Origins

Lock Up: Charles and Valentine

Happy 2 million reads to Lock Up! I decided to publish this celebratory chapter here instead despite it not being an origin story hehe

A lot of you have been asking about this in the comment section of Lock Up. Honestly, I forgot about that tiny detail and only realized I did when I finished the book. Some of you even messaged me about it 😂

Don't expect anything artsy because we all know that Charles is talented in the music side of art.

Enjoy!

*****

My phone won't stop ringing.

It woke me up at around nine in the morning and I immediately declined the call upon seeing the name of my manager. An hour later, he called me again as if I'd answer. He should know that wasn't going to happen because I haven't accepted a single call from him ever since I arrived. The only person I've called was my mother to tell her I was doing alright and she's chosen to just send me a few texts, knowing I needed this time alone.

She managed to explain the situation to Andrea who was disappointed that we wouldn't be doing the winter break training he organized for me. Instead, he sent me a bunch of files about a training plan that I had to strictly follow, although his role as my friend won out and he said to consider it as a guide.

He sent over a few things from the Maranello factory to the house I was renting, including a tennis ball machine. Usually, there wouldn't be a need for the machine since Andrea was there. He sent a video that contained instructions on how I was supposed to do it and I found a good spot in the backyard.

My training hasn't been smooth sailing ever since I arrived because my head has literally been clouded with other things. Every time I think about anything close to work, it's like my body sees it as a signal to change directions.

I placed the machine a few feet behind me and tweaked the settings a bit so that it'd change angles but wouldn't hit me. So as to keep the element of surprise, I needed to turn around and face the wall, waiting for the ball to bounce off it before catching it. It seemed simple enough.

Apparently, it wasn't.

During the first ten throws, I only managed to catch the ball once. I almost didn't because I was a second too late and it barely grazed my fingertips.

I faintly heard Yellow by Coldplay from the house next door when I was picking up the balls to return to the machine for another go. Valentine must be inside and I remember her look of amazement when she saw my car yesterday. She was definitely refreshing to spend time with. I assumed that she was well-known, but she didn't carry the air of ignorance and elitism that I'd been disappointingly familiar with the past few months.

With the song now in my head, I tried to focus more. I found that it helped a little, my lips mumbling the lyrics as I managed to catch more tennis balls than earlier. The song changed into something instrumental and I didn't know it, throwing me off my game once again.

I knew I was growing frustrated and my head was going to a place that I wasn't really a fan of. I'm very critical when it comes to my own work and some people would say I put too much pressure on myself. Usually, it's easier when I know that I have no choice in the matter especially when I'd have problems with the car.

But this was completely different.

I know I can shut my mind off. I can forget about the grief that was slowly eating me alive, but forgetting about it made me feel like I was disrespecting the people that I lost. I was losing a battle with myself that I didn't know how to win and it affected how I functioned.