that august night - c.l.

53. How do tables turn?

Elena was woken up from her sleep by loud knocks on her front door. What? Its past 2am? Amelia left to Miami yesterday morning?  Charles was supposed to be back on Wednesday as he told her he would go straight to Maranello for few meetings. Nobody came to her mind.

The only safe thing to do was to take the gun with her and go towards the door. It can't be good if somebody was violently knocking on her door in the middle of the night. She walked slowly, patiently hoping the knocking would stop before she got to the door.

Elena took a big breath, holding it in as she abruptly opened her door, holding a gun in front of her. "Don't move!" - She yelled out, little light from behind her shadowing a man whose figure she recognized all too well. "Charles?" - She finally breathed out , seeing him stoned in front of the gun.

"Perhaps I should've waited until morning and not come to the door like a thief?" - He still held his hands in the air as she lowered her gun, while a smile started spreading across her face. "I like the surprise but not this late in the night." - She laughed, throwing her hands around his neck as he picked her up, signaling that she wraps her legs around him, which she did.

He pressed his lips against hers as they walked through the door, Charles knowing the way all too well. "I missed you so much." - He whispered, placing her on the couch, leaning in for another long kiss. Few moments later, he pulled away from her slowly, dimmed light from her hallway shadowing her face.

"Elena, I have to tell you something..." - He whispered, seeing worry on her face. "Nothing to stress about... well, I don't know. It is stressful for me and I don't know what I'll do if-"

"Charles." - She interrupted him. "Get to the point." - Elena smiled at him, making him take a breath. He pulled himself back, she straightened up and watched as he kneeled in front of her. He reached for his back pocket, his hands obviously shaking from both excitement and anxiety.

"Elena, the night I set my eyes on you until this day, I have been falling more and more in love with you. And every day I can't wait for tomorrow to get to fall harder." - Elena watched as his eyes stared into hers, searching for an emotion. But she didn't know what to feel.

"But right now I can't wait for tomorrow. I don't want to." - He squeezed her hand a bit tighter, her heart picking up the speed.

"Elena, will you marry me?" - He finally asked, his voice shaking due to adrenaline rushing through his veins. Elena stared at the ring in his hand, black box that made it stand out even more even though the dark surrounded them.

He took this chance seriously. He wanted her wasted opportunity in Miami to be worth something. He wanted her to have something from it. To make another dream come true.

"You couldn't have waited until I was somewhat presentable for a proposal?" - She laughed, a tear escaping her left eye. "Yes, Charles. I will marry you." - She replied after seeing him still tensed up even though she tried to make it a bit more comfortable for him.

Wide smile spread across his face while he placed the ring on her left hand, as Elena kneeled down in front of him, wrapping her arms around tighter than ever. Charles heard few of her sobs coming from the crook of his neck, her tears sliding on his white hoodie.

"Don't cry now, hey..." - He tried comforting her by rubbing her back as she didn't let him go, continuing to cry. "Happy tears, I swear." - Elena's voice cracked as he laughed, not losing the grip around her.

"I think it's a bit late to tell anyone about the engagement, we better wait until the morning." - She wiped the tears away, sniffing as he smiled at her. "Except..." - She remembered the difference in time zone Amelia was in so she dialed her phone after she asked Charles to turn on the light for her.

He did as she had asked him before he sat down next to her, not in the frame of her video call. "Hey- what? Why are you crying? Elena is something wrong? Isn't it like past mind-"

Elena interrupted her, raising her left hand. Showing the ring on her finger. Amelia was left speechless. Her hand was on her mouth as Charles appeared on the screen waving at his finance's best friend.

"I am so happy for you! Oh my God you couldn't have done it while I was there?!" - Amelia yelled at Charles as Elena laughed at her. "Sorry but I needed to do it. I hope you can help to organize the engagement party?" - Charles asked, arching his eyebrow as Elena was unsure she saw her friend happy like this ever before.

"I am so happy for you, I can't wait until the wedding and the kids... I want them to think I am the coolest aunt ever!" - Charles and Elena listened to Amelia's wishes and imaginations about their future that included her before they said their goodbyes to go and rest until tomorrow.

"In the morning I'll call my family and organize a dinner somewhere, so we can make a proper announcement." - He hugged her, around her lower back, kissing the tip of her nose and her forehead.

"Of course, at least I know when to make myself a bit more presentable for such an occasion." - She smiled, giving him a kiss back.

Charles pulled her body closer into his chest, hugging her close as they drifted off to sleep. How do tables turn? She fell asleep few hours ago, expecting calm night and boring day but it got better in couple of hours. Although she hated when someone woke her up, she was more than glad she did. And on the side that she didn't shoot him immediately.

A lot of problems went through her agency due to trial with Emiliano. She never went this far with law attorneys, only giving them proof and everything they had, letting others do the rest. It got to the point where she may have to testify against him for shooting at her and Ashley.

But Charles occupied her mind. He didn't care about the moment, their surroundings. He cared about her and their future strong enough to propose to her while she was in pajamas, half asleep. Charles didn't care about her look, only about the feelings she made him feel. And the other way around.

Elena snuggled closer into him, falling asleep once again.

...

"Oh, I am nervous but so excited at the same time!" - She smiled after finishing up the table Charles helped her set up on his yacht. Only his family and close friends were invited, not more than ten people.

Elena was excited the whole morning to finally announce their engagement to his family. Last night she also thought about her family. If she should tell them, well she definitely knew she was going to... just thinking about the way to do it. So she'll send a text saying that she is engaged and see where they take it from here. Do they continue being unsupportive of her new life or change their minds.

Finally their guests arrived, greeting the newly engaged couple they didn't knew about.

"You look more beautiful than the last time I saw you, dear." - His mother complimented her, Elena not once took off the smile she held ever since she woke up this morning. First day as Charles Leclerc's finance and the future part of Leclerc family. Elena Leclerc... it had a nice ring to it.

"Thank you so much, I can say the same to you. You need to tell me your secret." - She pointed at her making Pascale thank for the compliment but shrugging it off saying it was due to happiness during the year.

They moved on to the table, sitting down having small chats while they drank wine. And the couple of minutes later, Charles cleared his throat, getting a signal from Elena. "I would like to have you attention for a minute." - The table turned to him, giving him their full attention. 

"So, as you may all know Elena and I have been together for quite some time now. Not that long, but long enough to make me realize some things sooner than other people do... so I've decided to propose to her and I am happy to announce you, Elena as a new family member, even though I've considered her one for quite some time now." - Charles shared a look with Elena who held a proud smile, hearing soft gasps, seeing happy faces all around the table.

Everyone stood up, congratulating them one by one as Pascale hugged her son and her future daughter-in-law tighter than usual. "Oh, I am so happy that you are the one. I can't wait for the grandchildren as well!" - She whispered in their ears as they chuckled at her.

"Thank you, mama. I am happy for myself too." - His hand wrapped around Elena waist, bringing her in. "The middle one but still the first one getting married." - Arthur came in and congratulated Elena and Charles as they thanked him.

The dinner was served and small talks were made in between the people around. Charles, each second happier, knowing he was about to spend the rest of his life with the woman he truly loved.

---

Thank you all for the support! Getting into new year, seeing that people still read my story is something I never thought would happen. But here I am, writing this message. So once more, thank you for everything in 2023 and get reay for 2024 because I have a new book in preparation. 

New book announcement! 

Will give you more details at the end of this one but...  for now I will list the tropes:

- enemies to lovers 

-fake dating

- he falls first 

- and a Charles Leclerc fanfiction! (ofc)