Seeing Red

The home of Tifosi

Charles was finally back home, despite being in the same time it was almost impossible for me to see him. I felt like I was actually feeling something for him at this point, I needed reassurance that he felt it too.

The rest of my week went by pretty much the same, except for now being an Internet celebrity. Getting sweet messages all the time for doing the bare minimum felt good, but the hate did not.

My wishes were fulfilled by Pascale, who decided to organise lunch. I decided to call her up and see if I could help in anyway. She refused to let me come help her, all she said was come to Charles' house, I couldn't tell her I had no idea where he lived.

Me: Hey, quick question

Charles: Yeah?

Me: Where do you live? I've been called for lunch and I don't know where you live😳

Charles:😂😂

He quickly typed his address and I saved it as soon as I could, I decided to go on a walk to map out the location so I didn't get lost in the tunnels tomorrow.

The day was here, as always I didn't want to show up to his house empty handed. I bought fresh flowers and managed to reach his house without getting lost.

"Come on in!" She greeted me at the door, taking me by the hand.

There he was, wearing a simple button down shirt, setting up the table with so much focus. I didn't understand how someone could look so beautiful doing the simplest of things.

We sat down for a while and talked about random topics, Lorenzo who was in charge of food for the gathering informed us lunch was ready.

We spent the rest of the time at the table, eating, laughing and cracking jokes. I felt at home around them, even if this was all a ruse I was going to miss it. I loved how welcoming Pascale was, the energy Arthur radiated, how sweet Lorenzo was and Charles for well, being Charles.

"Charles, play us something for us!" She looked at the piano in the living room and then back at her son.

"No mama, you know I get conscious." He smiled sheepishly.

"We are not looking! You play the piano, we won't look." She insisted.

"Ma-"

"Okay, come on everyone we go to the balcony and let him play the piano!" She gathered everyone.

After much reluctance, he got up and sat on the piano bench. While the four of us went and stood in the balcony, he started playing his piece. It sounded familiar, I couldn't quite put a finger on it.

Then it struck me, he was playing the same piece as the old man at the music school, I walked to the door of the balcony and leaned against it.

His back was towards me, I could see his fingers flutter across the keys playing this beautiful composition. It was slowing down, it was all coming to an end. I decided to hurry back into the balcony when he suddenly spoke up.

"I know you're there Tara."

"No- no I didn't mean to-"

"It's okay!" He turned around to look at me.

His eyes were glistening, a single tear trickling down his cheek. Almost instinctively I marched straight up to him, and wiped them away, holding his face in my hands for a while.

"Why are you crying?" I looked at him.

"I don't know!" He laughed.

"It was beautiful!" I hugged him.