❥𝑹𝒆𝒅 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆

Chapter 51

Three months later - June 16th
Madrid, Spain.

Narrator

Charles went through his notes.
Saudi Arabia - P1, Miami - P3, Spain - P1, Austria - P2,

And so on..

It's been a few weeks and Charles had excellent races mostly. He was only a few points behind Max who had a better start into the season, for his sake.
But to Charles' wonder, Ferrari had really improved.

Contentedly, he stroke over the paper and took another look at his records that he kept after every race.

When he closed the notebook, a small box peeked into his sight that was also laying on his desk.
It was simply black, a beautiful, dark red ribbon wrapped around it.

Valerie's birthday gift.

Charles grabbed it carefully and opened the first drawer of his desk.
Gently, he laid it inside and closed it again afterwards.

He turned around slowly and eyed his sleeping girlfriend who was laying in the bed a few meters away.

She looks so peaceful.

No need for her to possibly see her present before the next morning.

Charles pressed the button on his little desk lamp to turn it off and stood up.
He opened one window to let the fresh night-air in and wandered over to the bed.

Discreetly, he lifted up the blanket on his side to slip under it, only to end up hugging Valerie from behind. Very gently, of course, to not wake her up.

Tomorrow, in the evening, they had planned a great party for her, only she didn't knew about it yet.
To calm himself, Charles stroke down her arm and drew circles along the way until he fell asleep.

The next morning

Most of Valerie's and Carlos' family was gathering around the big table on the terrace outside.
Their parents and grandparents, their cousin and even Juliette could make it.
They had prepared a lovely brunch together and now all they were waiting for was the birthday girl.

»Psssst.«, Carlos shushed everyone out when footsteps approached.
Valerie peeked around the corner.

»¡Feliz cumpleaños!« Everyone shouted birthday wishes, in Spanish of course.
Charles had also practiced to say it with her brother a few days ago so that he could congratulate Valerie in her language.

Valerie waddled cautiously down the stone stairs to get to the terrace, her short, light blue dress was moving with the wind and her curled hair fell elegantly down her shoulders.
As soon as she reached her family, she fell into the arms of her brother, then her parents, grandparents, Juliette and finally she ended up hugging Charles.

»Joyeux anniversarie.«, he murmured into her ear, this time in French, and gave er a long kiss afterwards.
»Merci.«, Valerie answered shyly.

She took a look at the large table which was full with food and drinks.
»¿Habéis hecho todo esto por mí?«
[You made all that, for me?], she asked when her face turned to her family again.
Charles couldn't figure out what it was about, he just stood aside and listened carefully.

»¿Para quién más?« [Who else for?], Reyes mentioned and pointed at the chair at the head of the table.

Valerie sat down, her view going down the endless amount of food.
»Es como en el paraíso.« [It's like in paradise.], she said enthusiastically.