[2] ONE || C. LECLERC

FORTY FOUR

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CAMILLE

"Come on. I'll stay right here in case you need me," Lando reached for a towel from my wardrobe and held it close to his chest. He gave me a sad frown, as I remained still beneath the comfortable and warm duvet. "Please, Camille. Just take a shower and freshen up, I promise it'll make you feel better, and I'll grab you something cosy to change in to. Please? For me?"

I didn't want to disappoint him. After Lando's arrival yesterday morning, he'd been patient with me and refused to leave my side for even a minute apart from when he had to train, and Max lay with me instead. I wanted to prove to Lando that I wasn't as sad as he thought I was because I didn't want him to see me upset, but it was difficult to do that right now.

A grunt fell from my lips but I kicked the sheets away, rolling my eyes whilst watching Lando's face light up with a gentle smile. He held his hand out for me to take and I wrapped my fingers around his wrist, following him into the bathroom. Lando placed my towel onto the shelf and he flicked my shower on, smiling at me before leaving a kiss on my forehead. He disappeared then, returning a few seconds later with some fresh clothes for me to wear after I showered.

"Thank you." I closed the door when Lando left the bathroom and took a quick look at myself in the mirror. I looked and felt disgusting. I'd not washed my hair since Sunday morning and it was all knotted whilst sitting in the messy bun which I tied on Tuesday. My face looked spotty and oily, after using one wipe on Sunday to remove my makeup, the majority of which had been absorbed by the tears I cried in the afternoon. My eyes still looked a little black from where my mascara coated my lashes and I huffed in disgust; I couldn't believe I'd let myself get like this again. Just by looking into the mirror, it was so obvious that I'd not slept properly for days and my heart ached for Charles because I wouldn't get a decent night sleep until he was back with me.

--

"Balcony?" Lando held a bottle of water in his hand, whilst pointing towards the door which led out to the balcony of Max's apartment. I was hesitant to follow him, because I noticed him collecting a bowl of fruit from the fridge, as I stood in the doorway in a pair of jogging bottoms and one of Max's shirts which somehow managed to find its way into my wardrobe. "Come on, Camille, just for ten minutes. Some fresh air will make you feel better."

I sighed, whilst dragging my eyes up towards Lando's, as he pleaded me to join him outside. I knew that he was right and I felt like I couldn't let him down by saying no. Having him in Monte Carlo was making me realise that I couldn't lie around in bed all day and cry, hoping that it was enough to bring Charles back. I didn't understand how I still wanted Charles after the way he hurt me in Austria, and even though a week was yet to pass since I found him kissing his ex in front of my eyes, I was beginning to consider what my life would be like without him. This was the longest time since we got together officially without making contact, whether that be through the form of a text message or phone call, and I was proud of myself for managing. I was confused because I thought I would be upset over not hearing his voice, and I was, but being around my friends and having their reassurance allowed me to begin to understand that maybe I didn't need Charles to be happy. I really hated to admit it, but maybe being without him was a good thing for me. Maybe it was always meant to end this way.

"Talk to me," Lando sat beside me and handed the bottle of water to me after removing the lid. I took a sip from it and the cold water was refreshing as it slipped down my throat. Max was training and he wouldn't be home for another hour or so, therefore Lando and I had the apartment to ourselves."Tell me how you feel."