❥𝑹𝒆𝒅 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆

Chapter 69

Narrator

Charles let himself fall into his friend's couch as he arrived at his small, but chic apartment in the British town.
He hated being in his hotel room for too long.
It was just so empty.

But Charles didn't see the point in buying or renting a house or a flat in every country they raced in.
Yet, he was glad that Pierre had a comfortable place to stay during the Grand Prix in Silverstone.

The Frenchman came into the living room, bringing a freshly made tea with him.

»Thank you.«, Charles said with a warm smile and placed the cup with flavored hot water on the little table in front of him.
Pierre did the same and sat across Charles on the sofa.

»What a weather, huh?«, he mentioned and pointed outside.
Rain drops were running heavily against the window.

»Yeah, pretty stormy.«

Charles inhaled deeply.
Valerie wouldn't like this kind of weather.
He knew it made her uneasy.
And he wished he could be there with her, cuddled up in a big blanket in bed.

»You saw her at the paddock today, didn't you?«
Pierre must've read his friend's thoughtful eyes, cutting right into the topic without wasting time.

Charles sighed.
Then nodded.

»Uh, for a brief moment, yes.«

Pierre continued to look at him, asking for more context.

»She was in the engineer room and I just walked right through it. Of course I stopped when I noticed her.«, Charles explained slowly.

He had to put some effort in supporting a steady voice.
Even after all those weeks, talking about Valerie was still like thorns in his throat.

Pierre nodded in understanding.
»Must be hard for you.«, he said, almost in a whisper.

Charles scratched off the loose skin on his fingers. He always did that when he was uncomfortable, or nervous. But he couldn't decide which one of the two he felt.
The topic just upset him.

He hated it when people pitied him. He wasn't a child anymore that just scraped open his knee because he fell clumsily while playing around.

He knew that Pierre only wanted to support him.
But it was hard after all.

»I'll live through it. I'm just glad Maman is okay.«, Charles replied, a wave of shivering sadness accompanying his answer.

It broke his heart that his family was in danger. Just as much as the fact that he couldn't tell Valerie.

His friend reached over a warm smile, and Charles did the same.

»How is Kika, by the way?«

Charles didn't know why he asked.
He just thought about girlfriends, and then remembered that Pierre was in a relationship, too. And he kept his friend busy all the time.

»She's good. Very good.« The Frenchman seemed to be overwhelmed by the sudden change of topic.

Charles answered with a happy smile.
At least one of them had a successful love life.

»I'm sorry that I'm keeping you up with all of... this,« Charles gestured to himself and their surroundings, »I'm sure you have better things to do.«

Pierre shook his head immediately.
»No, no it's okay. You know I'm always there for you. Just as you are for me. You can come whenever you like.«