Left Behind

Who?

Max, engrossed in preparing the hot chocolate, began to wonder why Kelly was taking longer than expected. He glanced out of the window, curiosity piqued, and saw her engaged in conversation with their neighbor. The dim light made it difficult for him to identify the person, and he dismissed it, assuming it was just a friendly exchange.

When Kelly finally returned, Max couldn't help but ask, "What were you doing outside for so long?"

Kelly, a playful twinkle in her eye, responded, "Oh, just being neighborly. I was talking to the person next door. Nice guy, seemed to enjoy the festival too."

Max raised an eyebrow, his curiosity growing. "The neighbor, huh? What's he like?"

Kelly, honoring Charles' wish for privacy, gave a vague yet truthful response. "Oh, you know, just a friendly chat. Didn't catch his name, but he's new to the town, I think."

Max nodded, satisfied with the explanation. Little did he know that their mysterious neighbor was none other than Charles, the guy he's been waiting for for over two years.

As they settled into the warmth of the cottage, sipping on their hot chocolate, Max couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. The festival night had brought unexpected encounters, adding a layer of intrigue to their winter retreat. The small town and its inhabitants, each with their stories, promised a unique chapter in Max and Kelly's journey – one that unfolded against the backdrop of a Swiss winter, with the charm of the festival night lingering in their memories.

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The next morning, as the soft light of dawn began to paint the Swiss town in subtle hues, Max found himself awake, the remnants of the festival night still lingering in his mind. The quiet charm of the small town beckoned, and a newfound curiosity led him to embark on a mission to discover the delights of the local bakery.

Carefully trying not to disturb Kelly, who still peacefully slumbered, Max quietly got dressed and ventured out into the crisp morning air. The cobblestone streets, now devoid of the festival's bustle, welcomed him with a serene quietude.

Following the directions provided by Ms. Müller during the festival, Max soon found himself standing in front of the inviting display of the local bakery. The aroma of freshly baked pastries wafted through the air, enticing him to step inside.

The bakery, a cozy haven with a hint of warmth and the comforting scent of baked goods, greeted Max. The display cases were adorned with an array of treats – flaky croissants, decadent chocolates, and an assortment of pastries that beckoned with their delicious promises.

Upon entering the quaint bakery, Max was greeted by the enticing sight of various pastries and confections neatly displayed. Ms. Müller's recommendation echoed in Max's mind, and he decided to indulge in a selection of pastries to surprise Kelly with a delightful breakfast. 

Charles, who had been arranging a display of pastries, looked up and noticed Max entering. A flash of recognition crossed his face, and he swiftly disappearing into the back of the store. He hurriedly approached a colleague, exchanging a few hushed words and gesturing toward the front of the shop.

His colleague, unaware of the connection, nodded and took charge of assisting the new customer. Meanwhile, Charles, hidden in the bakery's kitchen area, couldn't help but feel a mix of surprise and a subtle nervousness at the unexpected encounter.

Max, unaware of Charles' presence, made his selection and approached the counter. The friendly staff member, eager to assist, asked, "Good morning! Trying some of our local specialties, I see?" the baker remarked with a smile.

Max nodded, returning the friendly gesture. "Absolutely. Heard great things about this place. Can't resist starting the day with a taste of the town."

As Max placed his order, he glanced around the bakery, appreciating the cozy ambiance, oblivious to Charles, who continued to work diligently in the background, his presence temporarily concealed from the unsuspecting customer.

With a neatly wrapped package of pastries in hand, Max made his way back through the quiet streets, the sun casting a gentle glow on the snow-covered surroundings. As he approached the cottage, anticipation built within him, eager to share the delightful surprise with Kelly and savor the simple joys of a small-town morning.

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Max returned to the cottage, the tempting aroma of freshly baked pastries preceding him. As he entered, he found Kelly stirring from her slumber, and their eyes met in a shared moment of morning tranquility.

"Morning, sleepyhead. I brought a little something from the local bakery," Max grinned, presenting the neatly wrapped package of pastries.

Kelly's eyes lit up with delight as she sat up, the warmth of the pastries adding to the cozy atmosphere of the cottage. They savored the flaky delights, exchanging appreciative glances between bites.

As they enjoyed their breakfast, the conversation naturally veered toward the town and the people they had encountered during the festival. Max, with genuine enthusiasm, suggested, "You know, we should try getting to know the neighbors a bit more. Maybe invite the guy next door for dinner? You talked to him right? What do you think?"

Kelly, caught off guard by the suggestion, hesitated. Her mind raced to come up with excuses, remembering Charles' desire for privacy. But as she stumbled over her words, the realization dawned that keeping the neighbor's identity a secret might be more challenging than she thought.

"Uh, well, you know, Max, it's just... maybe we should focus on exploring the town first before inviting people over. We're only here for a few days, we probably won't keep in touch," she suggested, her excuses sounding a bit feeble even to her own ears.

Max, sensing her hesitation, raised an eyebrow. "Come on, Kelly. It's just a friendly dinner. We could get to know the neighbors better. What's the harm in that?"

Kelly, realizing the futility of her attempts to divert the conversation, took a deep breath and decided to come clean. "Okay, Max, there's something I need to tell you. Last night, when I was outside talking to the neighbor, it was... it was Charles."

Max, surprised by the revelation, looked at Kelly with a mix of curiosity and disbelief. "Charles? As in Charles Leclerc, Ferrari driver?"

Kelly nodded, a hint of awkwardness in her expression. "Yes, this Charles. He asked me not to mention it to you, but I felt weird about keeping it a secret. He's just trying to keep a low profile here."

Max, processing the information, leaned back, his thoughts swirling. The realization that Charles, the guy who left because of him, the guy he thought he would never see again. As he absorbed the news, Max couldn't help but wonder why? Why here? Why now? Just why did he have to reappear.

1108 words.