A Dream Coming True

Chapter 5

July 8th 2022

Coming back home was the best thing I could do. I spent the last two days with my dad, talking about Formula 1 obviously, visiting Paris and watching movies like we used to. We went to the Louvres museum where I spent at least three hours looking at paintings. We passed by the Eiffel Tower and took some pictures. Eventually, he had to go home but I promised I'll go visit them next week.

I was having dinner in a cosy restaurant when my phone rang. I usually try not to look at it when I'm eating but since I was alone and had nothing to do, I took it. It was a message on Instagram, and when I saw who it was, my eyes widened. No it couldn't be him.

pierregasly : I finally found you.

How ? How did he find me ? Of course, he had. I wanted to stay away from him to protect myself but of course he had to find me. I could ignore him, it was probably the best thing to do, blocking him maybe ? No, it was unfair for him. Maybe he had something important to tell me.

lilaprost : You're a creep, you know that ?

pierregasly : I never said I was proud about it.

Done. One answer, it was all I could give him. I was about to put my phone down when a new message arrived.

pierregasly : You said my name.

lilaprost : Sorry ?

pierregasly : The last time we saw each other, you said and I quote 'Goodbye Pierre'

He remembered. It was a tiny little thing but he remembered. I didn't know why I said that, it felt natural. And I was sure I was never going to see him again because I left after that.

lilaprost : Isn't it your name ?

pierregasly : Yes, but you never said it before, Lila.

Butterflies. There were fucking butterflies in my stomach when I read his text. I read it again, and again, and again. They were still there. I wondered how it would sound in real, his voice pronouncing my name. I wondered if it would be soft or hard. Shit.

lilaprost : Neither did you, Pierre.

pierregasly : Touché.

lilaprost : How did you find me ?

pierregasly : Easy. I went on Charlotte's profil and saw a post where you were tagged.

lilaprost : Well done Sherlock.

pierregasly : I haven't finished to surprise you yet.

lilaprost : How can you be so sure about it ?

pierregasly : Hunches.

It wasn't fair. I knew that if he hadn't been a driver, I would have let myself fall for him. I put my phone down and finished eating. I wasn't in the same mood anymore. I just wanted to go home and talk to him, but it wasn't fair.

"Excusez moi, est-ce que je pourrais avoir l'addition ?"

"Bien sûr mademoiselle."

I paid the bill and walked home, listening to music. I was so tempted to look at my home and see if he texted me, I had to focus on something else. I walked in the street of Paris, passing by the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysées. Paris was a beautiful city with a lot of things to do and I loved it. It was the perfect place to clear my head.

I walked for at least half an hour before going home. I didn't allow myself to look at my phone yet so I took a shower and stayed there for another half an hour. But eventually, I had to go on my phone to post another photo but couldn't help myself to look at my messages. And of course he had sent me something, two messages.