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“Wait a minute. Your family knows you aren’t going to business school anymore?” I grasp his shoulder tightly, trying to give him the extra support he might need.
He nods, a prideful smile forming at the corner of his lips, pulling me closer to him, he then leans down to whisper, “There’s something else you need to know…” I look him in the eye, trying to find some hint in his gaze. “I’ve booked a little getaway to Paris for us and your family, like I promised, for the Easter holidays.”
I have to stop when he reveals his intention, but then I realize quickly that I really have nothing to hold me back from this trip. No clients. No trial. No family drama. With the Easter holidaysahead, it’s the perfect opportunity to relax and spend a few days in a different city with the man I love. “That sounds wonderful. I, um, I can’t believe you did that.”
“Oh believe me it’s pretty real, your mom and sister were over the moon when I told them.”
Leading me back to the table, we clink our glasses with the group again. It’s wonderful to be able to sit down next to my mother and not have it feel awkward or have tension between us. She’s actually being warm and open to Margaret as well, and the two of them are sharing stories about their children. I even hear the word grandchildren mentioned from my mother more than once, and when I hear that, my jaw almost hits the table.
“So what do you think, Yao?” Andries addresses her, most likely in an attempt to change the subject of the conversion. “Do you have already a list of places you’d like to visit in Paris?”
“We definitely want to go to theShakespeare and Companybookstore,” Yao answers excitedly. “And of course, Librairie Delamain, which is the oldest bookstore in all of Paris.”
My entire family with us in Paris? It feels a dream come true and I can’t help but already picture the four of us strolling around the Champs Elysées, visiting the most beautiful antiquarian bookstores and doing all the touristy activities.
So much has changed in such a short time. My family seems to be repaired. The trial with Karl is nearly over. And instead of losing the man that I love, we are heading to Paris for a trip together and if I know Andries, it will be filled with only the best things. With my family along I’ll be able to experience the city through their eyes for the first time, and that will truly be wonderful.
Reaching out, I take his hand and squeeze it. When we go home later tonight, I’ll no longer be an agency owner, I’ll be just Roxanne.
41
Amsterdam, April 15, 2022
Andries
While Elise is back hometo spend the Easter weekend with our family, I’m packing for the trip, and even though I’m familiar with what it takes to spend a few days in Paris, it’s actually making me nervous. I guess it’s different when you’re planning on proposing to your girlfriend and the fact her family is going to be there with us. Everything is in place, though. I’ve made a reservation at the Ritz and all I need to do is talk to Yao about getting her blessing. I feel a certain amount of apprehension about telling her my intentions, especially after the grudge she held against her daughter for so many years, but the fact Yao agreed to come on the trip with us tells me that their relationship might be changing for the better. At least I hope so.
Meanwhile, Dan is draped across my armchair, glowering at me. I know he thinks this is all stupid and a bad idea, but he can shove it.
“Don’t take that shirt,” he comments as I lift up one of my summer collared pieces. “You’re going to Paris, not St. Tropez.”Shooting him a look, I place it off to the side. As much as he’s boorish about it, he’s always had better fashion taste than mine. “Have you picked out an outfit for the big day?” His last two last words sound a bit judgmental to me.
Instead of simply coming out and asking me if I’m sure, he’s resorted to making fun of the idea. Like it’s something stupid for me to do, which I know he thinks it is. He hates the fact he’s losing a wingman, or a partner in crime, or whatever. I don’t really care.
“Are you really, really sure about this, though?” Finally it comes out. “Marriage is like… forever, you know?” His longest relationship in the past few years had been about two months, so I understand his attitude about it, but he has no idea how I feel.
“I know, Dan. News flash for you she’s the woman I want to spend my life with.” I’m not even looking at him but I’m pretty sure he’s rolling his eyes. A few more shirts go into the suitcase along with my selection of pants, and a couple pairs of shoes for every occasion. When I think about where the ring is I get a sudden flash of panic but heave a sigh in relief when I glance over to the dresser and see the carmine-box sitting there.
“Sometimes I think about spending life with a woman. Then I wake up,” Dan teases as he stands up and walks in my direction. “And realize it was just a nightmare.”
“Yeah, next to whatever flavor of the week you’ve managed to drag home from the club,” I fire back. “And then they don’t even get breakfast.”
“That’s how I’ll know she’s really special…” he begins without even a hint of irony. “If I actually want her to stay for breakfast.” I chuckle, but reach for the carmine-box and open it to marvel myself once more at the emerald-cut diamond solitaire. Dan stands beside me, a gush of air rolling off his lips. “Are youabsolutelysure about this? I can’t talk you out of it?”
I shake my head again, this time laughing. “Dude, I have a jet waiting, I’m paying for a suite at the Ritz, and I have a ring. As if I’m really going to let this whole thing just go up in smoke now.” He rolls his eyes and finally shuts up.
Once my suitcase is full, it’s easy to wheel it to the door where my chauffeur is to take it to the car. Roxanne has already left with Lili and Yao to the airport, so I’m just the last one running behind.
“Well, I’ve got to go,” I tell Dan, who looks at me with some pity in his eyes.
We exchange a last hug and a few pats on the back, and I hear Dan saying in a low voice, “Good luck, and don’t forget to call me. I want to know how it goes.”
When I arrive at the airport, my car drops me off through the private gate and I see that Roxanne and her family are already there. Yao almost looks confused when we walk out onto the tarmac and I point toward the freshly fueled up jet waiting to whisk us off to Paris. What would normally take hours of waiting is gone, and the plane has us deposited at Le Bourget in less than an hour. It’s always been a fast flight.
Yao and Lili are quite quiet, both busy taking in all the sites as our private shuttle drives us from the airport into the downtown area. They try to snatch pictures from their seat each time they spot an interesting monument or a Haussmann building. Seeing them buzzing with excitement, I know it was the right decision to come here to ask the woman I love to be my wife.
Once the car stops in front of the Ritz located in the Place Vendôme, a gloved-hand valet opens the car door, welcoming us. I can’t help but take a quick peek at Yao’s reaction.
“Wow,” Lili utters in admiration once she steps foot outside. The three women start taking in their surroundings, their eyes perusing the immensity of the square filled with nothing but high-end jewelry stores.
