𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙘𝙚 𝙁𝙞𝙚𝙡𝙙 - Charles Leclerc (CL16) [Book 1]

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚛𝚝𝚢-𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚎

It's been two weeks since that night in Spa. I haven't heard from Carlos, I didn't go to Spain... obviously. Raegan is in Ibiza with Lando, I know this because of the nightly drunk phone calls I'm getting from them both to check in on me.

I've been working away with Flora in the bakery, she is on summer break from her studies at the moment so we've been doing a lot together most days.

I would say I'm doing a lot better since the break-up. The first couple of days were hard, as I kept thinking about the fact I should have been in Madrid, I kept crying over the thought of Carlos hurting because of me, but otherwise, since the honest conversation I had with Raegan it has been easier to process, my own actions caused this to happen and there is no point in me reflecting on the past I need to move on. I talked it through with Flora and realised whilst I did have a lot of admiration for Carlos, it was not love. It wouldn't have been fair on me, or him, to have stayed in that relationship with the headspace I was in, and with my thoughts circling to Charles most of the time.

I also haven't heard from Charles since the morning after he dropped me home, I had seen on Arthur's Instagram that he was in Corsica with his family on his yacht.

Life was quiet, calm and peaceful. For the first time in a while. Except for the midnight drunk calls from Raegan and Lando.

I'm sat in my kitchen drinking a coffee and looking out the window, it's my day off today and the sun is shining down on Nice. I decide it's a nice day to head down the market to get some inspiration for the bakery, and probably treat myself as well.

I chuck on a white top, some shorts, a pair of Crocs, throw on a pair of sunglasses and grab my Marc Jacobs tote bag to head out of the apartment.

I walk down to the Cours Saleya market, which is one of the most famous in Nice. The food, flavours and smells in the market are just insane and it is one of my favourite things around the city.

My first stop is to the coffee shop, where I pick up an iced cappuccino. I walk up to my favourite fruit stand, and greet Josephine, the lovely old lady who runs the stand. I pick up some fresh apples and a passionfruit and continue to peruse around the market.

It is a nice day, and it reminds me of the reason I came to France in the first place.

I approach one of the gift stands, it is new so I haven't seen what they have for sale before. The stand is selling the most amazing handmade jewellery, complete with crystals to promote different health benefits. I'm reading one of the information cards and looking at a bracelet when I become overly aware of someone's presence beside me. The citrus scent hits me, and the Monaguesque accent is obvious when he is talking to the lady behind the stand.

It is Charles Leclerc.

I don't think he has noticed me, I still have my sunglasses on. I stand very still, and look at the bracelet stand as not to draw attention to myself. I might be healing from my relationship with Carlos, but I don't think I'm ready to see Charles yet, not considering the last time he saw me I was completely drunk, heartbroken and crying. I can feel my heart jumping out of my chest just from knowing that I am stood next to him. The feelings I have for Charles are so strange, and I still do not understand. Carlos no longer being in my life, and the gesture of kindness from Charles last time I saw him has confused what I thought was nothing more than hate.

I decide to slowly turn around and walk away, and hope he doesn't see me.

However, I am Liana. Nothing is ever simple right. As I turn around, a cyclist comes right into my path and knocks the iced coffee out of my hand and onto the floor.

"OH SHIT." I exclaim, an automatic reaction. I stand very still for a moment, hoping that Charles hadn't noticed. That is until I feel a hand on my shoulder, and I know exactly who is going to be stood there when I turn around.