: ̗̀➛ part three of the
one for the road series
SNOWFALL / CL16
in which two childhood friends reunite. a formula one driver wants to learn how to snowboard and it just so happens that the daughter of his mum's be...
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✧ ˚ · . CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN . · ˚✧ let the only flashing lights be the tower at midnight
WARNING: this chapter includes mentions of nonconsensual touching / sexual assault. this will be indicated with a 🎬 emoji separating the beginning and end of this scene. please skip if you feel uncomfortable!
paris, february 2023
Thomas and Celine's shared apartment was on the other side of the city, and apparently that had warranted a drive in Charles' sleek black Ferrari SF90. I wasn't complaining, I liked the feel of the expensive leather under my bare thighs and the glimpse of pride on Charles' face when he opened the passenger door for me.
The journey entailed a twenty minute drive, narrowly missing rush hour traffic, with the heater blasting even though Charles was wearing a white dress shirt and sleek trousers. I knew he'd turned it on for me, with my short dress and thin sleeves. I hadn't exactly anticipated the chilly February air.
We had been invited promptly after Lorelai's little moment at the café (she had apparently eaten something wrong, but she felt fine enough to work) for dinner at our friend's place, and this would be the first time Charles would be visiting their apartment. I couldn't explain why, but a knot had formed in my stomach over the course of the ride. Right as Charles pulled into the garage underneath their building, it tightened considerably to the point I felt myself shrinking into the seat.
"You okay, jolie?" Charles asked, concern stretching over his face as he glanced over at me. He haphazardly reverse parked the car into the first spot he could find before leaning towards me. "What's wrong?"
"I'm just not feeling so well," I mumbled with a shake of my head. "I'm nervous, I think. Because of the whole ordeal with Thomas, and I feel like I've been a bad friend to Lorelai. Then there's the stress of the project wrapping up, and I just feel nervous."
"Do you want to go home?" Charles asked, reaching out to place a warm, reassuring hand on my bare knee. I had decided on wearing a cream-coloured sweater dress with black knee high boots, which left my thighs exposed to the chilly February air, as well was to Charles.
I shook my head. "No, no. We're here now, we can't cancel when we're already in their garage."
"Alright," Charles nodded in understanding. "Do you want a pep talk, or do you want to vent about your feelings and just have me listen? I can do both."
"I think a pep talk would be nice," I admitted, trying to force a small smile. My stomach continued to twist uncomfortably, and in turn I twisted the golden ring on my middle finger. Charles noticed, and intertwined his fingers with mine, releasing my left hand from my right.
