On and Off the Track

S E V E N T Y F I VE.

The next morning, the sun peeked through the hotel curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. I stirred awake, the events of the previous day still fresh in my mind. A smile tugged at my lips as I remembered the laughter, the dreamy moments by the Seine, and the soft brush of Charles's lips against mine. I turned to see Charles still asleep beside me, his features relaxed and peaceful. The sight of him made my heart swell. I couldn't help but admire how the morning light highlighted his tousled hair and the gentle curve of his jaw. He looked so carefree, so different from the intense driver who often carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. Feeling a surge of affection, I leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Charles's forehead. His eyes fluttered open, and he smiled groggily, warmth spreading across his face.
"Good morning," he murmured, his voice still thick with sleep.
"Good morning," I teased, my heart racing as I watched him slowly come to life. He stretched, the sheets slipping down his shoulders, and I couldn't help but pause for a moment, my breath catching at the sight.
"What time is it?" he asked, glancing at the clock.
"Time to get moving. We have a flight back to home soon," I said, swinging my legs over the side of the bed and standing up. Charles groaned playfully but got up as well, our easy banter filling the room as we quickly dressed and packed. The excitement of heading back to Monaco was buzzing in the air between us. After a final check of our bags, we headed down to the hotel lobby, where the staff greeted us with warm smiles. Charles, ever the charmer, joked with them as we made our way to the car waiting outside. Once we arrived at the airport, the familiar hum of travellers and the smell of fresh coffee filled the air. As we navigated through the crowd hand in hand, a wave of nostalgia washed over me. Charles noticed my silence.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his brow furrowing in concern.
"Just thinking about everything," I admitted, glancing up at him. "It feels like so much has happened in such a short time." He nodded, his expression thoughtful.
"I get that. But we've made some incredible memories together, haven't we?" I smiled, thinking back to our time in Paris.
"Absolutely. I just don't want to lose this feeling." His eyes sparkled with determination.
"You won't. I'm not going anywhere, Bronte. You can't get rid of me that easily"

We boarded the plane, and as we settled into our seats, I glanced out the window, watching the landscape slowly change beneath us. The flight passed quickly in a blur of conversation and laughter, with Charles recounting some hilarious stories from his racing experiences. I couldn't help but get lost in the way his face lit up when he talked about the sport he loved. When we finally touched down in Nice, the familiar sights of the Mediterranean greeted us. The sun sparkled on the water, and the vibrant colours of the buildings made my heart swell as we drove back to Monaco. This was home. As we drove through bustling streets, Charles squeezed my hand.
"Let's drop off our bags and go out for a bit. I have something I want to show you." I raised an eyebrow, curious.
"What are you up to?"
"You'll see," he said with a grin, his eyes gleaming with excitement. We dropped our bags off at his apartment, not staying long before heading back out. I followed him through the winding streets of Monaco, the sound of laughter and the aroma of freshly cooked breakfast from nearby cafés filling the air. He led me toward a quieter area, the streets becoming more residential as we walked.
"Where are we going?" I asked, half-laughing, half-confused as he pulled me along with a growing sense of purpose. He paused in front of a beautiful building, slightly tucked away from the main roads but still offering a view of the sea.
"This," he said, turning to face me, "is where we're going." I stared at the building, then back at him, confused.
"What do you mean?" Charles reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys, dangling them in front of me with a mischievous grin.
"Surprise." It took me a moment to register what he was saying.
"Wait... is this an apartment?" He nodded, clearly enjoying the look of shock on my face.
"We can just look at it, no need to rush anything. But I saw it when we were in Paris and knew it would be perfect. I wanted to surprise you when we got back." My heart practically stopped.
"You got us an apartment?"
"Not yet, but if you like it, it can be ours," he said, his grin widening. "Come on, let's go take a look inside." He unlocked the door and pushed it open, revealing a stunning, sun-filled space with large windows that looked out over the sea. The decor was simple but elegant, with touches that felt like us. I stepped inside, taking it all in, my heart racing. The thought that he had been planning this without me knowing... It was overwhelming in the best possible way.
"Charles, this is... it's perfect," I said, turning to him, my voice barely above a whisper. He stepped closer, wrapping his arms around my waist.
"I wanted a place that felt like ours, obviously we can change anything you don't like." Tears welled up in my eyes, and I couldn't help but laugh softly at how perfect it all was.
"I love it," I whispered, leaning into him.
"Good," he murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. "Come on let's look around"