❥𝑹𝒆𝒅 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆

Chapter 89

Valerie

I waved goodbye to Raphael, a knot of unease tightening in my stomach. His behavior had been kinda off during our coffee meet-up, making me think.
How could he know my car model had been destroyed? I told no one. Except that Charles was there. But he wouldn't go around and tell Raphael immediately. Considering they've never been the bestest friends.

Raphael had seemed distracted, almost nervous - a stark contrast to his usual confident self.

I shook my head, trying to dismiss the feelings and thoughts, but it lingered when a familiar car pulled up near the café. I turned to see no one else than Pierre waving at me from his open window.

"Pierre?" I called out, surprised. "What are you doing here?"

The Frenchman offered a gentle smile, though his eyes carried a hint of concern.
"Charles asked me to give you a ride to your house. He's still at the hospital with his brother and wanted to make sure you got home safely, and I happen to be here."

I hesitated, my instincts flaring. Just because we had to share a hotel room for the last two days doesn't mean he has to play the caretaker.
I was kind of delighted to see Pierre, though, he's always been a loyal friend to Charles and kind to everyone. Including me.
Yet, it was not him I was still kind of mad at, but Charles.

"I can also call myself a taxi, you know."

Pierre just smiled and lifted his hands in a self-defence matter. "I'm just carrying out orders.
He tilted his head to the passengers seat.
"Get in already."

As I took a short moment to look to my left and right, to perhaps spot a rescue out of this situation, I really couldn't see any reason to refuse his offer.

"Okay, thanks," I eventually said, climbing into the seat next to him.

As the car pulled away and we finished the usual small talk, the silence between us felt heavy.
I glanced at Pierre, his face illuminated by the passing street lights. His eyes were on the road, but I could sense a tension in his posture.

Since he was Charles' best friend, I've wondered before if he knew anything. Anything I didn't possess the information of.

My thoughts painted my mind while I stared out of the window, the sky growing darker in the distance.

"Is something bothering you?" Pierre suddenly asked, looking at me shortly before returning to the road again. "You seem quiet."

I eyed him for a second.
Yeah, what should I possibly talk about? My picture-perfect life?

I sighed, fidgeting with my hands in my lap. I've had conversations with Pierre before, he was a good listener. He never judged, and he mostly held good advice.

"Raphael was acting weird today," I blurted out, unable to keep my thoughts to myself any longer.

Pierre's grip on the steering wheel tightened momentarily, and he glanced at me briefly. "You met up with Raphael? He's in Monaco?"

I nodded, unsure how to identify his strange tone. It almost sounded like I just admitted a felony in his eyes.

But before I could regret sharing my thoughts, Pierre continued, calm. "Weird how?"

"He seemed... nervous. Distracted. Like he was hiding something. It's not like him," I explained cautiously, my voice tinged with frustration.

"Do you think he's hiding something?", Pierre asked, genuinely concerned.

I chewed on the inside of my cheek. "I don't know," My thoughts wandered before continuing, "he mentioned something he couldn't have known. It doesn't make any sense."