A Parisian Fairytale

Chapter Six

"This might be a bit forward and I'll understand if you would rather not, but do you have plans this evening?" Johnny asked Annabelle before taking a sip of wine. They had just finished a delicious lunch sat on the balcony attached to his suite. "Johnny, it's a sad tale but it's the truth I don't really have any plans other than my flight home at 5pm on Sunday." He smiled softly before pulling out his cigarette tin. "So would you join me for dinner? Sadly it's kind of work related but I can assure you a fine evening with good company and splendid wine." "Oh Johnny, that's kind of you but I don't want to get in the way of your work." "Are we going to have this conversation every time I invite you to something?" He smirked before holding up his pre rolled cigarette. "Do you mind if I?!" She shook her head and took hold of her glass. "You really want me there?" "Only if you want to be, I wouldn't want to force you to do anything but it's an evening out, in an exquisite restaurant, and I would very much enjoy your company." "Then the pleasure would be all mine, thank you." Johnny smiled as he lit up. "Great, I'm crap with timings so I'll need to speak with G but the four of us can go together. We will be dining with my pal, Al and his wife Noor." Annabelle thought for a moment, and all of a sudden remembered what Gina had said the day prior. "Al, as in Al Pacino?" She said with wide eyes. "Yes. Is that a problem?" Johnny said casually. "Are you sure you want me there?" "Yes. His woman is around your age, I think it will be nice." Annabelle nodded completely dumbfounded that she was in this situation and that she would be dining with Hollywood royalty in a few hours. "God what do I wear?" She said without thinking. "I'm yet to see you in an exquisite dress as of yet, unless you prefer to be a little more daring and go without.. which you'll notice I have no dress here in my suite." He smiled cheekily as she took another sip of wine, "Did you just try and use a Captain Jack line on me?!" Annabelle giggled. "Maybe, did it work?" "Worryingly well." Annabelle smiled.

An hour or so later, Annabelle excused herself with needing to ready for the evening ahead. Johnny was somewhat shocked as it was just after 4pm and Gina had already confirmed they wouldn't be leaving until gone 8pm but he didn't question it, instead choosing to kiss her cheeks and inform her that he couldn't wait to see what dress she chose to wear for the evening. He also decided in that moment he was going to spoil her with affection and attention because what's life without a little romance, especially in Paris after all.

Annabelle made her way back to her room and sat down on the couch, she pulled out her phone and text her sister.

Please tell me you've got a horrid spout of insomnia and you're still awake? X x x

Luckily for you... I've been at a work function. I've just got in - what's up? Xx

Can't a sister message without needing something?

You can't, tell me baby sis. Btw, aren't you in Paris? How's it going? Xxx

Can I call? X

God something really must be wrong. Of course. Xx

"Hello."
"Lottie.. I've got a big problem." She watched as her elder sister's eyes widened on FaceTime.
"Go on.."
"Well, you know how I was kinda going steady with Daniel? Things were going well, the sky was blue, the sun was shining and the world smelt of roses?"
"Yes..." Charlotte said cautiously.
"He's married."
"He's married?!!! What?? Did you not know?"
"Charlotte please, do I sound like I knew? Of course I didn't. He played the game well, staying in the city for work, rushing home to wifey at the weekends. Good god how thick can I get. Anyway... so after me nagging for months, that I wanted a holiday and blah blah blah, he books Paris right?"
"Yes you said ages ago. Beats me why you chose there? Why not St Bart's, Mustique? Byron Bay?"
"Lottie..."
"Sorry, go on."
"So I decide fuck it. I still want to go. I took the booking and I'm here in Paris now."
"Ok so what's the issue? Has he arrived with some big declaration of love like they do in the movies?"
"No."
"So what is the issue? Belle I do need to sleep at some stage"
"I met somebody."
"You met somebody?" Charlotte asked skeptically.
"Yes and not just anybody, an actual somebody."
"As in somebody who could be the one?"
"As in a somebody who is a famous somebody."
"WHAT?! I thought you didn't go for that type of thing? No paps, no stress?"
"That was one time.... And besides I didn't intend to meet this person."
"Ok enough with the secrecy. Who is he?"
"Do you really want to know?"
"Oh Annabelle, please, you call me in the middle of the night to tell me, of course I want to know!"
"Johnny Depp."
"Shut the fucking front door."
"Yep."
"I'm sorry, you just happen to stumble across Johnny Fucking Depp in Paris and you all of a sudden think he's the one?"
"Nobody said about him being the one, you added that bit in yourself."
"Ok so tell me everything...."
"What do you want to know?"
"Annabelle it's Johnny Depp!!! I want to know it all!"
"So there I was nursing my glass of wine on Monday. Bored, lonely and heartbroken, and in he walks into the hotel bar. We got chatting, I told him my awful tragic story, he felt sorry for me and took me to The Louvre and the Eiffel Tower last night and I've had lunch in his suite today. He's also invited me for dinner tonight with his friend... AL PACINO."
"I'm sorry... the Eiffel Tower.... Lunch in his suite? How quickly did he get into your knickers? Not that I'm blaming you."
"Lottie!!! We've not done anything like that I'm not even sure he likes me in that way."
"Oh no because I often read he takes random women to The Louvre, The Eiffel Tower and then invites them to lunch."
"We didn't just do the Eiffel Tower.. we had the entire floor with champagne."
"Oh my god... and you don't think he likes you?!! God did I teach you nothing when you were a teenager?"
"You didn't teach me anything you were always shacked up with your racquet."
"Very funny. So now what?"
"What do I do?"
"What do you mean?"
"He told me he wants to see me in a dress tonight, we are going somewhere fairly fancy.. and I'm having dinner with him, his friends and Al and his girlfriend."
"Do you have a dress? Did you pack fancy?"
"Hello do you know me at all. Of course. I have two cases of last season's Chanel, Hermes, and Louis Vuitton."
"That's my girl. What dresses do you have?"
"A killer LBD."
"Works every time and Belle..."
"Yeah?"
"Louboutins."
"As if I would leave home without them."
"Send me photos, you'll be amazing I'm sure. Just be your usual charming self, I've really got to go now though."
"Ok thanks Lottie. I really do miss you."
"I miss you too. Come visit me soon yeah?"
"I promise. Love you."
"Love you too sissy."

A few hours later Annabelle had showered, washed and dried her hair into a big bouncy blow dry, donned some soft glam make up, changed into her Chanel LBD and classic black Louboutins, and whilst she was filling her small clutch bag with the essentials there was a knock on the door. She slowly approached it and answered, there was an elegantly dressed butler with a bottle of champagne on ice on a silver tray. Her eyes widened "Oh I didn't.." "Room Service Mademoiselle Davidson." He slowly placed the tray on a nearby table and handed a small white envelope to her. "Bonne Soiree" he closed the door behind himself and left as quickly as he had arrived. Annabelle noticed the envelope was branded with the hotel, so she opened it. It was a hand written note.

Looking forward to a sublime evening. Love and respect to my favourite Parisian tourist. JD x

She smiled and poured herself a glass of champagne before texting Johnny.

What a wonderful surprise, thank you so much. Care to join me for a glass? Xx

You're very welcome. I'll be ready in 20. We can have a glass before meeting Stephen and Gina. Xx

Sounds good. See you then JD X