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MARCH 25TH 2022 📍JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA ────────────────────────────────
Pierre's mood was bad. He hated getting riled up by someone, he hated being yelled at, and he hated the way Camille acted like nothing was bothering her. She left him behind in that pantry without even a backward glance. He wasn't sure why she did that – hell, who was he kidding, he knew exactly why – but that didn't make it easier for him to deal with. She pissed him off to no end, and then she said that about Charles... that was the last straw. But that didn't mean he didn't love her, it didn't mean he didn't wish she would do something nice for once, instead of walking away from him, because even though he liked the idea of her having fun, he also loved it when it was sole with him. And the worst part? She didn't realise that. If anything, she seemed completely oblivious to the fact that she upset him, that she ruined whatever fragile thing they had. It infuriated him; every time he thought about her and Charles together, he felt betrayed. It was like the entire world was conspiring against him.
The week between Sakhir and Jeddah had passed in an endless nightmare of meetings, appearances and speeches to the press, while Camille disappeared to wherever she pleased whenever she wasn't in his company. He only encountered Charles on Thursday evening. Pierre didn't even bother to greet him, merely turning around and striding right past him. It was almost as if he expected Charles to try to talk to him, or at least call his name, but he just gave him a blank stare as he passed him by. For a moment Pierre considered giving him the chance to explain what had happened between him and her, or even apologize for whatever it was that was causing them to act this way, but he dismissed the idea almost immediately. It wouldn't matter what excuses he offered anyway. As far as anyone else was concerned, everything was perfectly normal.
The Friday arrived faster than he thought it would. It had been a busy week, and yet, somehow he managed to pull himself together to participate in Free Practice, although he was more subdued than usual, as opposed to his usual self. Thankfully, no one noticed. Perhaps it was due to the fact that he was so preoccupied with his thoughts, or perhaps it was because he could sense that the atmosphere was somewhat charged, which prevented any further attempts at conversation or idle chit-chat from happening. He couldn't bring himself to care either way.
Once the second practice was over he returned to the hotel, eager to escape everyone. It was a relief to be alone and not have anyone nagging and pestering him to talk to people he didn't want to speak to. When he finally managed to find a small private corner, he let out a relieved sigh and leaned against the wall. He was tired and irritable, and the combination of his emotions was creating waves of nausea within him, so he closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths to calm down. After a short time, his nausea subsided enough so that he could concentrate on breathing normally again, and then, after making sure no one was looking, he pulled his phone from his pocket. He knew he had missed calls from Charles, but he ignored them. There was no reason for them to talk anyway.
