heatwave | Charles Leclerc | re-writing

Chapter 43

Monaco, July 2023 - Victoria Marino

Summer break. It's almost been a year since this beautiful story began.

I hold four dishes, two on each hand, taking them outside. We've decided to have a dinner with Charles's family. His brothers, their girlfriends and us, we all came to Pascale's house to have a pleasent meal in family.

Pascale cooked and I helped, doing my best to give her a good impression. We've been together for a couple of times, but it's always good to keep up with the standards that she has on her children's girlfriends.

Charlotte is a dentist, well-known in Monte Carlo for her perfect job and couldn't be a better wife for Lorenzo. Carla is the perfect girlfriend that Arthur could ever ask for. She's so resilient and loyal. She's always been there.

Based off what Pascale had told me about Charlotte, Charles's ex, she was a living-saint that wouldn't do anything wrong, but sometimes would miss out helping Charles with his troubles.

Pascale was kind of hoping that Charles would find someone that would help him and love him the way he deserves. And Charles knew about that. I don't get admired that he was seeking for 'the one' this whole time. His dream is to see his family happy, united and at peace. Everyone safe and feeling loved. If Pascale wanted him to be with someone that loved him, that person was who he would look for.

I get back inside, walking to the kitchen to finish the salad that I was making while their mom was finishing the main meal.

I take out of the fridge some lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber and carrots to make it. I start cutting my ingredients and, as the room is ankwardly silent, I think of some topic to talk with her.

- How's the saloon, Pascale?

- It's great. Now that Charles has his fame, I've had more clients than ever. And I've been cutting hairs for thirty years now.

I start laughing, throwing my head back as I drop the knife on the cutting board. She smirks and shakes her head.

- No, I'm being serious. A lot of young girls show up and they don't stop talking about my son and how hot he is.

- Oh. My. God. I can imagine that so well, for real.

She tastes the food and sighs, reaching for the salt and puts a bit of it on the pan.

- They even ask for photos. - She adds, laughing loudly.

I look at her and she smiles, a friendly look on her eyes.

- You know, Pascale, my ex-boyfriend was abusive and agressive. And I was really scared of him. His mother was the worst person I've ever met in my entire life. And I've met my brother. She was demoniac and, over-all, basically a bad person. I've gotten terrified of meeting mothers-in-law. I was so, so scared of meeting you.

- Why's that? - She asks, fully turning to face me.

I throw all the vegetables on the bowl in front of me and I look for the salt.

- Probably trauma. But the second I saw you, I knew that you would be the kindest person that ever stepped on earth.

She turns off the cooker and leans on the counter.

- Let me tell you something. - She wipes her hands on a cloth - I've always dreamt to have a girl. But they came all boys, I couldn't do nothing about it. Don't get me wrong, I love them very much. When I saw you for the first time, I knew you would be the daughter I've never had. It's obvious that I like Charlotte and Carla and I think that they are perfect for my boys.