Apex | Charles Leclerc

Chapter 56

I am in love with this chapter

Enjoy!

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February 12, 2026 - Monaco

"I don't want to do anything sappy or cheesy." I told Charles as I sat on the edge of the bed.

He chuckled at sat down beside me, tying his shoelaces. "Just a little, Nova."

"Do we need to?" I pouted, leaning my head on his shoulder after pressing a kiss on his cheek. "I'm okay with just staying in and watching a movie."

"Absolutely not." Charles took my hand and stoof up, pulling me with him. His arms snaked around my waist to pull me closer, face covered in amusements. "I want to spoil my girlfriend. Besides, it's almost been a year since we first met."

We were celebrating Valentine's Day early since Ferrari decided to have their car launch on the fourteenth. Talk about ruining the day for their employees who were in a relationship. Charles was flying to Maranello tomorrow so today was the closest vacancy we had in our schedules.

Charles being Charles, he stubbornly refused to tell me the plans for the evening but I managed to get it out of Max who helped Charles arrange things. We were going to a fancy restaurant, but one that offered more privacy for the high profile guests. Dinner was the only thing Max shared to me, but I had an inkling that my boyfriend had more to the agenda.

We pulled up to the restaurant where a waiter led us to our table. "Should I order for you, darling?" Charles teased as we scanned the menus and I kicked his shin under the table.

He likes to use the nickname whenever he was making fun of me. "Call me darling one more time and I'm going to kick some place higher." I taunted and Charles smirked at me.

"Darling." He said without hesitation. I lifted my foot, ready to stick to my word, but he caught it with his hand, fingers brushing against the skin exposed from the heels I was wearing.

I glared at him and Charles only smirked in return, his fingers still drawing small circles on my foot. I already knew what was running through his head, not needing to ask verbally. "Let go of my foot or that's the last of any physical touch you're going to get tonight." I couldn't help but laugh when Charles immediately dropped my foot, as he pouted at me.

"You are evil."

Dinner was great, especially since it was nice to be able to do more of this with him. With his lifestyle, and by extension– mine, we will never get to experience living the most of it doing things like this. Most of it is spent for the race season and even if he retires, I know Charles will still be active in the motorsport industry. He's at the peak of his career and I know it's going to be a long time before it ends.

"Where to next?" I asked Charles as we both got inside the car again. Our hands were intertwined as he drove, placed right in between us. There were a few people walking around as usual, but not that much since it was a Thursday.

"Well, we never really got to do the usual date things." He began, one hand wrapped around the steering wheel as he turned right on a street. I still haven't memorized the streets of Monaco, reminding myself that I need to do so during this year. "The dinner part is over."

"And the next one is?" I asked, noticing that he was slowing down. Charles didn't answer as he smiled at me and turned off the engine. He rounded the front of the car before opening the door for me, offering his hand. When we got out of the car, my eyes landed on the sign by the entrance. "A movie?"