𝐑𝐎𝐘𝐋 (𝐂𝐋)

4*

𝐇𝐄𝐑

28 𝐌𝐚𝐲 2022

𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞-𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐨, 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐨

Fuck.

Was the first thought that came to her mind as she looked at the brunette in front of her. She'd tried to bite back the doubt and fear about her relationship with Charles, but seeing his ex and her asking to talk to her made it difficult. She could already guess how this conversation would go.

"Hi. I'm Halle, but I'm guessing you already know that, judging by the look on your face and what you just said. Look, if this is about the "moments" between Charles and I, it's really nothing. The press just really likes to blow things out of proportion."
The pit in her stomach grew as she forced the words out of her mouth.

She hated the taste of denial on her lips and wanted nothing more than to take her words back after seeing the way that Charlotte's brow raised in curiosity at her words. She also noticed the way that Charlotte's eyes fluttered across the room, before looking back at her.

Following the Monegasque's gaze she found Charles in the crowd, his eyes colored with concern as he saw his ex talk to her.

"Are you sure there's nothing going on between you guys? Because the way his eyes have followed you around tonight says otherwise. Besides, I don't really care what he does, after all I'm the one who left him."
The architect told her with a slight smile.

Charlotte held no ill-feeling towards the girl in front of her, rather she pitied her because she knew the scrutiny she would face if she confirmed her relationship with Charles. The press and everyone were already so cruel with the relationship only being a rumor. She wouldn't wish that type of attention even on her worst enemy.

"In fact I came over here to warn you. I'm pretty sure that you've noticed how Ferrari treats Charles, he's their savior; their golden boy. So obviously they regard anything that isn't F1 or brand related as a distraction. Most importantly relationships. Why else do you think Charles' circle of friends is limited to childhood friends, who he barely sees? And even outside of Ferrari there are people around him that will try to seperate you two, whilst using my name to do so. So if you love him like I think you do, then you need to be prepared to fight for him like I should have. "
Charlotte finished her explanation with a sad smile.

The taller girl tilted her head back, downing the glass in one go as a way to hold back the tears that were threatening to spill over. In her mind this was her parting gift to Charles, giving his new lover the advice she wished she had when their love story began.

Halle looked at the girl with sad eyes. She could see the pain on her face, the fatigue from pushing herself to get over the man that they both held feelings for. Yet the saddest emotion on her face was the loneliness, it was clear that most of Charlotte's friends had abandoned her after the break up, a really painful fact but a reality nonetheless.

"Thank you for that. And if you ever need a friend just slide into my dm's."

The two girls smiled at each other before Halle quickly excused herself, needing a moment to herself.

The Brit wasn't surprised to hear her name come up in a French conversation whilst she sat in the bathroom stall. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The tug of war between reassurance and doubt was too much for her. A part of her wanted to believe Charles and Charlotte's affirmations about her relationship but then she remembered who she was within the formula 1 world and more importantly how Charles' team had reacted to their first encounter in Bahrain.

Sighing she stepped out of the stall, nodding towards the the two girls who had previously been gossiping about her, the simple action suggesting that she'd heard and understood what they'd said about her. She didn't but they wouldn't know and besides she liked the look of panic on their faces.