VIPER || Oscar Piastri

Chapter 44

Dinner started off fine—loud, casual, and just a little awkward, the way meals always were when my dad had guests over. But it wasn't like it usually was when Charles came for dinner. That was different. That was normal— familiar.

This wasn't.

Charles and Alex had arrived right as the food was being brought out of the oven and hit the table, and soon, the five of us were squeezed around the dining table, plates full, conversation bouncing around boring topics— mainly my dad, getting to know Alex while Oscar and I moved food around on our plates quietly listening and laughing occasionally.

Dad then smiled, raising his glass. "It's really something, having you both here again. It's lovely." He looked at me and then at Charles. "Feels just like old times. You two were—" he chuckled, "God, these two were inseparable back then! Always running off, always dragging each other into trouble."

Oscar and Alex made attempts at laughter. Alex trying a bit more. She smiled, "Yeah, sounds about right! Charles' told me all about you guys' childhood, Andi. All your stories."

I looked at her, a little too shocked, I'll admit, before I smirked and faced Charles. He didn't meet my eye-line.

"Oh, really? Has he?" I pried, leaning in.

"Oh, totally. And showed me pictures. Tell me, was he really that short?" She asked mischievously, making my dad laugh and agree.

I just tilted my head at Charles. Contemplating. Beside me, Oscar was peaceful. I watched him for a second before thinking. My dad had already brought up childhood. And so... naturally, if I just so happened to start 'reminiscing' about it—well, who could blame me?

"Alex, did he—" I started, feigning curiosity. She perked up. "Did he tell you about the time we got lost in Nice?"

Her eyebrows lifted in intrigue. The conversation suddenly livened up. "No! Please, do tell!" She eagerly listened in.

I grinned, glancing at Charles, who let out a quiet breath but didn't interrupt. 

"Oh, it was a disaster," I began. "There was this huge spring market in town every year—rides, games, food stalls, the whole thing. We went together every year, and one year, Charles decided he wanted to wander off without our parents. We were like— nine."  

He looked up at me.

We were twelve. I knew that.

My Dad chuckled, nodding. "Oh yeah, I remember that. You two were gone for nearly an hour." 

"Two hours," I corrected, holding up two fingers. "Two long hours of wandering in circles while Charles insisted he knew where he was going." 

Charles stopped eating and shook his head. "You were the one who got us—"

I waved a hand. "So there we were, lost, tired, starving—" 

"I literally bought you popco—"

"Starving," I repeated, "when finally, I had the smart idea to climb onto one of the fences to get a better view." 

Alex snorted. "Did that actually work?" 

"Oh, it would've," I said, "except Charles refused to help since he was afraid of heights. He thought I was going to fall and yelled at me to get down." 

Alex laughed. "And then what?" 

"Well, he panicked, so instead of waiting for me, he bolted and left me to find my way back."