A Parisian Fairytale

Chapter Thirty

A week had gone by since Annabelle finally saw sense and had ditched Dan for good. She had great pride in telling her best friends Laura and Bryony all about it over coffee the next day, and since then she had thrown herself into work. "I still can't believe I am going to LA next week.. I mean talk about rubbing salt into the wound." "Just be thankful you didn't actually let him pay for your flights, then you would feel even shittier." "Yes thank you...." Annabelle tucked into the salad in front of her. "That reminds me, Abby mentioned we are doing an event in November?" Laura asked. "Yes you didn't hear it from me but the directors are getting a little twitchy with the staff turnaround recently, so they are hosting a big bash here in the city for all three offices to fly in for." Laura's eyes widened. "Woahhh its been years since we had an actual christmas party.." "I know!" Annabelle said rolling her eyes. "Still got to show face haven't I? Make out I am the best boss to you all." She smirked.

Later in the day, Abby entered Annabelle's office. "So here is the beauty piece for January, and the final swatches for the Spring push. I have confirmed your itinary with Jeffery and organised your accommodation. Will that be all?" she asked politely hovering in front of Belle's large desk. "Sorry?" the latter asked confused. "Will that be all? After tomorrow you know I am on leave for three weeks?" Annabelle's eyebrows furrowed. "You are?" she questioned. "Yes.. remember that's why we said it would be good for you to go to LA? I wouldn't need to drag along and be a spare part to you and Johnny..." Abby trailed off awkwardly. Annabelle nodded and closed her eyes. "Yes sorry.. my head has been all over the show. Have fun in Miami." "I will, thank you!!" The young woman left the office as Annabelle put her face in her hands. "Great. Single, and alone in the fishbowl of the world. Fucking brilliant." she muttered. Grabbing her phone she began researching things to do in LA, she was not going to sit in her hotel room moping for the two week trip. Eventually deciding that everything was too touristy, or too extravagant, she clicked on social media. Feeling extremely sorry for herself, she eventually posted a story.

Heading to Los Angeles.. any tips for a hopeless spinster? #Answeronapostcard

In LA, Johnny was in his home studio when his phone rang.
"Yes Gina..." He smirked. The woman had taken to checking in on him regularly since returning home.
"Don't take that tone with me.." She giggled.
"I'm sorry.. what can I do for you darling?"
"Tell me how you are first?"
"I'm fine. Why does everyone think I'm not?"
"Ummm.. it's not that we don't think you are, its just..."
"Do spit it out Georgina."
"Don't full name me you swine."
"Then get on with it..."
"It's just, she was the first woman you properly showed interest in.. and ummm since then you haven't been yourself."
"I really am fine. It was nothing. A fling, if one can even call it that these days?"
"Johnny.."
"What?"
"Have you spoken to her?"
"No. Why would I?"
"Just, things may have changed. Her life was a little dramatic. You said you don't know the full story."
"I know enough. She made a decision. Besides it would never have worked. She's on a completely different road to me."
"Is she?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well, are you not just telling yourself that to ease the pain?"
"Gina... quit playing Doctor. I'm fine... now put your husband on the phone. I wanna talk about Modi."

Much later in the evening at The Deuter's house in London, Gina was scrolling through social media whilst Stephen read a script. "A HA. I knew it!!!" the woman exclaimed. "Knew what?" Stephen mumbled not looking up from his script. "I knew I recognised him. Jeffery Crane.. how could I be so stupid??" Gina began talking to herself as she opened up her laptop and began typing furiously. "Are you stupid?" Stephen mumbled half listening. "Jeffery Crane. He is the director of the marketing agency Belle works for but in the LA office?" "Right..." Stephen said before looking up slowly at his wife. "What's that got to do with anything?" "He was the one her, Ness and Lily were photographed with at New York fashion week..." Stephen's eyes widened "Okay?" he said confused. "Don't you see?" "See what?" Stephen said placing the script on his lap. "I worked with him all those years ago when I was in LA! He was my boss' boss." "Well its a small world!" Stephen said smiling. "Not small enough!" Gina giggled picking up her phone. "I'm still none the wiser as to why you are so happy about this sudden revelation" he said to his wife. "Because... he can help." "Help with what? NFT?" "Nooooo.. Johnny and Belle." "Gina..." Stephen said concerned. "That is none of our business." "Correct its not, but we can at least get them in the right direction..." "How on earth are we gonna do that? They live completely different lives in completely different countries.." Stephen resumed reading his script. "Good job she is visiting LA then isn't it?" Gina said knowingly and dialled a number.

Belle walked through LHR, and headed to the premium lounge, one good thing about travelling with work meant she was treated like a VIP. She found a quiet spot in the corner by the large window and gazed at the planes gliding past. The woman loved people watching, and especially loved admiring people's clothing in situations like this. Some were on short flights, some were on long, some were travelling for business, some for pleasure, everyone had a story, and it began with the outfit they donned, or so Belle thought. She watched as a glamourous couple entered the lounge. The woman was tall, and perfect in every way, elegantly put together without a hair out of place, even though she had just battled the same smelly busy terminal that Belle had. As the woman tucked her hair behind her ear, Annabelle noticed the large rock on her finger, and soon the perfectly chiselled man who accompanied the woman placed his arm round her embracing her. The scene made Belle smile.. love was still out there. You just had to be brave enough to look for it. Something she feared she would never be ready to do again.