The bet | Charles Leclerc

• Twenty-Six •

Tuesday

A light sun has settled in Charles' hotel room, shining in through the gentle curtains. Lying in the bed, I'm wide awake.

I've been so for the past many, many, hours..

Beside me Charles lays, curling up against my body with his comforting arms. I haven't stopped staring at him since we came home last night.

I haven't stopped being completely fucking obsessed with him.

On his bedside table, the round, beautiful Australia Grand Prix trophy stands in all its glory.

On mine, the little gold figure, awarded to me last night, stands.

I can't help but smile.
Talk about a power couple huh?

"Close your eyes" Charles mumbles beside me, shifting himself closer to my bare skin, as his hoarse voice startles me.

Once again, I simply stare at him.
He's annoyingly infatuating.

"You haven't closed an eye all night" Charles somehow truthfully points out. "You need some rest, Mon Amour" He whispers into my neck.

Shivers run down my spine, as I too shift myself closer to him. Closer to his touch, to his warmth, to that safety he secures.

"I can't.. trust me I've tried" I whisper back, propping my head against his chest, his heartbeat sounding in my ears.

Charles runs a gentle hand through my hair. "Is something keeping you up?" He asks gently, voice raspy and tired.

I sigh into his embrace, never wanting to leave his comfort. "I don't know.." I mutter truthfully.
I have utterly no idea why I'm so restless.

I've had the biggest moment of my life, won a prize I've dreamed of for years.
So why is my heart beating so hardly in my chest..?

Charles gently tips my chin up, making my eyes meet his.

With muddled eyes, and a birds nest like bundle of hair, Charles Leclerc has never looked more beautiful.

He leans his forehead against mine, our noses rubbing together, as we stare back at each other. "Are you holding something back?"

His words catch me off guard.

I'm holding a million things back.

I have secrets.

I have traumas.

But as I stare into those gorgeous green eyes, I know exactly what has been keeping me up, what I've been holding back.

What I've been too afraid to admit.

I close my eyes gently, leaning all my weight on Charles. His touch, his scent, all of him, surrounding me wholly.

He's mine. And only mine.

Love, my heart screams.

This time I listen to it.
This time I accept it.

"I love you Charles"

The world stands still, as I stare intensely at Charles, watching his mind wire. I shouldn't have said that. That was so fucking stupid...

But then, those wonderful dimples appear.

"I love you too Isa"

Tears fill my eyes.
My heartbeat becomes uncontrollable.
And a grin rises on my lips.