Present Day
Monaco
The room filled with laughter. The hotel was bathed in hues of nature, a story told in strong browns and forest green, however the sunlight trickled in freely from the open windows. A cool draft of air whipped over the shore down below, bringing a taste of the salty water with it. The wind howled in a low whistle behind the girls chatter. Ginny's bags were untouched by the door as she was too engrossed in her catch-up time with Chloe.
There was too much to tell and not enough hours in the day- especially with the fact they were due for breakfast in about fifteen minutes. The only upside was that Ginny knew they'd have more time throughout the weekend to talk. She'd kept things pretty basic with her summary of the last five years, and although Chloe talked shit about Pierre as usual, she hesitated to mention the phone call to her friend.
Because even Chloe was lightning up on the french man.
And Pierre's words lingered in her ear, 'What are you going to do Genevieve? Snitch on me to your brother? Be the annoying little sister you are? Run to mommy and daddy'
"I can't believe you're a teacher! I mean... I can... but that's just so fun!" Chloe sat on the edge of the bed, with her feet dangling over as she sat criss crossed. Her face was bright with enthusiasm. Ginny felt relieved her friend hadn't judged her career choice.
"And I can't believe how much stuff you've starred in! I had no idea! You can tell how much I get out when school is in session." Ginny deadpanned at the end of her sentence, causing Chloe to let out a fit of giggles. "That's so cute you met Henry on set, though. A true actor's love story."
Chloe blushed in the cheeks, whilst running a hand over her slicked-back bun. Some strands had gotten loose in the chaos of their tea-time, which she had informed Ginny usually came with crumpets and scones in England, instead of gossip. "The Witcher was such an exciting set to be on, especially working with Henry. You know I've had a crush on him since his superman era."
"Trust me, I remember." Ginny giggled, sitting up against the bedpost. "You slept with a poster of him beside you at night, so it was like he was really there."
"Now I get the real thing." Chloe stuck her tongue out playfully, slapping a hand against her thigh. "I'd call that an upgrade."
Ginny nodded in agreement, feeling her cheeks clench from all the smiling. "I would have to agree."
"You never mentioned a man in your life." Chloe raised one of her thinly pricked brows. Her yellowish-green eyes that were so similar to her twin's, danced with mischief. She awaited an answer with an unfaltering grin.
Ginny took her turn to blush crimson in the cheeks. She rubbed her chest with her right hand, feeling a nervous heartbeat underneath. She chewed on her lip and shrugged, "I don't have one. I never really did. It just... never felt right."
Chloe wiggled her eyebrows like they did in the movies, which was fitting. "Because of Charles?"
"No." Ginny wasn't even sure herself. Anytime she tried to date guys back in New York, she always got this guilty feeling in her stomach. It's not like the guys were great or anything, but she couldn't understand why none of them left her wanting more. Maybe it was because of Charles and how at such a young age, she'd felt like she was floating on a cloud around him... or could it have been- no. Absolutely not. "I don't know, really."
Chloe fidgeted with the end of her shirt, which probably felt like silk against her fingers. She dropped her voice to a whisper, "He oh-so misses you."
"Charles?" Ginny couldn't help but smile, feeling a swarm of butterflies erupt in her gut. "I find that a little hard to believe... I mean... we stopped talking."
"We all stopped talking." Chloe reminded with a tsk. "He didn't want to bother you... he knew you were going through a lot."
Ginny glanced away from her intense gaze, not wanting to flashback to the horrible night with her parents and Pierre. She rubbed the back of her neck and felt how clammy her fingers were turning. "Well, he moved on quick didn't he?"
Chloe rolled her eyes, shaking her head distastefully in the process. "And look how that turned out."
Ginny twisted her lips in thought. "She's really pretty... Charlotte."
"She's nice too." Chloe grabbed Ginny's hand with a squeeze. "But she doesn't have anything on you."
"That's just best friend bias." Ginny patted the top of her hand, gratefully.
Chloe shook her head. "Nope, that's just the plain truth. He broke up with her."
Ginny wasn't sure what to say to that. It didn't mean that Charles broke up with Charlotte because of her... there was no way. She forced a soft chuckle, "I miss him too."
Chloe glanced at the present placed on top of Ginny's suitcase. "Did you miss Pierre?"
"No." Ginny scoffed harshly. "I can't believe you even had to ask."
"I still don't trust him completely, but he is getting better." Chloe shrugged. "He's actually helped me and Henry a lot with-" She let her voice drift off a cliff.
Ginny stared at her with furrowed eyebrows. "With what?"
"Finding a place to live!" Chloe clapped her hands.
"I thought you guys are moving to England?"
"We are!" Chloe quickly rose to her feet. She turned her back to Ginny and stood by the balcony. The glass doors were left open since Ginny wanted to listen to the waves crashing. "Pierre will send us listings and stuff. Just small things like that..."
"That's nice." Ginny still felt like she was missing something. "I guess."
Chloe whirled around and pointed to the gift. "We have to get going soon, so why don't you open it?"
"Now?" Ginny whined, side-eying the box. "I don't know..."
"C'mon! I want to see what he got you." Chloe clapped her hands cheerfully.
Ginny watched her friend bounce up and down like a kid on Christmas. She let out a sigh, "Fine."
Chloe cheered and brought the box over to Ginny. She sat in front of her with wide eyes, awaiting the unveiling. Ginny pulled on the bow string and set the glittery ribbon aside on the nightstand. She placed the box on the bed and carefully removed the lid. Bright pink tissue paper blinded her espresso brown eyes. She balled the paper in her fist and dropped it in the trash can.
"Hurry up!" Chloe squealed.
Ginny shot her a look of disaproval, which was met with a pout. She glanced into the box and froze. Her beautiful lavender dress, layered in the front like sheer, with metallic butterflies latched into the crevices. The very same dress she'd ruined with her own blood. She couldn't move, nor grab it. She just kept her eyes on the soft fabric... in a state of shock. Chloe was straining to peer inside the box, almost putting two and two together. She leaned back with a hand cupping her mouth.
"Is this... is this the dress you wore to the KF3 ceremony? The summer you..."
Ginny didn't want her to finish. "Yes."
Chloe let out a gasp. "He must have gotten a designer to custom make it in your size now."
"How did he remember what it looked like?" Ginny finally touched the dress, bringing it out of the folds and letting it fall to the floor in it's full gown length.
Chloe wickedly grinned. "He must have paid attention."
"Yeah, to see that I was bleeding all over it." Ginny shuddered at the sounds of Pierre and other boys laughing at her. "What's he trying to play at?"
"Maybe it is just an apology... oh look-" Chloe grabbed something from inside the box. Ginny saw a white card in her hand. "A note."
Ginny snatched the card and read it silently first.
In memory of the day you turned into a butterfly... I hope you like it etoile.
"Well?" Chloe urged, crossing her arms.
"In memory of the day you turned into a butterfly... I hope you like it etoile."
"I have to admit, that's pretty fucking adorable."
"Shut up." Ginny smacked her thigh. "I'm not wearing it."
"But you looked so beautiful in it the first time!"
"No." Ginny pointed a finger. "I'm going to get ready now."
"Charles loved you in that dress." Chloe smirked.
Ginny clenched her jaw. "I'm not wearing it."
"Fine, fine." Chloe chuckled. "Get changed."
Ginny grabbed her suitcase and unzipped it, throwing some clothes around her. "I need a drink."
"Well, your wish will soon be granted."
Ginny turned to her with a huge smile, "We never got to have our first mimosas together! Let's have some today! We can pretend."
Chloe patted the side of her leg. "Oh... right. Um, I can't."
"Why not?" Ginny cocked her head to the side.
Chloe walked towards her with a bright red face. "Please don't tell anyone... well... not that you'd tell anyone who doesn't already know."
"Know what?"
"I think it's okay if skelly the skeleton knows, but just don't let him blab."
"Chloe, what is it?" Ginny laughed, grabbing onto her arms.
Chloe sucked in a nervous breath. Her clear skin radiated under the sunlight and reminded Ginny just how naturally pretty she was. "I'm pregnant."
Pregnant?
Ginny couldn't help her mouth falling open. She stared at Chloe with wide eyes. She couldn't believe it. Chloe was going to have a baby? Her childhood best friend was going to be a mom? Ginny slapped a hand over her mouth and screamed. "Ohmygod you're having a baby!?"
"I am!" Chloe squealed back. "I was going to wait longer to tell you- I almost let it slip when I said Pierre was helping me and Henry..."
"Pierre is helping you with the baby." Ginny whispered.
"He's just buying stuff already... like essentials. He said he wants to make sure me and Henry don't have to worry too much once the kiddo is here."
"That is nice." Ginny paused, throwing on a smile. "I guess."
"I'm only three months along." Chloe informed her. "We don't know the gender or anything yet, but even then we'll probably wait until closer to the date."
"I'm so happy for you." Ginny hugged her tight. "You're going to be a great mom."
"I feel better with the help of my school teacher bestie." Chloe chuckled, leaning back with a grin. "But enough about me, we have plenty more time to chit-chat. You get ready and I'll check on the boys."
"Chloe?" Ginny caught her before she slipped into the hallway.
"Yeah?" She peeked her head around the door.
"Thanks for still being my best friend."
Chloe paused, wiping away some tears in her eyes. "Thanks for still being mine."
She shut the door and Ginny glanced at the dress. A part of her did want to wear it. She loved the dress. Maybe Pierre did really want to make ammends after all. Her phone let out a shrill ding and she quickly grabbed it from her pocket. She wondered if it was her mom or Pauline asking about the flight to Monaco and the hotel. She clicked on the message notification but frowned once the full screen appeared.
Unknown Number
Like the gift?
Ginny checked her room looking for cameras. Absurd, but how did he do that? She quickly texted back.
A gift is something you give just because you want too. This was something you owed me.
I'm not the one who bled through the fabric.
There was the Pierre she knew. Ginny shook her head, letting her thumbs cascade over the screen.
What are you trying to say? Giving me this dress? What do you want?
I want you to wear it to breakfast. For me, etoile. Surely Charles will wonder who got it for you.
You won't catch me dead in that dress, Pierre.
Playing hard to get I see. I'm just trying to be nice to you Ginny. I wouldn't want the town to disown you after seeing you look so hideous.
Your opinion, etoile. But I don't care what you think. Only Charles. Though, you already know that don't you. See you soon, Pie face.
He started typing but the bubble went away shortly after. Ginny smugly picked out a red sundress with cherries on the front and changed.
Red is for Ferrari.