𝐺𝐼𝑆𝐸𝐿𝐿𝐸

3 | 𝐿 𝐸 𝑇 𝑇 𝐸 𝑅 𝑆

CHAPTER 3

"Come on and haunt me, I know you want me."

<3

"Dear Father,

Today officially marks my one year anniversary in Paris. I'm sorry I haven't kept up with my letters but last semester was so busy. We had to master soaks, glazes, frostings, and piping skills all in one go. On the bright side, I passed my exams and I will be able to move on to the next course of lessons which will include eclairs. Don't tell Louisa though. I haven't passed those classes yet..."

I set my pen down and stretched out my hands, looking towards the shreds of a picture I just tore up. It was a picture of Giovanni.

The one I had ripped it out of a catalog when he modeled for a Ralph Lauren spring mens line two years ago. For my first year in Paris, I had it taped to the wall, but eventually new experiences I wanted to treasure gradually covered him up. Truthfully, the picture was almost forgotten until I misstepped and hit the refrigerator door with my shoulder, causing the pictures I had taken to fall down, including his.

Being away helped me shed the old skin that was dying to come off. I had lived above the garage in that room my whole life and finally being somewhere different made me realize how much life actually has to offer.

The distance had definitely helped my little crush. I did not think about him as much as I used to, and it was enough that I didn't feel the need to tape his picture back up. A part of me still missed him, but the feeling felt more like homesickness than anything else.

My fathers letter was laid out in front of me and I scanned it for any questions he asked that I had yet to answer. The wind made my curtains flutter and I shivered. I stood up from my desk in the studio apartment and looked out the window a moment before I closed it.

It was night time and I had gotten back to the apartment a few hours ago after class. I took a deep breath. Paris always smelled sweet after it rained, which is why I had left the window open.

The entire city was illuminated, including the eiffel tower.

While I was hesitant to come here for school at first, I had grown to love Paris. I loved the city and the atmosphere and I enjoyed learning how to make mille-feuilles and macarons. I loved my routine of walking back from class and stopping by a new cafe to sit down and have an espresso while I wrote and drew nonsense in my journal.

I had actually made a lot of friends in my classes as well and on weekends we would go out and explore the city, dancing and laughing. I would miss them when I went back home in a year. Sighing, I closed the window but left the curtains open so I could continue to see the view before sitting back down.

"I wouldn't mind moving back to Paris. I could get a job at a bakery at first. But I think eventually, I would like to have my own bake shop.."

I rambled in my letter about my dreams of owning a chic bakery in Paris and then asked him questions about how everything was at the De Luca Manor. I wanted to visit but the curriculum didn't allow enough time for an international trip. Even amidst the city lights I found myself pondering about the tree I used to lay in, the indoor and outdoor tennis courts, the indoor and outdoor swimming pools, the east and west wing gardens, and the goldfish Henry who lived in the cherub fountain in the center of the vast back yard.

For a moment I wondered if I would fit back into my old role as the chauffeur quiet daughter. I grimaced, not knowing if I wanted to be her anymore. I felt different now, more confident and sure of myself. I looked different too.

After a few weeks of listening to her beg, I finally let my friend from my class practice her stylist skills on me. My once waist length hair was now to my mid-back and heavily layered. Chloe even taught me how to use velcro rollers so I could style the front pieces correctly and get volume to layers.

She helped me pick out make-up products that suited my skin tone, a part of growing up I had missed out on since my mother died when I was young. Chloe taught me hair and make up and Amelia taught all about skincare. I enjoyed my mornings and nights more now, finally having the knowledge to pamper myself.

I finished my letter and packed it in an envelope, making a mental note to go to the post office tomorrow morning to have it mailed.

***

a very mindful and demure chapter

the last line is actually so corny but guys pls trust
the process i promise it'll get better

Side note

fave couple ever 😭