The bet | Charles Leclerc

• Twenty-Eight •

Friday

The paddock of Japan, Suzuka, roars with attendees of ecstatic f1 fans, all ready for a weekend of thrilling racing.

I on the hand, feel like a zombie, walking through the crowded areas with a dead body, dried from emotions.

Simply a set of flesh and bones.

As heads turn to look my way, and cameras occasionally flash in my direction, I'm constantly reminded of the situation I'm currently in.

All though, there's something weird.

No one has mentioned the award ceremony,
or rather who I brought as my date...

Articles have been posted about my triumph.
People have congratulated me.
Fan girls have hated on me.

But no one has mentioned him..

Not even the internet.
Not a single tweet or comment.

It's as if Charles was completely erased from everyone's memory.
Like every picture of the two of us has been deleted.

"Isa!!" The sudden, familiar shout from Richard takes me by surprise. My heart drops from just the sound of his voice.

I haven't spoken to him since that night.
I'm not sure he even knows what went down..

"Richard!" I call back, throwing on the fake, thriving smile I've eventually become a master of putting on.
My feet rush against the concrete, as Richard opens up his arms.

"There you are sweetheart.." He whispers gently into my hair, engulfing me inside a warm, tight hug within seconds.

I hug him back, my arms clinging onto his wool sweater, that smells exactly like him. God, who would've thought I'd be missing my boss like this..?

But the fake, thriving smile, is a failure.
Once Richard pulls away and looks down at me, I simply crumble.

With a shaky breath, and a heart wanting to ignore this at all costs, I slowly take up the courage.. "Richard, I think we need to talk"

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆

"So he did all that for a simple bet?" Richard asks in disbelief, head in his hands as he tries to comprehend all the secrets I just spilled.

I told him everything. Every truth. Every secret.

I chuckle, as depressingly as ever. "Yup." I respond.
I successfully managed to say it all without escaping a single tear, but now my whole body feels like a void.

A big, fucking numb void.

Richard digs his fingers deep into his hair, an expression full of distress coating his aged face. "That's so fucking disgusting."

I simply stare at him, unsure of what do respond.
Technically I should be fired for even nearing Charles.

"But please don't say you're letting that piece of shit dictate your life" Richard speaks up, catching me off guard.