𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐀𝐃𝐄 ~ | 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘓𝘦𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘤

XII

Chapter Twelve:

~ Skip this chapter weaklings ~

I stirred awake to the feeling of a soft kiss on my forehead, then on other to my cheek, and finally one on my nose.

"What time is it?" I murmured, my eyes still closed.

"Early," Charles replied, his voice low and gentle. "I'm going for a run with Daniel. But it's too early for you. I just wanted to tell you."

I now realized that my body was wrapped around his so tightly it was impossible for him to escape without waking me. I loosened my arms and he gently rolled me to the side, his hand lingering on my cheeks.

"Jesus, I am never going to get tired of waking up like this," he murmured, his voice thick with sleep. He pressed a soft kiss to my forehead, his hand resting on my cheek. "With you."

I blinked my eyes open, the early morning light spilling through the hotel curtains. His green eyes searched mine, full of something so intense and raw that it stole my breath away. His hand traced the curve of my cheek, his thumb brushing away the tear tracks from the night before.

Then with a last kiss, he slipped out of bed, leaving me in the warm cocoon of the hotel sheets. I rolled over, my body missing his heat instantly. I watched his shadowy figure move through the room, the curtains allowing in just enough light to outline his form. He paused by the bed, looking down at me with a soft smile.

I sighed, beginning to sit up, but Charles' hand was firm on my shoulder. "No, you stay," he said, his voice firm. "You need to rest after last night."

"But-"

"Cherie, just go back to sleep. It's okay." His hand pushed me gently back down to the pillows, his voice a comforting rumble. I didn't protest too much, my body already slipping back into the welcoming embrace of the mattress.

He tucked the covers around me, his touch feather-light, as if I were made of the most fragile glass. "I'll be back soon," he murmured. I gave him a sleepy nod, my eyes already drifting shut. The warmth of his hand lingered on my forehead long after he had left the bed.

The next time I opened my eyes, the room was bathed in a soft, warm glow, the curtains slightly ajar, allowing the morning sun to peek through. I rolled over to find the spot where Charles had been, the sheets still holding the faint scent of his cologne. He was gone, leaving behind an empty space in the bed that felt much colder than it should have.

Then I remembered where he was and relaxed. I stretched my arms out and felt the coolness of the bed where he had been.

I rolled out of bed and padded over to the bedside table to grab my phone, intending to scroll through social media. But as I reached for it, my eyes fell on Charles's phone. The screen lit up with a notification.

My curiosity piqued, and I picked it up.

I slipped out of bed, and walked into the living room as I opened the phone. The notification read Lando no-RIZZ. I chuckled at the name and unlocked it. 

And soon I wasn't smiling anymore.

Lando no-RIZZ: Charles, I can't do this anymore

Lando no-RIZZ: She doesn't deserve this

Lando no-RIZZ: I can't keep this up I'm a horible liar