-𝐄𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐄𝐍-

I felt like I was a walking ghost. I was exhausted from today. After my day in Italy till 4PM I drove back to Monaco to lock myself up in a meeting room. I've had 4 meetings so far and it was now 10PM. I had finally arrived in my office and sat down behind my computer. I send through some important things that came out of the meeting before I answered some e-mails. When I was done it was 1:30AM. I sighed and rubbed my eyes. No wonder I'm tired. My stomach growled as I grabbed my stuff and went to my car. I stopped by a restaurant and got myself some take out sushi. When I arrived home I locked the door behind me and dropped my bag in the hallway before walking to the kitchen where I kicked off my heels and sat down on the counter as I opened my sushi box. My stomach growled loudly once again as I inhaled the scent of food. I took out the soy sauce and slowly poured it over the sushi. The stairs creaked and I looked up to see Charles. He was wearing sweatpants and his hair was really messy.

"How can someone your size be so loud."

"What?"

"You're making a lot of noise."

"My heels probably."

"You would think?"

He jumped on the counter next to me and popped a piece of my sushi into his mouth.

"Hey that mine!"

"Now it is in MY stomach."

"Dude! I haven't eaten since my snack at 11AM."

"Now I understand why you're so skinny."

"Charles!"

"Sorry! You make it easy to rile you up..."

"Funny."

I ate my sushi while Charles and I talked. It felt like when we were 15. We would sneak downstairs and eat left overs as if my mother wouldn't know but she didn't mind it luckily.

"Eli?"

"Yea?"

"I think we should talk..."

"I don't want to..."

"I know but eventually we have to."

"True..."

We talked for over an hour and it felt good to my relief. We gave each other a hug when we were done talking but staid sitting on the counter as we had moved on from sushi to mamas spaghetti left overs.

"So no more secrets Eli! Spill it now if you have."

"I have but I can't tell you yet. I want it to be a secret and you're a little snitch to Arthur and mama. I know you are."

"Ah come on. I'm your twin brother. I'm practically you."

"Okay... please don't tell mom and Arthur yet though. I have 2 secrets. Maybe 3... but they all have something to do with each other."

"Alright... well tell me Eli."

"Okay. I got my bachelor in 2020 and my masters a month ago for engineering."

Charles stopped his movement and his eyes widened at me.

"What? You did a whole ass study without anyone knowing or suspecting it?"

"Mhm. That's why mom thought I was so overworking myself but I was studying as well."

"And then 2 more secrets?"

"I have my own business... Leenneer. Because dad used to call me Leen and it's an engineering company..."

"Eli... why the hell are you keeping these things a secret? And how are you possibly doing this all?"

"I got tests for highly integellent. I scored way above average for knowledge and learning/memory. So I guess that's how I've done that."

"Was that the third secret?"

"No... if you count that then I have 4 secrets."

"What's the last."

"I'm quitting with the CFO position because Leenneer is getting too big for a side job. It needs my full attention."

"Wow that amazing!"

"What's amazing?"

Charles and I turned our faces to the stairs where Pierre walked down the stairs lazily. He had his hair as messy as Charles had and was also only wearing sweatpants. For gods sake why does no one know what a shirt is.

"Oh nothing. We were just talking."

I gave Charles a stern look before we both loosened up. Pierre sniffed the air slowly.

"What do I smell?"

"Oh spaghetti. Do you want some too?"

"Midnight spaghetti? Definitely."

"Keep my sister company. I'll go to my room for some sleep."

"Night."

Pierre took Charles his place across from me. We softly smiled at each other.

"You two are all good again?"

"Yeah. We talked about it a little and it's good now. I told him a few other things as well I. Hope he can keep his mouth shut but well. Time will tell I guess."

"Time will always tell. So... how was your day princess? Busy probably but well... tell me."

"It was very busy. I don't mind though. I feel good when I'm being productive and I get things done. I had my meeting in Italy till 4PM and then did work and meetings at the office before I realized how late it was and I went home and picked up sushi. Only to have Charles eat at least half of it. So that's why we heated some spaghetti."

"Busy but you sound excited so that's good."

"Yeah it was good."

We both took a bite of the spaghetti as we staid silent for a little longer.

"Sunshine..."

"Yes."

"Can I please take you out for a date? I don't care when I just want to take you out."

I fell silent as I stared at my plate of spaghetti that was the only thing standing between us. Maybe I just cave in. I want to go out with him. I think he's amazing. The way he shows his care for me. My mind drifted off to the times where he had been so good to me. When Charles found out about all the things I gave up for them. Pierre was the only one I wanted to comfort me. Instead of talking to me like asking if I were okay he just gave me a soft smile in an understanding and comforting way before he let me cry into his chest while he held me close on my bed. When I fell asleep on my laptop yesterday and he brought me upstairs in the middle of the night after saving up my documents and cleaning a little. I knew he wanted the best with me and that made my heart flutter and butterflies slowly erupt in my stomach. I heard him sigh in front of me.

"Sorry. Forget that I asked. We're just fuck buddy's right?"

He jumped off the counter and wanted to walk away but I grabbed his wrist and pulled him back. He stood in front of me while I still sat on the counter.

"I think we've passed that stage to be honest."

My voice was a soft whisper but it was loud enough for him to hear. His eyes looked up into mine as I softly smiled at him.

"I want to give this a go but you have to know I'll always be busy with work."

"I understand. Well make it work princess."

"I know you think it's easy... but I never attended a race before. I've never had the time to come. I'm a sponsor for gods sake but I've never been to a race. I haven't had the time before."

"Hey hey hey..."

I hadn't noticed that a tear has rolled down my cheek before but Pierre his warm hands on my cheek made me aware of it. He wiped the tear away with his thumb as he looked at me with a little frown.

"I'll just come to Monaco whenever I can. I'll buy an apartment and sell the one in Milan."

"No you don't have to do that Pierre. Just keep your Milan apartment and stay here when you're in Monaco. I know you love that place."

"That's also a good solution. So are we gonna do this?"

"Yes."

(1319 words)