When Pierre awoke the following morning, he expected Alessia to be in the bed beside him. However, when he went to pull her body closer to his, he was met with emptiness. Pierre opened his eyes to find that she was gone and he could only hope that it hadn't all been a sick dream.

He moved the duvet to one side and as he approached the living room, he could hear Alessia's voice. Pierre trudged into the living room where he found Alessia curled up on the couch, speaking Italian on facetime to her mother with tears threatening to fall.

"I'll call you later, I love you." Hastily, Alessia hung up the phone and wiped away any evidence that would suggest that she had been crying.

Alessia got up from the couch and made her way over to where Pierre was standing, making himself a mug of fresh coffee. He offered her one to which she politely declined. As much as Alessia needed the caffeine, she hated coffee.

"I thought we could spend the day at Lake Como but if you're not up for it, I understand." Pierre had suggested but after seeing how upset she seemed to be on the phone to Evelyn, he wasn't sure it was such a great idea.

However, Alessia smiled at the suggestion. She hadn't been there since she was a kid with her family and she was dying to go back. Maybe it would take her mind off of things.

"No, it sounds perfect. I'll go get ready." She leaned up on her tip toes, Pierre being much taller than she was, and gave him a kiss on the cheek before she disappeared into the bathroom where she got herself ready.

Pierre could tell that she was acting off. In the time that he had known her, she had never been one to shy away from her emotions or hide things from him but today felt different. She hadn't so much as acknowledged the fact that she had been crying to her mother and Pierre had no idea why. Had he done something to make her feel uncomfortable? He hated overthinking.

Deciding to push his thoughts aside for a brief moment, he took a sip of his coffee and looked out at the view that his apartment provided him with. He missed home in Rouen but Milan was a great second home.

Pierre's thoughts were interrupted by Alessia retreating from the bathroom. Her hair was wet from the shower that she had taken and he saw her bikini peeking out from the yellow, floral sundress that she had chosen to wear. His heart stopped for a second as he took in her beauty.

"I'll be five minutes, mon ensoleillement, and then we can leave." He kissed her forehead before it was his turn to disappear into the bathroom to get ready.

Alessia acknowledged that he had to get ready but now she was sitting all alone in his living room with nothing but a view of her favourite city. Of all days, today was the last day that she wanted to be left alone. However, her loneliness didn't last long because in exactly five minutes, as promised, Pierre emerged from the bathroom, ready for their outing to Lake Como.

The beauty of Milan was that it was so close to everything that you could possibly need and that included a stunning lake to spend the day with an incredibly attractive Formula One driver.

Pierre had managed to get a boat for them to rent for the afternoon. He started up the engine before moving to the front, towards the steering wheel. Alessia moved so that she was beside him and felt the warm breeze hit her face.

"Come here." Pierre instructed and Alessia did as she was told. She found herself in front of the steering wheel with her hands being covered by Pierre's.

Alessia was enjoying the moment with Pierre, she really was but her mind was drifting back to the times she spent with her father at this exact lake. It was difficult to focus on the here and the now and Pierre had taken notice.

"What's up, Alessia? You're a million miles away?" The Frenchman asked as he stopped the engine and allowed for the boat to float in the middle of the lake.

With a sigh, Alessia knew that she wouldn't be able to avoid the conversation any longer. She tugged lightly on Pierre's hand and made him sit on the padded seats beside her.

"I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be rude. This is all so lovely and I love it, it's just not the right day." Alessia admitted but her confession didn't provide Pierre with any clarity.

"It's the anniversary of my father's passing." There it was. Everything started to make sense for Pierre. Why he had woken up to an empty bed, why she was sobbing on facetime to her mother and why she hadn't been present for most of the day.

Without saying a single word, Pierre pulled Alessia into his chest and rubbed her back soothingly. He knew what it was like to lose someone albeit not his father but he had still had to process his grief and fight through it.

"We don't have to stay if you don't want to-" he had started to say but stopped when Alessia shook her head

"No, this is perfect. As difficult as it is, Papa wouldn't have wanted me to be upset so I'm going to enjoy the day, with you." She squeezed his hand again and Pierre smiled at her. He admired her strength and if there was anything that he could do to help ease her pain, even just a little bit, he would do it. For her, he would do anything.

And so Alessia and Pierre spent the rest of the afternoon splashing around in the water, lazing in the sun and even sharing a few kisses here and there. It was pure and utter bliss.

1005 words
8th July 2022
Published: 19th November 2023

note from e !

Hello, loves! I'm getting the hang of this updating thing again, aren't I? A bit of a wobbly one for Alessia but, she's got some great support from Pierre.

If you're feeling affected by the themes in this chapter, you are always welcome to message me at any time.

I got a new phone yesterday! Hopefully this means that Wattpad will be less glitchy and fingers crossed that I can get some 'Style' updates out soon.

Who watched the Las Vegas GP today?
- I woke up at 6am to watch it (I start work at 8:30). The first few laps were a bit dull with the safety cars (thank goodness Lando is alright) but it quickly became quite exciting! Charles was unlucky again today but that last lap was something else! Also, can we put some respect on Lance Stroll, please? P19 to P4! What a race. Unlucky for Oscar because he put in an incredible shift.

Enjoy and stay safe!

Lots of love, e x