Ah, Paris. The smell of the local pastry shop right next to my leased apartment drifted into my room every morning. In my book, that's the best way to wake up. Only because I don't have a boyfriend to wake up to!!
Opening my eyes, I smiled to myself. It's already been 3 months since I've been here. At first it was absolutely difficult. All the way from JFK to CDG I wept like a baby. After sending the email. I immediately deactivated the account. I didn't wait for his reply.
It was like pulling off a plaster quickly. The pain stung but it was necessary to do it. To speed the healing process.
Rolling off the bed, I did what I always did in the morning when I woke up here. Pulling on a jacket I went into the kitchen to pour me a cup of coffee, and went to the balcony that was in my room. The sky was still dark, the Eiffel Tower was beautifully lit in the distance.
"I'll never get tired of this." I said to myself softly. After I drained my coffee, I took a nice shower and got ready for the day's class. Today was actually the last day of class and after this, we would be placed in actual restaurants to work there.
The apartment I was currently staying in was nothing like how my home back in NY was. This was much smaller in size but it was well furnished and it had a very home feeling. The land lady did a lovely job decorating it.
"Today, ze names will be posted on ze board. Work starts zomorrow, and be on time! We Parisians hate late comers. Understand?" our head chef told us in a thick French accent. Actually, it was the first time he spoke in English. The other times were all French.
"Where do you think you'd get to work at?" Marcus asked me
He was a pretty cute French guy. Actually, he was the only one who talked to me the others were just so competitive.
"I'm hoping for Astrance. It's very closer to where I stay.. and also it has a spectacular view of Madame Eiffel Tower." I smiled
"Ah Oui, Astrance is my top choice as well. Maybe we will work together no?" he smiled at me
Damn these French men and their faces. Handsome faces, amazing smiles. Marcus was what I considered the boy next door. His dark brown hair and electric blue eyes made me melt. When I first met him, I discretely took a picture of him and sent it to Claire, Bree and Jon through our group message.
They didn't find him to be attractive. I guess because he was not the usual kind of pretty boy most people preferred. Marcus was the guy who'd make you laugh and be there for you when times got rough.
He led the way to the common area where people were crowding around to see where they would be placed. Thankfully, the names were separated according to alphabets. Momentarily, Marcus and I split up. I stood in line for "K" and withing seconds, I was scanning for my name.
Then I see it and couldn't have felt happier. Stepping out of the line, I wait for Marcus and he comes to me "I GOT IT!! I got Astrance!" I squealed
"I got it too!" we hugged and it felt... good.
Realizing that we were hugging a little too long, we pulled apart awkwardly. Marcus talked to some other students and introduced them to me as well. Turns out, only the two of us were picked to go to Astrance which was very highly ranked.
"So we are going to the pub tonight. Will you come?" he asked nervously
"You want me to?" I replied coyly
"Yes, yes. Most definitely." he laughed rubbing his neck nervously
"Sure, just send me the address. You have my number right?"
"I could come pick you up? That is if you don't mind." he added quickly
"That would be great. See you then." I apparently grew balls that I was unaware of because I stood on my tippy toes and kissed his cheek.
On my walk back to my place, I got busy texting the gang.
K - Guess who scored a date with the French cutie.
J - Obvi it ain't me cause I'm stuck here dying.
C - You go gurl
B - He aint even cute. #imjustjealous #hatingonyou
K - Going to a pub what to wear?
C - Sexy dress duh!
B - No it's a pub not a whore house!! Jeans and a sexy top.
J - Amen to Bree! Claire has lost her mind.
C - Hate you guys.
K - I'm feeling Bree's idea too. Will send a pic of how I look. Wishing you guys were here. Our Thailand trip seems so far away!!
B - It is so far away. Only next year Summer.. Which is 10 months away...
C - We are gonna take the next flight to Paris. Lolz see ya!
K - You guys don't even think about it!!
J - We are just kidding don't get your undies in a twist. Good luck later!
K - Thanks hoes. xxx
Arriving at my building, I got into the rustic elevator and when I reached the third floor, my landly coincidentally came out of her place which was just across the hall from me.
"Madame Carol! Bonjour!" I hugged her
"Bonjor Katerina, sava?" she asked if I was doing fine.
After speaking with her for a bit, I entered my apartment and flipped on the television. That was until I realized that something was wrong with the place. Before leaving, I turned off the coffee maker but now it was on.
Carefully, I grabbed the spare baseball bat that was lying around and walked into my room.
"SURPRISE YOU HOE!!!!" the three nuts yelled at me.
"You guys are here?!!" I dropped the bat and hugged them all
"Yea we are here. Nana forced us onto the plane. We were miserable without you and we know you've been misreable without us." Jon pouted.
"How long will you guys be here for? WHat abuot work? The restaurant?" I said worriedly
"Two weeks. I used my holidays up for this. I haven't used any since working" he replied
"The restaurant won't fall apart without us. Nana is handling everything an Jon introduced one of his friends to manage the place." Bree massaged my shoulders.
"So.. if I remember correctly, you have a date." Claire grinned.
"Yes, yes I do. Help me choose what to wear." I opened the cupboard. It was just a normal space. Nothing like my walk in at home. I had to admit it was difficult to adjust at first, but I just used whatever clothes I brought, which wasn't much.
"Oh no, she's relapsed into her old self again." Bree said disapprovingly while she scanned my clothes.
"I have no time to do anything. I've been just going for classes and coming back straight. God knows what's going to happen when I start interning tomorrow." I pouted.
"The day is still early. It only 10. We can go to a fancy cafe and eat whatever we want then hit Champs Elysee." Jon said excitedly.
So the journey began with us having brunch at a cafe that was just 5 minutes away from the Eiffel Tower.
"This is so surreal. I never thought I'd make it this far till I met you guys." Claire sipped on her latte.
"Tell me about it. It was a totaly 180 when we met each other. Mainly because of Kat's drive. She really pushed us all. I am forever grateful. Remember when we first saw our shop. Man.. seems like it was just yesterday." Bree said wistfully
"Here's to us. To all of our accomplishments and more success to come." Jon raised his glass and we followed suit.
"You guys.. making me all emotional and shit." I said trying not to cry.
"Alright alright, let's get the show on the road. We need to help the fiscal deficit in this country." Jon said laughing
We took the train and arrived at th very glamorous Champs Elysee. Flanking the roads were the beautiful Cartier and Louis Vuitton stores which were 2 to 3 storeys high.
"We need to go to the BCBG and Bottega Venetta. They have more casual stuff." Claire said
"We will get there. It's just behind Hotel De Paris. Let's buy other stuff first. My credit card is feeling fat and needs to be exercised." Bree whined
An hour later, we finally reached the back lane of hotel de paris which was the most amazing place ever. It was a fairly quiet street but it oozed luxury. The corner building was the Hermes store. Three stories high with it's famous man on the horse statue right at the top. On the other end was Chanel and the opposite side was Gucci.
"Let's get into Balmain first. They have amazing jackets that you could get you know? You could do a simple top underneath it but a bold jacket." Jon suggested.
"Let's go in and find out." I agreed.
We walked back out half an hour later and I had in my hands new pairs of jeans and a jacket. The jeans were black with gold details and the Jacket was a quilted black jacket with more gold motives.
"That was extremely quick." Claire said in awe
"I feel myself coming alive again." I all but moaned.
"We all need new bags." Bree dragged us along to the interlocked C's. Chanel."
"I may be gay, but I draw the line at buying handbags. I don't do that, it ain't my style." he huffed
"Fine.. be that way." Claire whined.
After we were done, we were all back in my apartment just lazing around.
"The view is fucking brilliant." Claire released a sigh
"This whole city is fucking brilliant." Jon joined her out on the balcony.
"Guys.. why do you all seem like you'll be... staying here?" I asked
"Oooohhh someone has plans to bring the frenchy back home." Bree wiggled her eye brows.
"What? No. I--" seeing through my lies Jon mocked me even more
"Finally giving it up eh Kat? Willing to kick us out onto the street for a frenchy."
"You guys staaaahp." I moaned
"I don't know where it may lead. I mean i always had my priorities set. But I'm almost 23. The last time I kissed a guy was in Cabo." I explained
"They're just pulling your leg. We'll be staying with your land lady. Just for today. Tomorrow we're checking into a hotel." Claire popped open a bottle of wine and filled it up in some glasses.
"Kat, you don't HAVE to sleep with him just becaue you've never had sex with anyone. You have principles and you can stick to them." Jon said seriously
"Thanks guys. I appreciate the advice. So what will you be doing tonight?"
"We were thinking of just wandering around aimlessly. Enjoy the city lights and the atmosphere."
"After today, I'll be swamped. I'll be free on the weekends though. Maybe you guys could ditch the hotel altogether and just stay here. That way I can see you when I leave, and get home."
"Oh NOW, she wants us to stay with her." Bree teased.
"Come one guys. I know it was stupid to even think about choosing a guy over all of you. Just stay here. There's a spare bed, 2 can sleep there, Jon can either bunk on the sofa or take a chance and sleep with me."
"I'd rather sleep in a zoo than sleep with the snoring queen." he rolled his eyes.
"Ok, the sofa it is." I laughed.
Later that evening, I was ready when he buzzed the bell from outside. "Coming Marcus!" I said through the intercom.
"Ok just be calm. Casual. If you feel like things are getting heated, just let us know we will get out of your way." Jon said.
"I'll see you guys later. Maybe if I'm done early I could meet up with you wherever y'all are." I wrapped the silk scarf Jon bought for me from Hermes and headed out.
"Bonjour Katernia." Marcus smiled at me and kissed both my cheeks. The famous French custom which I love so much. I got a whiff of his after shave which was absolutely tantalizing.
"So where is this place we are going to?" we walked side by side
"It's just a place with live music and good beer. Nothing too heavy. We have work tomorrow after all."
"Cool. Cool." that was all I said and we walked in silence.
The atmosphere was different. Music wasn't loud and banging but more jazz like coming from the live band. Was everything in Paris more chic? I seemed to think so. We ate and drank, and before I knew it I was slightly tipsy on the walk home with Marcus.
"You had fun?" he asked holding my waist lightly so I wouldn't fall and kill myself.
"So much fun. I can't tell you when was the last time I actually let loose." I giggled.
"That's great. I had fun too. Everyone loved you."
"It's about damn time. 3 months and now I get to know them."
Suddenly without any warning, he pulled me close and kissed me. It was.. nice. Something that I could handle. Pulling back, I smiled at him and hi actions. "It's been a while since that happened too." I said and he laughed.
"Really? All this while I thought you were with someone. You're beautiful. Why hasn't anyone caught you yet?"
"I guess I don't want to be caught just by anyone." I replied.
Stopping in front of my steps, I kissed his cheek "I had a lovely time. See you tomorrow?"
It was a nice date. Not great as in explosive feelings and sparks everywhere. It was safe. It was already was past 1 in the morning and I knew the guys were home because they texted me saying so.
"Helooohoo.." I yodelled
"Hey... so umm here's the thing. You have to call your nana now." Jon said uneasily.
"What's wrong? Did something happen?" I panicked and started dialling her number.
"Honey hi."
"What's wrong nan?"
"I got a call from your mother. It's about Ryan and... Talen." my heart sank.
"They were on a mission and it seems that they have been captured." she cried.
Without realising, I was crying too. "Are they.. are they dead?"
"No, they are being held as prisoners. They want a ransom from the US government."
I sank down onto the floor not believing what I was hearing "I'll take the next flight back home."
"No, you just stay there. You need to distract yourself. Once Jon and the girls leave, I'll come over."
"But the bakery--"
"The bakery will be fine. The chefs are more than capable to keep it running."
"I can't believe it I just can't." I cried some more.
"We just have to hope for the best now honey."
My heart yearned to talk to Talen. To send him an email telling him how much I loved him.
It was just too late.