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 shouldn't have doubted Pascale when she said it was easier to watch races with somebody. We were currently in her salon watching the race with some of her staff. Sofia also came to watch with us. My mom was no longer with me since she passed away about ten years ago. Being with Pascale brought me that familiar maternal comfort that I have been missing over the years.
While we were watching the race, she offered to do my hair. She said she's been trying for new styles and she's in need of a practice doll which I happily accepted.
'You know, it's nice to have someone I can do this with. My children are all men, I can do very little things to their hair."
"Lorenzo has a girlfriend, does she come here often?" Pascale shook her head and gave me a sad smile
"She's a very busy young lady. She's really nice but we never really had an opportunity to get to know each other without my sons present. Arthur's girlfriends also don't come around even if she just live around here. It gets lonely sometimes that is why I am very happy that you accepted my request. I used to watch races on my own, I had no one to share my worries with and now you're here,so thank you Katrina"
"I should be the one that's thanking you. This is my first time doing all of this. Sure I was able to watch races last season but it feels different now that he's not just a normal friend"
"Everything multiplies. You worry more and more over them now that you became related to one of them. My only consolation for all this anxiety is that I know he's happy doing what he loved"
"Do you ever watch live?"
"Oh no dear. I only watch the one in Monaco. My heart can't take seeing my boy drive that fast in person. Unless it is a very important race in his career, I tried not to watch"
"Charles has been inviting me to watch his race live but I am afraid for that very same reason too. I always overthink about everything so I get really anxious."
"You should watch. During the beginning of his career, my husband, their father herve, and I watched every single race. It was really hard but I did my best for his sake. It would mean a lot to Charles if you can be with him especially since you only started dating each other."
"I promised him I'll try to watch other races if I can get passes"
"You should not worry about that, just ask Lorenzo or Charles to arrange it for you"
"Oh no, I can't do that. Charles and I already agreed that he won't do that for me. He told me he'll get me passes for Imola, Monaco and Monza, Max will give me passes for Netherlands and Austria and then Lewis practically promised me Silverstone. Those were the races I had to go to because I am being forced by the other drivers. The rest, I made them promise to let me get my own."
"These boys are multi-millionaires, these are spare changes for them"
"I don't want to abuse their kindness Pascale. I also have money of my own, if I want to watch more of the races, I would pay for it."
She looked back at me and smiled.
"You are really a wonderful lady. I am happy to hear that but please, if my son does offer again, just say yes. Charles might look strong but he's really a softy inside. He also had a hard time telling people he needed them so he'll resort to this. If he says 'only if you are free' or 'if you like you can...' that is a direct translation to 'I need you to be there for me'. My sons are too old now to look for their maman, now they seek comfort in their significant others. In the past this might make me feel bad but knowing that you are my son's partner, I feel at peace."
"I don't know what to say Pascale..."
"You don't have to say anything. I want you to always remember that our home is now your home too. If you are bored or if you need anything you can always come. I know you are very far away from home, if you need your mom's hug, you can always come to me"
"Thank you... Can I ask for a hug?" I whispered.
"Of course you can, come here" She opened her arms smiling, I immediately went to her and hugged her.
"I've been missing my mom for a long time, thank you so much for this Pascale"
"You are welcome my child... If you want you can also call me maman, the others called me that too"
"Thank you... Maman"
Sofia's POV
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Charlie look at your girls
What are they doing together?
Pascale invited her to watch the pre-season testing together. I just joined in today, congratulations by the way.
Thank you. You mean to tell me my mother and my girlfriend has been spending time together since I left?
Yeah. From what I heard, Pascale invited K over for the race but before that she also invited K for brunch. Looks like the two most important in your life are finally getting along. I'm so happy for you Charlie
You have no idea how happy I am finding out about this. Thank you so much fia
It was not just Charles who's heart was touched with this sight in front of me. I also sent the picture to my other cousins and his brothers, Lorenzo and Arthur. Their family is very tightknit. They are very close to each other but when Charles and Becky were dating, she purposely tried to isolate Charles from his own family. This caused them to resent the women Charles end up dating. None of the other girls he tried to date made an effort to get to know his family. Most of them only cared about Charles' status and bank account so when they first heard about Katrina, they were a little bit hesitant. Seeing Charles hurt made them overprotective over him despite his age but Katrina was different. She proved that time and time again that she was different from the others. Before she told us the truth about her identity, she already proved her sincere intentions to us. She looked at Charles as a human being not as a bank machine. She genuinely liked him for who he was and not for what he can buy or do. Now that I know who she was, it made me even more in awe of her. She didn't need Charles for fame and fortune because she also has that. Two beautiful souls found each other in the perfect time.
"Maman loves her" Lorenzo commented looking at Pascale and Katrina who was busy discussing hairstyles.
"She loves her too" I told him
"I am happy for Charles, he finally found a good one"
His family is yet to find out about who Katrina was. They both agreed that they would not be hiding anything from the family. If they ask, they would answer honestly.
"They are both very lucky to have each other. I am very glad she moved to Monaco"
