❥𝑹𝒆𝒅 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆

Chapter 17

Narrator POV

Valerie got out of the room quickly with Charles following her.
She saw Carlos opening the front door, then hugging their parents. When they entered, Valerie walked towards them and also gave them a loving hug.
»Hey mamá, hey papá.«
Charles made his way behind Valerie, greeting Carlos Sainz Senior and his wife Reyes.

»Charles! It's good to see you.«, Reyes said happily as she saw him. She pulled him into a hug.
He obviously didn't expect that of a welcoming greeting and Valerie had to giggle at his face expression.
»Mr. Sainz.« Charles reached out his hand and Carlos Senior shook it like they were old friends.

They took place at the table. Valerie made sure she would get to sit next to Charles.
»What are you doing here, Charles?«, Reyes asked, but not in an offended or complaining tone. She was actually happy to see him.
»I- uh...«
»We are together. He is my boyfriend.«, Valerie answered quickly and put on a faking smile to overplay the situation.
Carlos raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything.
»Did you find yourselves together again, yes?«, their father asked further, with a little smile.
»We have talked things out.«, Valerie replied.

Oh did we?, Charles thought to himself.

The five of them began to eat and Reyes said more than once that it is fabulous.
They talked about the race of the past weekend and of the next weekend, how long they haven't seen each other and what they plan to do while being in Monaco.
»How did you two meet again?«, Reyes asked and looked at Valerie and Charles.
Valerie almost chocked on her food. She didn't expect further questions about their relationship.
»We „accidentally" flew together to Monza. Carlos arranged it.«, Charles replied chuckling while looking at his friend across the table.

»Yeah, well. Someone had to get things to move.«, Carlos replied smiling, very proud of himself.
»Yeah we spent much time together during the race weekend and throughout the week, since I'm also working at Ferrari and I guess things startet to relive again.«, Valerie explained it quite credibly.
Charles tried to control his face expression at her words and just concentrated on eating so he wouldn't start to laugh or something.

The rest of the dinner was pretty harmonious and they always had something to laugh about.
Carlos Senior and Reyes brought a dessert which everyone praised to the highest.

After eating they kept sitting for a while, talking about this and that.
»Are you planning on staying together this time?«, Carlos Senior suddenly asked with his face directed to his daughter and Charles.
»Papá!« Valerie couldn't believe her father. Reyes gave him a little clap on his arm too.

Charles chuckled. »I intend to keep your wonderful daughter, yes.«
He looked at Valerie like he meant what he just said. His eyes full of cuddly love and his mouth formed to a smile.

»I hope you make her happy. Otherwise you will get in trouble with her father.«, Reyes said jokingly and took a sip of her wine.
»Trust me, I will.« His eyes got serious in a way that kinda freaked Valerie out.

Is he just playing? Or does he mean it?

Even Carlos seemed confused. He couldn't say if his sister and his best friend were actually back together or because they played it too well to not be true.

»We will head to our apartment, then. We have to unpack our suitcases and get comfortable.«, Reyes finally said and stood up.
Her husband followed her to the front door.
»I will drive you.«, Carlos suggested. »So you don't have to call a taxi.«

The three of them left the house and went outside.
»I guess we will clean this up, then.«, Charles said and began to carry the plates to the kitchen.

»Thank you.«, Valerie mentioned.
Charles didn't answer. He just gave her this look. She couldn't define it.
It was warm and understanding, but on the other side it was daring and longing.

When they were done, Charles headed down the hall.
»I will get changed.«, he said and disappeared into Carlos' room.

Valerie took the dirty towels and brought them to the bathroom where the washing machine was standing.
On her way out, she came past Carlos' room. The door was half open and she caught a look inside.
Charles was standing in front of the closet. His upper body exposed.
Valerie could see his light sixpack and his defined muscles.

This man is so handsome

A feeling flamed up inside of her that she has never felt before. It was a longing.
A lust.

He was putting the suit he just took off away, when he turned around.
»What are you doing there?«, Charles asked as he caught her staring.

»I was on my way back from the bathroom..«, she tried to explain herself.
He came closer, his upper body still free from any clothes.
Valerie couldn't get her eyes away from him.

»What you looking at?«, he asked playful.
»Nothing.« Valerie faced him now and tried to get her face expression clear.

»Maybe we should finish what we didn't end earlier.« Charles came closer, his face right across hers.