39 - Ghosts and luxury

“Why do I have to choose in the first place?” Lauren asked. “I mean, it's really not that deep.”

“Alright then. Do you just plan on leaving for the trip without telling Jacob?” Rachel asked, making her friend look guilty.

“Of course not. I wouldn't do that. I just have to let Jacob know that I'll be gone for a bit and I can't make it,” Lauren suggested.

“Where exactly?” Rachel teased. The grin on her face was very wide.

“Now that, I'm not going to include in the text.”

“Text?” Rachel cut in. “Why text him when you could just go over to his place now and cancel.”

“Now? I'm not doing that now. I can't just accept to go somewhere with him all bubbly, and the next minute I'm knocking at the door and calling it off.”

“There's absolutely nothing wrong with that,” Rachel butt in. “You're just overthinking it. And you said you don't like this guy,” she added, rolling her eyes.

“No I don't. Sorry for wanting to have common courtesy,” Lauren responded.

“Common courtesy is telling him right now, instead of dragging it into the middle of the week to cancel, or worse, that day,” Rachel fired back.

“Now why would I do that? You tend to forget it's me you're talking about here,” Lauren emphasized.

“When I land at the airport tomorrow, I'll text him. And explain everything to him,” she added in a subtle tone.

Rachel wasn't quitting today. She was just about to respond when Lauren cut in.

“And no, I'm not telling him I flew over to France with another man.”

“Okay then. If you say so,” Rachel chuckled.

“Enough talk about all of these men. I'm starving. The chaos at my place earlier didn't let me have anything this morning,” Rachel said.

“The kitchen is right there. You can help yourself with anything.” Lauren pointed out.

“Oh really? So you're not going to make your guest anything?” Rachel teased.

“You wish,” Lauren responded, getting off the couch and making her way to the hallway.

“I'm going to sort out the things I need to pack.”

“Wait a minute. Please don't do that without me,” Rachel replied, bouncing off the couch into the kitchen.

“Then hurry.” Lauren responded

“This would only take a minute. Let me grab a bowl of cereal,” Rachel replied.

With the bowl in her hand, Rachel made a run for it to the bedroom to help her friend pack.

***

My God! She had never been treated so finely in an airplane before. Well starting from the airport.

Who knew there was a lounge area, and she didn't need to stand in a queue like the rest of the people at the airport?

The flight was over 7 hours long and she wouldn't lie when she said she was well rested in the comfortable seats that transformed into beds.

And thank God for that because she hadn't slept all night.

Rachel kept her up packing and unpacking. Left for her, she could have just grabbed an outfit or two and all her other important stuff before heading to the airport.

She can't believe she got talked into visiting two stores, because her clothes were not giving Paris vibes. Or at least that's what her friend said.

Bruce had picked her up at the house this morning just at the right time, as though he was waiting outside her apartment building.

Well that's what happens when they never ask for her contact. The same goes for Mr Gray. Up till now the only personal detail they had about each other was where they lived.

And Tyler made good use of that information, judging from the bouquet yesterday. And the vase of course. It was a really fancy one.

Which was personal enough if you ask Lauren. Still she had to do something about it on this trip because here she was, waiting for her luggage and wondering how she was going to move around this city.

Especially when it was her first time here. She was really crazy to make this trip because all she knew was the ticket number. She wouldn't want to get lost on her first international trip.

Lauren reached for her box, thanking the security guy who helped her grab it.

Well her situation wasn't lost after all. At least, nothing Google Maps couldn't fix. She pulled out her phone, seeing numerous texts from Rachel.

She had left her in her apartment. Rachel had gotten a call from her building that in a day or two, things would be all set.

Which meant that she might be gone by the time Lauren went back home. Hopefully she doesn't burn the house down before then.

She would reply to her texts later. Speaking of texts…Jacob. She did say she would let him know that she couldn't make it today.

All these things she had to do. She didn't pick up her phone to communicate just yet. She had to find out where the nearest spot to rest would be and how to order a cab there.

Well the card with her name boldly written on it would say otherwise.

Miss Lauren.

Guess she didn't need to panic after all. She waved at the stranger and circled the barricade to get to him.

He was dressed in a full suit so she was guessing he would be a driver.

“Welcome to Paris, Miss Lauren,” the man said in a cool tone as he collected her luggage.

Her box was big and embarrassing. Like she packed for a whole family. But then again, she needed to have options just in case. Those were Rachel's words, not hers.

“Thank you,” Lauren replied to the man, with a warm smile. Then again this was a complete stranger acting all nice to her.

And clearly, she was about to get into the car with him.

Just relax. Lauren shook the paranoid feeling away. He wasn't abducting her or anything. This was no Mafia story.

Then again the car was luxurious. Heck! She didn't even know the model, but it looked exactly like Mr Gray's taste.

She was sure he was off somewhere, probably on a billionaire golf course. He had better things to do than to come pick her off from the airport.

At least he sent someone.

After the driver put her luggage in the trunk, he held the door open for her.

The tinted glasses weren't just for show. Inside the car was absolutely dark.

So dark she almost thought she saw a figure inside the car, seated at the extreme end.

Lauren relaxed comfortably in the back seat, as the man shut the door behind her.

Inside the SUV was spacious like a limo. She started to think that her mind wasn't playing tricks on her.

There was someone seated right in front of her. Staring her down, if those were his eyes.

“How are you, Miss Lauren?”