Chapter Eight
If Carla had special powers she would make time stop. Time would compose only the hours inside her suite at the hotel where she and Falcon made love all through the night. She could replay it anytime she wanted, a loop that was permanently set on those wonderful hours when Paris was just about her and Falcon.
She staggered out of bed at 6 A.M. feeling that her bladder was full. She moved quietly for fear of waking him as he snored lightly sleeping on his belly.
Carla tiptoed to the toilet, relieved herself, and washed her hands, when she noted her reflection on the mirror. Her eyes were shining but her hair looked like a bird just made its nest there. She didn’t want Falcon to see her that way. She found her purse among the heap of clothes scattered on the floor. She rummaged within until her fingers came in contact with something round. She pulled it out. It was a prescription bottle Dr. Beasley gave her for the baby. The bottle was now empty and needed a refill.
“Oh god,” Carla moaned feeling guilty and suddenly worried about her baby. Work in the house filled all her waking hours and things had been so hectic she had almost forgotten.
She planned on getting a refill in Riquewihr but the thought occurred that being a small town, word might get around. She already knew that people were wondering about her and the work she was doing at Falcon’s house.
I could do it now. There must be a pharmacy somewhere near. It shouldn’t take too long. I could be back even before Falcon wakes up
Her mind made up, Carla changed into clothes from yesterday’s trip. She scribbled a note, just in case Falcon did wake up. She planned to tear it up if he was still asleep when she returned. That would spare her from making up a story about her sudden excursion.
The lobby was still deserted as she headed for the door. She spotted a valet at the sidewalk and asked for direction to the nearest pharmacy. She was relieved when he assured her there was one only two blocks away from the hotel.
Carla walked fast. Now that she was actually on her way, her heart skipped just thinking that Falcon was now awake and wondering where she went. She could say she needed a breath of fresh air. But that sounded lame. Even she knew she still wanted to be ensconced in his arms.
I’ll cross that bridge when I get there, She decided.
The pharmacy was just some meters away. She entered hoping the pharmacist spoke English. Unfortunately, her luck did not carry that far.
She showed him the prescription bottle and rubbed her belly. He understood. He read the label and disappeared in the back. He reappeared and handed her a new bottle.
“Merci,” Carla said as she paid for the prescription.
She hurried out the door. “That was easy,” she thought. She could hurry back to the hotel and climb into bed. Falcon wouldn’t even know she was gone.
“Carla? Carla Hornsby?” A voice called out her name.
Carla whirled and thought the world had come to an end. Of all people to run into.
“Lindsay,” Carla could barely utter the name.
“What are you doing in Paris? Have you found a rich daddy? You haven’t called me since the day I left.” Lindsay was excited, presumptuous and accusing all at the same time.
“Lindsay, I-I…” Carla stuttered. A million scenarios went through her head. But she had to gather her composure and avoid any disaster from this unexpected run-in. “I just arrived last night. I’m supposed to meet this man here in Paris who heard about my work. He paid for my ticket. You know how it is with my kind of job. I had nothing to lose.” She shrugged pretending indifference.
“I’m staying at the Four Seasons. Where are you staying?” Lindsay was curious.
“Oh, some hole in the wall. Nothing fancy really. I just thought about taking a walk before the meeting.”
Carla couldn’t keep up with the lying. Lindsay would notice she was uneasy. She shifted the conversation. “How about you? I thought you were in Monaco with Hans. How’s that going, by the way? Has he proposed yet?”
Lindsay shrugged then smiled. “We had a big fight. I know he’s been putting off giving me that ring. Last night I left for Paris hoping to send him a message that I wasn’t staying around. It worked. He followed me here. Nothing like a French leave to send a message across.”
“That’s great, “Carla pretended enthusiasm. She remembered Falcon who was still sleeping when she left. “I really need to go. You shouldn’t leave Hans alone for too long.”
“Hey, “Lindsay called out, “Let’s have dinner tonight?”
“I can’t. I’m leaving soon after the meeting. But I’ll call you after I get settled.” Carla waved.
Lindsay looked at her strangely.
Carla knew she couldn’t go directly to the hotel with Lindsay watching. She crossed the street to throw her off then pretended to turn into a corner. A few seconds later, she peeked and saw that Lindsay was gone.
Carla retraced her steps back to the Athenee. She felt paranoid. She expected Lindsay to suddenly pop out of nowhere. She made it through the door and into the lobby, entering the first elevator that was available.
Inside the room, Falcon was still sleeping. Thank God! Carla picked up the note she scribbled earlier and tossed it into the trash. She was so jumpy she dared not join him in bed. She entered the bathroom, took her clothes off, and entered the shower.
Fuck! Of all the shitty luck. She’s here in Paris. And so is Falcon. I can’t risk them meeting. I know her. She’s unsure about Hans proposing. I saw it on her face. If he doesn’t, then she’ll make a play for Falcon. That was the plan all along. She can’t. Not after last night. Things are going great between us. I just need to find the right timing to tell him about the baby.
“I woke up and you were gone,” Falcon’s voce cut through her reverie. She was so engrossed she barely heard him enter. He was naked as he joined her in the shower.
“You were sleeping so peacefully. I didn’t want to wake you,” Carla lied as Falcon’s arms pulled her close. She felt crummy about lying but she had no choice. She would do anything to protect the fragile tie that had only begun.
“I-I want to make an early start back to Riquewihr,” she added.
The sooner she placed some distance between them and Lindsay, the better she would feel.
“I was hoping you’d agree to stay another day,” Falcon cajoled.
“I’d love that…but the men will be starting work on the beams and I really want to be there before they begin.”
“Okay, but do we have time for this,” he asked, bringing her hand to his cock. “It’s feeling a little lonely.”
Carla grinned. She would always have time for that.
***
Being back in Riquewihr made her feel better. Doing something familiar felt safe. At least she was able to get a prescription refill without Falcon knowing she ever left the hotel. But the thought of Lindsay was never far from her mind. She felt guilty, like she stole something from her.
“That’s silly. They broke up,” she consoled herself. She didn’t owe Lindsay an explanation why she was with Falcon.
The bigger problem that needed a solution was the baby she was carrying. She desperately wanted to tell him. But she was torn. It was supposed to be a secret because she thought she wouldn’t see him again. But things have changed. Suddenly there was hope and the longer she kept it a secret, the harder it would be to tell him.
But… Paris was so new, so precious. She didn’t want to risk it yet.
By the way I’m carrying your baby, or remember that night when we got drunk? Well, guess what? You got me pregnant. It didn’t seem right.
She didn’t even know if Falcon was ready to become a dad. “What if he never planned to have children?” The thought was depressing. She was afraid now more than ever that he would decide never see her again.
“I’ll hold off telling him till I’m sure how he would take it,” She decided.
***
Unknown to Carla, her secret was no longer a secret. Back in Paris, Lindsay wondered why Carla acted so weird. And she was certain that Carla had just come out from the pharmacy when they bumped into one another.
She would have dismissed it except that Carla seemed upset to see her. Not just upset but wary and ready to flee. She watched Carla till she disappeared into a corner. Lindsay’s curiosity wouldn’t let it go. She stopped near the door leading to the Pharmacy. She hesitated momentarily and then decided to go in. The guy behind the counter looked up then straightened when he saw her. He seemed captivated by her presence and Lindsay grabbed the opportunity.
They spoke in rapid French. Lindsay leaned in, near enough for the man to see that she wasn’t wearing a bra underneath her shirt. She pouted when the guy seemed unwilling to share the information she wanted. Then Lindsay touched his arm and smiled sweetly up at him. The pharmacist scratched his head and gave her what she wanted.
When she left, Lindsay was leering. The pharmacist said Carla bought pregnancy pills. He was sure, he said, because he refilled the prescription.
Pregnant? Oh Carla, what have you gotten yourself into? Lindsay thought out loud. She isn’t here to work like she said. Maybe the guy was married and needed to keep things quiet. That must be the reason she was leaving soon and couldn’t meet her for dinner.
Lindsay filed away the information in her head. She had no need for it now. Instead she should be prepared when Hans makes that proposal. She was certain it would happen tonight.
***
Lindsay sat at the opulent dining room of Le Cinq. A waiter hovered as a sommelier made suggestions from the wine list. Lindsay opted for Vesper martini as she waited for Hans to arrive.
Lindsay chose the restaurant for a reason. Le Cinq was a 3-michelin star and one of the finest dining places in Paris. From the couture Ellie Saab dress to the Ferragamo shoes, to the seat facing the spectacular courtyard, Lindsay planned everything in meticulous details.
She noticed that heads turned when she entered the restaurant. She expected that. She just landed the covers of Marie Claire. What she didn’t expect was Hans to be late.
“Its alright,” she consoled herself, savoring the attention from the nearby diners. She denied feeling nervous because Hans was running late. This was their engagement dinner. She saw the ring when she rummaged through his belongings. Hans was in the shower and Lindsay couldn’t help herself. She almost screamed when she saw the velvet box and took a peek. It was the biggest diamond ring she had ever seen. It even fit perfectly on her finger.
She hurriedly returned it when she heard him coming out from the bathroom. No use ruining Hans’s surprise by telling him she knew. Instead she took care of booking them a table at Le Cinq, sparing Hans the trouble of making the arrangement. She wanted this as easy as possible for him because she wanted that ring badly on her finger.
When she left New York and joined him on the trip to Monaco, Lindsay was certain she made the right decision. She took a risk breaking up with Falcon because Hans had more money and a title to his name. It didn’t matter that he looked old enough to be her father or was currently in the process of divorcing wife number two.
Hans was generous with his money, giving fabulous gifts of jewelry and clothes straight off the runway. He liked displaying her to his friends. Lindsay found them lecherous, dull and boring. She expected to travel around the world with him. But Hans was anchored to his work and stayed within Monaco. She eventually grew tired of the small municipality preferring to explore the nearby places on her own.
Their arguments were becoming more frequent and since they slept in separate bedrooms, their fights often extended till the next morning. Lindsay grew alarming aware that it has been months and he hasn’t hinted on making their relationship more permanent. She needed to do something drastic and therefore left for Paris. It worked because Hans followed her here.
Now she just needed to play it coy and act surprised when he produced the ring. She saw him as soon as he entered the restaurant. He approached giving her a kiss on the cheek.
Lindsay had instructed the waiters to serve them dinner as soon as he arrived. Hans ate painstakingly slow, seeming to relish every mouthful of their 8-course meal. He asked for his wine glass to be refilled every so often. Lindsay assumed he was nervous about the marriage proposal.
She was relieved when their table was finally cleared.
She gave him an opening. “This is a special place, isn’t it Hans?” He nodded looking distracted. “It’s always a special place when you and I are together,” Lindsay added.
Hans cleared his throat and looked uncomfortable. “Lindsay, there’s something I wanted to talk to you about.”
“Yes?” she answered in a husky voice.
This is it! Lindsay tried to control her excitement. She fully expected Hans to rummage in his pocket for the ring. Instead he picked imaginary lint off his coat.
“I’m gong back to my wife,” Hans announced.
Lindsay was stunned. This wasn’t what she expected.
“You and I, we’re not working. You’re young and I’m old. You need excitement in your life while I don’t. I’d rather work on my charities and you find them boring. You don’t get along with my friends.”
“I-I can learn to like them,” Lindsay reasoned in alarm.
Hans glanced at her sideways and shook his head.
“Please Hans, I can try harder. I’ll learn all about your charity works, and…and…”
From the stubborn look on his face, Lindsay knew that his mind was made up.
“My bags are packed and I checked out from the hotel. I followed you here because it was the decent thing to do. I’m headed for the airport from here. I’m sorry Lindsay.”
“Why you miserable piece of shit,” Lindsay’s panic had turned into fury. “You think you’re quite a catch with your fancy shit name and your shitty charities? You and your wrinkled ex-wife deserve each other. I don’t need you in my life, asshole,” Lindsay shrilled.
Her voice had attracted the attention of other diners. Hans tried to placate her, embarrassed by the attention they were drawing.
Lindsay was in full-on beast mode. She picked up her wine glass and doused him with its content. Hans sputtered as the wine hit him squarely in the face.
An enraged Lindsay stormed out of Le Cinq with her head held high.