❥𝑹𝒆𝒅 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆

Chapter 82

Valerie

After my brother proposed this opportunity to me, I froze on my spot for a moment. Flying to Mexico. With Charles.
I could've rejected. Said no. I would've flown with Carlos a few days later, anyways.
But I wanted to get out of Canada as soon as possible. I needed to get my head clear.

Even though certain problems wouldn't vanish into thin air on their own.
I couldn't just ghost Raphael and think that would be it. He's got quite a stubborn personality.
But was that my biggest problem?

Surely, spending my time with my ex on a plane, for a couple of hours, wouldn't go down in the history of my best plans either.

Yet, I'd rather have his company than Raphael's, if I was honest.
He has grown to me, but he was just so... demanding. Intimidating. He made it clear that he wanted to be with me. Sometimes too much.

I couldn't decide which was worst: Someone who put me under too much pressure, or someone who suddenly didn't want me anymore?

After some time, I stopped asking myself. Wouldn't bring me anywhere, anyways.

With hesitation and a hundred seconds thoughts I finally stood outside of Charles' drivers room, where he showered after the race and got ready for his flight.

My hand started to tremble when I made attempts to knock. Why was this so damn hard?

Just as I finally put my pride in my pocket, the door suddenly opened by itself, Charles almost running me over.

"Oh, hey there.", he exclaimed, stumbling back onto his feet. Surprise was drawn to his face as he recognized me.

"Hi."
I tried to keep my voice calm, serene, masking how nervous I actually was.

"Did you want to see me?", Charles asked as he looked around.

"Um...yeah, kinda.", I replied as I tripped over my own tongue, straightening up.

"Make it quick, then. I'm in a kind of hurry.", he said with impatience, but still polite.

For a brief moment, I looked down on him for the first time since our conversation started. My eyes were fixed on his face the whole time. But now, I noticed his navy blue jeans, the pastel blue, comfy hoodie.
I knew that because I wore it once.
A quick smile hushed across my face before his expecting look tore me back to my original reason to come here.

"That's kind of why I'm here," I explained, my eyes resting in his again, "I know you're flying to Mexico this evening already, and I wanted to ask if I could come with you."

Charles raised a brow.

"You want to fly," he began, repeating my words, "with me," his arms crossed in front of his chest, "to Mexico?"

"That's kind of what I said, yes-"

"Why?"

"Why?"
My brain didn't follow his direction the conversation took.

"Yeah, why do you want to share a plane with me?" His gaze never left mine as he spoke.

"Because... I want to go to Mexico, obviously."

"Isn't your brother flying in two days? Why don't you travel with him?"

"Because I want to leave Canada today.", I said, as if it was obvious.

"You sound like you're on the run." He noticed, almost chuckling to himself at my desperate tone.

That's because I am.