Still Learning [C.L]

Courting

Around 45 minutes later I was back in the apartment just touching up my makeup from this morning when I received a text

Charles
I would ring the buzzer but I don't know what number your apartment is

I stuck my head out of my bedroom window to see him stood at the front door below

"You're early!" I shouted as he shrugged his shoulders
"You look ready, let's go" he shouted back to me

I quickly said my goodbyes to Emma and rushed down the stairs to see Charles patiently waiting outside.

"So where are we going?" I asked him as he looked at me in disbelief
"You're the one that invited me out" he laughed
"Well you said you would show me a good time when you got back home. So now we're here and I'm ready to be shown a good time" I said flirtatiously leaving him looking a little flustered and unsure what to say
"I'd need to go back to my apartment for that" he rubbed his neck as I raised my eyebrows "To get my car keys" he added after seeing my expression

We walked to Charles' apartment together as he pointed out places from his childhood like where he went to school, his favourite restaurant and where his mum works as a hairdresser. He invited me in to his apartment as he looked for his keys and I wandered around the living room as I waited.

"I didn't know you had two brothers" I said to Charles looking at some of his family photos
"Yes that's Lorenzo, he's not in to racing much anymore, just attends the races that are close to home" he sounded slightly disappointed but I didn't want to pry any further "Got my keys" he said as he held them up

Charles led me out to the garage where his car was parked. A Ferrari 488 Pista Spider, matte black with the Monaco flag detail.

"Oh my god" I gasped, taking a picture to send to my dad as Charles laughed
"That's the usual reaction" he opened the passenger door for me "Madame"
"Merci monsieur" I repeated our interaction from our day on the boat
"Is that the only French you know?" He chuckled
"Non! Je parle française très bien" I faked offence at his comment "Okay show me your favourite place in Monaco" I asked as he turned the keys in the ignition and reversed out of the garage, taking off on to the streets of Monte Carlo.

We drove through the streets for about half an hour before Charles parked up at a quiet beach spot and got out of the car. I followed behind as he walked down the wooden steps to a secluded part of the sand.

"My dad used to take me here" Charles broke the silence as we both looked out at the sea "If a race didn't go well, he would bring me down here to get away from it all. So I like to come here to talk to and feel close to him" he sat down in the sand still looking out to the horizon.

"It's beautiful" I whispered, taking a seat next to him on the sand, embracing the heaviness of the surroundings and what they meant to Charles "Thank you for bringing me here"

Charles wrapped his arm around my back, pulling me in closer to his side as I rested my head on his shoulder still sitting in comfortable silence, enjoying each other's company. We watched as the waves built in the distance before breaking and reaching just before our feet, the repetitive motion calming both of our current stresses in life.

"Is this our first date?" Charles asked into the silence

"It would be a cute story to tell" I replied still looking forward as I felt his eyes on me

"Well would that mean we were dating?" he continued

I thought about my response for a few seconds before turning to him "Courting" I stated as he burst into laughter

"What is courting?" he asked through his laughter

"Like getting to know each other. Seeing how things go. No labels, no stress." I replied

"I like that" he thought aloud "Courting"

"Courting" I confirmed

We sat for a while longer talking about his time in Spain and my first morning at university as the sun started to set in the background. We were both so passionate about each of our topics and consistently matched each other's energy and interest for the others. He was unlike any other boy I had spoken to before, so motivated in his field and constantly striving to be the best at what he does whilst still making time for family and friends, always putting others interests first. The sun had eventually set and it was starting to get dark out so we decided to head back home.

Charles drove us back through the streets before pulling up at the front of my apartment, quickly running round the car to open my door for me.

"You are a true gentleman" I giggled "Thank you for a great date" I smiled

"Oh I've got something for you" he searched in his jeans pocket and pulled out a couple of passes "Well Emma as well" he laughed looking down at the 4 passes he had brought with him "I couldn't get any passes for qualifying but I've got pit passes for Friday and standard passes for Sunday" he rushed as I placed my hand on his chest to get him to slow down

"You really didn't have to do that Charles but it's so thoughtful, Emma will love it as well"

I wrapped my arms around his shoulders to thank him for his gift, giving him a kiss on the cheek. We stood smiling at each other for a couple of seconds before agreeing to part ways.

"I'll see you Friday" I grinned holding up the pass as he got back into his car

I waved to him as he drove off before unlocking my apartment door and going upstairs to fill Emma in on the date. Emma had made dinner so I heated it up and sat with her for a gossip about what Charles and I got up to.

"And he got us these" I pulled the passes out of my bag and handed them over to her

"No fucking way" she screamed as I laughed at her reaction "I'm 100% going to make myself an F1 wag, we're definitely going shopping on Thursday now!"

We spent the rest of the night looking for outfit inspiration online before heading to bed as we had our first clinical day at uni tomorrow.

Jen
Goodnight x

Charles
Goodnight, thank you for today x

~ Author's note ~

Just a bit of a filler chapter to lay the foundations for bringing in new faces etc
Thank you so much for all the reads and votes on the last couple of chapters. Hope to make the next few a bit more interesting