"Max, she's simply not talking to me. It's been two weeks and I haven't seen or heard from her. So no, I can't answer the question."
I couldn't help my snarky response, I didn't know the answer to are you and Florence still together? Florence would have to talk for me to know that.
I shouldn't of been short with Max though, he had the best idea in the last 14 days of getting me out of the house and onto my boat. It was the first hint of sun and fresh air I've gotten. I looked over to him as he turned his face into the sun enjoying the slightly warmer day for a Monaco winter not bothered by my comment.
He had a way of never being offended, something I was jealous of. I tossed him an, I'm sorry mate. He only waved his hand to throw my previous comment off.
I cut the engine when I realized we were in calm water lowering the anchor. The sigh escaped me when I plopped down next to him.
"No need to apologize, I'm just worried about you is all. And Florence."
"I know, I'm just so frustrated with the whole situation. She should have heard that information from me."
Max put on his sunglasses and hummed. "Mmm, Florence has every right to be angry but she doesn't have the right to shut you out. You respected her dad's wishes. That's his wish and family, you just got put in a terrible spot. No one was going to win."
It was the first time I heard that take, and I found myself nodding in approval. "Thanks mate. Have you heard from her?"
"Me, no. Kelly is going to see her sometime this week though."
It was the first time I've heard of Florence seeing someone so I immediately perked up to the information. "How'd that come about."
Max stayed quiet and bit his fingernails, clearly nervous of the information he had. "Ugh, I'll tell you but you promise to keep it a secret?"
"My lips are sealed."
I listened eagerly while Max began speaking, occasionally waving his hands around. "Kelly swung by her place a few days ago and refused to be ignored. Florence didn't let her stay long, but they sat out on the balcony together. Kelly said she was in rough shape. The place was a disaster with takeout and trash, Florence clearly hadn't showered, and she told Kelly she hadn't left the house. According to Kelly, Florence barely said anything except that her ankle was feeling way better."
I closed my eyes leaning back into the bench. I hated hearing all of that and it was driving me crazy too. "Doesn't sound far off from me," I sighed.
"That's not true. You came out on the boat with me. While you need to shave, you don't smell at least," Max offered out with a grin. He finally earned a small chuckle from me. "You two will get through it, I promise," Max said factually.
"I hope so," I whispered thinking about seeing her. The idea of not getting through it could not be entrained at the moment.
"What have you done to try and see her?"
"I'm trying to give her space. I've swung by once last week but got the message loud and clear when Nicholas told me she wasn't in town which I know wasn't true. Her bike was chained up outside the apartment. I left her a voicemail over the weekend but haven't bothered from there with the phone. Then I left a coffee and pastry outside her door yesterday ignoring the concierge saying she wasn't home. I knocked but she didn't answer so I just left it on the ground."
"Damn, she's a stubborn one. Who can resist Charles and a pastry."
"That's what I'm saying," I said running my hand through my hair. "I think she's just fucking angry, sad, and confused."
"Well deserved," Max added while I agreed. "But you deserve to see her. At this point don't give up mate, you've given the space."
"Thanks," I said flatly still feeling lost with my decisions on when I would try to see her again. Talking to him did make me feel better in general though.
"Did you handle Corrine," Max asked not being able to hide the annoyance.
I nodded sternly. "Should be done next week." I couldn't add more, I didn't want to ruin my good day and the world would know soon enough.
"Good, fuck that," Max spat out then took a deep breath. "Enough lady problem talk. Diving is gonna make you feel way better than talking to me," Max said slapping his knees and standing up. He walked over to the equipment starting to sort through it.
"I'm serious mate, thank you," I told him before standing and zipping up my wetsuit.
Max was right, being in the water was my best day in a while. The cool water eventually warming with our wetsuits, and a few hours away from reality diving around an old famous ship wreck.
FLORENCE:
The knock on the door disrupted me from my little concert in the living room while I was trying to make a dent to the mess around my house. I slid in my socks to the door trying to peak through the door hole. Whoever was at my door had their hand over it not allowing me to see.
Not knowing who it was, I tried to slide away from the door worried it may be my dad or Charles.
"I can hear the music, I'll use my key," Kelly's voice came through the door. Her threat made me groan, knowing she would do it. I made it back to the door and opened it, suddenly very conscious of my appearance. When Kelly saw me the other day it wasn't my best look, but today was bad even for me.
She swung the door the rest of the way open, she stepped in while evaluating the scene in front of her. "I see you cleaned," she said first pointing to the Chinese takeout in my hand.
I gave her a shy smile and nodded throwing the takeout to my trash corner. My hands wiped down my T-shirt that had been on since Kelly last saw me. This time I had on Charles boxers.
"Sorry I didn't dress up more for you."
"Hush you look great," she shot a wink back. "But I am coming over to make you shower."
I moaned going over to my couch. Kelly had caught me in a weird mood and having company only exaggerated it.
I plopped down face first and turned my head. "Do I have to? I think my hair is finally forming a dread, it's a good look."
Kelly chuckled and pointed to my bedroom. "Go," she said simply. "I'll clean up the trash corner."
I huffed and stood up stomping to my room. I finally stripped out of my dirty clothes. My room was surprisingly clean considering I only produced 3 different outfits in the last two weeks. The shower was wonderful at first then miserable as I tried to wash my hair, using far more conditioner than usual to untangle the nest that had formed. The smell of soap finally filled my nostrils which was welcome after the BO I got used to after 2 or 3 days.
I put on a fresh set of pajamas and slippers, brushed my hair out, then did my skin care routine for the first time in weeks. A massive pimple had formed on my forehead I hadn't even noticed.
Get it together Florence, I told myself in the mirror. When I walked back to the living room, I was amazed at how fast Kelly had straightened up the room. All the trash was gone which was a task I couldn't accomplish over the last few days.
Kelly was in the kitchen so I walked in to join her. She was throwing away some more trash and putting away dishes.
"Look at you," she smiled when I walked in. "Clean with a third eye," she teased pointing at my forehead. She was right so I couldn't help but chuckle while pulling out a stool.
"Did you go out since I last saw you," her eyes raising at me.
"No, why?"
She held up the ice coffee and old pasty wrapper that remained on the counter, the bakery logo showing.
"I know Riviera doesn't deliver," she said eyeing me closely.
"If you're asking if I've seen Charles the answer is no. He left it at my door the other day," I stated bluntly.
She sighed tossing the trash and leaning up against the counter directly across from me. We were eye level.
"Florence what am I going to do with you," she sighed with a smile. I knew she was trying to keep it light, but her comment was serious.
"Love me forever?"
Her smile grew while she rolled her eyes at me. "Okay okay, I'm gonna throw one down. You ready?"
"Give it to me," I replied.
"You need to call your dad," she said sternly this time with no smile.
"Ohhh you got me there. That one is gonna be a no. He hasn't tried to reach me and I'm not trying to reach him."
"Fine, you need to call Charles," Kelly said switching the person.
I stood up and walked to my living room, Kelly close behind. "That one is a hard maybe not," I said falling onto the couch as Kelly joined.
Kelly looked at me in a way that I knew to cut my teasing. "I'm not joking Florence. Last time I saw you was nice me. You're not going to get that side of me again."
"Okay fine," I said exasperated. "Maybe I'll call Charles but I still need time with my dad. I'm trying I promise. I even almost opened the door this weekend when Charles came."
"I don't think you're being very serious with me," she replied narrowing her eyes.
"Damn you weren't kidding," I sighed running my fingers through my hair.
"Please talk to me," I could tell she was desperate. "I know there's something you're not willing to share."
I closed my eyes for a moment letting my thoughts for the last few days form to actual words, it was terrifying. "I'm scared to see Charles because I know what I'm going to say."
"What are you gonna say, I'm sure it can't be that bad."
I let out a groan covering my face. Kelly was right that I needed this tough treatment, I just needed to accept it. "That he hurt me keeping a family secret. I know he was in a tough spot but it ripped my heart out. He knows what it's like losing a parent and I got completely blindsided by everyone close to me."
"That's better, and what else will you say to him," Kelly said with a sympathetic but encouraging smile. It felt nice to share in the moment.
"That I love you so much and needed to see you. This whole situation has been hell, and I know it's not your fault. But..." I couldn't help but hesitate.
"But," Kelly repeated with a worried crease between her eyebrows. I knew she wouldn't like what I was going to say next because I hated it too.
"But right now I need to focus on myself, career, and family." The words stung coming out of me. Kelly's smile fell as well with a look of shock.
"Are you sure," she asked me quietly.
I nodded while a tear fell down my cheek. "I think focusing on myself is the only way to heal right now. It just needs to be about me and my dad. I can't support Charles the way he deserves, and he has a career to focus on too."
Kelly nodded and gave me a sad smile reaching out for my hand. "If it means healing and coming back together with your dad I support you fully Florence. I'm here for you no matter what."
I pulled on her hand so she had to come closer. Kelly wiped away my tear while pulling me into a close embrace.
***I'm sorry! Stick with me ❤️