CHAPTER 76

MELANIE.

I COULDN'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME I WAS THIS MENTALLY EXHAUSTED.

I trudged into the hotel, barely acknowledging the footman who greeted me. My eyes were red and sore from crying too long and though I'd tried my best to conceal it, I knew without a doubt something still showed. I just didn't care.

I stepped into the elevator and pushed the button for the penthouse suite we were staying in and leaned against the back wall with my eyes closed. Thoughts were jumbled in my head, but I was too tired to start sorting anything right now. I just wanted to take a hot bath and bury myself in bed. It wasn't too much to ask.

After I'd finished crying my eyes out into Bennett's chest, we'd gone back into the cafe and talked some more. The more we did, the more it felt like I was looking into a mirror. It was an odd mix of strange and pleasant. All of a sudden, I wasn't completely alone in the world. I still didn't believe the bullshit about my father being abusive, but I figured Bennett was only saying what our mother had told him.

That discussion was going to be between me and her when it was time, now that I knew she was alive. It's crazy how I'd never bothered to seek her out before, but I'd never felt any need for her, even while growing up. My dad wasn't perfect, but he gave me everything I needed.

Being in the elevator again reminded me of the fur-wearing woman with the cigarette from earlier. The way she'd looked at me had made the back of my neck itch. She looked like she knew things I didn't, and she delighted in keeping them from me. I made a note to see if I could find her and maybe talk to her. I don't know why I felt the urge to; it might not even lead anywhere, but I'd made all sorts of new discoveries today that it just might after all.

The doors slid open and I walked the short distance to the door. I swiped my key card and pushed it open, surprised to see Jordan on the other side. He didn't look happy, but then again he never did, so...

I mumbled a greeting and made to sidestep around him, averting my eyes. He blocked me and I gave him a questioning look.

“Where have you been?” he asked.

I arched a brow. “I believe that’s my business”, I replied.

“It’s mine when my employee goes missing for hours without notifying me. Where have you been?” he asked again.

I rolled my eyes; I wasn't even in the correct frame of mind to deal with a control freak and his god complex.

“I went out, okay? It's a normal activity that normal people do. Don't make it weird. I just want to go to sleep”, I snapped and noted the surprise in his eyes before he covered it up.

I know I was being defensive and making it obvious all wasn't well, but again, I didn't care.

“I’m afraid you won't be able to do that”. Jordan said, following me as I took off my shoes in the entryway and walked towards the expanse of space.

“And why is that?” I asked but I didn't need a reply because at that moment I stepped into the living room and my eyes landed on the worst thing that had happened on this trip so far.

Taylor sat cross-legged on one of the deep sofas, examining her nails as she stared into her phone. The silver buckles on her Jimmy Choo ankle boots glinted whenever she moved them and in the few days since we last saw each other she had added highlights to her hair. Her nails were also now a royal blue with tiny chains crisscrossed on them.

When she saw me, she smiled like a predator sighting easy prey and ended the call.

“Hey, Melanie”, she purred. Two words, and a headache started to beat at the base of my skull.

“What are you doing here?” I demanded. She stood up and walked over to me with that same smile, the heels on her boots clacking against the floor.

“Why, I missed my favorite people. And I never pass up a chance to be in Paris. It's such a wonderful place, don't you think? Blaine was...nice enough...to give me your hotel and room number”, she sighed.

“It could be if certain people didn't come where they weren't wanted”, I snarked.

I didn't like the way she was acting. I preferred it when she was being a bitch straight up, the “nice” facade was getting on my nerves. Also, Blaine is a dead man.

Taylor ignored my comment. “I’ve actually been waiting for you. Paris Fashion Week is taking place tomorrow, and all the famous influencers are going to be there and maybe walk the runway. Come with me?”, she asked.

I just stared at her, refusing to believe that she actually thought there was even the slightest possibility I would say yes when we didn't like each other.

“Not a chance in hell”, I deadpanned and walked past her into my room, making sure to lock the door before taking a shower and then hitting the sheets.

Just as I was drifting off, I got a text from Bennett saying how he enjoyed our meeting today. We texted back and forth for a while then he asked if I would be free tomorrow because he had a surprise for me. I smiled and said yes, then I went to sleep. The next day I found myself standing at the edge of a huge crowd, looking around with some interest. Christ on a bicycle, the amount of pockets I'd be able to pick here was insane.

Just as I was banishing such dark thoughts Bennett jogged up to me, his thick head of shiny brown hair bouncing. He stopped in front of me and enfolded me in a big hug which I returned.

“So..are you ready?” he asked with a smile.

“Ready for what?” I returned, curious.

“You haven't guessed it? Well then, welcome to the biggest event of the year, Paris Fashion Week”, his hand swept out to encompass the crowd.

My stomach dropped; this was the same event Taylor had asked me to accompany her to. What if she was here and she saw Bennett? What if she tells Jordan?

“Bennett, I'm not really a fan. Isn't there somewhere else we can go?” I asked, trying not to let my unease show.

“Not a fan? Girl, everybody's a fan. And we can't leave, this is just half of the surprise”, he answered.

“What do you mean?”, I asked.

His gaze turned serious as he placed his hands on my shoulders.

“I know I wasn't there for you when I should've been, and I want to make it up to you. Starting now” he said.

I sighed in resignation; he felt guilty and was trying to do something nice for me. I shouldn't be bitchy about it. Besides, there were hundreds if not thousands of people here, the chances of running into Taylor were slim, unless the stars chose not to align in my favor.

“Alright. What is it?”, my stomach dropped lower at his excited grin.

“I called in a favor from a friend, made some arrangements and you, darling sister of mine, are going to walk the runway today.”