Apex | Charles Leclerc

Chapter 11

"Hey, Nadia." She greeted and even stepped forward to give me a short hug. It felt extremely awkward as I lightly patted her back before she moved away. "Charles ordered a cake and I thought I could personally deliver it to you guys." She said and I fought to hide my grimace as a soft smile formed on her face after saying Charles' name.

I don't know what came over me as I smiled back and glanced at the cake. "Would you like to go up for some coffee?" I asked and it seemed like I caught her off guard as well. Rose's eyes widened as she glanced at Sir Henri who was looking at his phone but obviously eavesdropping on our conversation. He knew who Rose was in Charles' life, having seen the Monegasque numerous times when the two were still dating.

"I wouldn't want to intrude." She said, glancing at Sir Henri as if she was asking for his help but the man quickly averted his eyes. By the small lift of his lips, I already knew he pretended not to notice for me.

"It's okay." I waved a hand and I could see the conflict in her eyes before she hesitantly nodded. The elevator ride was spent in silence and the awkwardness was shooting through the roof. I thought about opening a topic but figured I wouldn't have anything to ask her once we get to the apartment.

Things weren't always this awkward with me and Rose. Before, our topics would usually revolve around our careers and some of the races since she watches Formula One as well, long before she began dating Charles.

I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief as I entered the apartment and set my bag by the dining table along with the folders I brought home with me. The place was empty since Charles was at the gym with Andrea today, getting ready for another round on the sim next week in Brackley.

"Where should I put this?" She asked, raising the box of cake and I beckoned for her to follow me to the kitchen.

"How do you take your coffee?" I asked as I brought out two cups and Rose set down the box by the counter, taking a seat on one of the stools. My eyes briefly glanced at the cake she brought and I couldn't help but stop for a few seconds as Rose looked around the apartment. It was one of her bestsellers and I've had a taste of it before. I knew that the inside was made of layers of red velvet and cream cheese, the outside coated in white buttercream frosting. Usually, the top part of the cake would be adorned with white and red roses but this time, the white roses were replaced with orange frosting.

Mix that with the red roses, the cake's design screamed love, passion, and desire.

"With cream and two teaspoons of sugar." She answered and I turned around to brew the coffee. I'm tempted to switch the sugar into salt but knew doing that wouldn't end in anything good. "I hear you went back to work."

Translation: Charles told her I went back to work.

"Yeah." I smiled, placing one of the coffee cups underneath the coffee machine. "It may sound weird, but it feels great to be drowning in paperwork again."

A stiff laugh came from her lips as I made her coffee and set it down in front of her, turning to make mine next. "I don't know how you do it. My mind could barely finish a book in three days, let alone the ones you read in hours." She cocked her head to the direction of the living room where I had left my folders.

"How's the bakery going?" I questioned after shrugging my shoulders. I turned off the coffee machine after a few more minutes and took a sip of my black coffee, thankful for the familiar drink.

"Good." Rose's eyes brightened at the mention of her business. I may not know her closely, but it was obvious that the girl knew how to run a business. No matter the occasion, or the lack of, her bakery would always be packed, especially during the weekend. "Valentine's day is coming up and we already have a lot of orders for the fourteenth." She explained and my eyes momentarily widened at the mention of the date, my mind moving back to three years ago. "Any plans?"