Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Ana?s
Kissing Rue on the cheek, we say our goodbyes as she slips into a waiting taxi. I had such a good day, unexpected but still an amazing day. A soft smile tugs at the corners of my lips as I walk through the lobby, greeting Alexandre as I do.
Humming softly, I wait for the lift and step in before it takes me to my floor.
Pacing down towards my penthouse, I slip inside and dump my bag on the side table.
A blissful sigh passes my lips as I lock up behind me and move towards the large bathroom.
Peeling my clothes from my body, I let them fall to the floor before stepping into the walk-in shower.
The warm water cascades over my tired body.
We had been on the move most of the day. Rue had shown me all the small and hidden Monaco gems but honestly, I still feel like I needed another day to really take it all in. Plus, I was desperate to go to Princess Grace’s Rose Garden.
Lathering the roots of my hair in shampoo, I massage my scalp.
Letting the warm water rinse it off before smothering the ends in conditioner.
I take my time, exfoliating my skin then rinsing off the suds before turning the tap of the shower off.
I reach for one of the fluffy towels, I wrap it around my body and stand in front of the mirror, doing my skin care and brushing my teeth.
Moving towards the bedroom, I dry my hair then get dressed into my silk pyjamas.
I walk towards the kitchen and grab a cold bottle of water from the fridge, swiping my phone from the side I move back towards the bedroom and tug the covers back on my bed.
Settling down, I have a little doom scroll, then reply to some of the comments and messages.
Things have slowed slightly as the days have gone on.
The onslaught of concerned people in my inbox following my break from Royce has simmered right down and I am eternally grateful.
Smiling, I lock my phone and place it face down on the bedside unit, I reach for the control and switch the air con off, the room is plenty cool and I am feeling completely satisfied and ready to slip into a deep slumber.
Creed
Placing my black AmEx on the table, the waiter swipe it from the dish it sits in and wander off to take payment. I sit back in my chair and finish my wine just as he returns and passes it back to me.
“Sir.” He nods, and I give him a warm smile before pushing to my feet and walking out into the warm air where the blacked-out car waits for me.
The driver hops out and greets me as I slide into the back and slip my phone out of my pocket. We begin to drive, and I find myself scrolling aimlessly through emails. I have so much to do but I also need to switch off and enjoy the break whilst I can.
I want a fresh mind ahead of our next race and I know I will get the escape here, hopefully. A couple of the drivers will no doubt be out here for a little get away. The drive isn’t long and suddenly I feel exhausted. It had been a long day, woke up in Surrey and I will be going to sleep in Monaco.
Crazy.
Thanking the driver, I close the door behind me and pace the steps.
“Monsieur,” Alexandre greets me, his brows furrowing at me being here and I give him a big smile before clapping me hand into his palm.
“Alexandre,” his name slips off my tongue as I say hello to my old friend, then turn and walk into the apartment block.
The concierge gives me a nod but with the same confused look on his face.
Now it’s my turn to furrow my brows at him before I shake it off.
He meets me at the lift and passes me my luggage.
I thank him and before he can say anything to me, my phone rings in my hand.
I excuse myself and lift the phone to my ear and answer Royce.
“All okay?”
He sighs down the phone.
“Yeah, just wanted to make sure you landed okay.”
I glance at the lift lights and the doors ping as I step inside.
“Yeah, I am okay, just tired,” I admit as the doors close.
Silence settles over the line.
“Are you okay?” I ask him
“Meh,” he moans down the line
“Ana?s or?” I ask as the lift begins to move.
“Yeah, and the race…”
I sigh.
“Look, I get you’re disappointed. I was too, but you can’t hold onto it. It was a shit weekend; we can’t be perfect all the time.” The corner of my lips tug into a smile.
“True,” he grumbles.
“And the Ana?s thing…” I pause “Did you really want to break up with her to focus on your driving career?”
I am met with silence again.
“Sort of.” I sigh as he begins speaking again “I really liked her, more than liked really… but I dunno. I just didn’t know if I wanted that anymore…”
“Right,” I say, my tone a little curt. Ana?s was amazing. She brought the best side of Royce out but at the end of the day you can’t force two people together.
I liked her. A lot.
Shouldn’t have. But I did.
If she didn’t date my son, I would have dipped my toe into the forbidden water, but I can’t cross that line.
I clear my throat slightly. “I’m just at the penthouse,” I announce, and he mumbles something. “Do you want me to stay on the phone?”
“Nah, I am going to get my head down. Thanks for the chat, Dad.”
I smile. “Always,” I respond before we say goodbye, and I cut him off.
The doors open and I drag my case down the long hallway towards my penthouse. It had been a while since I had been here, so no idea what kind of state it has been left in.
Slipping my key card into the lock, the door clicks, and I step in and switch the hallway light on as I let out a heavy breath. It was good to be home.
Walking through into the living area, my brows raise when I see there is stuff scattered around. Twisting my lips, I turn and see used cups and plates in the sink. I shake my head and make a mental note to speak to housekeeping tomorrow but right now, my body aches. I needed my bed.
Kicking my trainers off, I leave them with the rest of the mess in the lounge and move towards the bedroom. Pushing the door open, I am greeted with darkness, and I am annoyed that the black out blinds have been left down. My list of grievances is growing.
Grumbling, I pat around for the light switch and turn it on and that’s when I see her.
Auburn hair spread across my pillow.
Her small body out of the covers, one leg lifted, her knee up around her chest. Her satin shorts have ridden a little higher, showing more of her tanned skin.
She stirs and slowly rolls on her back and all I can do is stand there, watching her until I snap.
“The fuck?” I say a little louder.
That has her shooting up, eyes all wide, hair all over the place. She blinks those pretty green eyes at me, lips parted and I see the small gap between her two front teeth.
“Mr Lexington?” Her voice is soft as she tugs the duvet up around her chest to cover herself.
“Ana?s.” Her name passes my lips in a growl. Staring at each other, her eyes bounce between mine.
“I didn’t know…” she trails off for a moment.
“You didn’t know that this was my penthouse?” My tone is sharp.
She shakes her head from side to side. “Why would I?” Her voice is small.
“Well, seeing as you were dating my son…”
“He never brought me here.” Her brows pinch, her button nose scrunching at the bridge.
“Where did he take you?” My tone is condescending and I hate it, but at the same time, I am agitated.
“We never came Monaco.” Her eyes land back on me. “I’m sorry, I’ll pack up and head off.” She goes to move from the bed, and I shake my head, holding my hand up.
“No.” I let out a deep sigh, dropping my head. “It’s fine, there are three other rooms… Go back to sleep and we will sort it out in the morning.” I admit defeat. Rage pricks at the base of my neck but I am too tired to argue it.
She doesn’t say anything, but I know she is hesitant.
“It’s fine, honestly,” I reassure her, but she still sits frozen.
“Now it makes sense on why I was getting strange looks downstairs… There was already a little house guest in my bed.”
Her cheeks turn a pretty pink and I find myself smirking at her.
“Go to sleep, we will rectify in the morning,” I say again.
I give her a solid nod and switch the light off before she can guilt me with those pretty eyes.
Closing the door behind me, I drag my heavy legs towards the spare room and strip off.
I can’t even be bothered to get my pyjama shorts out.
Falling forward onto the bed in just my boxers, my body feels heavy, and I fall asleep thinking about the pretty red head in my bed, who is also my son’s ex-girlfriend.