Lock Up ⏐Charles Leclerc

Chapter 73

"My boy." Pascale said as she wrapped Charles in a tight hug. It was currently Thursday and we were picking them up at the airport.

Behind Pascale, I could see the two other Leclerc boys— Lorenzo and Arthur— walking towards our direction as they pulled their suitcases behind them. As Charles went over to his brothers, Pascale moved over to me and gave me a hug. "I'm glad you guys are here." I said, pulling away with a smile.

"How is he?" She asked, the two of us watching Charles. I gave her a sad smile and she copied it, sighing as she watched her sons.

It's been difficult for Charles. We arrived in Abu Dhabi two days ago and as much as I can, I've been trying to distract him. I brought him to the Grand Mosque and even booked a day tour that we could spend at the Dunes. I was successful during the day but when we arrived back at the hotel, I knew his mood would go down.

He tried to act like he was okay, smiling and showing me that nothing was bothering him, but I knew better. It was this morning that he finally let everything go.

I didn't have anything planned because Charles was spending most of his time at the paddock. It was media day but he's made a request to Nicolas to only have a few interviews, knowing the reason why. I think the entire paddock knows.

He wasn't needed at the paddock until ten so he spent the morning down at the gym. I was just coming out of the shower when the door to the hotel room opened and Charles stumbled in, shirt drenched in sweat.

"How was the workout?" I called out to him, going back to the bathroom to put some skincare on. I was about to open the bottle of toner when I heard the door leading to the balcony open. "Charles?" I called out and saw him leaning on the balcony railings, head hung low. I walked out to where he was and placed a hand on his shoulder. Charles' head whipped to my direction and for a second, I was shocked at the tears pooling in his eyes. "Hey."

Charles weaved his arms around my waist and leaned his head on my shoulder, letting out a sob as I held him. I could feel my heart breaking as he continued to let it all out, the pain he's been keeping in for the past few days coming to the surface. No matter how many comforting words people give or how much time he takes to move on from everything that's happened, it's not that easy.

He lost his father— he lost the one that was supposed to pass down everything he knew about life, the one Charles would go to for problems, the one he'd ask for advice. It's the kind of pain you can never forget.

You just have to learn to live with it.

I just held him, allowing him to release all the pent up emotion he's been trying to keep hidden in a box. My shirt was stained with tears but I didn't care because while Charles sought for my comfort, I couldn't help but let a few of my own tears fall as well. I made sure to wipe them away before he pulled back, eyes rimmed red and puffy.

"I'm sorry." Were the first words that came out of his mouth.

I immediately shook his head and cupped his cheeks with my hand. "No, don't you dare apologize. What you're feeling is valid, Charles. You have nothing to apologize for."

"I ruined your shirt." He pouted and I couldn't help but let out a small laugh as he pouted and pointed at my shoulder.

"Leclerc, I don't care." Finally, he let out a smile after hearing my tone and pulled me in for a hug.

I felt him breathe a sigh of relief as he placed his chin over my head. "Don't leave me." He whispered and I tightened my arms around him.

"Never."