Chapter 5★

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Char

I couldn't resist myself from phoning Federico early in the morning, he had become all my thoughts could focus on.

I felt anxious and needed to be reunited with him again. My fingers quickly dialled his number, it was already  memorised by then. I panicked as I heard the phone ring.

And then I heard the hushed tones of his breaths on the other line and I was calm again.

"Federico," my sleepy voice greeted him as I curled my body into a tight little ball compressing the heat against my duvet.

"Morning Señorita, what do I owe you pleasure at eight o'clock on a Thursday morning." His pitch hitched up slightly which made me crave her body next to mine in that moment.

His accent was so irresistible straight after he's woken up, it sent a repetition of tingles all across my body. I felt like a bumble bee in search for its nectar; cravings it's delicious release.

"Could I borrow you today? I proposed; eagerly hoping he would agree.

"Hmm ... It depends on..." His words tantalized me.

His response caught me off guard as I began to run the back of my neck subconsciously eager to hear his proposal. His company made me feel so daring, I plucked up the courage to be daring towards him.

I could hear him scratching his chin as his delicate fingers came into contact with his stubble on the other end of the phone and for a minute I wished I was the one releasing his itch.

If he was in my bed right now I'd climb on top of him and plant a trail of kisses across his chest and finish at chin before I would relieve him.

I let my imagination indulge in some promiscuous thoughts until I responded to him to ensure I had the full attention of my admirer.

He coughed subtly, which I assumed meant he was running out of patients.

"What does it depend on Fede?" I practically purred as I pronounced his sonorous name.

"Well my friend Zara had tickets to see the Nutcracker at the Royal Opera House tonight, but she just split up with her girlfriend."

"So what does that mean?" I stated blatantly my voice sounded harsh but I hadn't intended for it to.

I rubbed my temples in an effort to soothe my racing thoughts as he mentioned he had a close girlfriend.

Char, are you seriously getting jealous that he has other girls in his life? I scorned myself.

I''m a hypocrite when the subject of  relationships with the opposite sex is raised but still I felt  like I've been stung a little by the mention of her name. I don't like sharing people; especially someone as wonderous as Federico.

Are they close friends? Why hasn't he mentioned her before? I proposed in my head.

"Well it means one of two things," his voice box teased me; which my body had begun to respond to."Firstly it means that now I have two tickets to see a romantic ballet and secondly it also means.." I heard him gulp; which I could only presume was a cappuccino at this hour.

I could just picture him with his legs propped up on his little coffee table, perching on his maroon sofa, scanning through the newspapers with half his attention on me and the other on trying to not spill it all over himself.

This guy really knows how to get me wrapped around his little finger. But I wouldn't have it any other way; he's delectable.

"Say it before I have to regret phoning you." I chuckled as he sighed happily in response as I stretched out my limbs in the process.

"It means Lotta that I'm asking you if you want to see the Nutcracker this evening with me." He uttered mischievously and I could hear the enticing sound of him wetting his lips, which e seemed to do whenever he knew I could hardly refuse.

I could tell he was smiling at the receiving end of our conversation just from the way he spoke.

I bet he looked adorable draped in nothing but his duvet; I had to try and prevent my mind from imagining any further otherwise we'd definitely have to skip the ballet. I just wish I had the courage to act on my sensations.

"And it also means Charlotta that we'll be having dinner at 7 o'clock and then the show an hour later." He let out another chuckle, which warmed my ears at such an enchanting sound.

"I guess I'll have to accept, wouldn't want you to go all by yourself." I teased him as I smiled like an idiot to myself.

"Well, I'll pick you up at 6 o'clock señorita." I could hear him sigh in satisfaction to himself and I guessed he was in a similar predicament to me, lying in bed and thinking of the other.

As the last few words leapt out of his mouth, a sentimental moan was summoned in response from my own.

Maybe I should invite him over sometime for brunch or something ?

I wet my lips so that he could hear the hunger that I'd already developed for our date.

I want to devour you, I thought.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," I whispered before the phone line went dead.

Soon after his new proposition for meeting this evening, I found myself indulging my senses to read a novel which had been suggested to me by my Literature professor.

I was captivated by the points that the author made so bluntly that I hardly notice the hands on my clock skip past a couple of hours.

As I forced my eyes to focus on the large mantle piece clock which lay beside my bedside I was shocked to realise that it was already midday.

Char, you really need to stop becoming that stereotypical University student I thought.

I decided to head out for a run around the park that was adjacent to my apartment block. To clear my conundrum of thoughts and I'd also started to take some interest in the condition of my body, especially since Fede seems so lean naturally.

To begin with I find it rather relaxing to feel the stress of daily life to be sweat off my shoulders by an activity such as running. But then I felt my lungs heave to transport more oxygen around my body.

After my third lap around the gardens, I took a break to catch my breath. I realised how unfit I was as my breathing had been so uneven and a painful sensation started sprouting in my stomach which I assumed was a 'stitch'.

Is this what gasping for air feels like, I panted.

My face as unpleasantly rouged as sweat coated my face very unpleasantly. It was defiantly a natural look which I don't think that anyone interacted with would need to admire.

But it seems like today wasn't destined to be my lucky day.

"Charlotte, is that you?" A surprised male voice questioned behind my shoulder.

I wanted to become invisible in that moment.

"If I say no; can we both pretend you never saw this." I gritted my teeth as I turned around to be met by friendly face dressed in his usual attire.

"I'm impressed, no need to feel embarrassed. Wish I had the willpower to go out for a run this early." Jacques crossed his arms, nodding his head in approval.

His smile broke any mis preconceptions I had about feeling meat eased about being active in public, I returned his grin with gratitude.

"I guess I'm just giving it a go," I replied as I rubbed the remaining perspiration from my forehead.

Note to self; run earlier so new friends do not judge my disgusting workout face.

"What are you doing up this early?" I decided to change the subject as quickly as I could.

"I'm in a band, we practise earlier three times a week and then I have my shift at the bar." He informed me as he noted something down on a piece of paper before stuffing the scrap into his back pocket and the pen behind his ear.

He definitely looked like the type of guy who jammed in a band, another unique attribute about him.

"Well, I guess I'll have to hear you guys some time, when's your next gig and maybe a free drink as well?" My words came relatively quickly as I continued to refuel my breaths.

"I think we've got one in a couple of weeks time and I work every day except Sunday's and Wednesday's." He smiled politely.

"Make sure you don't over do it with the running, you look like you need a drink?" He furrowed his brow as he examined me closer.

I raised my eyebrows at the mention of a drink,"I forgot my water bottle and don't worry about me." I smiled gently as my breath returned to normal.

He seemed so secretive about revealing much information about his band or where he worked but I respected that.

"I'll see you later Charlotte." He patted me on the back and then I initiated the warm sweater hug that I engulfed him in.

"You too Jacques, oh sorry I forgot that I'm all sweaty and gross." I peeled myself off of his nicely pressed shirt which now was slightly damp and tried to hide my simmering embarrassment.

Gross.

"It's alright Charlotte, I've had worse things thrown over me." He chuckled lightly.

Afterwards, I jogged back to my apartment to grab refreshing shower,
I received a nod from Terence as I propelled myself up the stairs instead of using the elevator.

Running is exhausting, I thought to myself.

My thighs were burning ever so slightly as the trudged up the final steps to my floor. I felt good but disgusting at the same time, it was exhumation and yet exhausting.

I felt rather accomplished after I swallowed gallons of water and kicked off my trainers. I planted myself onto my large comfortable lounge chair and made am itinerary for the day.

I planned to finish a couple essays which I still hadn't completed yet and my Saturday night antics with my new friends from my course hadn't really helped with completing them.

As I pushed the door open to my apartment I couldn't help but allow a sigh of relief to soothe over my entire fatigued body. I accidentally stood on a little envelope which lay delicately on top of my 'home sweet home' doormat.

I couldn't help my curiosity and decided that as it was addressed to me and not my parents that I would have to open it. Inside was a little charm of a rose which made my heart sprout a set of dove-like wings and flutter ambiently inside of my chest.

Behind the charms which clearly was able to attach to a chain was a note on white card which read:

Char,
for a rose amongst thorns, missing you.

Harvey x

Harvey had missed our usual present swap a couple of weeks before Christmas Eve and so I assumed this lovely handwriting belonged to my other best friend Lisa. Still, it was the thought that counted, I hummed.

I hadn't noticed that on the back of the card was a note scribbled in Harvey's handwriting it read: "I love you so Char."

I never really notice subtle hints.

I soaked in the shower for what felt like forever but still managed to finish the three essays that were due for next week.

Proceeding to feel rather self-accomplished I decided that I could start to let my subconscious explore its levels of excitement for my rendezvous with Federico.

"Tonight's the night," I whispered to myself.

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—I may not be your first love, first kiss, first sight, or first date but I just want to be your last everything. —
—Unknown—

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