DELILAH PARK VERSTAPPEN

I was lost in deep thought as the scarlet red Formula One car drove past me at high speed. Honestly, I am shocked and cannot comprehend the situation. The last couple of days have been a rollercoaster and my gut tells me, it is only the approach before the drop. A rollercoaster like the Fenix in Toverland. My eyes shift to the pit lane, however, I fail to take in what is happening since I am still deep in thought.
     I think back at the past seven months and somehow a gulf of emotions wash over me. The death of my mother, the verbal abuse of my father, becoming an aunt, travelling to Monaco, meeting amazing and sweet human beings, Charles who is fake courting me. I don't notice the wetness forming in my eyes and falling down my cheek, not until someone pulls me back into reality. Not literally, verbally. Of course.
     "Oh my god, Delilah. Are you okay?" His French-accented voice echoes through my head and my eyes meet his. I sniff before I feel tears running down my cheeks. I grow conscious of where his hands are. He is currently gripping my upper arms and an anxious expression flashes his eyes.
"I am," I sniff, wiping away the tears. His eyebrow knit together and he examines me. He clearly doesn't believe a word I'm saying and honestly, I wouldn't even believe myself. "I really am, Charles," I assure, "I got lost in my thoughts and past events got the better hand of me. Both positive and negative events." His anxious expression fades into a more comfortable look.
"Okay." His answer was small but gentle. An urge to bring him comfort engulfs my body. As a result, I lay my hand on his cheek and softly caresses his cheek with my thumb. The corner of his mouth curves into a smile as he lays his hand on my caressing hand. "You can talk to me," he says, placing a kiss on my hand. I arch an eyebrow, which causes him to chuckle. "It is only your hand," he argues gently, "it is nowhere near your lips, ma cherie." A heated feeling creeps up my neck as he said ma cherie. I play it off by playfully rolling my eyes and shaking my head.
"I should be almost done and then we can stop by our hotel before dining out?" he suggests. I closely watched his facial expressions as he suggested the following hours. The small creases in his forehead which he thinks were rather adorable.
     "I think that is a great idea."

About an hour later, Charles drove us to the hotel. He told me about the booking. "I made sure the room has two separate beds," he explained, referring to our rule about beds, "but the site was all in English. So, all I do now is pray that I am in fact not stupid." I reassured him it would be alright, but ... I couldn't convince myself. I made the rule for a reason and I wasn't keen on breaking it the first night we had to spend.
The man behind the desk greeted us and gave Charles the card to the room. "Your luggage is already upstairs in your room, and we wish you a warm stay." I can't help but feel a little nervous, praying there would be two beds. Charles guides us to the elevator, and I also notice him being a little nervous. I hook my arm around his and look up, waiting to meet my gaze. When he does, I flash him a smile.
He unlocks the door and allows me to walk in first. The tension in my stomach increases as I set foot into the room. I couldn't bring myself to gaze around the room, not before I saw the bed. I look around the room and my eyes fall on a king-size bed. My heart skips a beat as my shoulders slump down. ''And?'' I hear Charles question in the background. I feel his presence behind me, feeling that same disappointment.
''I will sleep on the couch,'' Charles says instantly. I shift my eyes around the room before lingering on a couch way too small for him. ''Let's just see about that,'' I say, definitely not letting him sleep on that couch. ''And let's get settled for a bit. And you should get a shower.'' Charles lets out a chuckle and rolls his eyes. ''Fine,'' he exaggerates, which causes me to chuckle.

I rest on my stomach on the bed while Charles takes a shower. I open messages and send a text to Max.

𝟣𝟫.𝟦𝟧

hi

Hey Jeonghwa
How is Maranello?

good, good
charles is done for today and we are
currently at the hotel

Ahh okay

and we will dine out
you know, grabbing more attention

Yeah yeah

how is monaco?
danny still there?

Yess

cute

Wat?

cute
it's cute

🤭
But it's nothing
I think

sure, he slept with you
in the same bed
i'm sure that's nothing

Right?

it's sarcasm oppa
🙄

😐
Oké, rude

anyways, christian knows about
my fake relation with charles

Why?

because, it felt like he deservesd to
know
that i'm loyal to rb

Cute

i'm serieus

As am I

🙄
bye

I'm kidding Jeonghwa
Jeonghwa
I'm kidding
Jeonghwa
I'm sorry
I know you are reading this
Come on

okay

Finally

but you were mean

Well, no
I am still Max

MAX

OKE IK STOP

thank you
charles is done
so we are going out to show our faces
in public to make every f1 female fan
jealous

You go girl
Hahah

you embarrass me sometimes

🙂

talk to you later

Joe

He can be such an UGH. A chuckle echoes from the bathroom, causing me to turn my head. Charles is busy with buttoning his shirt while he chuckles.
     "What are you chuckling about?" I question. I meet his eyes as he repeats what I thought I didn't say out loud.
"I said that out loud?" I ask, feeling a heat creeping up my neck. Charles averts his eyes from mine to look what he is doing.
"Who can be such an UGH?" Charles questions, perfectly mimicking my groan. The corners of my mouth curve into a smile, because I simply couldn't suppress my laugh. He did it so effortlessly.
"Max," I sigh, "typical sibling behaviour." Another chuckle ripples from his throat, and if I may admit ... it is a pleasant sound. The sound of his joy.
     "I am familiar," he chuckles.
     "How many siblings do you have?" I ask, genuinely interested.
     "Two," he answers, "Lorenzo is the oldest and Arthur is the youngest." I simply nod as I look at him. He looks handsome. He is a handsome man.
"Ma Cherie?" His voice echoes through my head, putting me back into the world. I blink several times, noticing I had been staring. "Hmm?"
"You weren't listening, we're you?" He arches an eyebrow, meaning he caught me red-handed. The heat spread to my cheeks, averting my gaze from his.
"No," I mutter, not wanting to look at him. His chuckle fills the empty room before he repeats his words. He has two brothers, Lorenzo and Arthur.
     "All boys, poor mum," I mention with a smile. The bed sinks in due to his weight, causing me to slightly slide toward him. "It was okay though, we were mostly karting or racing." I turn on my back, my eyes meeting his. My stomach twists as he looks at me with an expression ... I can't explain. I cannot tell what expression is in his eyes.
"Shall we leave the hotel and grab dinner?" he questions. The unfamiliar expression disappears from his eyes, replaced by normal kindness. I nod, getting myself back on my feet. I take a quick moment to check myself in the mirror. "Okay, ready to go."