A grand welcome

No one was on the other side waiting for us, but Alexandro insisted we held hands out the plain. Stella and someone who I didn’t see on the plane helped us pack our bags out while Alexandro and I drove in a separate car to our destination.

Because it would be rude to be sitting beside him with my ear pods in my ears, I removed them and kept them in their case. My ears were hurting a little too, it wasn’t so easy to keep them in your ears for hours.

I had carried this funny cap along that shielded my face from the sun but just held it in my hand and didn’t wear it, until I was ordered to.

“Wear it.” My head snapped in his direction to see what he was talking about; my mind wasn’t there. It was far away, wondering how we would pull this off and make everyone believe that we were a real couple. Looking back, I realize I had underestimated Alexandro King’s acting skills.

He signaled to the cap in my hands with his eyes, “Oh.” It was at the tip of my tongue to ask why, but I swallowed it placed the cap on my head, and rolled my eyes the other way so he couldn’t see.

Then the most wonderful thing happened. Something I had only seen in movies and had no thought that it could ever happen to me.

The car’s roof gave way, opened up, and folded to the back, exposing us to the sun and the wind. The feeling was glorious.

I turned to him, asking for permission with my eyes, I wanted to do everything they did in movies, so scream and sing and shout for joy.

He gave me funny eyes, “I’m supposed to be a man in love, so while we’re here, in public, you can do anything and be sure I got your back. Don’t scream too loud though.” He said the last words like a dad warning his daughter. It was enough for me.

But as I looked around, it felt weird, we weren’t even friends, I couldn’t just stand up and start screaming.

We weren’t even playing music. I simply stretched my hands out and rode the winds with it, murmuring my favorite love song. Say you won’t let go by James Author.

Surprisingly, Alexandro murmured a command to his IOS assistant, and my best song filled the hair.

I couldn’t hold back the smile that grew out of my face.

“Your choice of songs sucks.” He sneered at me like the song was disgusting to him.

“Just because you know one song I like gives you no right to judge all my songs.” I retorted back at him, the wind blowing on my face made me feel good and I lifted my hands, loving it. Feeling more at ease.

“Ariana Grande, James Arthur, Christiana Perri, and the beach boys. Nah, your combination is crazy.” He scoffed, shaking his head.

I laughed at his tone before my head came to a realization. “You have access to whatever I do on my phone,” I murmured, looking at him.

He didn’t even look guilty, “Did you think I’ll give you a phone, a card with unlimited funds and not track what you’ll do with it?” He drawled the words like I was stupid to even think he wouldn’t have access to the phone.

But something else was going on in my head. If he had access to the phone, then it didn’t matter if he had taken the video with my phone. I hadn’t deleted it immediately which meant he could have been the one that sent the envelope and recording.

What was his game? Of all things why had he written my name? A reminder of who I am? He did well to remind me of that with his mouth, why bother sending a note?

No, Emily. You didn’t come to Paris to brood, you came to admire the beautiful buildings and lovely people.

I shook my head and loved how the wind blew my hair.

“I think my taste in music is perfect.” I sneered back at him, taking the last word.

It was a bit inconvenient dancing and singing to one of my favorite songs with the restrictions of a seatbelt.

Alexandro reached out and unclasped it. “This is Paris.” He said it explained everything. It was good enough for me.

I moved my body in the rhythm of the songs and stretched my hands up, then the city came into view.

Oh My God.

Never had I seen a place so beautiful.

Everything my eyes met was a work of art. The buildings looked like they sprouted out of a dreamland, the road felt magical, and the people? Their clothes? This had to be the best time of my life. A dream.

“Tighten your seatbelt, you’re about to see The Dream.” Alexandro boasted as we swerved into a corner and I came face to face with a dreamland.

The Hotel where we were going to be staying. It was grand.

Then I noticed the people in uniform standing in front, with flowers and cakes. “Oh, my goodness. You own this place!” I cried.

He gave me that proud look and shrugged his shoulder. “The welcome is for you, Mrs. King.”

I felt my eyes water…

They stood in a perfectly ordered manner, every single one of them holding a single rose of different color, wearing purple uniforms as well as beautiful smiles on their faces.

I made to open the car door, but Alexandro stopped me. The best and worst feeling came simultaneously when he came to my side of the door and said, “Let me remind you, that our honeymoon officially begins today.”

Then he lifted me out of the car, carrying me bridal style.

As we passed each staff, they gave me the single rose they held until I could see nothing but roses.

“I think that’s enough. You’re making me look funny.” Alexandro snapped. Or at least, that was what he told me he said. I had spoken the words to them in French. I couldn’t understand French beyond the words I repeated to everyone who gave me flowers, ‘merci’

He did look funny though. It seemed like he was carrying a very huge multi-color roses.

We didn’t have to check in, a suite had already been prepared for us. I was still in Alexandro’s arms, but I couldn’t see clearly where we were going because of the huge pile of roses and I didn’t even get to admire the building enough, I made a mental note to tour it later.

Thankfully, a woman who could speak English came with two other ladies and helped take the roses off me. I loved them and wanted to take one, but Alexandro informed me they had to keep it in water for it to survive. I had to let my flowers go, temporarily.

I was still in Alexandro’s arms, starting to feel warm from being so close to him, I tried to focus on the words the woman was saying. “Congratulations Mrs. King. We are glad to have you as our guest, we hope you enjoy your stay here. Welcome to The Dream.”

Her voice was sweet and her French accent made it nicer.

“Thank you,” I said to her, I loved the place already. Alexandro’s staff were nicer than he was.

“Now, I hope you do not distract us. I want some time with my wife.” Alexandro said the words seductively, I knew he wanted everyone to think we would be up doing dirty things.

I internally rolled my eyes, but my stomach made me open my mouth. “I’m hungry,” I whispered the words.

He turned to the woman. “Bring food up in an hour.”

I turned to him, “An hour?”

He nodded. “I’m going to eat you first.”