Book 2: Beginning Again -Carlos Sainz

Chapter 48

Marie walked as slow as she could while still looking normal as she headed towards her "last-minute important meeting." She rolled her eyes as soon as she opened up the email about it on her phone. It was painfully obvious, more than anything. Marie heard the chatter settle as she walked closer, taking a deep breath and putting on a smile as she opened the door.

"Surprise!"

The fake look of surprise on her face was perfect, and she even slapped a hand over her chest.

"Guys! This is so sweet!" Marie exclaimed.

It wasn't entirely a lie, she did think it was sweet that they threw her a going away party. But she wasn't really in the mood to celebrate anything. Especially this time in her life, one that she was moving towards really wanting to move past. Especially after last week's antics, Marie found herself shying away from attending anything that Carlos might be at.

"This is it, the last time I have to see him for a long while."

It was that thought that gave Marie the willpower to continue walking in the party and hugging all the people she had come to know after most of a year. Her dad was the first one, arms wide open as he walked towards her,

"I'm so proud of you, Marie. You created something so incredible for this company. I leave my legacy in good hands. I love you."

Marie felt the tears welling after his first five words, choking them back as he continued speaking. The words she had always wanted to hear, from the person she idolized more than anything. For a moment, Marie felt like she was back in her teen years, wanting nothing more than his love and attention. She had finally done it- created something lasting for the company that held her name. It was all she wanted to do, all she wanted to hear. Then why did she still feel like something was missing?

"Thanks, dad. I love you too. I'm really proud of myself for this," Marie said as she looked around. She saw Mark puttering about, groups of people chatting, and even Charles sneaking a bite of cake, but mostly she noticed the one absence. She knew he wasn't there as soon as she walked into the room. Marie wandered towards the cake, deciding that it would make everything easier. She looked down to the frosted writing, reading

"Good luck Marie, thanks for everything"

"Mmmm. yeah, good luck," Charles said as he was searching for a fork.

"Wow, so much enthusiasm! 'Thank you, Marie, for all the many hours of work we have done together.'" Marie said with an eye roll.

Charles turned to face her, shoving a big bite into his mouth.

"You know that we're gonna miss you around here, I don't need to say it," he muffled.

"Sometimes it feels good to hear nice things," Marie said as she plopped her cake onto a plate, scooping back for some extra frosting.

"Fine. Marie, we're gonna miss you so much. I'll miss you and our talks," he said with a thin lipped smile. "You say the word and you're coming back."

"Ah, I'm not sure I'll be back. Hasn't been the easiest of things being back, you know, with all of it."

"Really?"

"Yeah, you couldn't tell?"

"I really thought you guys were good?"
"He didn't even show up here today. We're just not meant to be in each other's lives, even as friends."

There was a beat of silence as Charles scanned the room, a confused look on his face.

"Anyway," Marie said as she stabbed the fork through the center of the piece "Thanks for coming. I'm gonna miss you and our chats too, Charles."

Marie shot him a smile before turning around to go mingle. She scanned the room one last time, making sure he wasn't just hiding out in the corner. She scooped up a forkful of frosting and ate it, trying to shake off the sadness that felt like a constant in her mind.

**

"Why didn't you go to the party for Marie?"

Carlos pulled out one of his headphones, looking up at Charles who, at some point, had walked into Carlos' drivers room.

"Uh, couldn't make it!"

Carlos moved to put his headphone back in, but stopped when he saw Charles move to sit down in a chair. He was staring at Carlos with a certain intensity.

"There was cake."

Carlos let out a small laugh.

"How much frosting did she put on her piece?" Carlos spoke as he smiled down.

"How'd you know that?"

Carlos looked up, reeling at Charles' intensity.

"How'd I know what?"

"That she put a bunch of frosting on her plate."

"Oh, I just know it."

"You just... know it."

Carlos sat forward from his spot on the couch.

"I don't have time for this, what the fuck are you getting at?"

"You're a dumbass," Charles said as he stood up and scoffed.

"What the fuck?"

"You really can't even see how you feel about her?" Charles said as he went to leave. "You've gotta open your eyes, man."

"I know how I feel about her, and I don't need you fucking anything up right now. I have a lot in the works."

"You better."

Charles was halfway out before Carlos stood up and said

"Wait,"

Charles stopped and turned around.

"Was she... happy?"

"Today?"

"Yeah, at the party."

"Yeah. She was happy. She was upset that you weren't there, but she didn't want to admit it."

Carlos felt the pit of his stomach drop out as Charles gave him a short smile and walked out. He sat back down, running a hand through his hair.

"Is this going to work? Is it going to be enough? Am I just wasting my and her time going through all this? Is it all even worth it? I'm just going to continue to upset her. Disappoint her. I thought not going was the right thing to do but all I did was ruin her mood at a party celebrating her. Even when we kissed, she ran away so fast she didn't let me get a word in. I can't do this. She's better off being with someone else and I'm better off without a relationship. I wasn't meant for this, I never was."

Carlos pulled out his phone and drafted a text.

Carlos: I'm calling it off.