Twenty.......Notes In Paris

I continued to work. I was rounding up for the day when my phone rang. I checked and it was Ansel. I wondered why he was calling, he hardly called me. Not like I had any problem with that.

"Yes, hello.", I answered.

"Riley can you come home now.", he said.

"Why is something wrong?", I asked trying to pick something from his tone, but it sounded normal.

"No, just wanna show you something, can you come quickly.", he pleaded.

"Uhm....okay. Bye."

"Bye.", he said and I hung up.

I packed my stuff and left. I would think it was something to worry about, but he didn't give me any reason to worry.

As I was passing by the mall, I decided to quickly get some clothes. I know it's not the best timing, especially since Ansel just called me home but I didn't want to forget. If I didn't do it now I remembered, I wouldn't.

I got down and entered. I walked into the clothing section. I went through the tops and got a white top that had splashes of various colours at the front and a multicoloured ART at the back. It was nice.

"I thought I knew you.", I heard someone say behind me while I was looking at a short black dress. I turned to see the stranger I ran into at Anika's engagement ceremony.

"Excuse me. Do I know you?", I asked.

"Sorry where are my manners, I'm Kane, Kane McGery.", he said and stretched his hand for a shake.

He seemed nice, but every stranger looks nice, even the ones who weren't.

"I saw you going through some clothes and I was trying to pinpoint where I saw you and I realized it was at the party yesterday.", he said dropping his hands after I didn't shake them.

"Oh.", was all I said.

"I don't mean to pester but I just wanted you to know that whatever it is that got you running out yesterday isn't worth keeping you down.", he said.

"I'm married.", I said before my mind could catch up to my mouth.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I wasn't hitting on you or anything. I just felt I should tell you that, considering how distraught you looked yesterday. It felt like the nice thing to do.", he explained.

"Nice to a stranger?" I questioned.

"Well I'm sorry for being a gentleman.", he said with a light laugh and I studied him. He was dressed in a casual top and faded jeans, he didn't seem like who he was yesterday in a suit and tie.

There was something about him that I just couldn't pinpoint. But whatever it was I know he wasn't just having a random conversation with me for nothing.

"From the way you're looking at me I guess you think I have an ulterior motive.", he said.

How did he know?

"Well you're right and yesterday wasn't the first time I had seen you, but for you, it must have been.", he said.

"Are you stalking me?", I asked shifting on my toes.

"Oh no.", he said, giving a pleasant smile but I just couldn't return it. "I saw you at a party, a launching party for an event hall that you and your co-workers designed.", he added.

I scanned my memory to see if I saw him at the party, but I didn't. His face, before yesterday, was new.

"I liked your work and I kept tabs on you.", he said.

"So you are stalking me?" I asked though it sounded more like a statement.

"No. I was invited to the party yesterday."

"And you followed me from last night.", I said with

"Okay. I kinda stalked you, but not for a bad reason or anything like that. I just want you to help me design a house.", he breathed out a sigh.

"You can meet me at my office, and I'm sure you already know where it is.", I said and turned to leave but he blocked my path.

"Okay, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to freak you out, but I don't want to meet at the office because they might give me another person and I just wanted it to be you.", he said sounding desperate.

I looked deeply into his eyes. "Why should I trust that you don't have another reason for this.", I said.

"I don't I'm..."

"I don't do personal jobs.", I lied. Of course, I am allowed to, and so far it doesn't interfere with my work at the office.

He dug his hands into his pockets and brought out a business card.

"Granted, my means of approach was terrible, but trust me I'm being sincere about this. I just want you to design a house.", he said but it sounded like it was not just that.

"Think about it.", he said and I looked at the card. The only reason why I took it was because time was going and I had to head back home, I wasn't going to think about it.

I started my car and drove off.

When I got home, I headed up to the room to find Ansel on the bed going through his phone.

"I didn't know the drive from your office back home was that long.", he said and glanced at his watch.

"Sorry, I stopped by the mall.", I said and he stood up.

"Okay, let's go.", he said.

"Go where.", I asked and he pecked me.

"Remember I told you I wanna show you something.", he said and took my hand.

We went somewhere that I didn't know existed in the house. Soon we were in a plane harbour or something like that. My jaw literally dropped when I saw the private plane.

"Is that..yours.", I stuttered. "W..where a..are we..going?", I asked.

"C'mon you'll see when we get there.", he said taking my hand.

"Wait. I didn't pack.", I said almost stopping but he continued.

"I've done that.", he said as he led me up the stairs.

I entered and was taken away by the sight. It was exquisite. I couldn't remember the last time I got on a plane. I was always with my dad, so I rarely travelled.

"You planned all this.", I said as he sat beside me.

"You seemed dull today and I know you said I shouldn't worry, but I couldn't help it. I had to do something to cheer you up, plus I missed your smile.", he said and intertwined our hands before he pecked it, a sweet gesture that made my heart swell.

"You shouldn't have.", I said.

"But I did. Now relax, we have the weekend to ourselves.", he said.

I leaned in to rest my head on his chest and I heard the quiet beating of his heart.

"Thank you.", I sighed and closed my eyes as he kissed the top of my head.

I didn't know when I drifted off to sleep and dreamt of planes.

I woke up due to a slight movement.

"I didn't wanna wake you up but we have arrived.", he said and I rubbed my eyes.

"Oh. Where are we?", I asked.

"You'll see.", he said and we stepped out.

We got into a limo with tinted windows, of course, every limo had tinted windows. The limo started moving.

"Have you ever been out of America before?", he asked and I looked at him. He had this goofy grin plastered on his face and I felt my eyeball pop out of their sockets.

"Are we out of America?" I asked

"Don't worry, you'll see."

"Ansel you're making me start to hate surprises.", I said.

"Trust me, you'll love this one.", he said and after some minutes we got down and entered a hotel. It looked fancy but I couldn't make out where we were.

I checked my purse for my phone. It was past eleven in the night.

"It's late and we travelled for about 6 hours.", I said as I followed him into the hotel. He paused by the receptionist and after a brief discussion with her, he collected the keys to our room.

"I know you must be tired even though you slept throughout the flight.", he teased.

"I'm not. I want to start my tour around this country I don't know.", I said and we stopped in front of a door. He used the card and we entered.

The room was nice. It was simple. The bed covers were black and blue, the wall was cream. The room had this calm aura and I liked it, it made me feel relaxed.

I immediately took off my sandals and fell on the bed.

"I thought you said you wanted to tour?", he asked and I knew he was smiling even though I wasn't looking.

"Yeah but I can't just give up this opportunity of....", I sighed deeply not being able to finish my statement.

Soon he joined me on the bed. I scooted closer to him and he wrapped his arm around my waist.

"Tell me bout your day?", he asked.

"Oh no. So you'll sleep on me don't worry.", I said.

"I promise I won't.", he said but I knew he felt sleepy.

"Did you sleep on the plane?", I asked

"If staring at you and catching some minutes of sleep is, then yes.", he said and my heart leapt, I don't think anyone has stared at me while I slept, not even Brayden.

"Well I guess you need some sleep then, some real one 'cause that doesn't count.", I said.

"Okay. Whatever you say.", he said sleepily.

I pecked his neck and whispered a goodnight before I drifted off wondering what he had in plan for our weekend.

The next day I woke up feeling refreshed, Ansel wasn't in the room so I guessed he had already prepared. I got into the bathroom and prepared myself.

I hadn't seen the clothes Ansel had brought for me though. I came out with a towel wrapped around my body and checked the closet. I found a small suitcase which had a paper plastered on it.

Riley.

So I guessed this was mine and would contain my clothes.

I opened it and saw my stuff. I decided to wear a dress I don't think Ansel had ever seen me in.

It was a green dress, that had white flower designs on it. The upper part was fitted and the lower part was flair. The sleeve was white and I loved it.

I couldn't start looking through the few shoes Ansel had got for me so I wore the same white sandals I wore yesterday. I applied a little make-up and tied my hair up in a ponytail.

When I checked around Ansel wasn't around, he wasn't even on the balcony. I looked and on the door was a note.

Oh, so that was what he wanted to do.

I took it and it read,

Morning sweetheart. If you're reading this, you must have been dressed 'cause I know you never leave the room until you are. There's a car waiting downstairs, that's your ride.

I smiled and took my purse, phone and wallet for some cash. I headed downstairs and greeted the receptionist before I headed out. As I stepped out the scent of warm croissants made me know we were in France, and I couldn't help but smile.

I saw Mekhi on the other side of the road. I didn't even know he came along.

"Hey, Mekhi I didn't know you came.", I said as I entered.

"The boss had planned it all for me, I didn't even know I was to come, I thought this was your honeymoon.", he said.

Honeymoon. Was that what this was?

But then he said it was just for the weekend so I figured it wasn't a honeymoon, 'cause they last longer, like a month or two. He said and I nodded in agreement.

Come to think of it, I and Ansel have never gone on a honeymoon. It's normally immediately after the wedding. But instead of bonding and getting closer like normal couples would, I and Ansel were always fighting. My mind drifted to the thought of Ansel. Would he have wanted a honeymoon, would he have dreamed of one?

"So, I'm meant to be giving you a tour.", Mekhi said and the windows went down. Then he started talking.

We had a very nice discussion and I found out Mekhi was actually born in France and grew up there till he was seventeen and came to America with his mum, after his father's passing.

After a long time, we were done and I was convinced I had gone around Paris, but Mekhi said otherwise. The car stopped and Mekhi turned around with a note in his hands.

"Ma'am. This is for you.", he said and handed me a note. It read,

I'm sure you enjoyed your time with Mekhi but trust me that's just the beginning. You must be very hungry. Step out and head into the diner, ask for your table.

I looked out and there was a diner nearby.

"Thank you Mekhi.", I said.

"Anytime ma'am.", he said and I got down. As if on cue, my stomach grumbled. I was really hungry.

I entered the diner. I went to the woman who was free and using her phone.

"Uhm. Bonjour madam.", I said, the only piece of French I knew.

"Oh. You must be ze American.", she said with a thick French accent.

"Uhm yes, my...."

"Table's right there, by the window.", she pointed. I thanked her and headed to the table.

I looked through the menu and ordered a French dish that I liked very well. Once I was done, I wanted to stand but my dress was held in place, I checked and it was a note that was folded, so it had gum on the up and the down.

Bon appetité. Take a stroll, smile at the people that will walk around, you're one step closer to me.

I thanked the woman and headed out. I had no idea what he wanted me to do now. I was walking when a little girl tripped on me, but I steadied her. She looked up at me and her eyes widened and a huge smile lit up her face.

"You must be the pretty woman. I was running 'cause I thought I had lost you. Oh thank God.", she said and I picked out her British accent.

"You're British?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'm here on a holiday with my brothers who.....Anyways my name is Samantha, Sammy for short.", she started as she pulled me and I tagged along.

"Oh hello Sammy, so where are we heading to?", I asked her.

"To the park. There's one just by the corner, we're close so don't worry.", she rambled.

"And what are we gonna do there?", I chuckled.

"Play of course, what else do they do at the park.", she said. "Then after that, you can see your husband I'm sure.", she said and scrunched her face to give a wink. The act prompted me to laugh lightly as the park came to view.

It was a nice place. I got to see Sammy's elder sister, Lucy, who was going to college which she called university since she was British. We played and had fun. We took pictures and played some French games, which were hard for me.

We played, laughed and did other things that I didn't know when it was evening.

"Wow. It's getting dark already.", Lucy said.

"I guess that's goodbye for us.", Sammy said and I crouched down to her level.

"I had fun and that's thanks to you and your sister. And for that I am forever indebted to you.", I said.

"Oh, no need to be serious. I was called to have fun and that is what I did."

We bade goodbye and then I realized the park was getting empty, few people were around. A strong wind blew and I shivered. It seemed like it was gonna rain. Then I realized I had no note from Ansel.

I was alone in a park in Paris with no directions. Just as I wanted to leave and find my way back to the hotel, I felt someone behind me and I knew it was him.

"Enjoyed your day?", he asked and I nodded.

"I knew you couldn't leave me here, alone.", I said and he hugged me from behind.

"But I tried didn't I.", he said and I turned around and my arms circled his neck. Without saying anything, I leaned in to kiss him and he responded. My lips parted as his tongue sought entrance. I tugged slightly at his hair and he pulled me closer so there was no space at all.

When I finally pulled away, I was panting slightly and I'm sure my lips were swollen.

"I missed you.", I said and he took my hands in his and pecked them before we started walking away from the park.

"I did too. I just wanted you to have a nice day that's all.", he said.

Paris was beautiful at night and I know we had to go back tomorrow but I wished I could stay. I enjoyed my day, all thanks to Ansel.

"What's on your mind.", he asked.

"Nothing, just thinking of how I'll leave here tomorrow which I don't want to. How I enjoyed my adventure and how you came.", I said.

"Of course, I had to come back to end your adventure.", he said.

"And what better way than a fancy dinner.", I said as I saw the restaurant.

"Yup.", he said and we entered. We looked pretty casual for the place, almost everyone was in suits and cocktail dresses.

"Sorry, I couldn't tell you. There was no way you could head back to the hotel and still have fun at the park.", he said.

"Oh it's fine so far I'm with you.", I said and we settled in. The rest of the night went well and I don't know how, but we ended up dancing in the rain, kissing in the elevator and giggling in our rooms.

Today was amazing.

Yay!!! My first double update, I hope you guys loved it.

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The Sparkling Authoress

Mis-A

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