Nice had really accepted me with its arms wide open, Jon and Aria were becoming good work place buddies, Charlotte and Leo were great weekend lunch hosts and I loved this place with my whole heart.

Work was going good and my social life too was blossoming, every Friday evening was something new with Esha, Daya, Inaya and Aria.

But not this Friday, I was headed to Milan with Charlotte. She wanted to see the site and get some work done.

It was an opportunity for me to meet people, grow my network and learn more about the profession. Leo dropped us off at the airport at around 6 pm and we were on our way to Milan.

"I know we're going for work related things but you're going to love this city." Charlotte smiled.

"Thanks!" I weakly smiled back.

"You never told me about what happened with Darren." She smirked.

"He's nice..."

"I think we've established that on multiple occasions! How was your date with him?"

"It was good, he's in Milan this weekend so I was hoping to see him again." I beamed.

"That's great! I'm so happy you've found someone that makes you happy."

"Thanks..." My voice trailed off.

Did Darren really make me happy? Did anyone really make me happy? Charles was definitely not.

We checked in, found a place to eat dinner and worked out plans for the next day. It was going to be hectic to say the least. We called it a night and headed to bed.

I washed up, changed and noticed I had a few texts. I replied to Harriet and the gang telling them I had reached and was fine.

😂

😂😂

I slept like a baby that night, when I woke up the next morning I panicked a little because I forgot to pick out and press my clothes for today.

In a hurry I did my hair and makeup and put on a shirt and pair of trousers that was the least creased, Charlotte was ready to head out for breakfast.

"Good morning!" I greeted her running into the lobby.

"Someone's all happy and cheery today!" She looked up from the newspaper she was reading.

"It's warmer than I was expecting so that's a win!" I laughed.

"True, the weather's pleasant. Breakfast?" She stood up.

"Let's go!"

We ate a good meal and headed to the construction site to see what was happening. She briefed me about the people we were going to meet and how we should behave around them.

She spoke to the project manager and he updated her about the construction, she asked me take a copy of all sorts of documents from him.

We spent pretty much the whole morning walking through the place with the project manager and architect, explaining their vision of what this place was to look like.

"I'm so hungry I could eat a horse!" I chuckled.

"I know just the place! Let's go!"

I walked behind her completely unaware where we were going, and she wouldn't tell me! Finally she stopped in front of a place.

"Welcome to THE pizzeria!" She did jazz hands.

"It looks pretty, serves pizza and smells good! What are we waiting for?"

And that's what we did, shoved our faces with pizza. I ate until I felt like I was going to explode, it felt good.

"This was fun! I really needed this!" She laughed.

"Same! Thanks so much." I smiled.

"Alright, let's take a walk and then we'll head to the client's office." She gathered her things.

"Let's go!"

We walked around the streets for a while, taking photos for her to send to Mia who was still counting days until she could come back to Nice.

The meeting with the client was surprisingly short, we were free to do whatever we want by 4. Charlotte was exhausted and decided to head back to the hotel and relax, I wanted to go around the city for a while so that's what I did!

*****************

"No. NO. No!" I cried.

"It's just lunch with Darren! You are going!" Charlotte tried to coax me.

"I can't, his stupid face is plastered all over the city." I sighed. "Why did this have to be the year he becomes world champion?"

"Do you plan on hiding in your room forever? Go! Right now! Your phone's been going off and I bet it's Darren."

"I'm sick, I can't go out. THAT IS A GOOD EXCUSE!!"

"No more excuses! That boy is waiting for you!" She pulled me out of bed.

With much reluctance I started getting dressed, I texted Darren that I'd be there in a bit.

I started my walk to the place, which was painful to say the least. Everywhere I looked, someone was waving a flag or yelling his name, his face on every poster as far as I could see.

Why must I be hurt this way? What did I do to deserve this? And even after he hurt me why do I care so deeply about him? I thought feelings are meant to fade away.

Darren was already at the restaurant, he had such a big grin on his face it made my day a little better.

"How are you doing?" I smiled taking a seat opposite to him.

"I'm doing great! How are you?"

"I'm fine! So what do you recommend we get?"

We talked for a while and then ate to our fill. It really was the best risotto I had ever eaten, we decided to head outside to the parks for walk.

Again, something I agreed to do after a lot of hesitation. I regretted every minute of the walk, he was talking so passionately about his interests and all I could notice was Charles on posters glaring down at us.

"Hey, can I tell you something?" He asked snapping me out of this spiral.

"Yeah? Sure."

"I need you to be completely honest with me." He started. "Your ex, are you really over him?"

I shut my eyes and took a deep breathe, this was all going to come down crumbling. I felt so out of control, I couldn't even say anything.

"I'll be honest, I can't compete with that. I don't think I can ever get you to look at me the way you looked at him."

"Darren-"

"Hear me out, I don't think you've listened to a word I've said. You've just been looking all lost-"

"Because I am! It's all so complicated!"

"It's not complicated, it's too early for you. You're not prepared to open your heart to someone new just yet." He sighed.

The look on his face crushed me, he was still smiling and reassuring me we'll keep in touch. Your eyes are a window to your soul, and they give away what you're actually thinking.

"I'm so sorry, this was all a bad idea." I hugged him trying not to tear up.

"Well, it was fun while it lasted. See you around." He smiled freeing himself from my embrace.

I was such an idiot. I didn't care anymore, I walked and the tears kept flowing. People were looking at me, I didn't care.

Today was a day of celebration for a lot of people but me, today was the day I felt like I was falling apart.

"I blew it." I sniffled "I let my heart get the better of me."

Charlotte didn't say a single word, she just kept patting my head and comforting me in a big sister kind of manner.

I think we had all had enough of Charles and his trail of broken hearts, as much as I refused to admit it I was a heart in that trail. He probably didn't even know, or care for that matter but it hurt so much.