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

Chapter 63: Wine and Thanks

Ringring

"Ma belle you ready?" Charles got there and Lily got up and took her stuff.
"Yeah.. I'll be there in a bit" Lily says over the phone while trying to get her stuff. She ends the call and kisses Lance goodbye.
"I love you"
"I love you Lily"

Lily smiles and waves goodbye. She was on her way  up to the parking but Lance realized she forgot her blazer. He ran out so he could catch her still.

Charles sees Lily arriving but also sees Lance behind. Lance puts on Lily her blazer as they talk for a bit and kiss her goodbye. It was uncomfortable so Charles just looked away.

"Did you wait too long?" Lily asks as she gets in the car. "Not really I just got here" He fakes a smile.

"Are you ready for today?" Lily was glowing, she definitely was happy and Charles was glad he did drive her here.
"Yes. Let's hope it's gonna be good today" Charles says as they go to the race track.

and it wasn't. The results of today's race wasn't good. They weren't in the top 10. Both of the drivers were disappointed on the results.

Lily tried to give much comfort to Charles. This one was a big hit. And even though Lance was 9th, points for their team... Lily just couldn't today. She knew she needed to be there for Charles. It was very frustrating that all weekend, the results weren't up to their expectations. The whole team was quiet. No one was actually interacting much after the race but duties duties duties again at the end of the day.

"Congrats on the points" Lily whispers as they cross each other's paths. "See you next week" he says back. It was so natural yet this was the first time they've interacted a bit outside while media was around. It was so subtle that no one even noticed.

"Daniel! Congrats good race today" Daniel sees Lily with Charles for their last interview. "Thank you. Thank you. Btw, you guys going to my party later? It's gonna be fun!" He invites them over but Lily politely declines. "Aww next time you should really have fun with us" He says which made Lily nod and smile. "Maybe next time"

"How you feeling? Do you want to go home?" Lily asks Charles as they get back to the hospitality. Charles nods as he massages his temples. "Come. I'll get everything ready. You just rest for now"
Lily was going to find someone to drive them back to the hotel and to the airport. It was unexpected but Lily sees Lance along with his trainer. Lily was going to call him but they were outside and she just  hesitates again.. as Charles comes along with their tickets. "Did you want to buy something?" Charles assumed Lily was looking at the store. "No.. not really.. just a bit tired" Lily gives out a small smile as they board their flight.

Round 8 came around and this time it was in Italy. Lily planned a sleep over. It's been a while since the boys gathered and of course it was at Pierre's home.

"How come you don't have much food here?" Lily asks as she goes through Pierre's fridge. "I often do deliveries ma belle" he says but Lily just sighs. "Bachelors" she says.
"I'll go grocery shopping but someone has to come with" Lily says with her hands on her hip at the boys were playing games with the console.

"I'll go besides I'm the one from here" Pierre chuckles. Charles offered but Lily refuses and says Pierre is enough and that he should just relax for a bit.

"So.. how you guys been feeling?" Lily asks as they go around the store with a cart. "I'm feeling a bit great about this race" He says as he gets some supplies into the cart.
"How about you and Mr. Long hair Lance" Pierre teases
"We've been really great these past week" Lily chuckles.
"I can quite see that" Pierre points at her chest as it was a bit low and showed a bit of the kiss marks Lance left on her.
Pierre laughs at it and teases her more.
"Ma belle I never knew you were like this huh" He chuckles some more as Lily blushes in embarrassment.
"Stopp. I already told him to never do it again"
"Oh please. That guy won't stop even if you tell him" Pierre adds.
"Anyways, enough about me. How about you? Have you been seeing someone?"
Pierre shakes his head. "No. It's quite fun being single"
"Oh you and George say the same thing. You guys sleep around sometimes. Isn't that tiring?"
"One time things are easier. Relationships are complicated ma belle. It's better to live a life without any stress"
"But love should be uplifting and betterment, not stress" Lily laughs at him "tell me who hurt youuu. Who scarred this poor baguette" Lily laughs along with him as they complete their groceries and check out of the store.

"We're backkk" Lily says as they put down the supplies on the table.
"Lily you left your phone earlier. It's been ringing nonstop" Lando hands her phone and she opens it. When she saw Lance's name, she quickly lights up. Finally he got a new phone.

"You're exaggerating! He only called twice" Lily chuckles at Lando while he was just indifferent.

Lily sends a message to Lance.

Lily: finally! You got a new phone
Lance: yeahh.. I was trying to call you earlier but you didn't pick up
Lily: sorry babe I'm at Pierre's house right now and I forgot my phone when we went to shop some ingredients. I'll be cooking in a bit
Lance: how come I still haven't tried your cooking? 😭
Lily: when there's a chance I'll cook for you babe
Lance: I'll wait for it.. for sure ❤️
Lily: brb okay? I'll need to start cooking if I want to finish before dinner time
Lance: okay babe. I love you
Lily: I love you too

"You lovebirds just can't get enough of each other" George teases Lily as she closes her phone
"His phone broke but he got a new one todayy"
"Yeah yeah" George got a drink and notices something.
"My word. So bold of you ma belle" George teases her as he sees her hickeys. Lily quickly pulls up her blouse. "sshhh" Lily motions him silence as she didn't want others to know. George just chuckles and gets back to the couch with the boys still playing.

Dinner came around and everyone had a great time together. Good food and good friends call for a nice wine. They all had drank and unexpectedly, the drink gets into Lily.

"I'm telling you guys. Thank you. I'm soooo soooo happy to have met you." Lily was slurring her words which made the boys chuckle. "Landoooo" she walks to him with her wobbly legs and says "thank you for always keeping it real with me. You have a sharp tongue but I know you care" Lily was smiling with her eyes forming half moons then goes to Pierre. "Thank youu Mr. Baguette. You always had the nicest things to say whenever I'm down" then next was George. "Georgee!! Our lovely George.. you.." Lily stops and tries to think again as the boys chuckle.

"She's so drunk" Lando says jokingly as he was a bit tipsy too.
"I don't think she's gonna remember any of this" Pierre says as he tries to prepare the room for her
"Well come on now, what about me?" George funnily carries on with Lily's drunk confession
"Hmmm.. George you're like a big brother to me.." Lily starts to tear up.
"Oh no don't cry don't cry ma belle" George suddenly regrets teasing her
"I know I could always rely on you" She says getting more teary eyed.
Charles swoops in as Lily almost trips to the ground. "Ma belle I think you had too much to drink now" Charles tried to carry her carefully to the room.

The boys started to prepare sleeping too as Charles tucks Lily in for bed.
"Charles?" Her voice cracks.
"Yes ma belle?" He goes back near her as she motions to come closer
"Can I ask you something?"
"Anything"
"Do you.. regret meeting me?"
"Why would you think that?"
"I don't know.. I'm just.. I don't think I deserve all of this.. this.. this happiness.. this.. this love.. from everyone.." Lily started drunk crying.
"Ma belle" Charles gently wipes away her tears as he softly chuckles
"I'm just really.. really.. really happy and I.. I feel.. very very sorry to you"
"You don't have to feel sorry Lily"
"I feel sorry that I don't think I can give back everything that you've given me"
"I did everything ma belle because I wanted to.. because I knew you were worth every second of it"
"Do you really think that?" Lily cries some more
"Yes. Don't you?"
"I don't know"

"Hey.. listen to me" Charles says as he wipes her tears.

"I don't know if you'll remember this... but I like you Lily.. I really do but I know.. he makes you happy and I'll do my best to make sure you would always be"