Chapter 49 - It was supposed to be a silly afternoon in a Shakespearean library. But love has a way of rewriting the script.

Chapter 49

Lisa

In ways I never expected, Paris fascinated me. The long walks on the Seine, peaceful mornings in our condo with coffee and fresh pastries, the impromptu trips to luxury stores, and late nights full of goofy looks and laughter made every day seem like a dream. 

But my favorite part about Paris was not the city itself, it was a person. It was Damon. Day after day, my unspoken feelings for him only grew.

From the way he would instinctively grab my hand, to his thoughtful little gestures.  In the chilly Parisian evenings, I've found myself leaning more and more into him in search of…warmth.  Over time our discussions have become more intimate and genuine, transcending lighthearted banter. I was well aware that I was falling.  

Helplessly.

Slowly.

Deeply.  

But what was even more surprising is the fact that Damon was also plummeting.  

Harder. 

And faster.

We hadn't talked about that night ever since, but I had heard him clearly. Those three words.

I love you.

“Where are you off too?” Damon asked as I walked across the room.

“Oh, there's this bookstore I saw online. I want to check it out.” I replied.

“Were you going to go there without me? What happened to our plan to explore Paris together?” He said with a raised questioning brow.“

“Uh, well, I didn’t think you’d be interested. You’ve never been a bookworm. It’s a Shakespearean library and it’s quite a distance away. I didn’t want to bother you.”

“It’s no bother,” he said, shutting his laptop and standing from his seat. “Hold on a minute, I’d need to get dressed. I’ll be with you shortly.”

I gave a small nod and waited wondering why Damon who’s always hated literary works was suddenly fixated on visiting a library with me.

We finally arrived at the library and it was everything I wanted and more. From the architectural designs to the scent of the book pages, I was having a literal book orgasm and I wasn’t even half way through the library. My eyes were bright with excitement as I ran down the aisles, running my fingertips over the spines of the books lined up in the shelves. 

Finally, I paused in front of a collection of poems that appeared to have withstood heartache and three generations.and took out the oldest book on the shelf. My face was lit with curiosity as I turned the pages, my fingers grazing the ink-smudged corners.

“Oh this one,” I squealed when I noticed one of my favourite poems. I read aloud with flair, trying my best to sound like Williams Shakespare,

“I have seen roses damask’d, red and white,

But no such roses see I in her cheeks;

And in some perfumes is there more delight

Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.

I love to hear her speak, yet well I know.”

“How dramatic.” I mocked, flipping through to see if I’d find anything else I’d fancy. 

Damon didn't laugh at my joke. He just kept a tightly straight face.

I chattered on, unbothered. If he didn’t think that was impressive,it was okay. We have a lot of time on our hands and there’s definitely more where that came from. As if the universe heard me, I found an even better line. With a wide grin, I called Damon’s attention, “Hey, listen to this one.” I said with a serious tone, tucking my hair behind my ear.

“With love’s light wings did I o’er-perch these walls;

For stony limits cannot hold love out,

And what love can do that dares love attempt;

Therefore thy kinsmen are no stop to me.”

I read out the lines of Romeo and Juliet, Act 2, Scene 2.

“What do you think? Nineties love was no joke. I get that he’s passionately in love with Julie but that’s some lowkey stalker. Why is he climbing her walls? Typical dark romance troupe.”

Still nothing from him. Just a very quiet look that made my stomach somersault.

“You okay?” I asked.

“Yeah,” he said, his voice low. “Just thinking... some walls are worth climbing.”

My heart tripped but I easily covered it with a scoff and searched the shelves for more classics.

“Oh wait, here’s another one.” I’d found another personal favourite. Much Ado About Nothing. “This one’s ridiculous.” I announced as I cleared my throat.

“I do love nothing in the world so well as you: is not that strange?”

“I don’t think that’s strange.”

I sent him a raised brow. “No one would say that. No one but Shakespare.”

Damon answered, "I would say that."

I blinked. "You would?"

"If I meant it." He added.

And there it was again—that shift. The air had changed, but not the room.

I needed something to do, so I glanced down at the book. I spoke less loudly now, quoting a line from Romeo and Juliet off my head,

“My bounty is as boundless as the sea,

My love as deep; the more I give to thee,

The more I have, for both are infinite.”

“What book is that one from?” Damon asked.

“It;s Romeo and Juliet. Juliet was just being extra as usual. Honestly, what they had was so unreal?” 

“Sometimes people just feel that much.” I looked up slowly, and my eyes met Damon’s. 

“I was just kidding,” I said..

“I’m not,” he replied. 

I took a breath, pretending to brush off the weight between us, but my fingers shook slightly as I turned another page. “Okay, here’s one that’s not too deep.” I smiled once more. 

‘When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I should live till I were married.’” I read. “Commitment issues in the 1500s,” I joked, laughing, “What are the odds?” 

"That's something I used to say too."

Startled, I arched an eyebrow. "Really? I’m starting to think that you and Shakespeare are very much alike."

"Well, then, maybe but now? I'm not so sure, now."

I hesitated. Observing him closely. Something changed. Something unavoidable and hefty.

Nobody made a move. Forgotten, the book lay open in her lap. The stillness was vibrant and loaded, and it no longer seemed awkward.

All of a sudden, it became abundantly evident that this was more than just a poetry game.

It was so much more.