The encounter of a lifetime - Charles Lerclerc

Chapter 44

After about 1 hour of walking throughout the village I finally found Charles. He went to a bar and sat across from the barista. I notice that he has a glass of whiskey in his hand. I hope he's not drunk because it might be complicated to talk otherwise. The time that I dress to go out, that I walk etc. he would have had time to get drunk.

I approach him and gently touch his shoulder while saying his first name.

Emma: Charles. Charles please we can talk.
Charles: I don't really want to talk to you actually.

I can tell from his strong breath that this isn't his first drink.

Emma: Baby please I swear nothing happened with this guy let me explain. Leave that drink and come walk with me. Please.

He sulks but accepts. He pays what he owes the bartender and follows me.
He walks with his hands in his pockets and staring at the ground, showing that he doesn't really want to make small talk.

Emma: I'll explain but I want you to listen to the whole story and not get mad oke?
Charles: Mh mh, he nods.
Emma: When we went sledding and fell with Luisa, we ran into my ex Julien. He came to see how things were going and talked to me for two seconds but without saying anything incredible. Then back home he wrote to me asking if we could see each other because he wanted to talk to me and I refused. But last night at the party he saw me and asked me to go talk to him outside and I accepted that. But we talked for 5 minutes and it went badly because he insulted me and I slapped him. So really I didn't cheat on you, at any time. I couldn't have done that.
Charles: What did he tell you to make you slap him?
Emma: He told me that I was with you only because of your fame and money etc. In short, I don't want to talk about that.

Charles remains silent for several minutes after my story. I touch his shoulder and ask him if he's okay. He raises his head and I can see tears in his eyes. He takes my hand and pulls me to a somewhat hidden place. He certainly doesn't want people to see him crying.

Charles: I...I'm sorry I... he bursts into tears.
Emma: What's up baby?
Charles: I shouldn't have reacted like that but it's just that I was so afraid of losing you.
Emma: You won't lose me.
Charles: I really love you and everyone I love eventually left. I'm afraid every day that something will happen to you and that you will die, or that you will let me down because you find something better than me. I need you and I don't know what I would do without you.

I take him in my arms and dry his tears. I never realized how attached he was to me.

Emma: I'm not going to leave you and I'm not going to die. We are meant to live our lives together, don't worry.

I continue to give him a hug while making him paws on the back before we resume our journey to the chalet.

Arrived there Charles goes directly into the room. He told me that he needed to be alone for a bit and that he would take the opportunity to shower. Talking about his anxieties like that upsets him and he needs to calm down.
For my part, I join the others in the living room.

Peter: So? How did he take it?
Emma: Quite well. He went to take a shower.

I go into the kitchen to serve myself something to drink and I see that Pierre is following me. Once away from the others he begins to ask me questions.

Pierre: He's not well, is that it?
Emma: Why do you say that?
Pierre: I know my best friend. When he's like that during a fight it's because he's not well and he's holding back his emotions to the max. And what's more, he didn't come straight to us, which means he wants to be alone because things aren't going well.
Emma: He cried after I explained to him because he's afraid I'll leave him or die and leave him alone.
Pierre: I was sure of it... He lost so many people that he had created a heart of stone so as not to attach himself to anyone and therefore not suffer from their loss, but he did not succeed in not fall in love with you. I'm going to go see him I think.
Emma: Yes it can do him good. If ever there is a need call me.
Pierre: Yes.

Pierre goes up to join Charles in our room. It really hurts my heart to see him like this. I try not to think about it too much and walk over to the girls on the couch.

***
Charles was off all day. He had no energy or anything. So I decided to organize an outing tonight. We're among friends, he's not going to stay sad like that.

I decided to reserve the ice rink for us. It cost me a bit, but it's for a good cause.

I announce the release to the group and everyone is delighted! I'm so happy with my shot.

Arrived there we all take skates in our size and gooo!! Obviously the guys are all racing to see who's the fastest. Between them there is a constant competition to know who is the best in everything. They really are not possible.

We decide to take the hockey sticks that are available to us and play a game. The teams are:
1) Charles, Pierre, Katerina, George, Carmen, and myself
2) Daniel, Carlos, Isabella, Lando, Luisa, Alex and Lily.

It's Carmen who decides to start goalkeeping with us and Alex in the other team.

The game begins and George manages to take the puck. He passes us and we try to score. Unfortunately Alex manages to intercept our throw.
The game continues and the more it advances, the more the defense does anything. As soon as Charles touches the puck Carlos rushes at him like a rocket to knock him down. And the same for me and Luisa. We really laugh too much because everyone fell at least once. Between the aggressive defense and our skating it's not surprising.

The game ends and we lost, 2-3. Some decide to take a break to go have a drink, but Carlos Charles Pierre and I stay on the ice.

While Carlos and Charles have fun fooling around, I'm going to talk to Pierre to ask him about the conversation between Charles and him. He explains to me that the fear he had brought up all the suffering he had when his dad and Jules died. Because after all we never really mourn this kind of thing. It pains me to do this kind of thing, but at least I'm glad I was able to change his mind tonight.

Before leaving the ice rink, it's photo time! All the couples take pictures together, with the girls we do some, the guys do the same and of course we do a group one.
With Charles we agreed to post one of the photos we took tomorrow on insta, as we are leaving tomorrow to return to Monaco. That way maybe it'll shut down the cheating rumors about me. Especially since Charles intends to post it too.

We go home quietly and we enjoy our last evening at the chalet all together.

*****