Corrode - [Charles Leclerc]

𝘿𝙪𝙚

       Charles' eyes were fixated on her while she took another slice of pizza. He didn't mean to stare at her like a creep, yet he couldn't turn his eyes away from her. He briefly looked down at her hands, not noticing the shiny, golden ring he had expected there to be. If he remembered correctly, he hadn't seen a male character in any of the pictures in the hallway either. "Liam's father isn't around?". He asked suddenly and when her eyes rested on him again, he realized how boldly he had asked it. "Or is that none of my business?". He took a bite of his slice and relaxed a little when Joanne shook her head. "It's okay". She smiled sadly. "Liam's dad is not around indeed. My pregnancy was planned, however he backed out of the idea of caring for the child when I was about to give birth". She looked down at her nails. "I haven't seen him in years and Liam never met him. I want to keep it that way". Joanne said and stood up to refill her empty glass.

"What about you?". She dared to ask. "Me?". Charles replied. "I'm not expecting you to be unmarried". Joanne showed off her gorgeous smile again before sitting back down. "I'm not married". Charles said. "There's no woman in my life". He added. "My story matches yours". He was short about it and Joanne nodded slowly, sensing he wasn't really keen on talking about himself. "Jules means the world to me, yet my job is difficult". Charles' jaw clenched slightly. "I see". Joanne muttered. Charles frowned at himself as he felt the urge to tell her more, even though he didn't want to spill too much about himself. "I didn't know she was pregnant". He spoke up again. "Jules was laying on my doorstep with a card, saying that he was mine and she couldn't care for it". Joanne was shocked at his story and she nearly felt tears prickling behind her eyes at the thought of a small baby abandoned and dropped off at his doorstep.

Charles looked at her for a brief moment. "I'm sorry, I just can't imagine a woman, a mother doing that". Joanne said to explain her emotions. Charles' heart clenched at her sweetness. "I named him after a friend of mine, which I lost". He explained then, looking at the two boys who were still snacking on their pizzas. "That's a beautiful gesture". Joanne smiled and stood up, taking the plate and their glasses and Charles helped her meanwhile, bringing the cutlery to her dishwasher, yet a fork escaped and clattered down on the floor. They both bend down to pick it up, awkwardly causing them to be close to each other. Joanne got back up and looked at him with rosy cheeks. "Your fork". Charles said with a lightly chuckle. "Right". She let out a breathy laugh, still looking into his eyes. "Are you going to kiss my dad?". Both of them took a step back and looked over at Jules who peaked around the corner.

Joanne nearly dropped everything in her hands as she tried to compose herself, her son giggling just as loud as Jules while they looked at their parents being two very awkward adults. "That's none of your concerns, little man". Charles smiled at his son, kneeling to tickle both of their bellies and the kids cried out with laughter. Joanne looked at them, her stomach filling with butterflies because it was simply so adorable. It warmed her heart to see the mobster breaking down his guards around the children. "I think it's time for us to go". Charles spoke up again and straightened himself. Joanne nodded and led the way to the front door, opening it for him. "Wow, mum! Look at Mr. Leclerc's car!". Liam shouted and the kids ran outside to the car Charles owned. "Be careful, darling". Joanne shushed, not wanting anything to happen and causing damage to the expensive car.

"You want to sit behind the wheel, buddy?". Charles offered and it caused her heartbeat to quicken in surprise. "Yes!". Liam said and Charles lifted her son into the large, leather seat. He could barely look over it, however his small hands grabbed onto the steering wheel. Charles pressed onto the button on the dashboard to start the engine, making the boys rejoice and clap in excitement. Joanne smiled at the sight. "Come, Liam. They want to go home". She said as she thought it was enough, not wanting to hold them up any longer. Charles lifted Liam out of the seat and Jules was secured in the passenger's seat. The safety seat leaving a reassuring feeling with her. Liam moved back to his mother, holding onto her hand. "Thanks for taking care of him". Charles said, his hand leaning on the top of the car and he looked back at Joanne. "No problem". She replied. "I think the boys had a nice afternoon". She smiled down at Liam who heavily nodded.

"And thanks for dinner". Charles added, a small smile on his lips. "My pleasure". Joanne said and it was briefly silent between them. Charles rested his eyes on the stunning woman, looking at the way the evening started to fall and the sheen light fell onto her features. "Goodnight, Joanne". He said and she nodded, replying the same even though he already got into his car. He drove it off the porch in reverse and Jules was waving all the time. Charles honked once, his hand raising in a wave and they took off. "Was it nice to play with Jules, honey?". Joanne asked while they got back in the apartment. "Very nice". Liam replied and hopped back to the living room. "Do you like Mr. Leclerc?". He asked her then and she blinked at his question. "He's a kind man". Joanne said while continuing to clean the kitchen. "Will he eat with us again?". He asked her then. "I don't know, maybe if Jules comes over again". She shrugged. "He has a busy job, sweetheart".

"That's why he can come again! Jules doesn't have to wait for his dad then". Liam seemed to have mastered it all out and it made Joanne smile. "We'll see". She said. "Let's get upstairs and shower. It's bed time soon". She told her son and he briefly pouted before making his way up the stairs of the apartment.

       "Ms. Hinds let us decorate the pizza ourselves! It was sooooo much fun". Jules said while he skipped up the path to their house. "I can imagine". Charles chuckled, watching the adrenaline filled boy standing in front of the door. Charles greeted his guards and they opened the doors for them. "Are you in love with Ms. Hinds?". Jules rambled and it made Charles' breath hitch in his throat. Some of the guards glanced over at them, someone laughed softly. "She's a very kind woman". Charles replied while he followed his son upstairs. "Her dress made her look like a princess". Jules continued. Charles didn't have an answer for that. If he called her beautiful now, he'd never hear the end of it. "Will she make dinner for us again?". Jules asked. "I don't know, darling". Charles sat down on the edge of Jules' bed, helping him as he tugged his shirt over his head. His pyjama laid ready for him on the pillow. "Can I play with Liam again soon?". He asked next, holding onto his father's arm while he undid the laces of his shoes.

"We'll see about that, okay? Ms. Hinds is very busy teaching you, Liam and the other kids". Charles said and Jules nodded. "She's the best!". He said then, making Charles smile. He could easily imagine her being a lovely teacher. Jules got out of his pants and put on his pyjama bottoms. Charles held his shirt up and got him dressed in that. "Dad?". Jules looked up at him. "Can you watch a cartoon with me before bed?". He asked and the look in Charles' eyes softened. "Of course, buddy". He stood up. "Why don't you ask Pierre to help you turn on the TV? I'll get into my pyjama meanwhile too". Charles said and caressed his son's face. He nodded and ran off to find Pierre. Charles got up and crossed the hallway to his own room. The fresh evening air blew through the windows and he moved to close them. He finally undressed himself from the slacks and the blouse he had been wearing ever since this morning. He replaced it by some joggers and a sweater, making his way to the cinema room.

Pierre was seated on the couch next to Jules, the two of them busy selecting what was going to be watched this evening. Jules' face lit up when he saw Spiderman, so that was the final choice. "Dad, are you coming?". Jules asked and Charles nodded. "Yes, sweetheart". He replied, taking his phone out of his pocket to turn it off, not wanting to get disturbed while having an evening with his son. Pierre walked up to him after starting up Spiderman for Jules. "You weren't home for dinner". He mentioned. "No, I wasn't". Charles replied, keeping a straight face, making Pierre grin at him. "Shut up". Charles said right away, however Pierre saw his face lighting up before he turned around. Charles got onto the spacious sofa with his son, his arm curling around the back of the couch while Jules sat against his side.  He looked down at the kid as he watched the TV with concentrated eyes.

Charles smiled, his hand moving over his slightly chubby cheeks and he pressed a kiss to it, causing Jules' nose to scrunch up in irritation, not wanting his father to disturb him while watching Spiderman. Charles looked at the TV too and the two sat in silence as they watched the hero movie. It didn't take long for Jules to pass out against his chest, the playful afternoon had made him tired. Charles finished the movie on his own and then brought Jules to his bedroom, which was right next to his. His guards nodded at him while opening the door and Charles lifted his son into his bed, taking his shoes and pants off before tucking him in. He leaned against the wall for a moment, watching him sleep so peacefully after a fun day. Charles felt his heart clench in response to his thought. His fear of something happening to Jules made him hold his son back, while he was at the age where he wanted to be free and play with other kids, not concerned with what his father thought.

Yet after he met his teacher, he felt more comfortable when he knew he was at a good home, with a kind woman and his best friend. He hadn't seen Joanne very long, yet maybe he had learned a lot from her in a short period of time.