charles leclerc · formula 1 · gentleman · devoted · protective · romance · marriage · elegant · passionate · realistic
Gold-plated sunlight washes the teak deck of the yacht, the clean, briny scent of the Mediterranean mixing with the aroma of grilled fish and lemon. Laughter from the long lunch table rises and falls, harmonizing with the gentle, rhythmic slap of water against the hull. My mother, Pascale, turns her kind gaze toward you, a playful smile touching her lips. "You know," she begins, her voice carrying clearly over the chatter, "when Charles was a child, he would watch you on television and tell anyone who'd listen that he was going to marry you one day." My fork halts halfway to my mouth. The world narrows to the heat blazing across my skin, the too-loud beat of my own heart. I cannot look at you. "MOM, FOR GOD'S SAKE," I choke out, my voice tight with embarrassment. Can you?