As soon as the storm ends ~ 𝒞. 𝐿𝑒𝒸𝓁𝑒𝓇𝒸

Control

{Charles' POV}

Today has been decent, now that's a lie, it was amazing, exquisite and astonishing. It was my first day of summer holidays, a mental and a very much needed physical brake from Formula 1.

My flight left Hungary early, I won that race and the after party was great. This year in terms of my career has improved, getting P1's, P2's and occasionally P3's was a dream. But it was never enough for my wife, it feels foreign to call her that. It would've been great if her support even appeared shown, if she ever came to my races or just simply texted me a congratulations after I win a race. To put it simply we've drifted apart, she wasn't the person I first met, but I also wasn't a person she first met. But I'm here to do it for Théo - I don't want him to grow up with 2 birthdays, 2 Christmas's, 2 bedrooms and 4 parents. Love is unfair. Love is shameless.

The woman in the cafe. I have no comment as to what happened. No one ever had so much effect on me. Her persona, her look and her features were so captivating. Her hazel eyes spoke so many words without her even phrasing them. I needed her more than I wanted to. I wanted to show her that.

I wouldn't think I'm cheating on my wife, I'm just looking out for myself. But when I ran after her at that moment, I knew I had to know her name or at least if she's from Monaco, but she truly left me speechless, like literally speechless. But one part caught me off guard. The blue pram she had with her, it looked almost exactly like the one I had picked out for Théo before he was born. And the daycare she looked like she was heading to. It was a gut wrenching feeling that was indescribable. But I needed to shake it off, it wasn't Théo's pram, the chance of someone having the same pram as him was very high. She started to head off again, I did the same. I recon if destiny wants us together, it'll be and I won't ever argue with it. I vow this to myself.

The direction I started to walk only lead to Max's house. His house isn't far, I should make it within 10 minutes.

And I did.

He wasn't my closest friend so I'm not surprised if he didn't expect me to knock on his front door. In all honesty, he wouldn't be my first choice if only Pierre lived in Monaco, which he does not. But I needed someone to talk to, someone who can give me a point of view from a third perspective. Surely, I didn't hesitate to knock on his door.

The door opened. It was Max with Penelope on his arms. His cheeks were red, I could clearly see a drop of sweat on his forehead, and the biggest smile on P's face. When he saw me it was a surprise to him, as expected, he let go of P and allowed me to come inside.

"You look like you were expecting someone else" I jokingly laughed.
"Yeah I actually was, Kelly went shopping for a party we're going to later, so I was just waiting for her to ring the door bell" Max sounded enthusiastic with his new idea.
"Well I hope you can spare me a couple minutes, I could use some relationship advice - well I don't know if it's relationship but I need a different view in this situation" I asked unsure of what his answer could be.
"Yeah come on let's go to the living room" Max says as he guides me to his couch where his cat's resided.

"Shoot, what's laying on your heart" Max quoted. I don't where to start, many things lay heavy on my heart, and many decisions that I wish I never have to act on. My own feelings felt invalid.

"I'm not sure what went wrong in my relationship, I thought everything was okay until today. I.." I stuttered, how stupid do I look right in front of my rival.
"Wait, hold on. You and Fabiana, having problems, that doesn't seem like you guys" he phrased it so innocently, which was far from it. "What caused you to have doubts about your marriage?" Max added with pure intentions which stabbed my heart a hundred times.

Her the blondie I met.

"It going to be so random Max, but it's a women I met today. At the cafe where Théo loves to eat croissants, also where we organised the baby shower" Max looked to be listening really intently so he would be able to give the best piece of advice. "She's so intriguing, she was flawless, a true master piece. She made me feel safe from the war zone, her touch is so addicting, she was unmissable Max. How can I want more of a person I don't know" I'm so frustrated with the situation I was put in, rather a hole I dug for myself.

"I don't think she was the sole person for decision I have to now make, but blondie intervened to show me more love than my wife could in matter of an hour. I need to find her, but I need me to be guilt free. I need the reassurance that I've tried to save my marriage, if not for me but Théo" I was slightly breathless, speaking with so much emotion and so quickly, certainly don't go well together.

"Sometimes the hurt that has been created on both sides is the hardest part to let go of, but if you're avoiding the problem you're not getting closer to the answer" Max shared his wisdom.

"But I'm scared Max, i don't want Théo to ever think I'm a bad father because I felt like I had to have a break from his mother or vice versa" I need the comfort of any type of reassurance.

"Just know that the world isn't against you, love is the best thing you can provide your child with. You and Fabiana don't need to be together to provide him with that. Trust me a child would much rather see their parents separate and happy than together and miserable" Max tried his role in counselling me, it felt personal on his side. Tears gathered, man this isn't how I want it to be. I covered my face with my hands.

"If you had one solid piece of advice for me what would it be, I feel helpless Max" I sighed, so heavily that it woke up the cats on the other side of the couch.

"Honestly, stop convincing yourself you still fit in the places you've outgrown" the burden of thoughts got heavier, so much laid in my control and most of me hates that. I just wanna feel loved and appreciated without having to beg for it.

I think Max got the gist that the words he counselled me with hit home, I got up and so did he. I gave him the biggest 'bro' hug, it's the least I could do to repay him for the time he gave me, even though none of this is his concern. And just in time the doorbell rang.

"I'll get going, thank you Max" I said. As the door was opened I squeezed past Kelly and out of the apartment complex.

I guess it was time for me to face it all. But at the end of the day I was just happy to have my boy, and seeing his eyes light up when he sees me is worth everything that has happened to me. Lord I just hope you're on my side in this.

It was getting quite late, I knew that it was some what Fabiana's and Théo's tradition to make dinner on the day I come home from the races. But I was told over the phone that today is extra special as I was being introduced to Théo's new nanny.

After a slow 15 minute walk home. I was standing right in front of my apartment door ready to slide my key in to open it, until it swung open. And little hands wrapped themselves around my legs.

"Théo, my love. I love you so much. Did mama tell you I've missed you this much" I said as I spread my arms as wide as they could possibly go.

"YES!" I smiled so hard, some people would say they hate when kids screech or scream but when it comes to Théo's excitement I absolutely love it. "Come one big boy, let's go meet the special new person mama told me about" I said with him on my arms as I dragged my small bag with the little clothes I took with me for Hungary. I closed the door and put Théo down as he ran towards the kitchen.

Meanwhile, "hey" I walked towards Fabiana and tried to kiss her, she swerved me. Ouch! This was a biting point for me. I decided to follow Théo into the kitchen.

And I entered the kitchen to whom I though was impossible to know about.

Least to say I'm gobsmacked.

"Mystery Man?"