lunch already"
"I'm not really hungry"
"I'll order still"

"How was the race" she asks.
"It went well" He gives her a smile.
"so.. about yesterday.. uhm.. thank you" she said as her voice cracked.
Charles sits next to her "are you ready to tell me what happened? are you comfortable enough or do you need George or Lando?"
"I'll them later on but.. uhm.. yesterday.." she lets out of the deepest sighs ever heard.

"Yesterday.. I was going to confess..but uhm.."
Charles thought she got rejected but that wouldn't make sense if she wanted to leave the hotel in such state.
"When I was going to the driver's room I heard he was talking to someone.. some friend I guess.. then I heard him say "her? She's great.. but no I'm just playing with her" and I just.. walked and walked until I was no longer there"
"He what??!" Charles couldn't believe it. He thought Stroll was serious about Lily but hearing this he got furious.
She held his wrist. "It's fine.. I already knew this I shouldn't have thought I had a chance" she gave him a fake smile.
"Since the first time I met him, we kissed already. I made myself so easy that's why I got played." She began to laugh at herself.
"I'm just the type to play around I guess" She lets out a big smile and this made Charles' heart sink.

"No.. don't say that.. You are the most amazing person I've met"
"I'm sorry for yesterday.. and thank you" she says
"So.. today is the last race.. what do you plan to do?"
"I'm.. I don't want to go home yet.. I can't deal with anything right now.. I— I'll either.. stay here or find somewhere.. anywhere" She sighs.
"Or maybe I'll just go back.."

Lily was being too indecisive that Charles thought of an idea. Under everything, he has seen an opportunity in this. A bit selfish but he can't help trying to pursue her.

"How about.." Lily looked at him and he knew she would say yes.
"You stay with me first in Monaco then when you're better.. you can decide on your work" He suddenly reminds Lily about her job offer with Scuderia Ferrari.
"Right! I almost forgot about that" she sighs.

After a few minutes the food arrives.

He has gotten her favorite nuggets.
He felt a little success that she finally ate some food.

"I need to call my parents first then I.. I think I'll accept the position." She suddenly says while they were eating.

"But— I don't have much clothes maybe I should go back to Philippines first?" She adds.
"Well.. we could buy there?"
"Wouldn't that be expensive then? I need like a pen paper.. I'll calculate which is more expensive"
"Oh wait.. if you're going to tell Amber.. wouldn't you get like a working visa?"
"But I still have to process that wouldn't I?"
"I'm not sure"
"I think we'll just have contact Amber by then.."

They've come to an agreement that she'll stay with Charles in Monaco for a week and once she feels better they'll contact Amber to follow through the process.

"I got us tickets for tonight's flight" Charles told her as she was looking at her stuff.
"Did you leave something?" He asks.
"The necklace.. its not here" she sighs.
"Do you need to go back for it?"
"No.. It's alright.. I don't need it.. I shouldn't"

The necklace that Lance had given her was left on the floor near the bed. That day he found it and still held onto it. He was feeling angry, confused and sad. He couldn't understand what he was feeling and so that day he tried to find her around the area. He just wanted to see her. He wanted to confirm everything but as this time is still different from the other times.. they will not meet.
He remembered they were mutuals in instagram.
He tried to message her there and yet still no response. He continued to message her. Asking where she is and if they could meet.
If he could see her and talk.
If everything were just games for her.
If she could easily forget everything already.
He felt mad but still... he wanted her.
He wanted to hear her again.
Her laugh, her smile, her voice.
Little things she doesn't recognize she does.
He failed to find her and every time he sleeps...
he began to have nightmares again.

"You'll like Monaco" Charles said as they sat down on the plane.
As the flight takes off, she closes her eyes...

saying goodbye to Barcelona...
saying goodbye to the sparks she longed for...
saying goodbye to what feelings she might've felt...
saying goodbye to Lance...

Because tomorrow when she wakes up again..
she had to accept that..

they will be strangers with cursed memories

🧩🧩🧩🧩

As promised, 2 chapters because it's my birthday 🎂 I wish Lance will have a good position this weekend 💚

Let me know what you would like to see further on..
xx

don't worry this is still a Lance Stroll Fanfic 😘