22.May – Coming to Monaco

The weather calmed down in the following days. Charles and I spent about a day and a half together at my apartment. And during all the time we didn't separate from each other. We played some chess - I won, watched TV - I forced him to watch more than just his episodes of Drive to Survive, exchanged many jokes, which made the situation easier, cooked together, most important - got to know each other more and more. Several times we found ourselves dangerously close to each other, almost kissing. It's not that I didn't want it, I was just scared. Fear not only of falling in love, but also of Vasseur. He could have done something to Charles or me, ruining both of our careers. I got the feeling that Vasseur didn't feel like a real boss of our team, so he was trying to boost his self-esteem by using some threats and made-up rules to enforce his authority. But he didn't understand that in order to be a leader, your subordinates must love and support you and without being forced to want to follow the rules you set. There is a difference between being respected and being feared.

Charles left my house to go back to Maranello, then he would travel back to Monaco. He was very excited about his home race and... He offered me to stay at his place for the whole week. Yes, at his apartment! At first, I wanted to refuse. But in the end, I just agreed to join in this adventure. We spent so much time at my apartment that we were almost like roommates. What would happen if we just moved the "headquarters" to his home now? So, I agreed. Well, it was my first time to be there, and I was very excited about that fact. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach when I started thinking about the events ahead of me.

And here I am again, Sunday night, fumbling around with my two huge suitcases and my handbag, wondering what to wear as clothes. The plan was after Monaco, we immediately had to go to Barcelona. I wouldn't have time to go back home, so I had to prepare for two consecutive weekends away from my house. That's why choosing clothes was too difficult. Apart from all the components of our traditional uniform and some very cute items from Ferrari Merchandise, I packed literally the entire set of formal clothes I had in my wardrobe. Dresses, jumpsuits, pants, shirts... everything. Because I know that Monaco is luxury, and I have to match its style. And the Grand Prix was followed by the "Monaco" party, which was then talked about for years. I should have been prepared for that too. I barely closed my suitcases, but necessarily put the set of our pilots' uniforms specially designed for the home races. I planned to wear them - the only one of the team who would be wearing a different uniform on the weekends. I couldn't betray my rebellious nature, especially if I knew it might get Vasseur mad. Oh, how exciting!

And on Monday morning, as early as 6 am, while drinking my coffee on my terrace, I heard the familiar growl of an engine, and I got goosebumps all over my skin. It was him, I could recognize it from miles away and when I looked over the balcony I saw the Pista turning the corner of my building. My heart was pounding like crazy, and I couldn't hold back my smile. Charles waved to me through his front window, then he stopped in front of the sliding door to the garage. I laughed. How did he expect to get in when it had a photocell that only recognized the plate numbers of people living in the building? But to my surprise, the door lifted, and Charles successfully entered the building's underground car park.

Although I was in shock at what had happened, I managed to quickly come to my senses and go to unlock my door to meet Leclerc at it. And he came - wearing a blue Ferrari hoodie and inky skinny jeans. He took off his sunglasses and opened arms for our traditional hug.

- Charlie, glad to see you again! - I exclaimed, wrapping my arms around his neck.

- I'm even happier, little one! - he said quietly, pressing me tightly to him.

For those days when he was not there, I had missed his wonderful odor of bitter orange and bergamot. We both separated from each other and locked eyes. I instantly blushed.

- Are you ready? - he asked me, passing through the hall as if he were at his own home. – Where is your suitcase?

- Suitcase? - I laughed in disbelief. - Charles, I'm taking two large suitcases and a handbag with me, and I'm also carrying the bag with my computer and some analysis folders.

- Where do you expect us to fit all this? - the Monegasque raised his eyebrows. – I would not travel twice the road Monaco-Modena so you could take all your apartment to mine.

- Well, you have no luggage, so there should be enough room for me and mine - I winked at him and headed to my bedroom. - Until I bring them, find a way to fit my things, Charlie!

I heard him mutter something under his breath as I moved towards my room. I did one last check to see if I had taken everything, although it would have been easier to check what I hadn't brought with me, and after making sure everything was in place, I grabbed my suitcases and headed back into the living room. Charles was looking at my bookcase and amused himself with one of the books.

- I'm here! - I announced and put my hands on my waist.

- Où sont passées tes fleurs? – he asked, and I immediately looked at the empty vase where my flowers used to be, realizing why he was asking about them missing.

- Sont morts – I replied without even thinking. – Et j'ai dû les jeter.

- I'm amazed! - he exclaimed, closing the book. – You threw them in the trash.

Then I realized he was holding the French phrasebook. I totally forgot to hide it before he came. My cover was blown.

- I didn't believe Lorenzo and Arthur until I heard it with my own ears - Leclerc turned to me and approached. - So, you really speak French?

- Maybe a little - I chuckled.

Charles extended his hand to play with my hair, but I pulled back and pushed the suitcases towards him.

- We have to go because we're going to be late - I said, giving him a playful look. - Arthur said that you have prepared a one-week "Explore Monaco" program for me and according to his plan we should be...

- Darling, you're riding with the fastest driver, in one of the fastest cars in the world - he interrupted me. - Besides, the program is prepared by me, and I can modify it as I wish.

He gave me a defiant look and smirked. I loved seeing the confidence rushing from his body. There was nothing sexier than his little smirk and those hungry blue-green eyes staring at me. The artery on his neck was pulsing hard again, which instantly affected me, making my breathing heavier and butterflies flutter in my stomach.

- I can't wait to test the fastest car in the world - I said, looking at him over head to toe.

- And the fastest pilot in the world? - the Monegasque asked me with a lustful smile and stepped even closer to me.

- I'm sorry, but I'm not attracted to Verstappen - I said to tease him.

Leclerc quickly wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me sharply against him, and I gasped at his action.

- I think you pronounced the last name wrong, darling - he said in a seductive husky voice.

- Prove that I am wrong, Charlie! - I whispered.

- With the greatest pleasure, darling! – after saying that the Monegasque bit his lower lip.

Once again, we were dangerously apart. Our lips were millimeters apart, just a little bit left to touch each other. His peppermint breath, from the gum he always chewed, now caressed my skin, making me shiver. I stared into his eyes. They were so beautiful and full of passion, with desire... The tension between us was rising with every passing second, every moment I expected either he or I to let our guard down and break.

But this time he was the one to interrupt our intimate moment. Charles leaned into my ear and whispered:

- Well, I suggest we go to change your mind about the fastest driver, darling!

I shivered all over and closed my eyes, nodding unconsciously. Leclerc kissed my cheek and when he pulled away from me, he gave me a naughty wink. I still stood frozen in the middle of the living room as he dragged my suitcases into the hall.

- Lissie don't tell me I traveled all the way from Monaco to here to come back only with your suitcases - the Monegasque shouted over his shoulder.

I snap out of my trans and jumped up from my seat, then ran to him.

#

The Pista was the most beautiful car I had ever been in. A leather interior, a scent of freshness and amber, a display with hundreds of functions, a steering wheel with my favorite prancing horse and a great sound system were just some of the things that impressed me. Let's not forget the roof, which was removable, and the car became a cabrio. As if on purpose Leclerc opened the roof and sped up to nearly over 200 kilometers per hour on the motorway to show me how fast the Pista was. This nearly blew my head off, but luckily, I quickly admired the parameters of his vehicle and we both rode on a closed roof for the rest of our journey.

The journey was actually more than fun - we stopped at a gas station to fill up and in the meantime, we got some of the chocolate patterned candies with peanuts in them and tried to catch them with our mouths, instead we both dropped them with enviable accuracy, and they fell in our coffees. And then we buy ourselves water and other small treats for the trip.

While traveling we listened to music and went through all kinds of songs from the UK Top 100, many modern and old school Italian and French songs, to the evergreens of world pop and rock music. With Leclerc, it was fun, it was pleasant, life was easy... I didn't even think about sleeping for a moment, and I usually slept while traveling. On the contrary, now I don't stop taking pictures all the time to capture every single moment of our time together and not miss anything. I will never forget that. Fuck Vasseur and his orders. I began to fall in love with this guy behind the steering wheel and his kind nature that he allowed me to get to know. I was glad to know him. I was glad to have him by my side and to agree to his suggestions.

La vita è bella!

#

A few hours later we both crossed the border of the Principality, and I was immediately glued to the window. Monaco - beauty, sea, sun, nature, luxury, and royalties. Heaven on earth! Where old and new, modern and old school, age-old royal traditions met the luxury of living now. Beautiful nature met the city to make the life of the people living in it or just visiting it more colorful and unforgettable. This deep blue sea, the marina full of yachts of various sizes, the bright rays of the sun reflecting in the sea surface, the beautiful cloudless sky, offered a life equivalent to a vacation. One endless party.

The powerful cars passing us, with roaring engines, whimsical shapes, colors, and sizes, made my heart flutter. I had never seen anything like this, and I envied Leclerc for having the chance to grow up here.

- You're lucky, Charles! - I muttered, looking at the road we were passing. - You grew up among this beauty.

- I'm lucky to be able to share it with you now - he replied, placing a hand on my knee, and I instantly blushed. - Are you ready for a little history?

I clapped my hands in rapture and turned to Charles so I could look out the front window at the expansive view in front of me.

- Well, the name of our Principality comes from Greek. Your compatriots - the Ligurians called it Monoikos - translated as a single house. There is an ancient legend that Hercules passed through here, rejected the previous pagan gods and as a result they built him a temple - the only one in the area.

I wondered if Chess Player had passed through these places like Hercules... And had he left anything for me?

- On the territory of Monaco, your compatriots settled - the Genoese Grimaldi family, and accordingly they ruled it in the 19th century and even until the defeat of Napoleon, when we became part of the Kingdom of Sardinia.

- Basically, you have been under the influence of Italy for many years - I interrupted him with a slight smile.

- It seems to me that some of us are still under this influence...

He took his eyes off the road and lifted his sunglasses slightly to give me a playful wink. I giggled.

- It is interesting that many of the princes of Monaco, as well as their families, spent a lot of time in Paris and married French and Italian nobles - the family that rules us is Italian - continued Charles. - Under Napoleon, much of Europe was conquered and in the period from 1793 to 1814 Monaco was captured by the French.

1793? The last meeting of Petit Beautè and Chess was supposed to take place in 1784... The events he was talking about happened almost at the same time. I sharpened my attention.

- Do you know anything more about this period? - I asked interested. - Such as which nobles were key figures then or who ruled...

- Why exactly does this period excite you so much? - Charles raised his eyebrows in surprise. – You want me to say you are related to some Genoese nobleman in Monaco?

I looked at him edifyingly and snorted.

- Are you saying that I am not fit to be an heiress of nobles? - I pouted slightly.

- You?! - Charles exclaimed. - In my eyes, you are a little princess with anger issues. That's what I find extremely cute about you.

I gasped in amazement at his words and immediately blushed. I looked out the window - we passed the famous hairpin, the Monte Carlo casino, the hotel, the Golden district and I saw up close the delightful marina, with the huge yachts.

- And your favorite place here... What is it? - I asked hesitatingly.

- There are many favorite places of mine, darling - he smiled. - I don't know if you know, but I grew up in Fontvieille. But there are indeed many unique places in Monaco. Since I know your love for the sea and beaches, I think you will like it if I take you to one of my favorites which is Larvotto beach. This is my most special place here. The other one is Le Rocher. And remember that I told you about that place, from where you can see the whole city and even further to the shores of Nice and Cannes. The feeling of seeing the reflection of the sun in the endless expanse of the sea and having it all at your feet is simply indescribable.

- It would be great to see your special places - I smiled, and Charles looked away from the road for a moment.

He reached out and gently intertwined our fingers. I bowed my head and bit my lower lip, looking down at our hands. Well, how did Vasseur expect us to stop getting close when Leclerc was irresistible?

We pulled up in front of a large building and entered the indoor parking lot. Leclerc simply stopped in the middle of one of the parking spaces and turned off the car. I looked at him in confusion and he removed his seat belt.

- Well, we've arrived! - the Monegasque winked. - Come on, Arthur and Lorenzo are waiting for us upstairs.

- Are you going to leave the car just like that? - I raised my eyebrows in surprise.

- What is the problem? - he laughed.

- It's good, at least on the track you manage to stop in the outline - I sighed heavily and also removed my seat belt.

Charles rushed out of the car and while I was putting the phone in my purse, he managed to open my door. I gave him the pleasure of getting out of the vehicle with his help, then waited for him to retrieve my suitcases. I looked around curiously then remembered what I wanted to ask Charles.

- Charles, I was wondering how you got access to my garage - I asked suddenly.

- The guard has become a great friend of mine, ever since he chased me for the snowdrops I plucked from your garden - Leclerc shrugged, and I gasped. - As soon as he sees my car, he immediately lets me in.

- Is it?! - I exclaimed. - But the photocell recognize only the number...

- Lissie, I'm number 16, for this number even the photocell opens... – he looked at my legs then smirked - The door.

Then gave me a playful wink then handed me the bag with my computer.

- Time to go upstairs, darling!

We headed for a large glass door and entered the building's entrance. We got in the elevator and because of my suitcases we had to be extremely close to each other, but both seemed to like that.

And when we got off the elevator, Charles led me down a long hallway with white walls and crystal-clear ivory carpet. I have no idea how they kept the light floor so clean, but I was extremely amazed. We stopped in front of one of the doors and Leclerc unlocked it. I gasped when I heard the sound of the sole of my sneaker making contact with the light beech parquet, and Charles laughed. We passed through a narrow, dimly lit entrance hall with sparkling white walls, a large mirror and paintings on them, then entered the apartment's vestibule, and before my eyes came the grand white piano, with the inscription of red roses LOVE. My eyes fell on the helmet, the award with the red gorilla from the French Grand Prix and one of the pole tires below it, and the prototype rear wing next to the piano. And in the next moment the blond feather of the youngest Leclerc appeared behind the wall.

- If that's not the lovely Lissie! - he shouted and ran to me. – Madre mia, how much I missed you!

Arthur hugged me tightly, almost breaking my ribs.

- Arthy I missed you too, luce del sole! – I said hugging him tight.

- Luce del sole... - Charles repeated and laughed ironically.

- Lissie, how long have we not seen each other?! - I heard Lorenzo's voice and I had not yet separated from Arthur when he approached to hug me.

I found myself again in Leclerc sandwich, as I once did in Baku. It was strange - Lorenzo was always very reserved in his emotions, until now he showed an emotionality identical to that of his brothers.

- Come on Charlie, don't stand by like a rock, come for a group hug - Arthur urged, laughing.

I heard the heavy sigh and within seconds Charlie joined in our hug. And so, we stayed for a long time until I began to feel the lack of oxygen. I patted one of the three on the back as if I was at an MMA match "waiving the white flag". Then we separated from each other, and I started rubbing my back.

- Guys, I think you're going to have to call the team physio - I said, cracking my neck. - Your love shifted my spine.

- Are you complaining, darling? - Charles asked me with a little smirk.

- Should I complain? - I laughed and stepped forward, starting to look around the apartment. - Many people dream of this... Dare I complain?

I moved closer to the piano and ran a finger along its cover, remembering how Charles had first played me the tune he had invented in Australia. To my left was a large dining room with a long wooden table and many chairs around it - Charles obviously gathered quite a few people there. I was shocked when my eyes landed on a large, framed photo on the dining room wall of a man who looked like a homeless person. There was probably something aesthetic about this design, but it would definitely be startling for me to get up in the middle of the night for a glass of water and catch the gaze of this man in the picture. When I turned to the right there was the living room - a large grey sofa with different colored cushions, a small round rug on the floor, just below the square glass coffee table. The curtains on the living room windows and behind the piano were also white. This sterility in the design was quite interesting, given the fact that Charles has a more colorful soul, which he expresses through his outfits sometimes. He might not call himself an artist, but he really was one... As well as a thousand other professions, since I had the feeling that Leclerc could do anything. I took my shoes off and continued into the living room, stunned by the symmetry and orderliness of this home. Various decorations were placed on the shelf at the bottom of the living room and the most important part – the trophies and the helmets of Charles.

- On the way down you could reach either my bedroom or the room with the simulator - I heard Charles' voice behind me and I jumped.

- Ah, Charles! – I exclaimed. – Why do I need to know where your bedroom is?

- To not mistake it with yours – he said with a little smile. – They are door to door.

- I actually would like you to show me first where the bathroom is - I said embarrassedly and felt the middle Leclerc's arm around my waist.

- This way ma'am! - he whispered in my ear and led me along the narrow corridor.

Naturally, the bathroom was also as clean, white and sterile as I thought it would be. And it was a little one. There was a little window at the bottom of it and a white carpet on the glistering floor. The ceiling had built-in little lights, and the mirror above the sink was huge... I mean really huge. I tried to open the cabinet under the sink and was surprised that the drawers don't have handles, but you only have to press them, so they open. Amazing! And they were full of Charles' man things.

When I finished my inspection at the bathroom, I walked back into the living room where the three brothers were seated in the middle of the couch, their eyes fixed on the TV I had never seen before. Ultra HD picture quality, as big as the kitchen table and with a home theater system on either side of it. On the table on which it was placed – again white and varnished, were arranged several books and old magazines about cars and fashion. Fashion? I didn't know Charles would have fashion magazines in his house. In the corner of the window was a huge leafy flower with large white flowers - Aspidistra. I was more and more amazed. Charles and flowers? I haven't thought of that even in my wildest dreams.

There was one empty seat on the sofa, and it was right between Charles and Arthur, probably left on purpose by the two brothers. I settled on him and immediately Charles' arm found itself around my shoulders.

- What are we watching? - I asked, pointing to the TV which had a sports channel on.

- Charles is getting ready for the football game tomorrow - Arthur said and I looked at his brother who instantly blushed.

- You're going to participate, huh? - I laughed.

- I'm even a captain, darling - he winked at me and laughed shyly. - But today I won't bother you with matches, as tomorrow you will catch up.

- Yes, now we have a very interesting program for you, Lissie – Lorenzo joined. - First, we will walk to the Exotic Gardens, which are located in our Fontvieille district, and then we will jump to the Old Town and the castle of the Prince of Monaco.

- Then we will show you the oceanographic museum, Les Jardins Saint-Martin and Larvotto beach - Arthur added.

- And for the finale... – said Charles, tapping on the top of my nose. - You will see the Prince's car collection and I will show you the place I told you about for a long time – La Tête de Chien, but we will save that for later.

- I hope you have enough clothes with a more formal look, as tonight YOU are going to dinner at a very, very fancy restaurant with Charles' friends - Arthur clapped his hands in excitement.

- Oh, Lissie, do you like babies? - Lorenzo asked me suddenly, and I looked at him in amazement.

- Babies? - I exclaimed. - Yes, I do love babies... But why?

- My friends have a child - baby Chiara, I also told you that – started explaining Charles. - You will see, you will like her very much.

I nodded slightly and bit my lip. We were expected to do all this in one day? True, it was only around 10 am, but Charles probably hadn't slept all night to travel all the way from Monaco to Modena to pick me up, and I was on 4 hours of sleep. But I was more worried about him, his home race week was well under way, and he could get tired and not be effective at the end. But the boys had tried so hard to fill my time to the fullest and show all sides of their home.

- Well, then I think it's time to start implementing the program! - I said, getting up from my seat. - I'm excited to try Monegasque coffee!

The boys looked at each other meaningfully, then Charles got up from the couch and came closer to me.

- Darling, would you mind waiting for me a little? – he asked me, taking my hands, intertwining his fingers with mine.

- Why? – I looked at him suspiciously. I felt how his brothers health their breath and in the room became more quiet than before.

- Because I have to go on a workout with Andrea and meet Joris this morning – Charles smiled.

- And you will not take me? – I was pretty surprised, even stepped back letting his hands off.

- Lissie, he will be filming a vlog – said Arthur from behind and both Lorenzo and Charles turned to him giving him a dead stare.

I pursed my lips, crossing my hands in front of my chest.

- A vlog, huh? – I said through gritted teeth. – Good luck with filming... I am going to stay here alone... doing nothing of your activities.

- Oh, Lissie don't get him wrong, we will be here with you the whole day after – Lorenzo hastened to clarify.

I looked at him angrily, then at Charles.

- Darling, please forgive me... - whispered Charles and tried to take my hand. – I'll be home very soon... And you should take some rest...

- I don't want to rest! – I said cold. – Go now and come back faster!

The middle Leclerc smiled wide, then placed a quick kiss on my forehead. I looked down at my feet and soon heard a closing door. A lump got stuck in my throat. Charles has never separated me from Joris and Andrea. Why did he do it right now? Does he lie to me?

A felt someone touching my shoulder, then two fingers lifted my chin up and I met the blue eyes of Arthur.

- Don't be sad... little one! – he whispered hesitating before pronouncing the nickname Charles used to call me. – Your Lord Perceval will come back pretty soon.

- And he will definitely apologize for his absence – added Lorenzo who also came to me.

- Don't try to excuse him for being too busy at home – I forced a smile but my voiced cracked at the end.

Both brothers said fondly "Aww!" then hugged me. But I started feeling suspicious and... Couldn't stop anymore.

#

But my suspicions disappeared when Charles came back to his place with a little bouquet of Lily of the valley. White – as his favorite color. And I forgave him that he left me for nearly three hours because of his duties.

My whole day after that was spent walking. I could hardly stand upright as the Leclerc brothers took me almost all over the city and not only through the historical sights but also through the big modern boulevards - Princess Charlotte and Avenue de Monte-Carlo where I enjoyed the wonderful fashion boutiques. Thanks to the smile and the charm of the Little Prince of Monaco, allowed me to explore the palace of the Prince of Monaco, never mind that the tours were closed during this Grand Prix. And how delighted I was with the gardens to which the boys took me. I don't know if I have ever seen greener vegetation and more beautiful colors than what I came across today. It was raptured when we went to Larvotto beach, and I felt that fine sand between my toes. We even ran in the water briefly and I played with Arthur and Charles splashing them and giggling like a little kid, catching everyone's eyes. Some people even took out their phones to take pictures - Gossip! But it seems the brothers were used to it, and it didn't make any impression on them.

For a short time we had the opportunity to be alone with Charles at one of his favorite places -  the highest point in Monaco, and we sat on the edge of the cliff, silently watching life below us, the inky blue sea, the sun shining on its surface and the yachts circling in the spacious expanse of the sea. And Charles' hand rested on my shoulder while my head was on his chest. I didn't want this moment to ever end. And as a finale to this long day, full of emotions and new knowledge about the Principality, I had to meet their company, and more precisely that of Charles, in a small restaurant, right on the port. Charles has promised me that when I come halfway to Monaco and we have more time, he will take me out on the high seas with his yacht. It was so nice of him to want to meet me fully with his life here. I had fun. I hadn't felt this happy in a long time and it was thanks to the three Monegasques.

The only time I remembered that there was a race at the end of the week and that I would have to see Vasseur again was when we were looking at Prince Albert's car collection and Charles let me get into one of the cars to find out what is the feeling of being in such a car. In fact, it was unique, and after I had already used the simulator, I now had a longing to drive a car on the track. And speaking of track and cars... I was really hoping this weekend would be painless for me, but why did I have that nagging feeling of fear that something was going to happen again. Every time I had it or one of our drivers would hit the walls, fall out of the race or... Vasseur was getting me into trouble. I wanted that feeling to be wrong this time... And I really hoped not to be Monaco cursed.

At sunset I was back in Charles' apartment, but this time without his brothers. The Monegasque gave me the room next to his - a small bedroom with a wide bed, brown sheets, huge floor-to-ceiling windows with a balcony overlooking the harbor and a private bathroom attached to it. I was expected to spend my entire week here, until the Tuesday after the race, when we planned to leave for Barcelona. In a complete set, as always before.

I stood in front of the mirror and looked at myself. For the so-called formal dinner with Charles' friends, I had settled on a floor-length tight dark green dress, sleeveless and high-necked. The dress accentuated the color of my eyes and for that reason I chose it for tonight. I put on my traditional makeup of eyeliner, gold eyeshadow and mascara, rose ash lipstick, got my curled hair into a bun, and finished off with long gold feather earrings. Of the permanent amulets, I left only the gold bracelet with the lucky charms and my ring. And with that, I was completely done with my look. I put on black high heels and the final touch - my perfume. I smiled, pleased at my reflection, and exhaled deeply.

I was anxious about meeting his friends, and I was really hoping to impress them and pass their test. I always knew that a man's circle of friends mattered a lot and if they didn't like me, they would never accept me as part of the company, whether as a friend or... something more.

There was a knock on my door, which meant it was time. I exhaled heavily again and moved closer to open. Leclerc appeared in front of me, wearing white linen trousers and a loose white shirt that was slightly transparent and I could see a slight mystery from his body. Around his neck was the leather strap of his white gold pendant like my coral horn. Well, he had also left something lucky on him. We both looked at each other and smiled. Charles looked dazzlingly good, and in all white.

- You're adorable, darling - he said softly.

- You too, Charlie - I muttered quietly, lowering my head shyly.

- Time to go, beautè!

The Monegasque extended his hand to me. I didn't think twice and grabbed it, then we both left his apartment.

#

The dinner went very well, I got to know the whole group of Charles' close friends, even Riccardo and Marta's little baby. Everyone was extremely nice to me and included me in every conversation. Not for a second did I feel out of place or ignored. It felt like I had been a part of their group for years. And Charles seemed happy about it. We sat next to each other and every time I met his eyes, he smiled widely, and they shone like two huge suns. And I was blushing... Even when he was keeping physical contact between us, by simply touching my shoulder, imperceptibly placing his hand on my leg, or coming within millimeters of me to show me something on his phone. However, this was noticed by his friends who exchanged meaningful glances, making me slightly uncomfortable with his actions.

The evening was ending, and since baby Chiara was taking a huge interest in me, Marta decided to let me hold her. They all had a lot of fun with the way I caught her - with fear in my eyes and careful tentative movements, as if I was touching a porcelain doll.

It was obvious I had never held babies before and I felt so out of shape, like if I squeezed her, I would break her. But eventually I relaxed, settled her on my lap, and Charles joined in the game of hide-behind-the-napkin with the little girl. She played with the strands I had left past my face and started pulling them, and Leclerc tried to get me out of the situation by grabbing Chiara's little hands and starting to dance with her. She was giggling so sweetly and so were we.

- I can't believe this is so cute! - I heard Marta exclaim and turned to her.

- What's up Marta? - I asked her, while slightly swinging the child on my knee.

- This is the cutest picture I've ever had on my phone.

She turned the screen to us and showed us a picture of me and Charles. He was holding the baby's leg, laughing, and I was hugging her like a little teddy bear. The picture was really endearing.

- Guys, your baby is absolutely adorable - I said and pecked its cheek.

- And you two too - noted Riccardo. - Like you are already ready to be parents...

I felt myself blushing all over and looked helplessly at Charles, whose face also turned red with embarrassment, and he swallowed hard before grinning shyly, giving me a conspiratorial wink.

Soon after, the baby fell asleep, and his mother had to take him home and our dinner ended. We said goodbye to Charles' friends, and both headed for the car, but suddenly Leclerc changed his mind and suggested we walk to his house, which was close to the restaurant anyway. I agreed, and I needed a walk anyway, regardless of the 10cm heels I had chosen for the evening.

The two of us walked along the quiet, deserted streets of Monaco. I was surprised that there were no people around, after all, luxury also evoked a wild nightlife, but Leclerc obviously knew streets and streets and chose ones that would lead us to his apartment, but we would be left alone for a long time. As we walked, we looked at the sky and looked for the constellations. I was amazed that he was as familiar with the stars as I was. Physics has always gone hand in hand with astronomy, and that's where my love for the dome above us came from. Besides, who else but nature would create such perfect order in utter chaos.

When we got back to Charles' apartment, was just the two of us holding each other's hands. Leclerc led me to my bedroom and at the door, saying me good night and like a true gentleman, he planted a gentle kiss first on my hand then on my cheek. And I smiles shyly getting into the bedroom. My evening was more than wonderful, and I hoped it was the start of an unforgettable week.

Notes: Hello, lovely people! <3 Here I am with the brand new chapter! <3 And it is SILVERSTOOOONE! Hope for some good results, but after FP2 today I am a bit afraid Ferrari fans would not see them haha

So, what we have here? Here we have one chapter dedicated to Charles and Lissie, who are getting closer and closer. Might finally something happens between them. But what?

Guys, I hope you liked the chapter - give a star/comment if so, hear the external link aaaaaand see you in the next part! <3

Love ya! <3

N16 XOXOXO