The annual summer vacation with her and Elle's family was much needed and couldn't have come a day too soon.
Fiona spent the days clearing her mind and making it up about certain things. Or rather a certain someone in particular.
On top of that she got to spent some quality time with her best friend and her parents.
Especially with her parents, it was something that had become more rare over the past few years. It was the same for Elle. She and her parents were quite busy as well. But for this time of the year, everybody made sure to be available.
The days were spent on the beach and at the pools and the evenings were spent eating a lot of good food and drinking a lot of good Italian wine.
They're holiday resort wasn't the most luxurious one out there, it was rather down to earth. But all of them loved it. Which is why they went there every year.
It was a special place for Fiona and she hadn't had any bad memories there. No place made her feel so at ease then this one did. She felt at home.
In a way it actually was like home, since she felt as much Italian – if not more- than she felt Monegasque.
One morning, her and El got up early to watch the sunrise on the beach. There was something so magical about seeing the sun emerge from the depths of the ocean, it made up for the lack of sleep.
That morning Fiona finally had the courage to open up to Elle about her feelings for Charles and about what had happened between them. She was terrified of how her best friend would react. Scared that Elle might be angry or upset about the fact that she didn't tell her sooner and that she wouldn't be okay with them getting closer
Much to her surprise though, Elle was more than fine with it.
„I always had the feeling that there was more than just friendship between the two of you," she had told her. „Someone that knows you as well as I do has to be really blind not to notice the way you two look at each other."
Fiona remembered looking at her best friend stunned after that revelation. „So you're not mad? Why did you never say anything to me?"
Elle had smiled softly. „Of course I'm not mad at you, Silly. Why would I be. You and Charles would be perfect for each other. I wasn't going to jinx that by pushing you. You did had me fooled for a spit second with Pierre though."
That had made Fiona crack a small smile. „We're still only friends."
While on one side, Fiona had felt relief wash through her body, she had also felt sad at Elles words.
„I'm not sure I can agree with you saying we'd be perfect for each other."
Elle hat shot her a pitiful look. „I'm sure he had his reasons." Then she made a fist and punched the air. „Want me to talk some sense into him?"
„I don't think thats the best idea," she said before letting out a shaky breath. She didn't think his team would appreciate him showing up with a black eye and having to explain that to the media. Not that Elle would actually punch her cousin.
„I don't know Elle. He tried talking to me. Said he can explain everything. Part of me believes him. Part of me doesn't want to. I told him I needed this trip to think about it but I'm just so cared of what he has to say."
It had become hard to blink away the tears by then and as soon as the first one had fallen out and rolled down her cheek, Elle pulled her friend into a hug.
„I know it hurts right now," she had told her. „But I know my cousin and I know he'd literally do anything for you. So maybe just give him a chance when you hear him out. I'm sure you won't regret it."
