Broken French

Chapter 11: On the Town

~Video chat~

Alexis: Taja... Mr. Jadin wrote asking if I could find a replacement for you.

I lose my breath at the gut punch Alexis has just delivered.

Alexis: Do you have any idea what might have prompted that?

My mind reels through the events of the past few days while my heart pounds out of my chest. (Did he believe Chloe's lies about me? Or, oh God... does he think I've been too forward with him?)

Me: Alexis... it could've been about the media. He's been worried that someone has been calling the paparazzi on him these past few weeks. And I'm so new here...

Alexis: ...that you would be naturally suspected. I get it. But did you?

Me: Of course not!

Alexis: Well, that's something, at least.

I blink hard, trying to hold back tears. It feels like there's a hot poker stuck in my throat.

Alexis: As a friend, I wish I could tell you more. But I need to speak with Micheal first.

~End of Video chat~

I wait for Alexis to hang up and the collapse facedown into my bed. (I thought things were going so well... what happened? And if Micheal has a problem with me, why on earth couldn't he just say it to my face?) A soft knock interrupts my thoughts. I wipe my face and answer the door. "Taja." "Micheal?" "I just wanted to ask - hey, are you alright?" "I'm great." Micheal shakes his head. "I think I know you better than that by now." "I'm not sure you do, actually." Micheal shuffles his feet. (How can he just stand here and act like everything is fine?) "Angéle missed you at dinner. She wanted me to ask you whether you'd like to go out with her tonight. I'm giving most of my crew the evening off to enjoy St. Tropez." "Even if I felt like doing that, I need to be here with Zoe. Unless you're going to be watching her?"

"Ah, no. I was actually planning on going out myself with Elijah and Roland. But someone else will be around to make sure she doesn't get into any trouble. You should go out! I fear I've had you working too much. I want you to enjoy your time here." I nod. "I appreciate that. Very generous of you to give me one last hurrah before I go." "Before you go? What do you-" Micheal's eyes widen, and I can see the moment he figures out that I know about the email. "Alexis called you. Taja, it's not what you think-" Before he can explain, a little head pokes through the open doorway. "Papa! You're here, too! Can you both tuck me in tonight?" "Ms. Wilson and I must get ready to go, mon petit." Zoe starts to pout, sticking her bottom lip out. "What will I do before I fall asleep? I'm already bored!" I drop down onto one knee in front of her. "While I'm gone, why don't you work on your English?" "Homework? Non, merci."

Micheal chuckles. "You can make it fun, Zoe. I'll even allow you to play a game on your tablet... if it's a language learning game." Zoe lets out a heavy sigh. "I suppose that will be fine. But I will miss you. Are you sure you do not have time to stay and read me a story? Just a little short one?" Micheal's steady hand touches my back, loosening my tense shoulders. "I think we can spare some time for a quick story." I nod. "Of course, I always have time for you, Zoe." "Oh, thank you! You do such good voices, the best ever!" Micheal playfully pouts. "Hey, I thought I did the best voices." "Come listen to how Taja does it, Papa. They're amazing." I sit next to Zoe's bed while Micheal leans against the door, as far from me as possible. I can feel him watching me like an itch on the back of my neck as I read aloud. (How can he just stand there? What is he thinking?) "Taja? What's wrong?" I blink and realize that I become so absorbed in my worries that I trailed off. "Oh, it's nothing. I'm just a little sad tonight." "Don't be sad, Ms.Wilson." "Thank you, Zoe. I feel less sad as I'm with you." "Maybe I should take over from here. So Ms. Wilson can go."