Apex | Charles Leclerc

Chapter 62

Been feeling so stressed and burnt out lately 🫠 I love being in college but ugh sometimes it's such a pain 

I watched the Spanish movie Culpa Mia a few days ago and I am obsessed with the lead actors. I'm not really a fan of the step siblings trope, but I love everything else. Thoughts?

Enjoy!

*****

February 02, 2028 - Monaco

It's been five days since we arrived back in Monaco, and things have been good so far. It was obvious that having everything out in the open had made things better between me and Charles. We've resumed the semi-routine we already had before we had that big fight and I've been accompanying him to the meetings he's been having with Toto and the team.

We were currently at Max's house for the day since the Dutch driver practically dragged us out of our apartment when he discovered we had no plans. Gabby was still staying with him and she dropped by our place when we got back because she wanted to check on me. It only took her about thirty seconds to decipher what went down by the look on my face and the shriek she let out was probably loud enough to reach everyone in the building.

Gabby and I were sitting by the conversation pit that Max had outside, a small fire in front of us as we both snuggled up in our respective blankets. I had to double up because the winter weather was colder this year and with my body getting used travelling so much and experiencing tropical heat, I was more vulnerable to the cold.

I have no idea where the other two were since they disappeared ever since they shooed us out of the kitchen to wash the dishes after our late lunch.

"So, have you guys gone past first base?" Gabby asked me and I threw one of the pillows beside me at her head, making her laugh. "That's a no, then."

"We haven't kissed since Nice." I said, hugging the blanket tighter to my body. "I'm afraid that if I initiate something, it would backfire on me. Besides, I don't think physical intimacy is how I want to tackle this."

"What do you mean?"

I breathed in deeply. I've been thinking about this the past few days. Having kissed Charles again felt so intoxicating. With how our relationship began, the physical side was never a problem and was even the reason as to why we were here in the first place. We relied so much on it before. All the small touches, the late nights, and the early mornings— physical intimacy was in the middle of it all. I'm afraid that if we try to do that again, or rather do some of those things, the emotional attachment that came with it wouldn't be present. It'd just be a physical relationship and that's not what I want.

I want to see his need to be near me every waking minute. I want to see his need to go above and beyond just to make sure I was safe. I want to see his need to show me that the love he felt for me was something that his mind may forget but his heart and soul never will. I could live without the physical aspect if he managed to give me that.

"I know the sex is going to be good. Heck, the kiss last weekend practically left me on fire." I began explaining and a mischievous smirk formed on Gabby's face. "But I don't want to depend so much on that to the point where it's all we'll ever have. I'm scared that his feelings will never come back and we'll be stuck in a marriage where the only time we're really together is during sex."

"Didn't he say that he needed you?" She asked me, recalling it from the time we caught up.

"Yes, but he said he needed me because he felt lost. He thinks that because I was with him for a majority of the past two years, I would know him better than anyone."