Never Get to Heaven • Charles Leclerc

014. CLOSED DOOR

*****CHARLES' POV*****

A dull ache in my neck pulled me from sleep. My eyes fluttered open, struggling to focus as I scanned the room. Panic surged through me when I realised I wasn't in my hotel room. Something that happened a little too frequently recently. I wasn't even in a bed. I was sprawled across a couch, a thin blanket barely covering me. I shot upright, heart racing.

Where am I? What the fuck happened last night?

Rubbing my eyes, I stood up, trying to piece together where exactly I had ended up. Then, it all clicked. I recognized the figure lying in the bed across the room, her chest rising and falling with each peaceful breath. The morning light filtered through the curtains, softly illuminating her face.

Beatrice.

My mind wandered back to the little moments we had shared over the past few days. Something about her was so intriguing. It frightened me.

A wave of awkwardness and embarrassment hit me like a freight train. Should I wake her? Should I just leave? Why am I still here? Did anything happen between us?

I squeezed my eyes shut, desperately trying to remember. The throbbing in my head confirmed I had definitely had too much to drink. I pinched the bridge of my nose.

I grabbed my phone, desperate for any clues.

Lando:
Did you guys make it back to the hotel? 
Joanna's worried. 
And mate, please answer, I'm scared she might kill you.

Me:
She's fine, I swear. 
Bea had a bit too much, but I've got it under control. Tell her not to worry.

Lando:
I know you've got a thing for her, but don't do anything stupid.

Me:
You're making me sound like a creep!

Lando:
You said it, not me.

Me:
Fuck off.

The memories started coming back in hazy fragments. I remembered Beatrice in that little dress, looking absolutely breathtaking. I downed two drinks at the bar just to work up the nerve to approach her. I'd never been this nervous around anyone before, and I couldn't figure out why.

I recalled watching her dance with Daniel, jealousy burning through me for reasons I didn't want to admit. At some point, I followed her outside to talk—what did I even say? I couldn't remember. But I did remember her throwing up in a plant pot.

I'd brought her back here in a taxi, her head resting on my shoulder the entire ride. I could still feel the warmth of her skin against mine.

She was too drunk to make it up to the room on her own, so I had to carry her. And I guess I decided to stay?

I chuckled to myself, picturing the embarrassed look on her face when I teased her about not handling her alcohol.

Suddenly, I heard her stir across the room. Fuck. I'd woken her.

Act cool.

Beatrice's eyes fluttered open, and she let out a soft groan. I stood frozen, hoping she wouldn't notice me standing awkwardly in the middle of her hotel room.

She blinked a few times, then her gaze locked onto mine, and she froze too.

"C-Charles?" she mumbled, rubbing her eyes.

"Uh... yeah. Hi." I gave her a small, awkward wave.

Her eyes widened, and she quickly pulled the duvet up to her chest. "What are you doing here? Why are you in my room?" she asked, sitting up against the headboard.

"You, uh, got pretty drunk last night. I brought you back here and crashed on the couch," I replied, trying to keep my voice calm and casual.

"Right..." She looked down at the covers, confusion flashing across her face. "Wait, what happened to my dress?"

Heat crept up my neck as the memory resurfaced.

"Beatrice, you really need to change before bed!" I had laughed, watching her sit stubbornly on the edge of the bed, arms crossed.

"I don't feel like it!" she had insisted, flopping back onto the mattress.

"Come on, chérie, please? For me?" I had pouted, trying to coax her into cooperating.

"Ugh... fine. Only because I like you,"she had grumbled, standing up to unzip her dress. And then it hit me.

"No, wait! Let me turn around," I had stammered, quickly turning to face the wall, my hands covering my eyes.

I cleared my throat, trying to mask the awkwardness. "Uh, I, um, convinced you to change before sleeping."

A tense silence hung between us as we both processed the events of the night. Finally, she spoke in a barely audible whisper.

"Did... did anything...?"

I cut her off quickly. "No. No, of course not."

"Okay... good." She hesitated for a moment, then quietly added, "Because... I have a boyfriend."

The air left my lungs. Of course, she had a boyfriend. How could I have been so stupid? Why hadn't she told me before?

I guess she didn't feel the same about the instant connection we seemed to have.

My face hardened, and she noticed, giving me a puzzled look.

"Right. Well, I should probably get going then," I said stiffly, forcing a smile as I gathered my things. This was excruciating.

I felt like an idiot.

I headed for the door.

"Charles! Wait-" Beatrice called out after me. I closed the door before she could finish. Cutting her off as quickly as I cut off my own emotions.

The hallway felt cold and sterile as I made my way back to my room. Reaching the elevator I let out a heavy sigh.

This is why you don't let people in.

As I walked out the elevator onto my floor, I saw Lando heading towards me.

He had a big, stupid grin plastered across his face when noticed me. I could punch him right now.

"Good morning, Romeo!" He quirked, giggling to himself, patting me on the shoulder.

I rolled my eyes, annoyance creeping up my body.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked sternly.

"What?"

"She has a boyfriend." I let out.

Confusion flashed across Lando's face. "I thought you knew that, mate?"

If I knew that I wouldn't have taken her home last night. Or taken her out for ice cream. Or let myself... feel anything.

I shut my eyes trying to push away the regret.

I scoffed. "Of course I didn't!"

"Ohh..." Lando's face scrunched up. "I thought you were just playing your usual game."

"What is that supposed to mean?" I snapped, failing to hide my irritation.

"Charles, come on. It's not secret that you are a ladies man." He said with a half-hearted smile as he tried to diffuse the tension.

I rolled my eyes and pushed my way past him. Idiot.

"I didn't know you actually liked her!" He called out after me, his voice echoing down the hallway.

"Fuck off, Lando!"

Why am I so angry about someone I only met two weeks ago?

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Yikes!