Forgotten Love

Chapter 5

Allen decided to wake up early on Monday, get dressed, and go search for a publisher. Eleanor told her that after she finished her shift, they could go to a bar to unwind.

But just as Allen was about to leave the house, the landlord stopped her. "If you don't pay the rent by Thursday, you'll be evicted," he said bluntly.

Allen tried to explain that she didn't have a job and was trying to publish a book, but the landlord ignored her.
Feeling devastated, Allen walked through the streets of Paris with a heavy heart.

She had been so focused on her writing that she had neglected her financial situation.

As she wandered, she thought about her manuscript and her dreams of becoming a published author. But now, with the threat of eviction looming over her, she wondered if it was all just a foolish dream.

She walked for hours, trying to clear her head, but the weight of her situation only seemed to grow heavier.

Eventually, she found herself back at the Seine, watching the boats glide effortlessly across the water. She felt like she was drifting aimlessly, just like them.

As Allen stood there, lost in thought, a man appeared beside her, his eyes fixed on her with an unnerving intensity.

At first, she thought he might be trying to strike up a conversation, but his words quickly turned menacing.

"Hey, beautiful, what's a girl like you doing all alone?" he sneered, his breath reeking of alcohol.

Allen tried to step away, but he grabbed her arm, his grip like a vice. "Let me go!" she demanded, trying to shake him off.

But he just laughed, his eyes glinting with malice. "Oh, I don't think so," he said, his hand sliding up her arm, touching her in ways that made her skin crawl.

Allen's heart racing, she tried to push him away, but he was too strong. She felt a wave of fear wash over her as he leaned in close, his lips brushing against her ear.

Just as suddenly, he was gone, pulled away by a stranger who appeared out of nowhere. Allen stumbled backward, gasping for breath, her mind reeling with shock.

The stranger turned to her, his eyes filled with concern. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Allen nodded, still trying to process what had just happened. "Y-yes, thank you," she stuttered.

The stranger nodded, his eyes scanning the area as if searching for any sign of the attacker. "Do you want me to walk you home?" he asked.

Allen hesitated, unsure if she should trust this stranger. But something about his kind eyes put her at ease.

"Yes, please," she said finally.
As they sipped their coffee, Louis's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze fixed on Allen's face.

He couldn't believe that she knew his brother, Lucas.
And what's more, he couldn't believe the way he felt - a pang of jealousy that he'd never experienced before.

From the moment he saw Allen, Louis was drawn to her. Her beauty, her spirit, her creativity... everything about her captivated him. And now, he found out that she knew Lucas, his own brother.

Louis's mind raced with questions. What did Lucas see in her? Had they met before? Was there something going on between them?

He pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the present moment. He had to get to know her better, to make her see him, not Lucas.

"So, Allen," Louis said, his voice smooth as silk. "Tell me more about yourself. What brings you to Paris?"
Allen launched into a story about her writing, her dreams, and her struggles.

Louis listened intently, his eyes locked on hers, drinking in every word.

As they talked, Louis found himself falling deeper under her spell. He knew he had to make her his, no matter what it took. The question was, how far would he go to win her heart?

After a long day of visiting publishers with Louis, Allen was feeling discouraged.

Despite his best efforts to help her, every publisher they met with had rejected her manuscript.

Louis couldn't believe the audacity of the men, dismissing Allen's amazing story without a second thought.
As the sun began to set, Allen remembered that she had promised to visit Eleanor at Mr. Browne's
company.

She bid goodbye to Louis, thanking him again for his help, and headed back to her apartment to get dressed. She changed into a nice dress and did her hair, trying to shake off the disappointment of the day.

When she arrived at Mr. Browne's building, Eleanor was already there, waiting for her. They exchanged greetings and headed to the bar on the top floor, which offered a stunning view of the city.

Over drinks, Allen vented about her frustrating day, telling Eleanor about the rejection and disappointment she had faced.
Eleanor listened sympathetically, offering words of encouragement and support.

Meanwhile, Louis had followed Allen to the bar, but instead of approaching her, he sat down in a corner, watching her and Eleanor from afar.

He nursed a whiskey, his eyes fixed on Allen's face, studying her expressions, her laughter, and her interactions with Eleanor.

He couldn't help but feel drawn to her, even more so after seeing her passion and dedication to her writing.

As the evening wore on, Louis continued to observe Allen, feeling a mix of emotions: admiration, curiosity, and a hint of jealousy.

He wondered what it would be like to be the one making her laugh, the one she turned to for support. But for now, he was content to simply watch her, learning more about this captivating woman.

As the singer's voice soared through the bar, Allen's gaze was drawn to the stage. The melody was hauntingly beautiful, and she felt herself getting lost in the music.

That's when she saw him - Lucas, standing near the stage, his eyes fixed on her with an unmistakable adoration.

His smile was radiant, and his eyes seemed to be gazing at her with heart-shaped pupils, as if he was completely smitten.

Allen's heart skipped a beat as their eyes met, and she felt a flutter in her chest. She couldn't help but smile back at him, feeling a connection that went beyond words.

The music, the moment, and Lucas's gaze all combined to create a sense of magic that enveloped her.

Eleanor, noticing Allen's distraction, followed her gaze and raised an eyebrow. "Looks like someone's got a fan," she whispered, nudging Allen playfully.

Allen blushed, feeling a little self-conscious, but she couldn't tear her eyes away from Lucas. He seemed to be mesmerized by her, and she couldn't help but feel the same way about him.

As the song came to an end, Lucas began to make his way towards her, his eyes never leaving hers. Allen's heart raced with anticipation, wondering what he would say, what he would do. The room seemed to fade into the background as he approached, his smile growing wider with each step.