Same but... different (Lestappen and Carlando)

Chapter 22

POV: Max

I wake up next to Charles, the aggressive sound of the alarm making me groan. I know I need to get up quickly though, because I still need to go home to take my luggage and the ticket, and then get to the airport in time. I could've taken my private jet, but didn't feel like it, trying to not use it when I can.

I slowly get up, successfully doing so without waking Charles up. I'll let him sleep for as long as possible, but I still want to say goodbye. I quickly get dressed, then gathering all of the things I let in his apartment. Once everything is ready, I get closer to the bed, smiling in front of the sweet view.

Charles is on his side, and his face is lit by the low light of the bedroom, filtering through the curtains. He looks so peaceful, so angelical, and I suddenly feel the urge to kiss him. But I'll never do that while he's sleeping, not if he didn't agree beforehand. So I carefully get closer, sitting on the side of the bed.

My fingers caressing his cheek, I try to wake him up in the gentlest way possible, the time still running down. Finally, as I start considering using another way, the Monegasque's eyelashes start to flutter, and he looks a bit disoriented at first.

— Hey, I whisper smiling, feeling my heart accelerate when his eyes meet mine.

— Oh hi Max, you're ready already? He says while pouting.

— Yeah, my flight won't wait for me you know! I chuckle.

He answers nothing, but his hand suddenly grabs my neck, forcing me to bend to be on his level. He then slowly puts his lips on mine, brushing lightly past them. It's so sweet, and I hum in contentment against his mouth. For once, neither of us tries to make things quicker, both enjoying the tender kiss.

When we finally have to pull apart, I notice a slight blush on the Ferrari driver's face, and I smile in return. He still looks a bit sad though, and I wonder if it's because I'm leaving.

— Well then... Have a nice time with your family! And hum... Good luck too, just in case. Also, you have to send me a message when you arrive okay? He sounds a bit worried, and I start wondering if he's always that caring or anxious over things.

— Yeah thanks! And alright, I'll text you then, I'll probably be back here before next weekend, but if I'm not, then see you in Baku! I try to say enthusiastically, wanting to reassure him.

We then hug, and I make my way out the apartment, sighing as I close the door. I tried to play it cool for him, but I can't lie to myself. I'm fucking scared of my family's reaction, especially my father, concerning the rumours. Rumours, that are in fact not entirely true, because I'm not with Arthur, but gay, that's for sure.

I try to hold back the panic I suddenly feel, closing firmly my eyes and fisting my hands. I breathe deeply, counting every intake of air. As I feel the attack going away, I quickly walk towards my car, focusing on driving safely to my house.

Like a robot, I collect my luggage and the ticket, almost forgetting it. Everything takes too much time, and I suddenly see the time, my flight now very soon. I quickly get to the airport, finally getting to the boarding gate, as a few people still wait to enter the plane. I sigh in relief, I made it in time!

— Passeport? The flight attendant suddenly asks to the person in front of me.

And this is how I realise I forgot mine, and that I'm probably not gonna be able to get on the plane. How could I possibly have forgotten such an important thing, when I knew I had to travel today?

Mentally cursing at myself, I try to gather all confidence left in my body, inventing a little speech to give the attendant. With a little luck, she's gonna let me board, I'm a Formula One racing driver after all!