PARISIAN HEARTS

Chapter 8

The air outside was crisp, the streetlights casting a soft glow over the cobblestone streets. The noise from the gallery faded as they walked a short distance, finding a quiet bench by the river.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The weight of the conversation hung in the air, both of them unsure of how to proceed.

Adrien was the first to break the silence. “I’ve been thinking about what you said the other day. About not fitting into my world.”

Isabelle glanced at him, surprised he had remembered. “I wasn’t trying to offend you. It’s just... I’ve never been around people like you.”

Adrien gave a small, humorless laugh. “Trust me, being around people like me isn’t always a good thing. There’s a lot more to my world than what you see.”

“What do you mean?”

He hesitated, clearly debating how much to reveal. Isabelle could see the conflict in his eyes, but he remained guarded. “Let’s just say my life is more complicated than it appears. It’s not as glamorous as it looks.”

Isabelle wanted to ask more, to push for the answers she could see he was holding back, but she stopped herself. They barely knew each other. It wasn’t her place to pry.

Adrien looked down at the river, his expression softening. “You’re different, Isabelle. You see things in a way most people don’t. That’s why I wanted to help you.”

Isabelle’s heart fluttered at his words, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that he was holding something back. “I appreciate your offer, Adrien, but I don’t want to feel like a charity case.”

His head snapped up, his eyes locking with hers. “That’s not what this is. I’m not offering because I feel sorry for you. I’m offering because I see potential in you. In your work.”

Isabelle swallowed, unsure of how to respond. There was sincerity in his voice, but she still couldn’t shake the doubt. Was it really about her art, or was it something more?

“I’ll think about it,” she said finally, not wanting to commit to anything just yet.

Adrien nodded, seemingly satisfied with her answer. But as they sat there, side by side, Isabelle couldn’t help but feel that something had shifted between them. The tension, the unspoken connection—it was growing stronger, pulling them together in ways neither of them fully understood.

After a few more moments of silence, Adrien stood. “I should go. I have... things to take care of.”

Isabelle stood too, her heart pounding in her chest. “Thank you for the walk.”

Adrien gave her a small smile, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Goodnight, Isabelle.”

And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving her alone by the river, her thoughts swirling with confusion and something else she wasn’t ready to name.