Book 1 of Monte Carlo Series
Escaping her chaotic past, Katrina moves to Monaco to start a new life. With a single bag and a guitar, she sets on a brand new journey to reacquaint with herself and maybe find love along the way.
I honestly wasn't planning to update yet because I have some task that I needed to finish first but it was such a good week for my faves. Ollie won the Monza Sprint race, Charles and Oscar also went 1 and 2 in the feature race. I'm so happy that I just want to update even if it's a little short. Congratulations again to Ollie, Charles and Oscar and also wishing Happy Birthday to Carlos. It was indeed a memorable last Ferrari home race for Carlos.
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"Can you repeat what you just said?" Charles asked, clearly surprised.
"I said I like you too," Katrina replied, giggling.
"I don't want to pressure you into saying things you don't mean. Just because I said I love you doesn't mean you need to say it back," he rambled. She immediately noticed how he said 'love' instead of 'like,' but she pushed it aside, knowing she had bigger things to address.
"Charles, I don't say things I don't mean. I like you not because you like me, but because I like you," she explained.
"But why?" he asked, still surprised, which made Katrina laugh.
"Why not, Charles? Do I need a reason to like you?"
"No, it's just that you're you, and I'm me. I never thought you would like me," he responded, still unsure.
"Charles, are you serious? You have millions of followers on social media. You're popular with both ladies and guys. I've seen your exes. I'm not the type of person you typically go for. If anyone should be asking why, it should be me. Why would you want to be with someone ordinary like me?" she asked, surprised.
"Because you respect and care for me... that's why I like you," Charles whispered, lowering his gaze, which caused Katrina to frown.
"You should raise your standards a little higher, mon amour. I'm glad you like me, but it shouldn't just be because of that. It's the bare minimum, Charles. I don't have to like you in order to care about and respect you. I already dislike Rebecca so much, but hearing you talk like this only makes me despise her even more." She placed her hands gently on both sides of his face and looked him in the eyes.
"Charles, I don't know everything you've gone through, but I know your heart is pure and full of love. You deserve to be loved, and I promise I will make sure you feel that every day," she added.
"Thank you, Trina," he said, kissing her hand that was resting on his cheek.
"It's nothing, mon amour."
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The next few hours passed quietly. Charles and Katrina decided to watch A Walk to Remember, one of Katrina's comfort movies. They cuddled together on the couch, the movie playing softly in the background.
"Trina," Charles called softly.
"Hmm?" she responded.
"Are we together now?" he asked, a bit unsure.
"I would love to be your girlfriend, Charles..." She looked at him, noticing him fidgeting with her ring — a habit she had when she was nervous.
"Why do I sense there's a 'but' coming?" he asked, his smile fading as fear crept in, wondering if she was about to reject him.
"No, mon amour, it's nothing bad, I promise" she quickly reassured him once she saw the change in his expression.
"Then what do you mean?" he asked, his heart still uncertain.
"I like you, Charles, and there's nothing I want more than to be with you, but at the same time, I know you're not yet whole. She hurt you so badly, and that scarred you deeply. Both of us would get hurt if we entered a relationship when you're not yet 100% okay," she explained.
"Are you saying no?" he asked, panic rising in his voice.
"No, mon amour, I'm not saying no. My answer is 'not yet.' I want you to heal first, Charles. I want you to love yourself again, because you can't love me until you're whole. I'll be here, amour. I'll be with you every step of the way until all your insecurities and fears are gone. I'm not Rebecca, and I promise I'll never be like her."
"Is that really necessary?" he asked, still unsure.
"For me, it is. I know what I deserve, Charles. I'm ready to be with you, and I deserve you to be completely committed to me, too. It hurts me to see you look down on yourself. I wish you could see yourself through my eyes. That's why I want you to be okay before we start something official," she said with her voice full of sincerity.
"And once I'm healed?"
"Then I'm all yours, Charles. I can't say when that day will come; only you will know. The moment you're no longer afraid of betrayal and abandonment, and the moment the Charles everyone knows is back, I think that will be the sign. We don't need to rush for labels, Charles. I'm here for the long run. I'm not going anywhere."
"I love you, mon chéri," he said, his voice full of emotion.
"私も愛しているよ mon amour" she whispered back, a soft smile on her lips.
"What did you say?" he asked, confused, but she only laughed.
"You'll know one day," she teased.
"Hey, that's unfair!" he replied, his eyes narrowing playfully.
"Now you know how I feel when you all start speaking in French," she said, grinning.
"Seriously, what did you say?"
"Ask Yuki, maybe he'll translate for you," she teased.
"Can you at least repeat it? I was too stunned to remember what you said."
"Fine... I said, 私も愛しているよ mon amour" she repeated slowly, giving him time to understand.
