Chapter Text
"Well I'm done." Francesca sighed, putting the last box in the entryway of her new house. It was going to take about a week to get everything together except the grand piano in the middle of her huge living room. She made sure that, that was the first thing dropped off at the house, in perfect condition.
Moving to London was a big move for her especially when it was such a quick decision made by her manager.
People rarely see an A-List Pianist and that’s what Francesca Bridgerton was. From the age of 3 she's been playing the pianoforte and luckily her mother documented her being a great prodigy. Pushing her though all those classes and talent shows. Just for her to be one of the first female pianists in the 20th century to be a famous virtuoso of the piano.
She was truly greatful for the love she had been receiving since she made her first piano album. Celebrities kept putting her piano pieces in their songs, giving her more exposure.
*Ring* *Rin-*
"John! Yes I got here yesterday, I'm done with my move, all I just need to do is unpack actually…it's going to take a day or two...Yes I'd love if you could come over and help, but I'd rather do this myself and also Eloise and Penelope are coming over in a few so no worries truly... I'd love to meet tomorrow morning for coffee are you kidding?! Bring the kids aswell, tell Tina I said hi, yes John, Goodbye."
"You should lock your door so a stranger doesn't come barging in." Francesca jumps at the voice behind her, turning around in fear.
"El' why'd you scare me." She breathes out shakily hugging the two women infront of her.
"I have to say, this house is fucking huge." Penelope said looking around. Francesca smiles at that. Directing them to the beige couch in the living room.
"Right, is there someone living with you, is there a secret person we don't know about?" Eloise raised an eyebrow as she sat down. Penelope agreeing with her with a faint hum.
"No there's no one living with me, I just needed somewhere to put her." She gestured to her big beautiful brown grand piano.
"Of course..." Eloise mumbled under her breath then gave a wide smile looking at her sister.
"What is it now?" Francesca groaned looking at the two women in front of her, sitting as if they've been hiding a gossip.
"Are you seeing anyone?" Penelope whispered leaning forward seeming too eager for her response. Francesca scans both of the women's faces with a expression of disbelief, her mouth slightly open, trying to find even a word to say. She closes it and swallows, collecting her composure.
"Are you guys here to interrogate me about my love life or help me unpack, which is it?" She gets up and walks around to the box on the kitchen island to get all her silverware and tableware out.
"We knew you would avoid that question." Penelope said, walking up to her to help out.
"Have you even kissed someone before, the last time I think you've dated someone was when you were 20, that boy, what was his name Jamison? That lasted for about 3 months, you said his breath smelt like motor oil." Eloise laughed out and Penelope covered her mouth in shock.
"Motor Oil!?"
"Can we not talk about whatever this is, that was a decade ago and I dated him when I turnt 19, and I had my first kiss with him, we broke up the next day because of that oral situation, thank you very much." Francesca scoffs, putting the plates in her cupboard.
"And who else after that?"
Francesca squints at the question as if it wasn't obvious what her answer was.
"No-one else?" She said with a small shrug, unaware of the glance Eloise sent to Penelope.
"Are you not interested in having a partner or are you just, well." Penelope continued to speak.
Francesca stops what she was doing and looks at the women with a goofy smile. "I truly don't understand why everytime I'm either on the phone or at a family gathering with you two or everyone else all I hear is 'So Francesca are you seeing anyone.' I don't want to hear that ever again this coming year, truly. It’s all just silly!"
"Well are you even fucking anyone, do you just not like commit-"
Francesca looks at Penelope with a simple smile. One that showed she was on the brink of her breaking point. She didn’t know why this conversation was even a thing. Her needs were met with a bullet vibrator she had, and her fingers. She was contempt with what she had. She wasn’t someone with a high libido, if she needed to release stress. Then she released and went on with her day.
"That language does not belong in this house, thank you, and no I have not dabbled in any sexual intercourse and I will not do such a thing, I'm just truly not interested and I think that's okay, now let's talk about something else." She breathes out with a smile, her eyes landing on her sisters' skeptical face.
"Do you like women?" She blurts out. Francesca then only choked on her saliva in response. "Excuse me?!”
"You heard me."
"I will not talk about whatever that is, and I do not know, I like myself and that all that matters, so any little plan you guys have for me since I've moved so close to you, stop planning them." She points at both of them, Penelope stares at her in thought. Thinking about what she just said.
“I have not dabbled into sexual intercourse.”
"Wait a minute Francesca, you've never had sex, Francesca you're a virgin?!"
...
"I've truly had it with my sisters." Francesca sits down at the table outside the cafe, looking at John with a annoyed expression. Yesterday was still on her mind, she was surprised she got any sleep in. She was googling stuff she wasn’t used to googling.
‘Is pleasure different when someone is touching you.’
‘How much people are 30 and virgins.’
‘Isn’t virginity a social construct.’
”Why do people care about others sexual relationships.”
‘If I only watch lesbian porn does that make me-?’
"What have they done now." John replied not knowing that this conversation like no other would have him intrigued.
"You know. When I complain about something it’s either my families obsession with my love life or that my fingers are-"
"-cramping because of your piano, yes." John finishes her sentence and leans in.
"I mean truly if I was them I'd be interested in it too. I’m a bit interested if I have to put that out there in all honesty. You’ve never dated anyone since I've known you, and I've known you since middle school, you have never ever been in a relationship with anyone ever."
"Well I have-"
John pointed at her before she said it. She was not about to bring up that stupid relationship she got into to fit in with people at uni right now.
"That three month relationship with motor boy does not count Frannie." He laughs at her, she snickers with a smile, sipping her iced coffee.
"So what are your plans for big London."
"Well I do have a few concerts and piano recordings to make but the concerts are at the end of the year so I'm not worried about that, and I do want to start my own piano school as you know already but that’s for future me, I think London will be the best place for it, surely."
John sighed. "Let's talk about anything but work Francesca, what do you want to do."
She smiled nervously looking around, catching a woman's eye for the second time this morning. It was the same woman from inside the cafe that kept smiling at her as she stepped into Poppies Café, and she may have slid her number to Francesca and bought her iced latte. She probably just wanted to be friends. She hadn’t told John, he’d make a big fuss about it. Francesca looks away and looks down a bit flustered from the attention.
"Well I do what to start Pilates and I'm planning to get a cat or a dog." She smiled happily looking around for the woman again, but she was gone.
"My cousin owns a Pilates studio, I think if I'm not mistaken that very close to where you live." John said
"Is it a good studio, if it's walking distance I have no other choice than to try it out, I heard that it's really hard for beginners, I want to try new things."
John looks at Francesca for a moment and shook his head. "On second thought I think you should try some place else."
"Why?" Francesca looks at him confused.
"I mean since you’re a beginner, it's better to go to a beginner class, that's not my cousin's...her classes are very intense and she's very expressive, especially when you take breaks in her classes…” He grimaces, remembering his cousins voice echoing through his brain.
“Believe me, after I went there for the first time she opened it, I've not been back, I've been dodging her invites every since. 'John get up! John hand in the air, straight up, Up John Up!!!' Ugh it was an absolute nightmare." He laughed out putting his finger on the side of his head.
"Send the address of her class, I'm certain I'll be fine, I workout anyway and I’m sure your cousin who I haven’t met before will be easy to get along with." She holds her phone up for the information and John nods to that.
"See it's a 10 minute walk up the street from me, I'll definitely be going. 1000 percent. She nods with confidence. She was very excited everything in London was working out perfectly, everything being close to her simply made her life easier.
"I'll text her that you're going to her Pilates class in advance just tell me when, I'm going to have to tell her to go easy on you." She scoffs in annoyance, waving her hand dismissively.
"No need, anyways how are the babies doing?"
...
Finally it was the end of the week and everything was officially unpacked and where they were supposed to be. Francesca was now settled into her new home, with her new piano and her new routine. The start of a partially new life, in a new city.
She was planning to go to that Pilates class tomorrow so she texted John, since she booked the classes online.
I booked your cousins Pilates class, Micheala, that's her name?
Oh Francesca why'd you do that to yourself😭
Please John don't let me have second thought about this, I will be fine, truly.
I'll tell her you'll be coming, I hope you'll be able to even walk after.
You underestimate my strength Johnny Bravo. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow, bye.
…
"Hello, hi, umm I'm here for Pilates with Micheala at 9am." Francesca smiles at the receptionist nervously, holding unto her gym bag tightly scanning the hallway. It was 8:30am but she always came in early anywhere she went.
"Yes what is your name, I've never seen you here before?"
"Francesca Bridgerton."
"Oh yes, Micheala is here, the Pilates room is down the hallway on your right." The woman smiles at her.
"Thank you." Francesca looks away, walking down the hallway nervously, tightening her ponytail as she looked around, it was definitely a very nice and fancy building. No wonder the 1 day Pilate class was 100 pounds for an hour. She finally reaches the end of the corridor, standing at the door with the letters M.S imbedded into it. She didn't know if she should've knocked or anything so she just entered. She did pay for the Pilate session.
"Well hello there, thank you for knocking." Micheala looks up at the nervous woman who just walked in.
Omg…
Francesca’s eyes fell onto the dark skinned woman infront of her that had a expectant look on her face. Her hair in a cute puff and a small smile on her face as she gaze up at Francesca who looked about 2 heads taller than her.
Francesca didn't know why the woman was glowing and why the black long tights she wore were so captivating. Her eyes traveling down to the woman's shoes, legs then chest. She had on a thin workout bra, a good portion of her breasts poking out from the front and her toned stomach completely out on display
Francesca blinks quietly as she gawked at the woman still holding a 5 pound plate in her hand.
"Umm, hello? Are you in the right class, you look lost." Micheala waved at the woman’s face, her tone coming off with slight annoyance.
"Yes." Francesca sounds out. Still in the same spot as before. Micheala tilts her head in confusion. "Are you saying yes you are lost or yes you are in the right class, are you alright?"
"I am alright, I'm in the right class, I'm Francesca Bridgerton." Francesca squeaked out her name at the end, gazing back at the shorter woman's face. She puts her hand out for a hand shake. She felt herself sweating and she hadn't even begun the class yet.
John should've have told her that his cousin was this attractive. Her chest was hurting from the pounding of her heart. Her neck felt sore. Micheala clapped knowingly getting the woman out of her trance.
"Francesca, John's friend-“ She looks down at Francesca’s hand and completely ignores it. What the hell was her problem? “I'm glad you came today I'll make sure you feel at home, do you mind helping me set these out since you're early." Micheal nudged her head over to the weight racks. Francesca gave a small nod, wiping her neglected sweaty hand in her leggings. She thought the gesture was very rude of course but she didn’t have to courage to say anything about it really.
Francesca hurried over and grabs 5 pound weights. Turning back around to see the woman bent over setting the 5 pound weight she had in her hand before, on the side of a yoga mat. Francesca mouth hung open as the woman stands up vertically again. Her eyes looking down at the woman's behind in awe. How in the world was that even possible.
"Oh you can put those...there...?" Micheala tilts her chin up looking at the woman infront of her, she squints her eyes, giving Francesca a scrutinizing look, hiding her disbelief. Was this woman checking her out. So openly. She didn't mind it really. But the tall woman looked like she was married with 1 kid and had a husband at home. Like most of her clientele.
"I'm truly sorry, uh..where do I put these?" Francesca squeaks out in embarrassment.
Micheala points to the mat across from her. At that moment women started to walk in the room, greeting her.
As soon as the class started Francesca needed a break. Not only was she sweating profusely but her heart rate spiked everytime Micheala glanced at her and it made her feel sick.
"Francesca, hold your weights straight up! Let's go, 5 more seconds!"
'Fuck I'm dying.' Francesca shakes her head to concentrate. Looking up as she did the last set.
"15 second break, let's go ladies." Francesca puts down her weights, panting into her sweaty arm. Looking around, it seems that she was the only one going through it everyone looked perfectly fine with these exercises and it was only 15 minutes since the class even started.
"Pick those weights right back up, now we're doing the shoulder press."
Francesca pants out annoyed, picking up the weights and putting them on the side of her head. "Okay let's start."
While sweat continued to drip down Francesca's nose she tried to keep up with the beat of the pop music playing in the room. Can't taking the pain anymore she puts down the weights as soon as Micheala walked to the back. The woman was taunting her since she started the class. Eyes not leaving her for one second.
"Francesca." Micheala's tone was triggering and sharp. Instantly Francesca puts her weights up scared, all the women in the class laugh at the scene, she could feel her ears turning redder than ever and bit her lip in annoyance. Wondering why she even went outside today.
Walking back to the front of the room Micheala looks at Francesca's face, her eyes going down to the woman’s position, looking at her body shaking from exertion.
"Is this your first time doing Pilates?" Micheala questioned. Francesca looks up at her with a pout, nodding. Micheala almost found it cute, but she knew Francesca was holding her class back from going through the full routine. She would never give a 15 second break after every set, but Francesca looked like she would pass out at any second from overload.
Micheala bends down to lift Francesca's arms higher. "Do you have to do that." Francesca huffs out. She definitely didn't mean to say that out loud. But her patience was slipping.
"No complaining sweetheart, keep up, we'll get you in the beginner class after today, this is the hot Pilates class, not beginner friendly. Keep up. 1...2...3, everybody 15 second break now."
'Fuck'
Francesca eyes gazed down at the woman's behind as she walked away from where she was, she could still feel the woman's touch on her arms, it made her feel flutters in her stomach, and they felt really good…too good for her liking. The woman had the nerve to not even shake her hand this morning, why touch her now.
Francesca sucks her bottom lip in her mouth, staring at the woman infront of her who now took up weight to do the exercises with everyone. Finally she does something.
She sat up on her knees, weights in hand and started to lower and raise them above her head, setting the cadence for everyone else. Francesca’s gaze flickered to the woman's neck as sweat drips down from it, to her chest she wasn’t sweating because she was tired, but the room even though it was a bit cool, it also was hot and humid from all the panting and breathing, yet Francesca still followed the sweat that dipped into the curves of the instructors breast watching it travel all the way to her stomach.
A loud exhale comes out from her nose, her bottom lip still in her mouth The weights didn't feel heavy anymore as she was fixated on the woman infront of her. So beautiful.
Her eyes flickering to Micheala's face. Her heart sank, finding she was already being caught in the act. Ogling at the Pilates instructor. It somehow made her feel more heated, she wanted her to catch her staring more, she liked it.
"So how was your first Pilates class Francesca?" Micheala tilts her head with a knowing smile, giving her a face towel. Francesca scoffs looking down at the woman mimicking her posture.
"If you're the one teaching this beginner class I'm not going." She joked, putting a hand on her hip.
"Well sadly I am the one who is teaching this beginners class, but I have other instructors on the next floor if you want a different teacher, but I have to warn you. I am the nicest one here." She chuckled lowly, looking at Francesca afterwards with a face of thought. What in the world was she thinking about.
Francesca's lower lip was in between her teeth and she was, just as before the class started checking her out while fiddling with her finger. Her stare lingering unto Micheala's lips. Then trailed back up to her eyes. Seeing she got caught she looks down at her feet, her ears red. "My apologies for staring."
Micheala gazing at her with a smirk on her face. Pushing herself off the handrail she was laying on.
"You're interesting, truly." She points at Francesca shaking her head in a bit of a bewilderment. Something about straight women checking her out didn’t phase her. She wanted no part of whatever Francesca was trying to put down but a little teasing wouldn’t hurt would it.
"The next class in infact this Monday coming up, at 5:30 am, if you can't meet at that time, well I'd recommend that time because there are less people then than at 5:30 pm. And if you also want 1 on 1 pilate lessons I'll be your girl, I could use an extra private client." Micheala winked at her with a charming laugh. Francesca took the last part into real consideration. She nods her head. "I'll be back." She mumbled waving goodbye at the woman infront of her.
"Goodbye Francesca." Micheala gazed at the woman walking wobbly towards the door.
"How cute was that." She mumbled with a small smile on her face as the door shut.
...
"Are you going back too my cousins Pilates class or not?" John set his drink on the counter of Francesca's kitchen looking at her as she massaged his sons hair while helping his daughter with her puzzle.
She looks up at him with thinking gaze. "I believe I am, this Monday but I don't know if I should make it a beginner session or 1 on 1 session. Your cousin is actually very charming, that caught me by surprise, I loved her class, she knows what she's doing, well obviously from her physique, she looks very well put together and you are right she's very assertive, that is a great trait to have as someone as short and cute as her, I mean when I entered the class she- ."
John squints at her, turning to her fully, cutting off her rambling. "Am I missing something here? Are you interested in my cousin?"
"What are you talking about?! When did I even say anything about being interested in your cousin that is absurd Matter of fact I put my hand out for a handshake and she didn’t even shake it!" He points at Francesca with a bizzare funny look on his face, holding in his laugh
"I don't think you understand how close I am with my cousin, as soon as that Pilates class was over she spoke about you from start to finish." Francesca's hand stopped grooming the now sleeping 4 year olds head. Getting up from the couch and setting his head down on a pillow gently.
Walking to the kitchen with a purpose. Kaela, John's 7 year old ears already perched to here the conversation about her favorite aunty Michaela.
"What did she say about me." She sat closer to John and he lets out a laugh. "Francesca are you attracted to my cousin?"
"No!"
"Well she told me you were checking her out the entire time in her Pilates class, she said and I quote, if I wanted someone to drool over me I'd go to dog park with a bag filled with treats." Francesca's eyebrows immediately furrowed offended. "I do not like your cousin and if anything she is full of herself to even think that I'm attracted to her, I will definitely not be going back to her stupid Pilates class, h-How embarrassing!"