❥𝑹𝒆𝒅 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆

Chapter 52

Charles

»How do you mean?«
She looked back at the flowers.

»Like I said it.«

I didn't know why my mood went down so quickly. From what I've experienced I just knew that this couldn't be good.
My mind wandered directly to Raphael, or Rebecca who would want to play a sick game.

But how could they know the address to the house of Valerie's parents?

»Maybe they are from my sister, or my parents,«, she said after taking a deep breath and observed the bouquet for any cards or signs.

I settled and exhaled deeply. Today wasn't the right day to get moody, or to start a fight or do anything that would ruin her birthday.
It was her day.

»Come on,« I muttered and pushed myself off the wall I was leaning against, »we can clear this out later, now you should have a great birthday.«

I took the flowers with one hand, and put the other around Valerie's shoulder, to her confusion. I walked with her back to the kitchen and left the flowered in a vase on the counter.
I had to say, they were quite beautiful after all.

We sat down in the living room together with her family. Carlos Senior turned on the TV and played videos that were recorded in Valerie's childhood. Reyes prepared snacks and drinks and we all enjoyed the time together.

»I can't believe that this was 23 years ago.«, her father mentioned and pointed to the screen where little Valerie was just sitting in a children's chair, eating.

»You were so cute.«, I murmured into Valerie's ear, not tearing my gaze from the TV.
»Were?«, she gasped offended.

I couldn't hide a smirk and tried to catch Valerie's eyes. But she intended not to give my look back.

She was teasing me.

Slowly, and without attracting attention, I let my hand glide over her thigh and disappeared shortly under her airy dress.
»You are always beautiful.«, I whispered into her neck, only for her to hear it.

She flinched at my touch and tried to overplay it so no one would notice.
»Not now, amor.«, she said under her breath, strictly, but also playfully.

I rolled my eyes at her remark and withdrew my hand quickly and laid it behind her back instead.

When we got ready for the club later that day, she gestured me to sit down next to her at the edge of the bed just when I was figuring out the collar of my shirt.

»You were talking about your sleep earlier, before we got interrupted.«

Instantly, an uncomfortable feeling wandered through my body. I knew exactly what she meant. But I just didn't want to think about it, not another time.

»I've noticed you sleeping... restless sometimes. Like you have nightmares, or something.«
She grabbed my hand and gave me a reassuring look.

I took a deep breath. For a split of a second, I wanted to speak out the truth. But after I gave it a second thought, I didn't want to burden Valerie on her birthday.

»It's nothing, actually.«

»Are you sure?«

I took my hand above of hers and gave her a side smile »I am.«