Pole position // Charles Leclerc

6

Mias POV:
'We should probably get you home, angel.' Daniel said softly, coming up besides me at the bar and putting his hand on my shoulder.

I'd spent the entire night with Charles. I felt guilty, but in the same breath, I was so interested by him. He was so easy to be around, and it was calming.

'When do we leave tomorrow?' I asked him.

'7am.' He responded, holding his hand out for me to take.

I did so, standing up and leaning forwards to flatten my dress, forgetting how low of a neckline it had. I looked up to see Charles slowly running his tongue over his bottom lip.

'I'll see you tomorrow?' I asked, allowing him to pull me into a hug.

It was the first one we'd had. He was quite closed when we first met, but a night of alcohol had loosened him up a little.

I felt his arms tense around me softly, pulling me closer for just a second before letting me go, reaching out to shake my brothers hand.

'See you tomorrow, bella.' He responded, huskily, picking up his glass of whiskey and tilting it towards me.

Daniel walked me towards the exit, his grip on my hand getting tighter when he saw Pierre walking towards us both. Lando was waiting at the door, and he sensed the tension too, walking over and trying to distract me.

'Mia?' Pierre called, forcing me to acknowledge him.

'Hey.'

'I'm excited for you to be there with me this year, it's gonna be a good one.' He smiled.

With me

'I'm not here with you, Pierre. I'm here for my job.' I said, firmly.

His face dropped. He'd said it instinctively.

'I know I just.' He sighed, breathing heavily before he continued. 'It'll be good to have you around again.'

'She's hardly an Alpine fan, Pierre.' Danny said, sharp words lacing his tongue.

'Daniel this never involved you.' Pierre pushed.

Daniel let go of my hand, walking towards Pierre with his finger out warningly. Charles came up behind me, one hand on my waist as he leant forward to whisper in my ear.

'Are you alright?' He whispered, the soft accent on his voice forcing my heartbeat to speed up.

'Mhm.'

'Come on, let me get you out of here.' He pushed.

I shook my head, watching my brother closely as he spoke quietly to Pierre. I wasn't sure what he was saying but it wasn't like him to make a scene. Whatever it was, turned Pierre's face pale. Lando was there besides him, telling him to leave, and failing miserably.

'This isn't like your brother. Pierre must've really done something.' Charles observed.

'You could say that.' I responded, ignoring the look that Charles gave me at my response.

I hadn't forgotten about Charles's hand on my waist. It was as if it was burning a hole into my body. His touch was intense, just like his stare was. He was attractive, the most attractive man I'd ever seen, but he was out of bounds, even I realised that.

I couldn't bare to watch them square up to eachother anymore, and so I reached for my brother, my hand on his shoulder.

'Let's go, Daniel.'

He turned to look at me, something I'd never seen before in his eyes. He was angry, he was the angriest id ever seen him, and I wasn't sure why.

'Let Charles take you home.' He said, firmly.

'Danny. We are going. Now.' I responded, harder this time.

He looked between me and Pierre for a moment before stepping away, walking from the room without saying another word.

'What happened?' I asked Pierre, conscious of Charles standing behind me.

'He knows.'

'I told him earlier, I'm not sure why he's so mad now.' I mumbled.

'Mia look. We've got some things to talk over, tomorrow.' He said, lowly.

'What did you do?' I asked, quietly, looking at him with extreme fear in my eyes.

'I.'

'Mia, come on.' Lando called, stopping whatever Pierre had to say instantly.

I didn't want to hear what he had to say, not now at least. And so I followed him from the venue, quietly, my head held high despite how low I felt like dropping it.

Daniel had already left, and so I got into Lando's car. He was unusually quiet, driving us home silently for the majority of the way.

'Mia.'

'No. Stop. I don't want Pierre to ruin anymore of my time this season, it's barely even begun.' I interrupted.

'I understand that but I' He began, but I cut him off again. 

'Lando please? I'm tired and I'm bordering tipsy.' I pleaded.

'Bordering tipsy? Charles had to hold you upright the entire time.' He chuckled.

'No, he didn't.' I said slowly, not believing him.

'Yeah, he did.' He added, humour in his voice.

'Don't tell Daniel.' I yawned.

'Your secrets safe with me.' He tapped his nose, parking in the garage and killing the engine.

'Considering you're younger than me, you sure do act like my older brother.' I chuckled, climbing from the car and closing the door.

'You need two older brothers to keep you in line.' He joked, nudging me.

'If you weren't in Danny's house right now I'd kill you.' I teased.

'I always put you down as a murderer.' He smiled.

'I'm going to go to bed before I really do kill you.' I rolled my eyes, letting him give my hand a squeeze.

'Goodnight, Mia, sleep well.'

I walked to my room and almost collapsed onto my bed, barely even giving myself time to get out of my clothes before doing so. I turned on my alarms, knowing that the boys would wake me up before my phone did, and putting it on the side.

It pinged twice, two messages. I almost fell asleep without reading them but I was curious as to who it was and knew I'd not be able to sleep without knowing what it said.

P: Look, I wanted to speak to you before it leaks to the press. I'll forever feel guilty about what I did for you and I don't ever want you to forgive me, I don't deserve that.

P: I cheated on you, in our hotel room, on the night of the anniversary of your uncles death. I'm an awful person and it's eaten away at me ever since. Whilst you were out at his grave, I should've been there supporting you. I'm so sorry and I don't know how to ever make it up to you.

I put my phone down, making it clear I was leaving him on read. It made so much sense now, why my brother was so mad, why Lando tried to beg me to listen. I closed my eyes letting the silent tears fall as I drifted off into a sleep.