Apex | Charles Leclerc

Chapter 45

My next update will probably be next week since I feel like I need to rest lol (unless inspiration strikes me and I can't stop writing 🤣 it's happened before so I'm not going to doubt it'll happen again)

This is a pretty long chapter so enjoy!

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August 14, 2025 - Monaco

I don't know how they managed to make me go.

When Gabby and Max had dinner the other night, Max apparently concocted a plan to set me up. He had plans of traveling to France by sea with Daniel and his girlfriend, Heidi.

Max failed to mention that they would be using Charles' boat and he would be coming along too.

I was already a bit moody when we arrived at the port since I haven't had my morning coffee yet and Gabby woke me up at seven in the morning by whacking a pillow on my face. She only told me about the week-long trip the previous night when she pulled out one of my bags that were big enough to house my clothes, going through my closet and placing a bunch of dresses and swimsuits inside it without even consulting me.

I was wearing a pair of white shorts, a black one shoulder top, and some sandals. The silver ring I bought in Italy was on my finger while the other one was hanging from a chain around my neck. I had no plans of wearing it on my hands, but I didn't want the piece of vintage jewelry to go to waste. My bag was filled with books, and a few case files I managed to slip inside it when Gabby wasn't looking. She'd kill me if she found out I brought some things to do for work.

A pair of sunglasses were placed over my eyes when we approached the boat and I almost tripped if it weren't for Daniel who offered his hand as we went onboard. Behind him, Charles was talking to Max as the two of them stood by the wheel, and the frustration in the Monegasque's body language was evident.

Looks like I'm not the only one who was left in the dark.

"Nads, meet my girlfriend. This is Heidi." Daniel said as we approached the blonde girl who was lounging on one of the couches.

"It's nice to meet you." She smiled, giving me a short hug and I smiled in return.

"It's nice to meet you, too." I told her. "So, what kind of magic love potion did Daniel make you drink so that you'd agree to date him?"

Daniel rolled his eyes at me as Heidi laughed. "You never know. It could be the other way around." She replied, sending me a wink. I watched as Daniel grinned at her as she went back to her seat and I nudged his shoulder with mine.

"You're such a lovestruck boy." I teased, expecting him to go all shy on me now but he only smiled wider.

"Yes, I am."

Max kissed my cheek before moving to stand beside Gabby who had gone to the front end of the boat to take some pictures. The boat began moving and I eyed the flight of stairs leading down, my curiosity getting the best of me. Max grabbed our bags earlier when we arrived but he failed to mention where Gabby and I would be staying.

I passed by Charles as he stood behind the wheel, navigating us, to head towards the stairs. Once again, I could feel his eyes on me and it took every ounce of my strength to not turn around.

The boat had three bedrooms, one of which had a bathroom of its own. Aside from that, there was another deck which more lounge chairs and even a small jacuzzi. I found our bags in one of the rooms and I unpacked our things since we'd be staying here for about a week.

I was planning to take a nap since it felt like my body was going to give up on me without the dose of caffeine. I had just put away our bags when a knock came from the door of the bedroom and I opened it, my mouth set in a thin line when I saw who was on the other side of it.