TEMPTRESS

XXV.

ANGÈLE JOSÉPHINE MONET LAURENT CHASTIN - TOULOUSE, FRANCE 1968

Paris. The one city in France where everyone thinks they'll make it. It was a bit like New York City. People move there to achieve their artistic goals and become the next Goddard, Gainsbourg, or Picasso. In reality, if you don't come from money or have money, it is easy to struggle there and everything you thought would be a bright and fizzy dream becomes a harsh nightmare and a reality. All the injustices that go on, the protests, the tension between the police, the students and the politics. It isn't easy. It's a life that can be so hard to adapt too. People come in from the countryside where they are able to live peacefully and often drown in the rough waves that rushes into Paris. Paris was about to go into an impending doom.

Angele knew she was privileged and having lived there for ten years, she was adapted to the tough times in Paris. She was used to the life where you have to be passionate and mature in certain circumstances. Coming back to Toulouse, people overlook the struggles because of one thing she was able to come from, money. It's easy to be blinded by money, it is what makes the world turn in such an unstable way. Angele didn't hang out with celebrities, she didn't care for that lifestyle, she appreciated the artistry of some celebrities but didn't care much about their status. One thing she was didn't like was the Elitist attitudes of those around her, it was like being surrounded by her multiple versions of her mother. These were some of the things Angele couldn't stand hearing when it came to the topic of Paris. Sometimes, she was so sick of hearing the name of the city.

"I like Pierre. He's nice." Julien said, holding Angele's bike handle as they biked down the road towards the villa.

"He is, I like him too." Angele agreed.

"We were talking about him working in this luxury store that he was excited about."

"Yeah, I heard from Adrien, he's really happy he finally reached big."

Julien nodded. "It's amazing, isn't it. Toulouse is starting to pick up. People are starting to become more interested in what this region has to offer."

"Toulouse is gorgeous. The art, architecture, history... The food." She giggled.

"Oh, yes, the food." He laughed, tapping her forehead, letting go of her bike which shook her up a little.

"Hey!" She grinned as she tried to tap him back, but he started biking faster making it harder for her to attack back. "Get back here!" She shouted, trying to match his speed.

They both reached the house at the same time and hopped off their bikes in the speed of light. Angele chased Julien through the villa and into the large backyard where they started circling a tree.

"You'll never catch me!" He chuckled, letting out a villainous laugh. His laughter soon ended as he tripped on a tree root and fell flat of his face, his cheek pressed up against grass.

"On récolte ce que l'on sème." She tsked as she helped him turn around and smoothly sat down on top of him before flicking his forehead with her middle finger. You reap what you sow. She let out a laugh as he managed to shift positions, throwing her underneath him.