NEVER NOT YOURS,
CHAPTER 1

december 2022

THEY'RE CHEATERS AND the unfortunate thing is, they've accepted it. There was no point in sugarcoating what they were and they knew that. Denying and justifying it would do no one any good if they were just going to continue seeing each other anyway.

Do they feel guilty? Yes. Do they regret it one bit? No.

Right after the two met at the pre-season party last year, the pair never faltered away from each other once. The act they continued on committing only made them attracted to each other more, always having the need to spend time together. With all the secret rendezvous, late night calls and conversations, the memories and the photos, it didn't seem like the two were bound to stop anytime soon.

Maybe it was all the risks or the fact that they were doing something they're not supposed to, but regardless, nothing stopped them from doing whatever they wanted to do, like spontaneously deciding to head to the snowy country two weeks before Christmas. Once they booked their tickets and their hotel & cabin, they didn't hesitate on making excuses to their partners; Isabella saying she had a photoshoot while Charles said he was there for pre-season training. The latter even told his team not to mention anything to anyone, regardless of who it was and Isabella followed the man's instructions, telling her team the same thing.

The window gave a view of the snowy mountains of Gudauri, Georgia, with people already prepping for ski lessons, or sat at the picnic tables and drank warm drinks. Sun seeped through the curtains and the heater buzzing being one of the two sounds that can be heard, the other being the slow breathing made by the man asleep beside her.

Today was their last day in the country and Isabella wanted it to be memorable. Well, she didn't necessarily plan anything. She just thought of renting a snowmobile for a few hours and hoped that ideas might spark her as they go by. Whatever she planned or didn't plan, Charles was more than fine because all that mattered to him was spending time with the brunette.

"Good morning, Bella," A raspy voice from beside her greeted.

Isabella turned her head to see the green-eyed Monégasque already looking at her, his head resting on the arm under his head. "Good morning," she whispered, leaning to give him a quick kiss. "Come, get up! We have a whole day planned," she urged, sitting up as she tugged his arm.

The excitement that came from the woman was enough to make Charles wake up, preparing tea for Isabella while she was in the bathroom. "What are we going to do first?" he asked from the counter, letting his arms rest on it as he leaned forward and mindlessly scrolled through his Instagram.

A few moments passed and the bathroom door opened, a smoke of steam being let out to indicate how hot the shower was. Isabella walked out with a towel wrapped around her head and body, paddling towards Charles, careful as to not slip. "There's a café around the corner," she paused to take a sip of the tea, quickly fanning her tongue with her hand when she realized it was piping hot. "I read they serve really good breakfast."

"Okay," Charles nodded, chuckling at her. "I'll just shower now and then we can go."

While he was in the bathroom, Isabella busied herself by doing her make-up and changing into a black thermal long-sleeved top and leggings, layering it with a beige hoodie with the words Miracle Academy printed on it. She placed her pink Moon Boot by the door so she can just put it on when they're about to leave. As soon as she finished, she laid on the bed and went on Google Maps, checking for other places they can visit.

There were a variety of quaint shops; a bookstore, multiple cafes and restaurants, local clothing stores and cultural artifacts. After taking note of the shop names and pining it as want to visit in the maps, she settled that after they have their breakfast, they could walk around and check the shops out, then head to the snowmobile rentals. She was going to opt for skiing again, but after spending a full day of skiing and failing miserably, she thought that maybe it was enough for the trip.

So far, they've stayed in the first day and walked around the resort, the following day Charles skied while Isabella was doing lessons. Which she did not like because of how often she'd fall which Charles would tease her for. This made Isabella look forward to explore after staying within their area for the past two days.

Charles headed out of the bathroom with his towel hanging around his waist, Isabella pretending to use her phone but let's be real, she was peeking at him and admiring his body. Although she didn't have to know that Charles could see her drooling over him at the corner of his eye.

"Bella," he spoke, snapping the woman out of the trance. "Which one?" He held up two snow jackets, a red one and a white one.

"Red one," Isabella answered after contemplating. She couldn't be blamed - the man looked good in anything. "Did you bring your black one?" He responded with tossing her the jacket, Isabella catching it swiftly and muttered a thanks.

"One day, I won't have any clothes left," he teased, a smirk appearing on his face.

Isabella glared at him, "shut up. I like yours better than mine. It's oversized."

By the time they headed out and walked to the café hand in hand, it was already ten. Their faces were covered in glasses they bought prior to the flight to Georgia, to hide their identities, to quote Isabella.

Truthfully, Isabella and Charles were cautious. Afraid that they'd be caught, one of the reasons they chose to stay inside while on their trip. But they both felt like they were being forced to stay inside, hence the courageous decision to walk outside. With extra precautions, that is.

Café Sadari wasn't filled with as much people and the duo thanking whoever was on their side that day. They sat by the window which had the view of the Alpines of Gudauri covered in snow. Isabella felt as if she was in heaven, with the view filled with nothing but white. Her eyes were glued to the window, littering over the people that skied and walked, unknown to her that a smile made its way to her face. Without her noticing, Charles took a photo of her.

"Hi! Welcome! Here is our menu and please just ring this bell when you've decided," the server smiled at them both, handing them the menu before walking away to assist other guests. She soon came back after Charles who played with the bell three times, Isabella swatting his hand away multiple times.

"What will you be getting?" The server asked, eyes switching back and forth from the two. Charles gestured at Isabella, letting her say her order first. "Can I have a khinkali and baked potatoes?"

"And for me, I'll have this.." Charles trailed off, showing the server the photo instead. She helped him by pronouncing it first, Charles following suit. "Ah, okay. A katchapuri please," he smiled.

"For drinks, we'll have two glasses of white wine," Isabella added.

"Make it a bottle, please," Charles corrected, making Isabella's eyes widen. He knew damn well she was a lightweight, even if it's just wine.

Three hours later, they've managed to move to the outdoor sitting and finished the bottle of wine there, people watching while Isabella sat in-between of Charles' legs, her head resting on his chest. Soon after that, they decided to start walking around, going into different shops and coming out with at least one bag in hand. Isabella was borderline tipsy after three glasses, not realizing Charles asked for a 13.5% alcohol one, and three glasses Isabella was impulsive. She still had her conscious thoughts, but it would always come after she's done something already. On the other hand Charles, was more than okay. He built his tolerance up after countless parties from Formula One; something he was grateful for.

"What time is it?" Isabella mumbled, her arms hooked around Charles'.

The Monégasque checked his watch, "four in the afternoon. Why?"

"Come! Let's go ride a snowmobile!"

Isabella was about to run off with the directions open on her phone, luckily, Charles was quick to grab her wrist. "That's dangerous, Bella," he intertwined his hand with hers, the woman tightening the hold. She pouted at him and boy, who knew Charles Leclerc folded fast?

"Fine," he dismissively said as he took her phone from her.

Snowmobile Rentals - Gudauri, the massive sign said. Christmas lights surrounded the area, even though it was only four. He took a glance at Isabella, who seemed to be mesmerized by the lights, her eyes twinkling as the light reflected, a smile evident on her face. With a blink of an eye, she was now the one dragging him to head inside the counter, Charles taking over before she could talk and they'd notice she was intoxicated.

Who seemed to be the owner, led them outside to where the mobiles were parked. Charles only rented one, not wanting for Isabella to drive in her state. He situated himself on the snowmobile before helping up Isabella, who hugged him from behind and locked her fingers together.

Charles pressed the accelerator lightly, the machine moving slowly. He turned his head to double-check Isabella, who nodded as a gesture for him to go faster, and he did. He pressed the accelerator to its limit, his body moving as he steers from right to left and vice versa.

Isabella cheered from behind, laughing while Charles continued to maneuver them both around. Snow would land on the snowmobile's windshield then pass to the two, getting themselves covered in snow.

"Be careful!" Isabella exclaimed when a huge rock came into view, tapping Charles on his stomach where her hand was resting. But it was no use because Charles chose not to slow down and suddenly, the alcohol that was in Isabella's body seemed to disappear as she held onto him for dear life. "Oh my god, oh my god," she chanted, closing her eyes shut and waited for the impact.

Of course, Charles knew how to use a snowmobile. He basically had a license, therefore it was easy for him to tease the woman and at the last minute, swerve the snowmobile to the side, just missing the rock by a few inches. "Open your eyes," he laughed.

And she opened her eyes, letting out a breath she didn't know she was holding. "I hate you! I thought I was going to my deathbed today!" she smacked his chest, huffing.

After that, Charles decided that it was enough to torture her for the day. With that, they ended the day at a cliff that overlooked a part of Gudauri, their helmets and glasses off to admire the view and the twinkling lights that surrounded the area. With their masks finally off in somewhat a public place, they smiled at each other before letting their lips meet.

The kiss was filled with passion and softness, their lips gliding over each other smoothly. Bodies pulled together, the heat radiating from their bodies. Hands rested on either side of Isabella's cheeks, while hers were wrapped around Charles' neck, playing with the nape of his neck. The gesture made him smile, alongside the sweet taste of Isabella's strawberry lip balm.

Isabella pulled away, resting her forehead against his, both trying to catch their breath as their chest rose in sync. Charles never let go of her cheeks, lifting her head up before placing a longing kiss on her forehead.

The trip just came to an end with the knowledge that by eight in the morning tomorrow, they would be snapped back to reality - back to work and their respective relationships. Next time they'd be seeing each other was after the holidays, or maybe by the time the new Formula One season starts, which is in three months time.

AUTHORS NOTE!
heheh i'm so excited for this :,)

and its race week !!! manifesting top 5 for ferrari please 🧘🏻‍♀️