CHAPTER 8
Charles
Before
Céline's been glancing around ever since we got into the car.
'Is this car really yours?' She asks and I nod for the third time, chuckling. 'Does it surprise you so much to see a car like this? I thought you grew up in Monaco too!' I notice her frown, so I take advantage of the empty road ahead and suddenly accelerate.
'I'm surprised it's yours, not by the car itself. My father has at least three like this.' Her words catch me off guard, and I feel a pang in my chest. It stings a little that she thinks I can't afford a car like this.
The exchange is short-lived, though. Céline grows serious again and turns her gaze toward the window.
'Everything okay?' I ask.
She doesn't answer right away. I notice her breathing deepen, so I gently reach for her hand, intertwining our fingers. She doesn't pull away. Smiling, I turn my attention back to the road. Less than five kilometers later, we pull up in front of a building with a prominent 'bowling' sign. I turn off the engine, and we lapse into an awkward silence.
'Is everything okay, Céline?' I ask again.
'It's fine, don't worry...'
Her big eyes stare at me intently. I realize I haven't even told her my name yet. 'Charles, my name is Charles.'
For a moment, neither of us speaks. Our eyes lock, and when I realize I can't hold her gaze any longer, I muster up the courage to grab her hand, leading her toward the entrance. The lounge is quiet, with soft background music blending with the chatter, but nothing compared to the club. Céline seems to appreciate the calm atmosphere.
'I like this place. It's quiet and not full of maniacs.'
We both burst out laughing, drawing the attention of a few nearby people. 'I'm glad you like it.' A smile lights up her face for the first time, making her even more beautiful.
'You're beautiful when you smile, Céline. No one should make you cry.' I mean it. No one should ever make a girl cry.
'Can you believe me if I tell you this is the first time I've smiled in a couple of days?' Actually, yes. It's obvious she hasn't been having a good time lately.
'I believe you. And I promise, tonight, I'll make you smile at least ten, fifteen, maybe twenty more times. Until you're doing it without even realizing it.' For a moment, she grows serious again, takes a few steps forward, and turns toward the cash register.
'It won't be easy. Today's my birthday. Aka, the saddest day of the year for me.' Her words take me by surprise, but I do my best not to show it. I sense that one wrong move could ruin everything.
'Then you must know I love a good challenge. If I win, and I will win, you'll have to tell me why you're so sad, fleur.'
Her cheeks turn pink, but then she smiles.
'See? Two-zero for me, Lin!' Her smile vanishes, replaced by a cute pout.
'Shit, that's not fair, Charles! I take my smile back!'
'You take your smile back? Really, Céline, you've got to try harder! I'm not an easy person to beat!' We stare at each other defiantly for a few seconds. Before I can get my third smile, the lady behind the checkout hands us our shoes and directs us to our lane.
'Okay, let the game begin!'
As we prepare to play, I notice some details about her I hadn't seen before: she doesn't wear nail polish, which is unusual, given that most girls today spend more than necessary at nail salons. She also doesn't seem to be wearing foundation, her skin looks naturally radiant, like silk, with no product needed.
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AGAIN || MAYBE IN ANOTHER LIFE
Fanfiction'I don't want to see him, I can't. I could never look him in the eyes again, because all I'd think about is how it was all my fault.' Two years. That's the time Céline has spent away from home. A few hours. A few hours in the big metropolis to chang...
