Apex | Charles Leclerc

Epilogue Part 1

There was something different about them. She was beautiful, I'll admit that. She carried an air of confidence around her, but she didn't give off a vibe that she was arrogant. I'm willing to bet a hundred euros that if she walks back inside, all eyes would be on her. But her eyes held the opposite.

They looked sad.

"If you're not a fan of smoking, then I suggest you leave because I found this place first." I said, taking another puff of my cigarette as I continued to look at her. I thought she was going to leave but her next words only surprised me.

"Do you have another?" I pulled out the pack and she took one stick, moving closer as I held the lighter just by the tip. I watched as the fire reflected in her eyes, emphasizing her sharp features. I found myself growing mesmerized, confused because sharp features wasn't my thing when it came to girls. If she hadn't pulled away and said thank you, I would've burnt the end of her cigarette.

She was something. I was right with my thoughts earlier when she mentioned the guy who tried to make a pass at her. When I asked her what a successful attempt of taking her home would be like, I was only teasing, but it was how she fought back that I only grew more intrigued. Screw the girl I was waiting for.

Nadia seemed like someone who needed an escape from this night just as much as I did.

She was staying in a hotel and she sounded like an American but didn't look like one. I assumed she was a tourist and normally, I would've left as soon as the act was done.

I don't know what happened. I think she wore me out, causing me to fall asleep as soon as she did. I woke up to see her sleeping on my arm, hands placed over the pillow. Seeing her up close and with the sunlight from the window behind me, I saw more of her face.

If I thought she looked beautiful last night, now she was exquisite. Long dark eyelashes touched the space beneath her eyes— eyes that I think I've memorized from the amount of times I looked at them from the previous night. I was so lost in analyzing her features that I completely forgot about the possibility of her waking up and still finding me here.

Gently, I pulled my arm away and quickly gathered my clothes. I had to pause when she shifted on the bed, eyebrows furrowed as she moved to the other side. I was about to walk out when I saw a stack of books, seeing that they were law books when I looked closer.

Huh. Well, that makes sense.

February 19, 2025 - Monaco

Fate was playing with me, I thought to myself.

Not only did I see her during my run at Fort Antoine, she was moving into my building as well. Seeing a few things by the lobby wasn't unusual since I've been staying in this apartment for years and I've watched people move in and out every year. What I didn't expect was for a piano to be sitting there with Nadia playing it.

I found myself having fun every time I called her Nova. It's the way her face would twitch in irritation at the nickname and then she'd proceed to tell me her name was Nadia, obviously holding in her frustration.

Despite her insistence, I knew I was sticking with Nova.

February 22, 2025 - Monaco

If there's one thing I hate about in Formula One, it's the media. I'm alright with playing games and interviews, but I absolutely hate having to maintain an image that's not even really me.

I was in my apartment having a meeting with the team's PR team and they were showing picture after picture of me around Monaco with different girls. I raised an eyebrow when they showed a few of me and Nadia, but didn't say anything else.