Eyes Don't Lie | Charles Leclerc

Part 56 | Santorini Skies 🔥

❗Warning : This chapter will contain some sexual content. It's marked for those who want to skip that part.

August 8th, 2023

The water was cool against my skin as I swam through the ocean waves. I floated on my back for a moment, letting the sun hit my face, and took a deep breath of the air. It was hard to believe how different everything felt from just a few days ago, but now, surrounded by the endless blue of the Mediterranean and the cliffs of Santorini in the distance, I felt a sense of peace.

Aria's had a lot to do with that. Seeing her find closure, even in such a painful situation, made me admire her strength even more. And knowing that I could be there for her, especially after everything she's been through and everything she's done for me, made me feel closer to her in ways I hadn't realized were possible.

I swam back towards the beach, where I could see my maman, Aria, and my brothers lounging on the sand, chatting and laughing. Arthur and Lorenzo were joking around, and their girlfriends were tanning nearby. Maman had a book open on her lap but kept looking over at us, a serene smile on her face.

Aria sat a little apart from the others, her legs stretched out in front of her, watching me with a soft smile as I swam closer. Her hair was wavy from the ocean, and she looked relaxed, more so than I'd seen her in a while. I could tell that this trip was doing her good, giving her a chance to unwind and forget the chaos of the past few weeks.

As my feet hit the sand, I walked the rest of the way out of the water, running a hand through my wet hair. Aria got up to meet me, holding out a towel. "You look like you're enjoying yourself," she teased, handing it over with a little smirk.

I laughed, wrapping the towel around my shoulders. "Can you blame me? It's perfect here. The water, the sun...and you." I leaned down to kiss her cheek, feeling her skin warm under my lips. She blushed, and I couldn't help but smile at how effortlessly she made my heart race.

She gave me a playful nudge, but I caught her hand, pulling her closer. "Seriously, though," I said, my voice a bit softer now. "I'm really glad we came here together."

Aria's smile softened, and she squeezed my hand. "Me too, Charles. I think...I..we needed this. I needed us. Just a chance to breathe, to remember what's important."

I nodded, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "And you're what's important to me, Aria. You and my family. Everything else is just...background noise."

She smiled up at me, and for a moment, everything else faded away...the noise, the pressures, even the whispers from the media about Emma. None of it mattered. All that mattered was this moment, standing together on this beautiful beach, with the people we cared about close by.

"Come on," I said, nudging her toward the water, a mischievous look in my eye. "You can't just sit on the beach all day. Join me for a swim."

She laughed, pretending to resist, but I tugged her closer, splashing her lightly. She yelped and finally, she relented, following me into the ocean.

We swam together, diving under the waves, pretending to race each other across the way, and for that time, there were no worries, no shadows lurking in the corners of my mind. Just the two of us, the sun, and the endless beautiful views. It was a moment I wanted to hold onto, a reminder that sometimes, amidst the chaos of life, there could still be pure, unfiltered happiness. 

As we made our way back towards the beach chairs, I sprawled out, placing my hands behind my head and enjoying the sun's warmth. With my eyes closed, I let myself lightly drift into a comfortable peace. The sound of waves crashing onto the shore were just what I needed.