Paint the town red

Chapter XLI

When I entered the office on Tuesday morning, there was already a cup of coffee on my desk with a sticker glued on, on which a familiar sloppy heart was painted, and the author of the drawing was sitting at his desk and writing something in a notebook. When he noticed me, he smiled happily, and I smiled back, went up to him and briefly kissed the top of his head.

"Good morning, my Cheshire Dutchman."

"When you're with me, a smile appears on its own."

"Liar."

"No, I'm just in love."

He smiled again, and I was a little embarrassed and quickly sat down at my desk. Although Max and I are in a relationship, and we have already confessed our feelings to each other more than once, but still I'm embarrassed every time he says that he loves me. And I know perfectly well that he understands this and sometimes brazenly uses it. I rested my head on my hand, remembering one of these occasions.

——Flashback——

We decided to spend one of our weekend evenings in a quiet corner of Monaco, away from the shining casinos. We chose a cozy cafe with a terrace overlooking the narrow streets and sophisticated architecture. I've always liked this place, so on our little date - the first month of our relationship - Max decided to arrange our date here. Candles flickered slowly on the table, creating an atmosphere of warmth and comfort, and from the presence of a loved one nearby, all this warmth seemed to pass into the heart.

Our conversation moved smoothly from everyday topics to deeper reflections, and our eyes sparkled in the soft light of the sunset. While ordering dishes, we shared smiles and secret glances, because we aren't alone here, and thus we seemed to create our own world in this relaxed corner of Monaco.

After dinner, we decided to stroll through the streets, watching the city begin to fall asleep under the starry sky. We accidentally stumbled upon a small garden with flowers, and Max suddenly handed me a small bouquet of wildflowers, which made my cheeks turn red. He came closer to me and gently touched the corner of my lips with lips.

"I love you, Charles Leclerc."

"How official."

"You could've just said the same."

Holding the bouquet Max had given me in one hand, I immediately hugged him by the shoulders and gently touched his lips with my own, pulling my lover into a kiss. Then, pulling away from each other, I whispered softly into his lips:

"I love you, Max Emilian Verstappen."

"How official."

"Asshole. But I love you anyway."

We smiled at each other, and I rubbed the tip my nose against the tip of his nose, after which we continued our date.

At the end of the evening, we settled down on the embankment, where the sound of the waves reminds us of the transient beauty of the moment. In each other's arms, we realized that even in simple things, such as this modest dinner, there is a special magic and tenderness of our relationship in this piece of paradise called Monaco.

——End of flashback——

I was distracted from my memories by the sound of the door opening and Lewis entering it. I thought he had returned to England a long time ago, but as it turned out, he had business here and decided to stay for a while. Although it's not that he decided - the job obliged. He greeted Max and me, and then handed me a small envelope. I looked at the addressee's name - George William Russell.

"George asked me to give it to you before I return to Britain."

"What's in there?"

"I don't know. I'm not in the habit of going through other people's things."