When Love Runs Away

Lyon to Paris

28th February 1900

The weather was absolutely chilly, the pavements were frosty and the sight of seeing old men and women tripping and slipping made Anna giggle a bit as she cuddled up, sitting down on the pavement, covered in old coats and blankets. She had been living outside for the past week, going to local charity stores and drinking lentil soup to satisfy her hunger.

It was almost nighttime and the blue hue of the sky was to be enshrouded in clouds of darkness. Anna's eyelids grew heavy, fluttering continuously. Before she rested her eyes, she felt a tap on her shoulder and looked up to see a figure, but she couldn't quite comprehend who the person was.

"Excuse me? Who are you?" Anna asked.

"Anna? Anna Maude Schmidt!"

"How do you know my name?"

"It's me, Jean Devores. Your driver. Well, former driver."

Anna bolted up and embraced the middle aged man tightly. She didn't know why she did that, but she needed someone to hug.

"Oh my God. Anna, what happened? Why are you outside? Did Hans kick you out?"

"Oh. There is no Hans. He passed away last month."

"Last month? H-how? Why didn't you tell me Anna? I could've been there at his funeral."

"He didn't even deserve a funeral. You were lucky to miss it. May that man burn in the fiery pits of hell."

Mr Devores nodded his head and lowered his eyes.

"And also, by the way, I want to be known as Anna Bauer."

"Alright then, Anna Bauer. Why are you sleeping outside? Aren't you going to go back home?"

Anna wiped a few tears away from her eyes and looked up to the night sky, dusted with miniscule, shiny stars.

"He cut me out of his will, and made sure that I was left with nothing. Now ... now I'm here. With nothing. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up."

"It's fine. Look, I'm going to Paris tomorrow, so I figured that you can come with me. Maybe, you can stay with my wife and child for a few days before you make things right."

"Really? You'd do that for me?"

"Yes, of course. You're nineteen--"

"Eighteen turning nineteen in three months."

"Haha! Okay then. You're a young girl, you can't stay outside like this. Come on in my carriage and sleep there for the night and then I'll drive you to Paris."

Anna embraced Mr Devores one more time before following him to the carriage. When she hopped in, she immediately began reminiscing of her life with Hans and how they used to take a similar carriage to escort them to places. She missed her old life, her life of riches,  even if it meant that she got abused daily. She hated being poor and drinking lentil soup everyday.

*

It was such a glorious view. The City of Lights, adorned with grande boulevards, magnificent architecture and a bustling atmosphere. The streets were filed with the clatter of horse drawn carriages, whilst the air was being filled with the aroma of freshly baked baguettes and the sound of lively conversations. Parisians, dressed in elegant attire, strolled along the Seine River to catch a glimpse of the iconic Eiffel Tower. What a sight to behold!

"Wait here Anna, I need to speak to a friend of mine." Mr Devores stated.

"Wait, Mr--"

"Call me Jean. We are friends."

Anna smiled and played with her fingers.

"Jean, do you have money? I've been craving a baguette for sometime."

There was no reply.

"Sorry for asking."

"No, no, no. It's perfectly fine. Let me see if I have a few coins in my pocket."

Jean rummaged through his pocket and beamed when he found a few coins. He handed them over to Anna and nodded.

"This should cover one long baguette."

Anna giggled and hopped off the carriage with Jean. They walked together for sometime and then they both parted ways, Jean to meet his friends and Anna to the bakery. When Anna opened the door, she halted for a moment to inhale the fresh smell of baguettes, but she couldn't stay there any longer, it was making her hungry. She walked over to a man, who was aggressively kneading some dough.

"Excuse me, can I buy one baguette please?" She asked.

"Of course, let me clean my hands."

She watched the baker walk away and she smiled a smile of relief. It looked as if things were going back to normal, until she turned around and saw women snickering at her and making dirty faces.

"Hello, do you have a problem?" Anna asked politely.

The women quickly turned their faces away but continued to do whatever they were doing. Anna didn't think anything of it and turned around until she heard whispers and whistling from the other side. She turned around and saw some very rich gentlemen, eyeing Anna up and down and winking at her.

"She's a beauty, a real beauty." One of the men whispered.

"Hey! Beautiful one! Do you maybe want to come in my mansion? I can show you a lot of things and we can have a wonderful time."

"No thank you."

She turned around again only to fall to the floor after being hit by someone on the head.

"Ow! Who did that?" Anna screamed.

It was one of the ladies from the group that was snickering at Anna.

"How dare you flirt with my husband!" The woman roared.

"I didn't! Your husband couldn't keep his eyes off of me!"

"Hey! Cut it out!" Another woman shouted and walked over to Anna, helping her up.

The woman that hit Anna walked over to her husband and dragged him out of the shop by his ear.

"Thank you. You saved me." Anna said.

"It's fine. However, you look all scruffy. What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing, just having a few troubles but I'll be fine." Anna replied.

The woman helped Anna up to her feet and eyed her up and down before extending her hand towards Anna to shake it.

"Agathe Louins."

"Anna Bauer."

Agathe smiled.

"Er! Young lady, your baguette!" The baker said.

Anna walked up to the baker and retrieved her baguette and gave the man her coins. She and Agathe then both walked out of the store together. While they were walking out, Anna saw a book in Agathe's hand and was intrigued.

"Is that a book?" Anna asked.

"Yes it is actually. My book, written by me."

"What's it called?"

"The Government. I've been inspired by Olympe De Gouges, who criticised the government and as a result, got executed for it. I don't want to be executed but I really want to voice my opinions. Especially in a place where women can't do so."

"I understand you. I also come from a place where I've basically been suppressed for most of my life."

"Yeah, I want to make a change, and if not one woman is willing to do it, then I'll do it myself!" Agathe proclaimed.

"And I'll stick by you."

They both giggled together until Jean arrived.

"Hello Anna, its time to leave."

"Okay then, bye Agathe! I hope to see you soon!"

"You too Anna!"

:)