𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 ~ | 𝘔𝘢𝘹 𝘝𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯

010 || Monte Carlo

"Today? Shit, I'm working all day." Ann's voice came over the phone. My shoulders sagged a little in disappointment.

"Oh, that's fine. Maybe another time." I smiled.

"I feel bad. I would really love to go; believe me, I just have so much work." She began to ramble an apology.

"Annie, it's fine. Really. It's pretty short notice anyway." I reassured her. She sighed.

"You sure? You'll be okay." She asked. I was touched that she was this worried about me. Layla laughed a little. I had asked her an hour ago, and she had shown up at the door ten minutes later, fully ready.

"Don't worry. I'll be there to make sure she doesn't do anything stupid." She called over my shoulder.

"That actually makes me more nervous. Lando's going to be there, right?" Ann chuckled a little. I smiled, seeing Layla's offended expression.

"Yup. And Carlos too. He's probably the most responsible." I laughed. Layla slumped down on my bed with a huff.

"Okay, good." Ann laughed. "Oh, crap, I got to go. Bye, have fun!"

"Bye!" I called and hung up. I dropped my phone into my bag and stood up. I grabbed a towel and some sun cream and stuffed them into the bag as well.

"You have a bikini, right?" Layla asked me to go over to my suitcase. I looked over at her and shook my head.

"I'm not planning on going swimming." I told her.

"You have no idea what you are missing out on, Bri. Have you seen that water today?" She shook her head at me, crouching down to rummage through my belongings. I rolled my eyes and turned back to what I was doing.

"Speaking of... I'm really embarrassed about... you know... so could you please not go shouting it from the rooftops?" I asked her. She nodded. I found a nice sundress and slipped it on. I turned around just as Layla gasped.

"Oh, you liar!" She stood up. My eyes widened. In her hand was the blue bikini that Lando had found in my drawing.

"Oh my god, that little weasel!" I walked across the room to her. "Lando must have snuck it in when I wasn't looking. He must have thought I'd wear it. Ha!" I tried to take it, but she moved away.

"Hey, I got you this!" She held it up. I pursed my lips. "You have never worn it, have you?"

"Well... Ley..." I stuttered in embarrassment.

"You don't love me!" She cried dramatically. I sighed.

"Okay, now you're just being dramatic." I crossed my arms.

"You never loved me! How could I be so blind?"She threw herself on the bed. She always had a flare for drama. I watched her exhale exasperatedly. "This was a token of my love, and you tossed it aside. You tossed my soul aside. How could you?" She wailed. "How could you?" she said in a hoarse whisper.

"You done?"

"I trusted you! I gave you my heart, and you ripped it to shreds before my very eyes." She flained about, grasping her chest as if in excruciating pain. I caved.

"Okay! Okay, I'll wear it! Just please shut up." I rolled my eyes. She snapped out of it imedeatly, sitting up with a radiant smile. "Yeah, yeah, you win. Take a bow." I laughed. She actually did take a bow.

"Ri! Goblin! Let's go!" Lando called. I snatched the bikini from Ley's hand. She had a smug look on her face. I shot her playful scowl and headed out into the living room, where Lando was waiting.

"Hey, we are not going to be the last ones there. Again." He said he was picking up his own bag with a smile and slinging it over his shoulder. Layla came out of the room. Even Lando would have to admit that she looked really good. Her black hair was done up in a braid, and she was wearing a light dress.

"We were actually waiting on you." I teased, walking past him to the door. "Okay, let's go."

Lando was still looking at Layla.

"You look... not ugly." He said. She shot him a glare.

"I wish I could say the same." She walked past me and out the door. I shook my head at Lando, and he shrugged. We followed her out the door, and Lando locked it behind us. We decided to drive down to the harbor because Lando insisted on being the first to arrive. We weren't. But we also weren't the last.

Charles and Pierre were already there, preparing some stuff. We were going to be taking two yachts out, Charles's and Max's. 

The plan was to sail out and cruise around for a bit, then find a secluded bay and anchor there for the night. Then the next day, we would come back. I had never spent the night on a boat and was excited to find out what it was like.

"Here come the others." Lando said as we approached Charles's boat. Just as he had said, Carlos and Max were walking down the wharf toward us. 

There was someone else with them as well. I squinted my eyes against the sun to try and make out who it was.

"Oh my god! Daniel!" I exclaimed. I had no idea he was here in Monaco. He grinned and waved at me. I ran over to them, and he hugged me. 

"What are you doing here?" I asked, letting go. Max walked past us, ignoring me completely.

"I have an apartment here. I was out for a run last night and bumped into Max. He told me all about your expedition, and I decided to come along. If that doesn't bother you," he told me with a broad smile. I grinned.

"Of course not!" I reassured him. Carlos cleared his throat.

"Am I invisible?" He crossed his arms. "I want a hug too." He pretended to be hurt. I shook my head with a laugh.

"Fine." I sighed playfully and gave him a small hug.

"Better." Carlos smiled, putting an arm around my shoulder as we walked towards the others.

"Okay, so who's going with who?" Lando asked as soon as we were all gathered. Charles came to the railing of his yacht and leaned in to hear.

"I'm going with Charles." I said quickly, before I could be assigned to somewhere I did not want to be.

"Then me too." Layla followed me. I hopped up on the small ramp that led onto the deck of the boat. Charles came to the end and held out a hand. I took it and jumped down next to him. He then did the same for Layla, who blushed a little.

"Hey, that's not fair; you get all the girls!" Carlos pouted.

"Then come with us." Charles called with a laugh. Carlos smiled and hopped onto the boat after us.

"Okay, then, I'll go with Max. And anyway, we'll be able to move around; this is just for the trip out." Lando said he was going to stand near Max.

"Us too." Pierre took Daniel's arm, and they also went to join the small party.

"Perfect. See you out there." Charles waved. 

They all walked away towards another boat that was waiting nearby, talking amongst themselves. Charles went up to the cabin and flicked the switch to boss captain. He told us what to do, and we did it without protest. Soon enough, we had made it out to the open sea. I looked behind us to see the other boat right on our tail.

I took a deep breath of the fresh, salty air.

I just hoped that this weekend went smoothly.