Eyes Don't Lie | Charles Leclerc

Part 61 | Nothing, Just...

September 10, 2023
Done in Max POV

Standing in the lobby, my heart pounded harder with each passing second, my palms sweaty. Charles had just walked in, his posture tense, his eyes locked onto me like he was about to lunge towards me. 

I could see it in his face...the raw anger, the frustration, the disbelief that I had the audacity to even be here. And he had every right to feel that way. After what had happened today, I wouldn't have blamed him if he threw a punch right then and there.

His jaw was clenched tight, muscles flexing as he took in the sight of me. I could almost hear the wheels turning in his mind, trying to decide if I was even worth the time it would take to knock me out. Aria stood next to him, her grip on his arm tight. The way she looked at me, her eyes filled with a mix of worry and confusion, made me feel even worse than I already did. I wasn't here to make things worse, but I had a sinking feeling that no matter what I said, I couldn't fix this.

Charles took a step closer, his fists clenched at his sides. The silence between us was deafening, but I knew I had to say something, anything, to stop whatever was about to happen. I opened my mouth, but the words caught in my throat.

"You shouldn't be here," he said, his voice low. "This isn't even your hotel. What the hell are you doing here after everything?"

I swallowed hard, my eyes flickering from his furious expression to Aria's worried face. I could feel the weight of their gaze on me, both of them waiting for an explanation. But I didn't have one that would satisfy him, not right now. I struggled to form the words, my throat dry, my mind racing.

"I just...I need to talk to you," I managed to say. "In private. Can we go somewhere? Your room, maybe?"

He scoffed, his eyes narrowing as he took another step closer. "Why the fuck should I do that, Max? I owe you nothing."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I knew he was right. He didn't owe me a single thing. In fact, after what happened on the track, I deserved whatever he was about to throw at me. But I couldn't walk away without telling him the truth.

"You're right," I said quickly. "You don't owe me anything. But I need to explain...everything. The whole truth. Please, Charles, just...hear me out."

I could see him hesitating, the conflict playing out in his eyes. He looked over at Aria, and for a moment, it felt like time slowed down. She looked up at him, searching his face for a sign of what to do. Then, softly, she nodded, urging him to listen, to give me the chance to explain. Charles exhaled loudly, running a hand through his hair as he let out a frustrated sigh.

"Fine," he muttered, still glaring at me.

Without another word, he turned toward the elevators, and I followed silently, the tension in the air, thick. Aria walked beside him, her hand resting lightly on his arm, as if she was ready to calm him down if things got out of hand. 

The ride up to his room was painfully quiet, the only sound being the hum of the elevator as it went up. I kept my eyes forward, too afraid to meet Charles' gaze. I had to mentally prepare myself for what was to come.

When we reached the room, Charles unlocked the door, pushing it open with a little more force than necessary. He stepped inside, and Aria followed, taking a seat on the couch. I hesitated at the door for a moment, my feet frozen in place as I felt the weight of the moment pressing down on me. This was it, the moment I had to finally come clean.

"Well?" Charles said, his voice sharp, cutting through the silence. He stood by the window, arms crossed, his eyes locked on me with a mix of anger and expectation. "Spit it out, Max. What the fuck do you have to say?"