Wrong number

20) Birthday party

Monaco, Monte-carlo

Charles was getting ready to go celebrate his birthday at the club when he heard a knock on his door. He was confused and went to answer but was happily surprised to see Max. The Dutchman had a bouquet of flowers, red and white roses, pink lilies and some orange calla lilies with a pink layered cut. He was leaning on the door frame, a small grin and his bouquet in hand. Charles was shocked and let him enter. "Wow Max it's beautiful, is it for me?" "Duh. Do you have a vase?" Max had said it which so much confidence and obviousness as if it was normal for him to give Charles flowers. The monégasque went to his kitchen to get water and a vase for the flowers. He put them in the center of the dining table and he took a picture of them.

They went to Charles's bedroom where he was still getting ready and Max sat down on the bed while checking out Charles trying to place his hair. Literally checking out. The monégasque gave a quick look to Max in the mirror and laughed nervously. "Whats up? Why are you staring at me?" He asked him, which left Max shy and nervous. "Uhh. I guess it's always better than looking at the bed or the wall." He smiled at him. Charles chuckled.

Charles was ready to go and Max followed him. He locked the door and they both walked together to the garage for the cars. "Wait, since it's your birthday do you want me to drive you there and back?" "Really? Well yeah obviously. Thanks." They both got into Max's Aston Martin Valkyries. The Dutchman drove them to Jimmy'z where they would have the birthday party.

They were the last to arrive when they entered the V.I.P room. Everyone turned to them and greeted them, seeing how close they were but didn't say anything. Charles went to sit down next to Pierre while Max went beside Daniel. "Hey look at my first birthday gift of the night!" Charles said excitedly while taking his phone to show the pic of the bouquet. "Oh it's really beautiful. Who gifted you that? Pascale?" The Frenchman wondered. "No Max." Obviously. "Really? Him, he did that?" "Yeah he's a big romantic, you know? Wait no that sounds extremely wrong." Pierre simply laughed at that, knowing that it really was in fact a romantic move and Charles was right.

"Who's a big romantic?" Lando snooped in the conversation between the two friends. Charles froze and didn't know what do to say. "Max." Pierre answered. "Wait no,no. He's wrong- well no technically. Huh wait. I- it's not like that. Wait shit. What I meant is a argh fuck! I mean he's a great friend. But he can also a romantic, you know? It was friendly romanticism." he said the last sentence as if it made sense. Charles had started to stutter and the other two looked at each other before laughing. Charles' face became red and he didn't know what to say nor do.

But the worst came when the principal concerned came over to ask what was going on. "Hey I heard my name, what's going on. And why have I heard my name and romantic in the same sentence by one of you?" Max asked with a slight grin. "Sorry I gotta go!" the monégasque had started to get up. "Oh hell nah." Pierre put his arm on him to sit him back down. "Charles here was saying that you can be a big romantic sometimes because you got him flowers." Pierre answered with a grin.

Charles panicked and almost yelled. "No! No! He's just a kind friend I'm not saying he's romantic with me!" Max looked a tad confused and answered back. "Oh. You told them?" "Well yeah. I showed Pierre the bouquet cause it's really pretty." "Ah it's alright don't worry." Max reassured him while sitting down next to Charles. Which now made the latter stuck between him and his best friend that wanted to humiliate him in front of Max.

"Want a drink?" Max asked Charles who smiled at him. "Yeah why not." He was about to get up when Max pushed him down a bit too hard, which made the monégasque yelp. Pierre looked at them suspiciously. Max asked what Charles wanted and he answered with a margarita. After Max left, the Frenchman turned back to his best friend. "Mais c'était quoi ça?!" But what was that?! he asked about the yelp he heard. "Je- je ne sais pas moi!?" I- I don't know me?! Charles answered. "How the hell did that came out of you?" Charles raised his shoulders not really knowing. "Qu'est-ce qu'il t'arrive, frère?" What's happening to you, bro? Pierre asked a bit worried. "I don't know... I was just surprised I guess." Max arrived at that moment and handed Charles his drink. He looked a bit worried. "Are you alright, Charlie?" Max asked Charles, sitting by his side. "Je suis dans la merde, je crois." I'm troubles, I think. Charles said as he looked at Pierre. "Yeah I'm alright, Max." he told him smiling.