Lock Up ⏐Charles Leclerc

Chapter 47

JB17 🕊

*****

I slept the entire flight going to Italy as well as during the drive from Milan to Lake Como.

After Olivia and I had a snack at the coffee shop just twenty four hours ago, we went over to my house to pack. Everything was set when I was called by a close friend of mine who needed someone to fill in for her during one of her hosting gigs. She was desperate to have someone for the job and I complied, not fully knowing what I was setting myself up for. I ended up running through the show for two hours and hosted it for another two. If that wasn't enough to stress me even more, I still had to go through the audition tapes since I didn't want to bring work to Italy.

"You look like a zombie." Were the first words Navi said to me when I arrived at Pierre's apartment. It was our meet up place in Milan and almost everyone but Yuki has arrived by the time I got there.

"I love you but please don't talk to me right now." I grumbled, immediately heading for Pierre's sofa to continue sleeping. I heard them laugh but I paid no mind as I drifted off to sleep once again.

I felt myself being carried later on but I was still half asleep so I wasn't aware who was carrying me. "Shh. Go back to sleep." The person said and I followed their words, leaning my head on their shoulder. It must've been Milo or Pierre.

The next time I opened my eyes, we were already in Lake Como. "Look who's awake." Ace said once he saw me through the rearview mirror. We were using two cars with me riding in one with Ace, Milo, Navi, and Charles. I was between the last two and thankfully, my head was leaning on Navi's shoulder when I woke up. Yuki was riding with the two couples– Daniel, Heidi, Pierre, and Elliana. I bet he's loving the life of a fifth wheel.

The villa was huge enough to fit all of us, allowing us to have our own rooms except for those who were sharing. As soon as we entered through the double doors, I dropped my things by the living room and headed for the backyard. There was a garden and an outdoor terrace that had a long table, stone stairs on the left leading to the small jetty that had been set up. The lake was our view and it was breathtaking. I leaned my hands on the edge of the stone barriers, taking in the beauty in front of me.

"It's good to be back." A voice said from behind me and I turned around to see Charles walking towards me, hands hidden inside the pockets of his shorts. He had a pair of black sunglasses on and I craved to go back inside the house to get my own but I was too lazy to move.

"It is." I smiled, looking back at the water as we both took in the view. The last time we were in a place like this, everything was great. Life wasn't complicated and we were just in our own bubble. My thoughts were interrupted when I heard a squeal from inside the house and Charles and I shared a look before going back in.

As soon as I saw the person Navi was hugging, I found myself running and wrapping my arms around Aurora.

"Oh my god. I missed you guys." She said, tightening her hold on Navi and I. I smiled when we pulled away, seeing Leo behind her and giving him a hug as well. "Charles, I missed you as well so no need to feel left out." She joked as Charles chuckled, stepping forward to give her a hug. Introductions were made since everyone except me, Navi, and Charles knew the couple.

"So, what's the plan for today?" Milo asked, clapping his hands together as he plopped down on the couch in the living room.

"We can settle in first. There's this restaurant in town that has the best mushroom risotto." Pierre said and we all nodded our heads, agreeing to leave by six in the evening which was about three hours away.