Apex | Charles Leclerc

Chapter 57

I'm curious, what is/are your favorite track/s? Mine are Monza, Monaco, and Australia :)

Enjoy!

*****

May 09, 2026 - USA

"Is that real or have you just acquired a new liking for diamonds?" Gabby greeted me when she saw my ring as soon as she entered the hotel room. It was just me here since Charles had to leave early for qualifying and I'd be heading there in an hour.

I raised an eyebrow at Gabby as she placed her suitcase by the door. She had her own room, but she wanted to pass by mine first as soon as she arrived. "You already know I'm engaged and besides, don't act like you didn't help him."

The look of confusion on her face vanished as a smile replaced it. "How did you find out?"

"Charles slipped when I asked him how long he's been holding onto it."

"You should've seen him, Nads. That boyfriend of yours may be all confident to the public, but when it comes to you, it's like all thoughts are thrown out of the window." Gabby laughed, following me as I plopped down onto the couch. She did the same, placing her feet underneath her thighs as she examined the ring closely. We both stayed silent as she lifted my hand, the ring shining when it hit the light at a perfect angle. I'm still not used to it even if it's been months since he proposed. Only a few people know— his family, Gabby, Max, Daniel, and Pierre. We knew it would be big news once the media catches wind of the engagement which was why it was on a need-to-know basis.

"It's fiancé now." I smirked and she rolled her eyes at me. "Are you free on August eighth?"

Gabby raised her eyebrow at me as she pulled away a little to see my face. "Why? Are we going around France for the break again?"

"Not exactly." I drifted off, waiting for her to follow. It was a few seconds later when her eyes widened and Gabby jumped from the couch. Her hands were placed in front of her as she gaped at me.

"No way."

"Yes." I confirmed and I squirmed in my seat when she let out a high-pitched scream. God, my best friend is too loud.

"Why so soon?" She asked when she finally calmed down. "Wait, are you pregnant?"

"No!" I immediately denied it, slapping her with one of the pillows. "Is everyone going to assume that?"

"Well, it's rare to get married six months after being engaged, so I would say yes. Just wear a tight wedding dress and that would shut down the rumors." She waved a hand in the air as if it was that easy to erase any media talk on social media. We both know that's not the case. "How are you with the preparations?"

"Believe it or not, Charles has been doing most of it."

"That's actually not hard to believe." Gabby chuckled, knowing that wedding planning was not my forte.

"We've chosen the date, venue, and color scheme. He's been talking about it with Alice— Lorenzo's wife— and his mom almost every week. When we visited Pascale last weekend, Charles shooed me away to hang out with Arthur instead when I couldn't decide which flowers to pick for the tables."

I remember him showing me two photos that looked very similar. As he held it up to my face, I was trying to pinpoint any big differences but to me, they all looked beautiful. When he grew frustrated that all of my answers were I like them both, they're both nice, or I don't know, you pick, he gave me a kiss on the cheek and pushed me out of the dining room.