Chapter 1
Two weeks in Paris
Catherine Chandler
I don’t know why I think things would change, like it happens every year… my birthday sucks.. but this year, I wasn’t going to wait for them anymore! We have been talking about this trip for a year… 2 weeks in Paris!! They promised me that this was going to be the best girls getaway trip.. making up for all the other bailouts!!! I kept my end of the deal.. with or without them.. this was going to be my time!!!
“Mom!!! You deserve this vacation!! Who cares if they don’t go!” My son yelled at me, from across the room…
“You have done so much for us after dad passed.. You stopped to take care of us ! We good, Mom!” He was right. I had put my life on hold to take care of my boys. We sold the house, moved into 3 bedroom smaller house, but still big enough for growing boys!! It helps when you have a lot a friends in realtors!!
My birthday always sucked, it landed on tax day and it seemed on that day, no one had money..
I was a single mom for 13 years and my boys were old enough and responsible enough for me to leave them alone for 2 weeks.
“We want to see lots of pictures on Instagram, mom!”, they yelled back.
Looking at my suitcase, looking to see what I’m packing for 2 weeks in Paris in April… weather is normally in the mid to upper 60’s
I’m just a simple person, pair of good jeans and long sleeve T-shirt and I’m good to go.. and good pair of shoes! I was never into spending money on myself, whatever money I had would go to my boys.
Both boys walked into my bedroom, John, 20 years old was standing over me. “Mom, you can’t stall anymore, you have to pack! You leave tomorrow night!”
Jason stood next to his brother. Even though he was 3 years younger, they both stood taller than me! But the were right I needed to pack and stop criticizing myself.
The backseat driver was grilling me, as I’m looking in my bag, “Passport?” Jason asked
“Check!” Holding it in my hand.
“Plane tickets? “ Johns turn.
“Double check!” Holding it in my other hand..
“Anything else I’m forgetting, boys?” asking them sarcastically… in unison “Yeah!!! Have fun!!! “
I know they meant well, and wanted me to have a great time.. but being a single mom for 13 years and 45 years old… where did the time go…
“This is it mom, we are here and kicking you out” John said. “And we are not having any long goodbyes “ Jason added!
“Okay, okay!! I promise to have a good time and take lots of pictures, so you know that I’m alive!”
“Mom!!!” They both said!
Gave them a smile!!! “Hey, you boys say that to me, why can’t I say it back! It’s the only way I know you guys are alive.. with all the pictures you both post!”
They both looked at each other, “agreed!”
As he parked by the sidewalk both boys jumped out of the car to grab my luggage…
“Come on, come on, bring it on in.. “ John motioned with his hands… As I went in for the hug, Jason came from behind.. I was sandwiched by my boys. “Momwiched!” We all laughed
I rather arrive early than late.. airport security sucks.. I swear one of these days, people are going to walk in naked to get through TSA…
“Flight 9608 to Paris now boarding!”
My knees started shaking… I’m doing this, I raised 2 kids on my own, this … this should be a piece of cake…
Buzz… buzzz
John:
“Get on the plane, mom and have a good time!!! We can survive two weeks..”
Buzz… buzzz
Jason:
“Have a great birthday, you deserve it!”
Mom:
“Love you both!!! Xoxo ox. Don’t kill each other when I’m over the Atlantic Ocean!! Please “
Buzz.. buzzz
John:
“We won’t… maybe!”
Buzz.. buzzz
Jason:
“Bye Mom!!”
“We are now boarding Flight 9608 to Paris” flight attendant repeated.
“Have a wonderful flight!” As she hands my ticket back. Most of the passengers were settling in.. my was at the end of the plane.
Slowly getting to the back of the plane, I see me seat. I could see a man sitting on the window seat. He had a tan jacket and all I can tell.. tan complexion and dark hair.
Alec Alessandro
Going back again.. sitting on a plane, back to Paris, to fix my brothers mistakes!
My little brother never took the family business serious. With 20 years difference between us, he took everything as a game to play with! I had to grow up hard and fast.. boarding school and learning the business from the ground up.. dad made me work hard and had no time for failure.
Andre had it easy… everything was a game to him.. growing up, he had everyone wrapped around his little finger, especially the woman.. he took advantage of it… and Dad was no help either!
Red eye to Paris, hopefully I can sleep. It’s been a long day with business meetings and now sitting cramped seat, commercial no less. Hoping no one recognizes me.
Saw a couple of young girls looking at, could tell them biting their lips, eyeing me up and down… Good god, I hope they don’t recognize me! With my brother being on every single tabloid, our family name.. I just lowered my hat and quickly went to the back of the plane and forget the day..
It seems that most of everyone has taken their seats and no one was next to me… there is a god, if I can get through this flight without any female drama, it would be heaven!
Then there she was… she had a grey sweater coat, white v-neck T-shirt and dark denim jeans.. her hair was a mix of white, black and grey… long and messy. Half in a bun and half down… she looked like all the young girls with this new icy platinum blonde hair, but hers was different.
She was coming towards me….
“I’m sorry, I think you have my belt???” I explained
He quickly removed his belt and untwisted it..
“Sorry!” He said..
“No worries!” I explained…
I could tell he was not in a talkative mood and neither was I…
I sat back, tried to get comfortable, I don’t like sleeping on planes.. pass my time reading a book…
I texted my boys to let them know I made it and on my – “I’m in my seat and ready to take off… love you both.. please don’t kill each other!”
Buzz…buzzz
John: “ Have fun!!! Love you too!”
Was the last thing I saw before turning it on airplane mode…
Alec
She sat quietly, getting herself settled in her seat.. She removed a book and sent a text message. Placed her phone on her leg. It buzzzed back, looking over.. John- have fun, love you too… she smiled and put the phone away..
I looked up and saw the two girls looking back again.. I shifted in my seat and lowered my hat again. It looks like one of them is coming to the back of the plane, with the biggest grin on her face… fuck!
Cat
I noticed he kept shifting in his seat and took a quick peak and saw that he lowered his has down.. I looked up and saw young blonde smiling, coming back to us.. it was obvious that he didn’t want nothing to do with her… As she approaches, she was about to open her mouth and..
“Honey, did you remember to turn off the coffee machine, you know you always forget?” I said as I placed my hand on top of his…
Alec looked up at me and then her, “ Why you keep asking me about that.. I forgot once and you’ll never let me forget it!!” He said
“Oh, honey, it’s my job to make sure you never forget!” I replied. I looked up and she turned to go back to her seat.
“ Thanks!” He said..
“ No problem, I got the feeling you didn’t want to be bothered by Double DD!” I interjected.
She turned to her book. Her Shifter was the title with some tattooed half naked man on the cover..
Trying to make small talk before takeoff..
“So you like bad boys?” I asked
I turned to with one eyebrow up,
“ Excuse me?” I question him.
He pointed at the book.
“Oh, bad boys??? Um no! I like reading mythical stuff, it’s about wear wolves! “ I explained
“Considering we will be sitting next to one another for a few hours, I’m Catherine! Cat for short!” I extended my hand.
She didn’t know who I was??? Looked at her eyes, smiled, “ Alec!” I said
“It’s very nice to me you!”
“So business or pleasure?” I asked him
“Business!” He responded
“Cool!” Cat said
“First time going to Paris?” I asked her
“Um no, my first trip I was 16, with my parents, I had to see the stuff they wanted to see… This time I get to explore it! “ She said excitedly
“So, pleasure!” Alec asked me
“ Um, No!!! More like I’m running away!”
Cat said.
“Running Away?” Alec was confused!
“Let me get this straight?? You are running away? Away from what?”
Alec had a very puzzling look… “Are you in some kind of trouble?l
Cat laughed… “No!!! No nothing like that!”
“Let give you the short version… My birthday sucks! 1. My birthday lands on Tax Day.
2. Friends always say they going to show, but never do.
3. This was supposed to be a girls trip to Paris!! Do you see any other girls with me??
4. Did I say my birthday sucks, every year!
So I’m doing this trip in my own and exploring, tasting and having the best time by myself!”
Alec did know what to say…
“Ladies and gentlemen! We are next in line to take off. Please make sure you are buckled up and tray tables are securely closed..” the flight attendant announced.
Alec turned to me, “ do you mind me asking you a question? Have you been to Paris before?”
“Yes, when I was 16 and with my parents!” I answered him. “ I only saw the things that they wanted to see… churches and stuff, I wanted to see more modern art work and outside of Paris but, never did.”
Plane stared moving forward, rumbled with force… the seats shook with force, as the plane increased with speed.. I could feel the lift of the plane in the pit of my stomach, as the plane started to rise off the runway…
All I could do was grab the armrest, with me
Eyes close, to settle me… but I grabbed his hand instead.. it was on the armrest..
Alec notice my eyes closed, holding my breath as we were taking off.. he placed his other hand on top of mine… leaned over to my ear..
“Je t'ai eu! tu es en sécurité!” (I've got you! you are safe!)
All I could do was whisper… “what?”
Alec placed his other hand in my chin and turned it to him… “Look at me!” He said..
Still holding my breath, I looked at him… his steel cold blue eyes, his tan chiseled chin. I was able to breathe again.
Once the plane reached altitude, I realized he was still holding my hand..
“You don’t like flying?” Alec asked
As I took back my hand and reached my book…
“Not really… take off and landing gets my anxiety to a whole new level!” I answered and desperately trying to get my mind off it..
At the corner of my eye, I could see him settle back in seat, lower his black baseball cap and had devilish grin on his face… he fell a sleep..
This is a good start... I like the dynamics between the