13. Unplanned trip

She still couldn't believe that she was sitting on the plane and in less than three hours, she would be in her beloved Paris. Despite the fact that it was not so far away, due to her life plan being jam-packed to the limit, she could not pay the visit there earlier.

She had to fall ill to have free time. In addition, friends had to use a trick to make her forget about work. It was really pathetic when she thought about what had happened to her life. There hadn’t been even a hint of spontaneity in the recent years. 

What happened to her? She became the person she swore not to be. Has she grown up? Is this what the life of mature people is like?

Everything in her life had to be carefully planned. At work, she had a plan for any unanticipated situation. Seemingly impossible, but it was so. Working in public relations, she had all the possible scenarios for her clients. Everything had to perfectly work out. She couldn't remember being surprised by anything. Was it professionalism?

Things began to be similar in her private life. No surprise. Just a plan and sticking to it strictly. Even her improvisations were no longer improvisations, but behaviours that had been learned, practiced and perfected.

However, now it was almost half past five in the morning and she was on the plane. In two and half hours, she will be in Paris, which she had fallen in love with at first sight from her first visit there, years ago. She was so happy. So many thoughts were racing in her mind that she forgot about the breakfast she had on her table in front of her.

Next to her sat Matthew who, although they had only been on the plane for 10 minutes, had already fallen asleep. This wasn't his normal behaviour. On his table was also the paper bag containing the breakfast that Mike had bought for them while they were checking in. Looking at his face, she knew that they didn't sleep last night. She was sure these two were partying until morning.

Yesterday Mike and Matthew had a few drinks and were talking about work related issues. She didn't feel like sharing her thoughts about hers, especially since she had been thinking about her job for the past few days. When they had started talking about female colleagues from work, their behavior and appearance, she knew that this was the moment when she should leave their company. Besides, staying with people who were drinking alcohol, when she wasn’t drinking and neither was she allowed to drink, was pointless. She didn't share their enthusiasm, so she quickly packed up and went to sleep. It looked like it was a good decision.

Jo felt comfortable that her companion was asleep. She didn't have to talk. She took his breakfast bag away, folded his table and fastened his seat belt. He was still sleeping sweetly. She was planning to check her emails very quickly, but instead received a message from Mike. He was worried about her and asking if she still had stomach pains or any discomfort. He reminded her that in a few minutes, she should take an antibiotic but eat first. It was almost time for her medication and she hadn't eaten yet. She just replied in a short message to Mike that they were just taxiing to the runway and the plane would be taking off in a moment. She turned off her mobile phone and fastened her seat belt.

As soon as the plane reached the cruising altitude, she unfolded her table and unpacked her breakfast. Peeking into the bag, she was surprised to find a variety of so many things: mineral water, carrot and beet juice, fruit salad, sandwich, yogurt and even a protein bar. As soon as the crew started serving breakfast, she only asked for hot tea.

The view outside enthralled her. The feeling of being so high above the clouds, the expanse of the clear blue sky and the tiny establishments visible from up there, all of that filled Jo with a certain sense of freedom.

The plane landed in Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport at 8.10 am. Jo was so happy when she saw the Concorde plane standing on the apron between the terminals. She took a few pictures of the famous turbojet-powered supersonic passenger airliner with her phone.

"Are you excited?" Matthew asked. He was just finishing his breakfast.

"Yeah. I am so happy! I haven’t been in Paris for almost two years."

"Do you have any specific places in mind where we should visit first? Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace in Le Bourget? Or maybe we should act spontaneously?"

"Le Bourget,” She paused for a moment. “I've been there dozens of times at air shows. To be honest, I think I was there almost every time I was in Paris. Enough. At least for now. I have a few places in mind where I would like to go, but not related to aviation or any museums, this time. Recently, I just missed the atmosphere of the city itself."

"Aha. Boulvard Saint Germain, stalls along the Seine, good french food. I think I know what you mean. We will come back here soon as I said.” He had in mind what he had said yesterday. “I will take a week or two off when I will sort out a few things at work. Besides, you can always come over on the weekend if you want. You know that my parents' apartment is always open to you."

"I know. I was there many times. We will see. For the moment, I am so busy. Have to sort out so many things." She didn't want to make promises, she didn't know when she would be able to take some days off. 

She had so many days of holidays left, still had almost all from last year. She just had to find a way to organise that. "No museums and galleries this time. Maybe lunch at the top of Eiffel Tower or Pompidou Centre." She teased him.

"Haha. You wish! At this time of the year, the queue to the Eiffel Tower is very long. I don't feel like waiting for two hours just to take the magnificent glass lift to the top."

"You really don't like the lift there. You can close your eyes and I will hold your hands." She couldn't help laughing when she remembered the fear in his eyes in the elevator the last time they were here on a windy autumn afternoon.

"I am a tough guy with acrophobia." Although Matthew gave a valid point to justify his fear, he was laughing too.

"I know. I know that you are a really tough guy."

From the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to the city they took Roissybus. During the fifty minutes of travel to the centre of Paris, they passed by the Palais Garnier, and no doubt, Jo fell in love with the place. It was one of the most famous opera houses in the world and also a symbol of Paris like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, or the Sacré Coeur Basilica. The Palais Garnier was also known as the place of action of the novel Phantom of the Opera written by Gaston Leroux. The book was successfully adapted into various stage and film adaptations.

"Every time I am here, I think about Andrew Loyd Webber's musical Phantom of the Opera." Jo said as she was looking at the beautiful building. The interior was even more stunning; she had been there a few times.

"I think my parents still have a DVD with the musical. We can watch it or just listen to the music tonight." Matthew suggested. "Let's take a taxi to go home."

"Could we walk? Our suitcases are not heavy and it is a maximum of twenty minutes walk to your parents' apartment."

Matthew wasn't thrilled with the idea. His parents' apartment was on Rue de Verneuil, on the other side of the Seine, close to Louvre. In fact it wasn't far but with the suitcases, it was a longer walk and not very comfortable.

"Jo, let's take a bus, just two stops, and we will get off at Louvre. You will have a view of your favourite Jardin des Tuileries and Musee d'Orsay, we will cross Seine. We still have our suitcases with us."

They compromised and took the bus, and got off at Louvre. 

It was still early and hence, there weren't many tourists. She wished she had her camera with her. Sighing, she took out her mobile phone and decided to take some photos of the glass pyramids. It was a beautiful sunny morning and the sky was almost clear. The blue reflected in the glass of the pyramids. She had to capture it, even with the phone.

Matthew knew her. Photography was one of her passions. He was patient and thus, waited with her luggage as she walked around the pyramids taking pictures. If she saw something interesting or curious, even a play of light, she would not give up. That was her real character. She would keep waiting and taking pictures until she captured what interests her. 

The outcome? The photos she took were amazing. He admired her for that. Sometimes she would spend hours watching someone before catching the expression on somebody's face.

On the way home they stopped at a bakery, near Matt's parents’ apartment. They bought croissants, brioche and freshly baked bread.

"Nothing changed here." Jo looked around the familiar apartment. She used to be there regularly before she was completely consumed by workaholism. She had his parents' permission to use the apartment whenever she wanted, but had hardly travelled for the past few years. Her life was mostly work.

"Yes. Since I remember nothing really changed here. Everything has been the same for the last thirty years." Matthew was laughing. He was tired of the sight, but neither he nor his parents had time to do anything here, except to paint and refresh every few years. "Only the shade colour of the walls changes every few years."

"I did not notice." She joked while standing by the window and looking at the top of the Eiffel Tower. "Besides, I love the fact that time seems to stop here. I have so many memories of that place.”

 “Anyway, we should change into less formal clothes and comfortable shoes first. Then we can go for a long walk along the Seine." There was a happy twinkle in her eyes as she suggested. “But let’s have Russian Earl Grey Tea and croissants first!” She exclaimed.

Hearing her, Matthew knew that he had a very long day ahead of him. He wished he had slept last night. Now he had no choice, he had to pretend.