❥𝑹𝒆𝒅 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆

Chapter 36

Charles POV

I was out with some of the other drivers, having some drinks in a bar and exchange news and chatter.
It felt like a weight off my shoulders to talk to the boys after a long time again. Carlos accompanied me as I was just listening to Pierre's Point of View of the last race.

A ringing interrupted him and my hands went to my pocket as I noticed it was my phone.

An uncomfortable feeling made it's way through my body as I saw Valerie's name showing up.

Was everything alright? Why would she call?

I picked up immediately, putting my phone to my ear.
»Hey, Valerie. Everything alright?«
There was a certain worried tone in my voice that I tried not to show.
Carlos next to me gave me an interested look as he noticed I was talking to his sister.

I could barley hear her. But I instantly knew that something was not right.
She seemed to be out of breath.

My eyes met Carlos' and I gave him a serious look, pointing with my head outside of the bar.
I went out, Carlos right behind me.

It was quieter now and I tried to understand her properly.
»Valerie?! Talk to me!«

»It's my heart. Charles-... you need to come.«
She sounded exhausted, hardly holding on to her consciousness.
Fear wandered up my spine and let my hands shiver, giving me struggles to hold my phone.

Carlos and I exchanged worried, serious looks.

I didn't even hesitate for a second. My trembling hands went immediately back to my pockets, grabbing my car keys out of them.
»Me and Carlos are coming right now.«, I said with the phone close to my mouth, hoping she could still hear me.
But there was no answer. No reaction on the other side of the line.

My face got all pale. Cold sweat ran over my forehead.
»Stay with me!«, I nearly shouted into the phone, already at my car, Carlos behind me.

I fumbled around on the keys, trying to unlock it. But my worry and fear got too much power over me.

»Let me drive. You're hardly in the condition to manage that right now.« Carlos laid his hand on my shoulder.

I nodded and gave him the car keys, hopping quickly in the car on the other side.
I tried to talk to Valerie while Carlos was driving to my house but I didn't get an answer, no matter how often I spoke into the phone.
»Hold on, Valerie.« I took a deep breath before I continued to speak, »I love you, please hold on.«
My heart felt like it shattered into millions of pieces by the thought that I could loose her.
A tear rolled down my cheek.

Carlos was also shaking while he drove impatiently but he tried to hide it, keeping his straight eyes on the road.
My worry rose the closer we got to my house.
The ride seemed like to take forever.

I slammed the front door open, rushing in, followed by Carlos. 

»Valerie?!« I shouted through my house, trying to figure out where she might be.

Carlos went into the living room while I headed to my bedroom, the adrenaline pumping in my veins.
I kept screaming her name with the hope that she might answer.

When I got past the bathroom, I saw a pair of legs on the floor through the open gap of the door.
»Valerie!«

I rushed in, finding her barely sitting on the ground, leaning against the sink-cabinet, heavy breathing.
»Valerie?« My voice was quieter, full of worries.
Her eyes were not fully closed.

»Carlos!« I tried to call her brother, hoping he would locate where I was.

I lifted her up from the floor, carrying her in my arms.
»Charles?...« Valerie's voice was very quiet, weak.
She tried to reach out to me.
»Shhh. Don't talk.« I shushed her and tried to calm her down with a soft, serene voice.