Burning Heart // CL16

Eighty Five

"Ah thank you for coming," I say while grinning at Pierre who has come to stand next to me as the boat pulls out the harbour. Helping to bring us away from those eyes on land who might try and see the famous faces on the yacht we are on.

Charles's family was all here, along with my mum who had flown over as well as Kiraz and other friends we share for a dinner on the boat. We were actually the last to arrive, rather behind schedule as Ruby's nap went on for longer than we had anticipated, which wasn't something either of us were particularly upset about... but had caused delays in getting ready.

"Thanks for the invite - I'd be sad it was so last minute if Charles hadn't explained that you both forgot," he giggles as we cheers the champagne glasses between us and I laugh with him as I nod and try to smooth out the red dress that Charles had whisked out of a box for me - revealing that he hadn't just finished gift giving with the flowers.

It was a simple ruched bandeau bright red mini dress, with a structured top that really worked for me and helped to show off the key necklace I always wore, now matching a bracelet on my wrist that was done up with a little lock, my birthdate inscribed onto it. Our birthdate on it now. I'd be mad but I went way over the minimum on his watch and so I just appreciated the thoughtfulness of his gifts.

"You know what Charles told me after Suzuka?" Pierre muses and I look up for him as he smirks around the room because he's clearly bursting to tell me. I know part of me is going to regret hearing this because I swear Pierre spends his free time picking up truth bombs from each of us to drop on the other... but I also can't walk away because most of the time I secretly love hearing whatever it is.

"What?" I ask, unable to help myself as I play with my hair slightly and wait for him to answer.

"That he finally knew why he raced with the number sixteen. Why fate had made it so he couldn't take seven... because he gets to race with your birthday," Pierre smirks, voice smug as my face turns as red as my dress and I look away from Pierre who is now peering down at me to see my reaction. However, my eyes end up locked with Charles's as he has a conversation with my mum, Ruby in her arms, generally busy being the centre of the universe as he gets a little distracted for a moment, looking curiously towards us as I cringe slightly away from Pierre. "Can't run now, we're on the water," Pierre just smiles before walking away, leaving me before I can respond to tell him to shut up.

I think I finally got how Charles felt with Kiraz because as much as I liked Pierre, I also wanted to strangle him right now.

I walk to sit with Charles's mum and Kiraz, the two just talking about her latest campaigns. It's a topic I could easily join in with because I loved talking about Kiraz's career - I was always immensely proud of her and I get lost there for a while. I don't get round to Charles again until we're sat at the dinner table, Ruby sat on Charles's lap as she's already eaten but is still awake due to her extended nap, her eyes firmly fixed on Kiraz who is sat on the other side of him as we eat and enjoy the night with our friends and family.

"What did you guys get up to today?" Max asks, sat across the table with Kelly next to him and I just shrug as I look down at my food because while I know we did plenty of normal things, the only answer running through my mind is not savoury in the slightest.

"Had breakfast at home, went shopping, she bought me a watch... got home, ate cake, watched Cars for the fifteen-thousandth time in the last six months. Got ready and came out here," Charles answers for me and I smile and nod as I focus on eating the potatoes on my plate as I am glad he is less preoccupied than I am.

"Oh really - anything else? You guys were late?" Max asks eyes looking between the two of us as we just shake our heads in sync, either one or both of us with a guilty or shameful look on our faces that means we're not hiding it very well.