sweet escape [c.l.]

chapter sixteen

 It had been a couple of days since Charles had gotten home and Rory had only truly left his side to go home and get a couple of her things that she needed throughout the week and when she had to go to the bathroom. Other than that, the two were attached to the hip.

And that is how Rory got trapped into going to a drivers and wags dinner.

"Do I really need to go?" Rory asked from the bathroom where she was making the final touches on her makeup.

"Chérie, I want you there." Charles replied from the room. "And besides this is my first time with all of them after the accident. I want you there for that."

"Fine," Rory walks out of the bathroom, "How do I look?"

Charles looked up from his shoes and smiled walking closer to her and putting a strand of hair behind her ear. "Beautiful, as always."

Rory blushed slightly, "Come on, we have to go or we are going to be late." She grabbed his hand and started walking them to the front door.

They arrived at the restaurant just in time and were greeted warmly by the other drivers and their partners. As they settled at the table, the lively chatter and laughter filled the air, making Rory feel more at ease about the whole thing.

"Rory! It's good to see you!" Carlos exclaimed, pulling her into a quick hug. "I missed you at my last couple of recovery sessions."

Rory smiled. "I missed being there. But someone had to take care of this guy," she said, nudging Charles playfully, which made him pull her closer to him by the hand that was resting on her back.

Carlos grinned. "You're doing a great job. He looks almost human again."

Charles rolled his eyes. "Thanks, mate."

As they took their seats, Rory found herself between Charles and Oscar.

Charles' arm took its place around Rory's chair with his hand drawing little random shapes on her shoulder that was exposed. Rory looked at him from the corner of her eye but the only thing she saw was a slight smirk on his lips while he continued his conversation with Pierre.

Looking at Oscar, Rory leaned closer and whispered, "Thank you again for the help the other day with Alejandro."

Oscar smiled softly. "Don't worry about it. You seemed uncomfortable and I just wanted to help get you out of there. No big deal."

Rory smiled at him as she engaged into conversation with his girlfriend. She would forever be grateful to Oscar for helping her get away from Alejandro.

On the other side, Charles was also whispering with Pierre. "So have you come up with a plan?" Pierre asked.

"Not yet." Charles answers, running a hand through his hair and looking at Rory laughing with the other people.

Charles had told Pierre everything about his relationship with Rory one day when he had come to visit him and Rory was away.

A couple of days ago

"Wow, that is a lot," Pierre replied after listening to Charles tell him about his and Rory's relationship.

"Yep, it's a lot."

Pierre took a moment to process the information. "So what is the plan now?"

Charles leaned back on the couch. "I just... I want her to know how much she means to me. How happy she makes me."