Charles Leclerc was recognised by many people. He was someone who would grip other's attention but not yours. You were living two apartments above him and never noticed him. It was everyday kind of thing for him to see you walking down the stairs to the lobby. Every day different outfit but always the same smile on your lips. Looking from his window, he was able to see you gracefully getting in a cab. It wasn't anything unusual. You always leave your place around nine and get back at five with the same smile on your face. He couldn't remember a day he'd see you tired or unhappy. You always seemed so peaceful. He could imagine you'd be his little secret oasis.
Once, he met you near the harbour. Mustard palazzo trousers made your legs looked even skinnier. A white top with long sleeves fitted you closely, and those iconic cat-eye Prada sunglasses on your nose, made you look like a model from a magazine. When you passed him, you formed a warm smile with your pink lips, leaving him fascinated. He didn't get it. You should be the one wanting his attention, and yet it was the other way around. You had him wrapped around your finger without even knowing it.
One night he decided to go to one of those luxurious restaurants in Monte-Carlo with his friends. He couldn't believe his eyes when he saw you. Leisurely smiling at guests and giving them a warm welcome to the restaurant. You looked astonishingly good in the black jumpsuit contrasting with your skin. Your long brown hair was in the bun. High heels on your feet made you taller than you actually were. He wasn't the only one to notice your allurement. His friends seemed to be fascinated by you as well.
"Good evening, gentlemen, welcome to L'Horizon Deck. Are you joining us for dinner tonight?" A sentence left your lips without any hesitation. You were so confident that Charles assumed it wasn't the first time you were doing this job.
"Yes, we have a reservation under Mr Leclerc," Charles spoke for the whole group. He booked a table here a few weeks back since this restaurant was always crowded. It was also the reason why he found himself there for the first time. He wanted to visit this place for a while, but something always set back his plans.
"Lovely, I believe it is your first time here, Mr Leclerc. Please accept a bottle of Rebuli Prosecco Cartizze as a welcome gift." It was a restaurant tradition you had devised because you knew how important it was to treat guests kindly and friendly. "This is Theresa, your waitress for tonight. I hope your evening is going to be delightful." You gave them a last smile before Theresa guided them to their table. When he turned around to see you again, you were already talking to another guest.
While waiting for dessert, you approached their table out of nowhere. An appealing smile played on your face. "How are you enjoying the evening so far?" You asked one of Charles's friends directly. Charles didn't catch his friend's answer since he was so focused on you, but Antonio grabbed his attention by asking if you're a manager of this place. You giggled slightly before answering.
"Actually, I'm the owner." This answer impressed him. You were barely over twenty years old and already owned such a thing? You continued for a bit with small talk before leaving to another table.
"It's Mr Leclerc, innit?" I never noticed you lived here." You said when you saw Charles waiting for the lift. You were feeling slightly ashamed that you hadn't paid any attention to him before.
"Yes, Charles Leclerc, and you are? Sorry, I didn't catch your name during the evening." Actually, he couldn't catch it because you never introduced yourself to him.
"I'm Y/N Y/L/N. Have you lived here long? I usually notice people around me." You laughed awkwardly.
"A little over a year, but I'm gone most of the year." That made you feel slightly better. You were travelling quite a lot as well so you thought that you've never crossed each other's path before.
"Travelling a lot due to work?" You asked curiously. Your mother always used to tell you that your nosiness would cause you trouble, but you just couldn't help it.
"Yes, I have a quite busy schedule, I believe just like you since you own such a place."
"Your assumptions are correct. I also travel a lot, so I can relate to you. Sometimes I even wonder how I'm still able to call this place my home when it doesn't feel like it." You opened up to him. Monaco was your love, but not your homeland or your home anymore. The empty apartment wasn't something you'd look forward to coming back to. There were nothing and no one to make that place feel like home.
"I was born here, so I don't think I've ever thought that Monte Carlo wouldn't be my home, but to be honest... I probably never thought about it because I wouldn't have another place to call home." Even he was tired of being alone from time to time. He was surrounded by people during the season, but as soon as his apartment's door closed behind him, he found himself lonely.
"I'm from a small town in Italy. I'd say that's my true home. I love how quiet the streets are there. It's a few minutes walk from the coast." A wide smile appeared on your face when you were describing your hometown, and Charles adored that. You seemed so genuine, which made him like you even more.
"Well, maybe I could help you with making Monaco feel like home again. Just let me know." A cheeky smile on his lips said more than enough. You were standing in front of your apartment, and you were deciding whether you should invite him over or not. Maybe it was that cheeky smile that made you let him stepped into your life.
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