Stay with me ● Charles Leclerc

Chapter 32

Elena's POV

Today's a new day. 

After my conversation with Max last night I figured it was best to stay out of Charles' way then maybe talk after his race. I didn't want to get in his head before the race knowing how important it is to him and his family. 

My phone was already blowing up with people mentioning me in news about Charles and Charlotte being back together on the same day we decided to go public. Who does that?

I decided to just have a day in today, turn off my phone, finish some work or something. It was just one of those 'leave me alone' days. And I did exactly that.

I was just about to start with work I heard a knock on the door that I decided to ignore. Then came another couple of knocks. I sighed as I got up to open the door in a messy bun and nothing but an oversized hoodie only to find Charles standing at the door dressed in his black Armani suit and a white t-shirt underneath.

"What are you doing here?" I asked "You're not answering your phone" he said "you're- you're not dressed yet?" he said but it sounded more like a question that I chose to ignore leaving him at the door and just walking back inside to my desk. "Thought you were taking Charlotte" I said as I sat down opening my laptop. He helped himself inside, taking off his shoes before following me inside "now why would I do that when I'm dating you?" he asked "Dating me?" I asked sarcastically with a laugh "sweetie no, you lost the right to say that when you took Charlotte to that family dinner" I continued, he was about to say something before I cut him off "tell me Charles, why didn't you introduce me to your mother yesterday? We were in the same place." He stayed silent "You do realize I could've introduced myself right? Like you cannot possibly be that stupid" I continued with an annoyed laugh. "You're acting childish you know" was all Charles said and it was enough to make my blood boil. 

"I'm childish? Me? You're literally dating me depending on your mood" I shouted "You can't stand me, then you like me, then you love me, then no I want Charlotte, then you want someone else, then you're back to me" I continued "and now you have the audacity to call me the childish one? Please you don't even know what you want and you're dragging me along like a toy" I said as I closed my laptop screen walking to the front door opening it. "Just leave Charles, you don't need me to come to your events. You're doing just fine on your own" I forced a fake smile to my face. "We have to keep up appearances together Elena, we just came public to the world yesterday" he replied still standing near my desk. "Should've thought about that when you ignored me the whole time and invited Charlotte to that one dinner that was supposed to include just Arthur and Lorenzo" 

"You know what? You don't get to be mad at me" he spat back as he came closer closing the door and stood in front of me, facing me directly looking into my eyes. "Maybe I didn't want you there, maybe I didn't want you to meet my mother yet, Charlotte knows my mother. Don't compare a 3 year relationship to something that lasted what? like 2 months?" he said as he let out a frustrated sigh. "My mother invited her, we're friends, she's a family friend. Honestly Elena deal with it and stop being a child about it" he continued, not breaking eye contact once. "You're not even calling what we had a relationship" I whispered barely audible. He didn't reply.

"Why didn't you want me to meet her?" I asked "I panicked" he said softly, his right hand moving to my cheek cupping it. "I'm sorry" he whispered. "Do you love me Charles?" I asked catching him of guard, "I like you" he replied after a moment of silence. "But do you love me?" I pushed "I like you El" he repeated. "I don't think we should be together Charles" I whispered fighting back the tears that were already starting to pool in my eyes "But-" was all he managed to say before I cut him off yet again "It doesn't feel right anymore" I whispered as I held the hand that was resting on my cheek moving it away, still holding it in midair. "Maybe we could be friends" he stated. "No Charles, we're better off as nothing" I said as I let the tear fall "I can't be friends with someone I love" I said squeezing his hand slightly.

He pulled me into his arms hugging me as I stayed still not hugging him back "I don't want to lose you" he whispered near my ear "you don't get to have everything you want just because you're Charles Leclerc" I said in his chest. "You're going to be late" I mumbled. He sighed before letting go of me "don't be mad at Charlotte please" he said before he picked up a shoe to put on. "I'm more mad at you honestly" I replied. "You're still more than welcome to watch the race from  the Ferrari garage even if we're strangers with some memories" he said as he opened the front door "I don't need them but thank you" I replied "You're not watching?" he asked "My ex boyfriend kind of drives for the red team and I'm trying to move on" I said with a small sad smile as he nodded before he went in for a hug "goodbye stranger" he said before walking off. "Good luck" I whispered to myself, but it was directed at him.

As I shut the door behind him, I stared into the emptiness of the house that was filled with memories with the man who was no longer in my life, the man that I so desperately wanted nothing more than to be in his arms right now. The one person I loved more than anything in  this world. The man that doesn't love me back. The man that would rather walk away from this 'thing' than fight for what could have been. The man who is now somebody that I used to know. 

I sighed as turned on my phone to text Max when I saw a notification that caught my attention.

Charlotte
Can we talk? It's important.