love at first sight?

break down

*Charles*

The past weeks have felt amazing. With Ivy by my side everything feels so easy. I'm just very happy right now. She opened up to me more and we've talked about her fears and insecurities. I know she trusts me and I'm her safe place. We still didn't sleep with each other which is fine for me because I really want her to feel comfortable.

When I wake up her eyes are closed but she's still snuggled into me. I have to smile at the sight of her sleeping. She's the cutest human I know. I gently pull her a little closer to me and press some kisses on her face and neck. When she opens her eyes there's a big smile on her face. "Good morning, mon cœur", I say and chuckle a little. "Good morning, Charlie", she says and turns around to face me. "How did you sleep?", I ask her. "I always sleep good next to you", she smiles and my heart starts racing. I can't express how much I love this girl. "I have to leave for training in 30 minutes", I remind her to which she answers with a sad face.

"No, I don't want you to leave"

"I know mon cœur, I don't want to leave you alone but I need to train", I chuckle.

"Then just give me 5 more minutes with you, you're gone a lot the past days", she says and I feel my tummy twist. I tried to spend as much time as possible with her the past week and days but training is just a lot right now. The next race is only a week away and I need to be well prepared for it. Still I feel bad for making her feel like she's not a priority to me because she's the most important thing in my life.

"I'm sorry, mon cœur. After this race it's only one more and then we have summer break. We still need to decide on a destination by the way", I tell her to make her feel a little better. It doesn't seem to work though. "Hmm, I'll think about some ideas", she says and I just know she's sad by the way she keeps avoiding to look me in the eyes. I can't leave her like this. I would think about it the whole time.

I gently lift up her chin so that she looks at me. "You're the most important think in my life, Ivy. I know I've been busy the past weeks but I promise I'll make it up to you. Please don't be sad, mon cœur", I say and kiss her forehead. "It's okay, Charles. I just miss you when you're gone and I still don't know if I can attend your next race. We have an important meeting on Saturday and then a dinner on Sunday", she explains to me. I know that I can't be disappointed because she was with me at every race since we're together again which caused her a lot of stress because she had to get her work done in between the Qualifyings, practices and races. Sometimes she stayed up till 3am to finish her work. I felt very bad because I know she only did it for me. She likes formula 1 herself but being a girlfriend of a driver is something different. I know that myself. "It's okay, mon cœur. I'm just sorry I can't attend the dinner with you", I say. "I'll just how with Elena then", she puts in a weak smile. I know she wants me there. She was with me at every dinner or gala that considered racing or sponsorships even though she didn't really like them. Now it's about her work and I can't be there. I feel like the worst boyfriend.

"Are you sure?", I ask her. I really need to get ready actually but I need to know if she's okay.
"Yeah, it's fine. I mean you can attend my next dinner", she was right. But what if it collides with one of my races again?

After I gave her more kisses and told her that I love her I get up to get ready. Ivy stays in bed a little longer to get some more sleep. It's just 7am in the morning. She doesn't have to work today.

"Baby? I have to leave now. Are you okay? Can I go?", I ask while stepping into the bedroom. I don't get a response. Her eyes are closed and she's peacefully sleeping. A grin appears on my face. I bend down to her and give her a kiss on her forehead. "I love you, Ivy", I whisper to her before I silently tiptoe out of the room and carefully close open the front door.