Eyes Don't Lie | Charles Leclerc

Part 14 | Something About You

Done in Aria POV
February 8th, 2023

The studio lights were dim as I adjusted the strap of my dress, glancing at my reflection in the mirror. The makeup artist was standing nearby, making last minute tweaks to my face. I could feel the familiar buzz of excitement in the air, the anticipation that always came before a photoshoot. But today, my mind was somewhere else. Or rather, with someone else.

My phone vibrated on the counter beside me, and I couldn't help the smile that formed on my lips as I saw his name light up the screen. Charles. It had only been a few days since we last saw each other, but it felt longer. Too long, maybe. I quickly unlocked my phone, eager to read whatever message he'd sent.

Before I could even type a response, I felt a presence behind me. "Who's got you smiling like that?" My friend and fellow model, Mia, teased. She peeked over my shoulder, trying to catch a glimpse of the screen.

I quickly locked the phone, hoping I didn't give too much away. 

"Oh, just... a friend," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

"A friend?" Mia raised an eyebrow. "A friend who makes you blush like that? Come on, Aria, spill. Who is he?"

I turned to face her, leaning back against the counter. Mia was persistent, she always had been. But this... this was something I wasn't ready to share. Not yet. Not until I figured out what it meant for myself.

"It's nothing, really," I said, trying to downplay it. "We've just been talking a bit, that's all."

Mia crossed her arms, studying me with that knowing look she always got when she sensed there was more to the story. "Aria, I've known you for years. You don't just smile like that for 'nothing.' Is he cute?"

Cute didn't even begin to describe Charles. The way his eyes crinkled when he smiled, the sound of his laugh, the way he listened when I talked, it was all more than cute. But I couldn't tell Mia that. I couldn't tell her anything. Not yet.

"He's... nice," I said instead, hoping that would satisfy her.

Mia groaned, rolling her eyes. "Nice? That's all you're giving me? Come on, I need details! Is he someone I know?"

I hesitated, my fingers fiddling with the hem of my dress. "No, I don't think so."

Technically, it wasn't a lie. Mia wasn't into F1, and even if she was, it wasn't like Charles and I were... well, anything other than friends. I didn't want to complicate things, especially when I was still trying to sort through my own feelings.

Over the past few days, I'd found myself missing him more than I'd anticipated. Our coffee hangout, cooking dinner for him, the late-night texts, the easy conversations, they'd become something I looked forward to. But with that came something else, something I hadn't expected. I was starting to care for him, in a way that went beyond friendship. And that scared me.

Charles had been through so much, especially after last season. He was finally starting to regain his confidence, to find his footing again. The last thing I wanted was to complicate things by pushing my feelings onto him. He needed a friend, someone who could be there for him without any expectations. And I wanted to be that person for him. I would be that person for him.

But that didn't stop the flutter in my chest every time he texted. It didn't stop the way my heart raced when I saw his name pop up on my screen. It didn't stop the longing I felt when I thought about seeing him again.

I was getting ahead of myself. I knew that. But it was hard not to when he was so... him. I was so selfish, especially when Charles was starting to confide in me about his insecurities, his emotions, he trusted me as a friend and I couldn't ruin that.

Mia was still watching me, waiting for me to say something more. But what could I say? That I was slowly starting to maybe fall for a man I had no business falling for? That I was too scared to admit it, even to myself? That I was terrified?

I forced a smile, trying to shake myself out of my own thoughts. "It's nothing serious, Mia. Just a friend, like I said."

She looked at me for a long moment, her expression softening. "Okay, okay. I won't push. But... if he makes you happy, then I'm happy for you."

Her words warmed my heart, and I reached out to give her a quick hug. "Thanks, Mia. I appreciate that."

The photographer called out then, signaling that it was time to start the shoot. I took a deep breath, setting my phone down on the counter before heading to the set. As I walked away, I couldn't help but glance back at it, a small part of me hoping for another message from Charles.

But as the camera started flashing, I pushed those thoughts to the back of my mind. I had a job to do, and I couldn't let myself get distracted. Not now. Still, as I posed and smiled for the camera, I couldn't stop the small part of me that wondered what Charles was doing, what he was thinking. And I couldn't help but hope that maybe, just maybe, he was thinking about me too.

As Mia and I wrapped up our shoot, the door to the studio swung open, and a girl sauntered in. She was blonde, tall, with sharp features and an expression that screamed arrogance. Without bothering to smile or greet anyone, she simply announced to the staff, "I'm Emma, Emma Nolan." 

There was no warmth, no attempt at small talk, just a cold, entitled air that made the room feel instantly less welcoming. Mia and I exchanged a look, our earlier fun back and forth fading into tensioned silence. 

It was clear she thought she was above us, above the entire shoot, really. The way she carried herself made it obvious she wasn't here to make friends. It left a bitter taste in my mouth, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of protectiveness over Mia and the rest of the team. This shoot was supposed to be fun, a collaboration, but with Emma's attitude, it felt....different.

As Mia and I collected our belongings, I watched Emma re-apply a bright red lipstick in the mirror. Something about her felt familiar, but I couldn't put my finger on it. She caught my stare and I quickly turned away, not wanting to give her the satisfaction.

"Wow, she seems....nice" I whispered to Mia on our way out to the dressing rooms. 

"I heard one of the staff mention she was dating someone famous. But she's trying to get her foot into the door of modeling, shes a social media influencer. And she's from Monaco, like you" Mia said.

I was intrigued. In our line of work, it wasn't uncommon to be involved with celebrities, but I didn't realize she was an influencer. Something about her demeanor made it believable.

Mia continued, "Oh now I remember! I think the girls were saying she used to date that Ferrari driver...the cute one with the green eyes."  

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

Author's Note: DRAMAAA!! Aria admitting to herself she's crushing on Charles? Meeting the ex?? What's gonna happen? Thanks for voting, liking and reading ❤️