A Parisian Fairytale

Chapter Forty Three

"Ok and the rest we will just blag.. I've really got to go I'm running late." Annabelle said before putting the phone down. She rubbed her face gently taking a deep breath. She knew she could handle it but running two offices and one from the wrong side of the Atlantic was beginning to take its toll five days into the job. "Knock knock..." she heard and smiled hearing the voice. She slowly looked up and saw Johnny leaning against the doorframe to her office in a shirt, waistcoat and trousers. His sleeves were rolled up showing off his tattooed muscular arms, and his trademark fedora was on his head. "Hey darling." He said with a smile. "Hey yourself." She said instantly feeling happy to see him. "You ready to go?" "I am indeed. I've been here since 7am." Johnny's eyes widened. "Doll that's nigh on 12 hours." "Well they needed me and I needed to get a head start on the day with London being so far ahead." "Well let's cancel dinner and you can chill." "No don't be silly. I know you went to a special effort to get this private dining room I won't let you down." "You're not letting me down, I'm worried about how much you're pushing yourself." "Johnny, let's go to dinner. I promise I'm fine." "Hmmm ok.. but after dinner, straight to bed!" Johnny chuckled as she approached and wrapped her arms around him. "Is that a question or a demand?" She smirked. "Oh you are bad..." he said before kissing her passionately. "Let's go..."

"Cheers." Johnny said raising his wine glass that contained a delicious Merlot. "Cheers." Annabelle smiled clinking her glass. "So have you thought about staying permanently?" "Permanently? The role isn't up for grabs." She giggled nervously tucking into her dinner. "It could be." Johnny said as he began cutting his steak. "Please don't pull strings for me. Besides you have a life here, and I have a life in London. This is working, for now." "But I don't want you so far away." "But you want me to up sticks and move across the Atlantic?" "Not necessarily if that's not what you wanted." "Johnny we have a lot to talk about before that's an option."

"Are you staying?" Annabelle asked as she opened her suite door and entered. Housekeeping had been in and had tidied and cleaned, Johnny moved to a nearby lamp and switched it on. "If you'll have me.." he turned with a smile. "Of course. You should send the guys home.." "They'll go once they've bought my bag up... now are you going to relax?" "Nope.. I thought I might order some wine on room service?" "That sounds like a splendid idea.. allow me?" She nodded before heading into her room and changing, kicking off her heels and hanging her jacket up in the closet she wondered how long she could keep this fairytale up. After all her departure date was getting closer and closer as the days went on. "Wine will be here shortly.." Johnny said startling her from the doorway. "Sorry? What?" She said. He slowly approached and wrapped his arms around her. "I said, a crisp white wine is on its way up to you." He smiled before kissing her. "Thank you." She said with a smile before pulling back.

They were sat on the couch sipping their drinks, when Johnny announced "So umm.. I have a question to ask you.." Belle's eyebrows furrowed "Go on.." she said cautiously. "I have a personal appearance coming up in Budapest. Will you come with me? I mean, I think it's a bit early for you to be fed to the sharks on the red carpet but would you come on the trip?" "Oh Johnny.." Annabelle was shocked. "I don't know.. what about work? What if we are spotted?" "What if we are?" He said shrugging. "They'll lynch you, AND me." She smirked into her wine glass. "Will you at least think about it?" He asked sweetly. "Of course. Get Nathan to email me the dates. And thank you for asking me." "No sweat." He said happily relieved that she would at least consider it.

Early the next morning Annabelle returned to the suite in her gym gear. Cropped black Lycra leggings and a small fitted vest top over a sports bra. Johnny was fast asleep in the bed where she had left him an hour prior and his soft snores filled the room. She smiled watching him as his nose twitched in his sleep. She pulled the top over her head and threw it towards the pile of laundry that was building up in the corner of the room before kicking off her trainers. Pulling her hair out from the high pony tail she ran her hands through it before hearing "Well that's a fucking splendid view to wake to. Please tell me you haven't showered yet?" His croaky sleepy voice made her smile as she turned. "It's next on the list." "Want some company?" He asked wriggling his eyebrows as he sat up. "Thought you would never ask.." she headed into the en suite as he jumped out of bed rapidly following.

"Lottie.. I said I'd look at it and I will...." Belle said rolling her eyes. She was sat beside Johnny in the back of his SUV. He had insisted that the least he could do was drop her at the office after making her late for work with their shower activities. Johnny smirked as he nudged her bashfully with his elbow. Annabelle moved the phone from her ear and put it on speaker. "I'm just saying if you could bring yourself to stop fucking that sex god actor and focus a little on my upcoming wedding it would be truly appreciated." Annabelle smirked knowing the entire car of Johnny, Sean and Travis had heard her sister and Lottie would not be impressed if she knew that. "Are you there?!" "Yes yes yes.. I'm here. I'll look at the email and the dresses..." "Ok and call me later." "Why?" Meg questioned. "De brief. I know you're with him now. You're acting all coy... I want the gossip." "I'm going now. Love you Lottie.." "Love you too Belle."

"So are you going to tell her?" Meg quickly looked at Johnny after hanging up the phone. "Tell her what?" "The gossip?" Johnny chuckled.