Obsessed | Jude Bellingham

39.

Bianca Dawson
180
•••

As I sat in the back seat of the car, the French countryside rolled by, a beautiful, serene landscape dotted with quaint cottages and endless fields of lavender.

I could see the sun beginning to set, casting a golden hue over everything, but my focus was on the phone call with Jude. The rustic charm of this part of France was calming, but I was distracted, trying to guide Jude through finding something back home.

"It's literally on the third shelf to your immediate right... Jude... no, you're not listening," I said, holding the bridge of my nose in frustration.

"You may need to board that flight and come back," he teased, though I could hear a touch of seriousness in his voice.

"You'll use any excuse, won't you?" I replied with a slight smile. "You and I both know the shoes you played in at the finals are right in plain view."

"They're not," he insisted, sounding confident despite being wrong.

"Fine, FaceTime me then, and flip the camera," I challenged, knowing I'd prove him wrong.

There was a pause before he sighed. "Fine, you caught me," he admitted. "I miss you already, and I have a bit of anxiety."

"Why? It's not like I'm not gonna come back," I said, trying to keep the conversation light, though I could sense something deeper in his tone.

"Yeah, I thought that once... and well, that was the end of that," he said lowly, his voice filled with a sadness that caught me off guard.

This was an indirect mention of Lana, it was the first in a long time, and I wasn't sure how to respond for more than one reason. But clearly the memory of her still lingered in the background of our lives, a shadow neither of us could fully escape.

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady. "Jude, it's not like that," I assured him, my tone gentle but firm. "I'm just here for a couple of meetings. I can't wait to be back home with you."

The car began to slow as we approached the hotel. I looked out the window at the charming countryside, the vast stretches of green and the rustic homes dotting the landscape. It was a far cry from the bustling cities I was used to, but there was a serenity here that I found comforting.

"I know, I just... I guess I'm still a bit shaken from before, more than I like to admit," he admitted, his voice softening.

"I get it," I said quietly, wishing I could reach through the phone and hold him. "But this isn't like before. I'll be back before you know it."

"I hope so," he said, and I could hear the smile returning to his voice. "Just hurry back, okay?"

"I will," I promised.

The car finally came to a stop in front of the hotel. It wasn't grand or overly luxurious like the places I've stayed before, but it was beautiful in its simplicity. The building was a charming old manor, surrounded by lush gardens and overlooking a peaceful river. It was exactly like the photos online, and I was pleased with the choice.

"I'm here," I told him as I stepped out of the car.

"Good. Make sure to call me before you go to bed," he said, his voice warming me despite the distance.

"I will," I repeated, smiling as I ended the call.

I walked into the hotel, checking in quickly before making my way to my room. The interior was cozy, with a touch of rustic charm and modern comforts. My room was on the second floor, and as I entered, I was greeted by a space that was both inviting and elegant. The large bed looked beyond comfortable, and the view from the window was breathtaking, overlooking the vast countryside that stretched out as far as the eye could see.