Corrode - [Charles Leclerc]

𝙑𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞

         Joanne was awake right away when Charles' alarm rung on Monday morning, on an ungodly hour. Charles reached out to stop the sound, turning towards her. "You get up at this time of the day?". Joanne asked, sitting up slightly and rubbing her sleepy eyes. "Duty calls, darling". Charles chuckled, he needed to get to the gym and then get washed and dressed, Sebastian and part of his crew were arriving at the airport of Nice today. La Brise de Mer would escort them back to Charles' apartment to make sure the transport of the weapons he had traded with Sebastian would be safe. "I'm not going to wake up the kids yet". Joanne said with a groan. "Let them sleep a little longer". Charles hummed as she sat up as well, leaning forward to kiss her cheek. "You can sleep a little longer if you want". He offered, but she shook her head. "You're busy today, so I want to see you for a bit before I get the kids to school". She muttered in response.

"Alright, princess". Charles smiled and caressed her face before his fingertips glided under her chin and he lifted her head to kiss her lips. "I'm going to do a quick workout, if you head downstairs you can send Pierre or Marcus to ask the kitchen staff to prepare some breakfast and lunch for the boys". Joanne nodded, her arms curling around his neck and she straddled his lap. "Last weeks of teaching". She sighed, a shiver running up her spine when she felt his hands moving over her lower back. Charles hummed once more, a lazy smile curling his lips before he kissed her again. Joanne let go of him when he lifted her up. It was time for him to get ready and she watched how he gathered some joggers and a towel, heading out of the room. The amazing weekend nearly made her forget that he was running a mafia crew. Joanne got out of bed, tightening the robe around her body and she padded downstairs on her slippers.

"Good morning, Joanne". Mick smiled at her and offered her his hand for the last stairs. "Good morning. Thank you, Mick". Joanne returned the smile. "Joanne, isn't it nice to see you here in the morning". Pierre smiled at her as he came into the hallway. "Starts to feel like home". Joanne chuckled. "Charles said I could ask you to get the kitchen staff to prepare some breakfast, is that okay?". She asked and he walked with her into the kitchen. "Of course". Pierre replied. "And some lunch for the kids to take to school". Joanne added. Pierre nodded. "I'll be picking Jules up from school today". He informed her. "Sure". Joanne nodded now, sitting down at the kitchen table. One of the staff members already came up to her with a cup of coffee. "Thank you, Ciara". Joanne took the cup from her and the girl was visibly surprised that Joanne knew her name. "It's no problem, Mrs. Leclerc". She replied with blushing cheeks. "Oh-.... We're not- Charles and I...". Joanne started.

"I'm sorry". Ciara bowed slightly. "I assumed it because you're around for a longer time than he usually has a woman around". She giggled, causing her to laugh. "It's alright". Joanne chuckled. "Your breakfast will be ready in twenty minutes". The girl informed her and she nodded. She took a sip of her coffee and got up from the chair. She wandered through the house, guessing Charles would have a private gym in his house too. Joanne looked at the paintings that hung on the walls, some pictures here and there with his partners after a succesful deal. She recognized Pierre and Mr. Vettel and she halted when she came across a picture of Jules. Not his son, but the friend he had named his son after. It was clear that Charles and Jules were still young, they had their arms wrapped around each other's shoulders while they were giving toothy smiles to the camera. Charles had never told her how he lost Jules, but it was obvious to her that it had hurt a lot.

Joanne continued her way through the house, eventually reaching the end of the hallway and she opened the only door that was there. Soft music was audible from the stereo in the corner and there was gym equipment stalled out, like a thread mill and weights, elastics and kettlebells. Charles himself was on the bike, his breath audible from over the music and she couldn't help it when it brought a blush to her face. His abdomen tightened each time he breathed in and she could see the sheen layer of sweat forming on his shirtless body. He hadn't noticed her till he got off the bike and got to the floor to do some push-ups. Joanne chuckled when he was clearly showing off, adding a clap between his push-ups or moving to one hand. "Did I impress you, darling?". Charles said when he jumped to his feet, taking his water bottle and towel for a short break. "Obviously". Joanne looked up at him, her eyes sparkling playfully. "So, this is where you create that great physique?". She hummed.