ᴄᴀʀᴅɪɢᴀɴ | ᴄʜᴀʀʟᴇꜱ ʟᴇᴄʟᴇʀᴄ

33

Stella was at the studio writing another song, she was sat on the floor when Adeline and Thea entered with a box of donuts. She smiled at them before standing up with their help "Hey!" She greeted brightly

"We need to hear the songs!" Thea clapped her hands excitedly and Stella gave her a look before reaching for her phone

"Just one" she said and one turned to the five songs she recorded. She trusted those two girls with her life.

"Charles did a number on you, huh?" Addy nudged her shoulder playfully and Stella cleared her throat forcing a smile

"It's not about him, anyways. How was your day?" She asked them before looking at Thea "Solved any case yet?"

"You're attending the Austin GP right?" Thea questioned curiously "Listen, we know you're hurting but attending the GPs aren't for Charles. It's for George besides 'til when you're going to avoid him? He's your brother's rival and best friend. You're going to see him one way or another"

"I know" Stella sighed in defeat "Trust me, I know that but it sucks. This is why exactly I tried to avoid going to any Prix"

"It's not fair, I know that... Listen, we're not trying to pressure you, alright? But just think of your brother, he has always been your number one supporter. It's time to be his too, I'm not saying that you're not but he begged you to accompany him this time, just think about it." Addy told her with an encouraging smile "Screw Charles"

"You're right, I've already been a shitty sister as it is, it's time to toughen up, right?" She smiled with a smile that Charles always described as his sunshine. She managed to lighten up the room just by her enthusiasm

Stella's phone began to ring making her frown when she checked the caller ID "Speak of the devil" she showed the girls it was Charles

"Put it on speaker" Thea demanded and Stella nodded before answering and putting the call on speaker

"Hello?"

"Stella" Charles's drawled as if he was trying out the syllables slowly and she shared a look with her friend. He never called her Stella, well rarely. She didn't even remember the last time he did

"Can I help you with something?" She questioned with a sigh

"You're a coward, Stella" he stated and she looked taken back, Thea's eyebrows shot upwards in disbelief "You couldn't even face me. Was it payback? I didn't think you're that petty"

Something felt off about the way he talked, she was sure he was intoxicated but it didn't make sense because he had practice for the Singapore GP. Charles wasn't someone reckless especially if it involved his racing

"Please tell me you aren't drunk for the love of God, Charles, tell me you aren't" she said almost pleadingly "You have practice tomorrow!"

"You would know" he bitterly said before taking a large sip from his drink "I want to hate you, Stella more than anything."

Stella closed her eyes knowing it was the truth, the guy she had been head over heels for him for as long as she remembered, he just confessed that he wanted to hate her. She knew she deserved it, she sabotage whatever good thing happen in her life

"Where are you?" Her voice shook as tears gathered in her eyes and Addy squeezed her hand tightly and the line went dead. She stood up quickly dialling his number in her phone but it went straight to voicemail

She dialled her brother's number and he picked after the second ring, she knew he must've been asleep because of the time difference "This better be important, Stel" he grumbled with a yawn

"I need your help, you're the first person that came to my mind. Listen, Charles is drunk and I don't know where he is, alright? Check his hotel if he's not there I don't know call someone!" She frantically demanded "G, can you do that?"

"Are you sure? Charles isn't the type of guy who'd drink recklessly, especially the night before practice" he stated, he couldn't believe what she was saying "Who even told you that?"

"He called me, alright? I'll tell you the details later, just do it for me or him, I don't care just help him out" she pleaded as a tear-dropped from her eye and he sighed

"Okay, he'll be okay. Just stay put, alright? I love you"

"I love you too"

Thirty minutes later, Stella was pacing back and forth nervously as the girls tried to keep her calm. Her phone started ringing again and she picked up quickly when she saw it was her brother

"Hey, G!" She sighed in relief "Did you find him?"

"Yeah, he's okay, taking a shower now" he assured her and she let out a breath she hadn't know she was holding "He hasn't left his hotel room, so it's all good. I'll try to talk to him, see what's really going on"

"Yeah, thanks, G"

"When are you coming back?" He asked and she remained silent for a moment "Stel, you promised"

"I'm attending the Austin, Brazilan and the Abu Dhabi GP, happy?" She said softly with a small smile "I will be right by your side, like old times, G"

"I love you, I didn't lie when I said you're like my lucky charms" he replied before pausing for a moment "I gotta go, stay safe. I'll call you, later"

♠️♠️♠️

In Singapore, specifically at the hotel when Charles got out of the bathroom, George handed him a cup of coffee "Hangover is gonna be a bitch, mate" The Mercedes driver told him with a shrug

"I already feel like shit" Charles admitted taking a sip from his coffee

"My sister did you that bad, huh? You almost gave her a heart attack" George informed him taking a seat "Listen, Stel didn't want to speak about it so just tell me, so I can help you guys"

"We slept together" Charles bluntly said and George chocked on his coffee before coughing trying to let the Ferrari driver words sink in

"Excuse me?"

"When I woke up, she wasn't there. She was on her way to New York" Charles finished with a blank look "So, yeah, George your sister fucked me over"

"Well, I'm not gonna defend what she did but Charles, last time you two slept together. You stopped talking for literally seven years" George said with a pointed look "You already gave her once the benefit of doubting whatever happened between you two"

"She literally said it was a one night stand and it meant nothing to her" Charles snapped coldly "That whatever happened was just a drunk sex"

"Do you really like her?" George quizzically inquired and Charles remained silent "Listen, I wanna know because I don't wanna make the mistake of hurting my sister by forcing her to come with me because I know that she likes you"

"I'm falling for your sister, all over again, George" Charles admitted quietly "My feelings for her will always haunt me"

"Stop hurting each other and do something about it"