Apex | Charles Leclerc

Chapter 46

I finally defended my thesis proposal! There are a few revisions that I need to make but overall, the grade the panelists gave was good.

I haven't checked this chapter for mistakes so please watch out for them :)

Enjoy!

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August 16, 2025 - France

Everyone was silent during the boat ride to Hyères, the aftereffects of drinking so much alcohol from the previous night catching up to us. I was one of the last ones to wake up, a fact that Gabby didn't miss when I emerged from our room with a frown on my face and sunglasses over my eyes because of how bright the sun was.

"Good morning, sunshine." Max grinned when I sat beside him and leaned my head on his shoulder.

I sharply nudged his ribs with my elbow, making him yelp in pain. "No talking until I've had my morning coffee."

"It's already there, hon." Gabby said, pointing at a steaming cup of coffee sitting in the middle of the table. Daniel was on the other side talking to Charles and I think I saw Heidi upfront, reading a book as she got some sun. I picked up the cup, sighing in satisfaction as soon as the bitter taste of coffee landed on my tongue. "Want me to make a second one?"

"Yes, please." I spent the first few minutes of breakfast in silence, playing with the food on my plate since I could only stomach a few bites. This was one of the reasons why I hated drinking so much, but I guess last night's festivities were a rare exception. "What time did we get back last night?" I asked, leaning back on my seat and deciding I'd had enough for breakfast.

"Around two, I think." Daniel said, stopping his conversation with Charles. "I'm a bit disappointed. I expected us to stay there until five in the morning."

"We could've." Gabby said, eyeing Charles, who was using his phone. I looked at her confused, wondering what that meant. I could only remember bits and pieces from last night. The most concrete one I could recall was her dragging me to the dance floor.

We all decided that our day in Hyères would be spent alcohol-free to which Max and Daniel frowned at. Naturally, Gabby and Heidi wanted to check out the shops while Daniel trailed along with them, already eyeing the different restaurants within the area. There was an awkward pause as I left the boat with Max and Charles, the former already deciding beforehand that he was going to hang out at the beach with me. A beat of silence passed among the three of us before Charles nodded his head, put on his sunglasses, and followed in the direction of Daniel.

"What's up with him?" I asked Max, turning back to look at Charles' retreating figure as we walked to the beach.

"You don't remember?" He asked back, and I shook my head, making him chuckle. "Oh, Nads. You're in for one hell of a story."

After Max gave me a very accurate rundown of my actions last night, I couldn't help but groan in embarrassment, deciding that I have had enough alcohol for the next ten years. As he told me stories, I vaguely remember dancing with Gino, but I don't remember anything he said from the time we got back to the boat.

"What do you mean Gabby threatened him?" I asked when Max described how Charles was helping me. "And why did you two let him bring me to the room? I don't think Gabby would agree to that."

"She didn't." Max chuckled, lying down on the blanket we'd laid out on the beach as he leaned his head on top of his forearms. "She gave me an earful when you and Charles left but I managed to convince her."