❥𝑹𝒆𝒅 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆

Chapter 71

Valerie

Charles rushing off left me confused.
I kept standing behind my desk, looking after him. The air that the door swept up sent a track of his perfume in my direction. I inhaled deeply for a moment.

My eyes fell back on Raphael as he cleared his throat loudly.
»Sorry, I didn't want to interrupt anything...«

»No, no you did not. I was just...«

Well, what was I doing?

He supported my gaze and demanded an answer. But I couldn't find the words to explain the situation that just occurred minutes ago.

»Let's just go, okay?«
I took my sports bag and went out of the door first.
Raphael followed me wordless.

We headed to the staff gym in the Ferrari paddock. Raphael had asked me if we wanted to train together - and I had nothing against it.
We met for a coffee after the gala the other day and he was a pleasant company.

»Everything okay with you?«, he suddenly asked when we just reached the gym, checking me from head to toe.

»Yeah, I guess.«, I replied after a few seconds of blankly staring at him.

»You look a little... exhausted.«, he mentioned carefully, choosing his words wisely.
»Thanks?«, I said in a small chuckle.

He continued to give me that look.
The look therapists would give you when you told them you're fine.

»I'm fine, really. It's just been a long day. But I want to clear my head now, come on.«
I cut off the conversation with getting under the weightbench.
Raphael did the same, taking place on the one next to me.

"Clearing my head", what a joke.

My mind was racing.

I just couldn't stop thinking about what Charles said. Or at least wanted to say.

The truth is...
The truth is...

What did he want to say?
God...

The sweat ran down my face and I felt disgustingly dirty after only 15 minutes working out. My eyes unfocused at the weight bar above me.

I sat up for a moment and blinked.
From one moment to the other, my body heated up quickly. My skin was burning, and I didn't know what to do.
The room and everything within it was unrecognizable in front of my eyes.

»Are you okay?« Raphael's voice besides me rang inside my ears.
»Yeah, I'm... I'm just really tired.«

All my limbs screamed for a soft mattress.
It's been a long day after all.

I closed my eyes for a while, waiting for the dizziness to pass.

»Do you want me to bring you home?«

Finally, my vision cleared and I could address my face directly to Raphael who now stood right next to me.

It took me a moment to process his question, but eventually I shook my head.
»No, it's okay. I just don't feel my best today. We'll do this another time, okay?«

He nodded silently.

I hated to disappoint people. But if I demanded more of my body today, I would probably pass out on the floor.
Something was obviously not right with my medication.
But I didn't have any time to see a doctor soon.

It almost felt like I wouldn't be even taking them the last days.

Back in my hotel room, I exhaled deeply after taking a long, hot shower and finally ending up in my bed.