Secrets and Lies (a Les Twins fanfic)

Chapter 31: No Turning Back

“But I don’t want comfort. I want poetry. I want danger. I want freedom. I want goodness. I want sin.”—Aldous Huxley

“I don’t think this is a good idea. You choose too quick.”

“I’ve already made up my mind.”

Gabby had changed into a shirt dress, platform sandals, and sunglasses. Laurent wore a white tank and black jeans.

They were standing on a sidewalk on rue de Buzenval.

When he looked down at her she could see her reflection in his Ray-Bans.

He grabbed her hand. They crossed the street and walked into EaZyInk Art Studio.

Laurent held the door open still hoping she’d change her mind.  It was the last place he expected to be taking her.

“You sure this really what you want?”

“Yes. For the hundredth time…I’m sure.” She slipped one arm around his waist.

“Hi, I’m Mariama.”

A girl with caramel-colored skin and a massive shock of long, curly blonde hair came up and introduced herself.

Gabby shook her hand.  She was the same artist who had done Laurent’s tattoo.

He called her by her nickname.  “Maya, just show her a design.”

“No.” Gabby interrupted. “I want to get the whole thing done today.”

Maya led Gabby to her workstation and instructed her to lie down on the table.  Within fifteen minutes she had a sketch drawn.

Gabby unbuttoned her shirt and pointed to the spot where she wanted it.  Maya swabbed the area with alcohol and prepared her tools.

Laurent lingered over Gabby’s shoulder watching like a hawk and making comments.  She thought it was cute that he seemed more worried than she was.

“It’s gonna hurt. Tell her.”

Maya tuned him out.

“Lau, can you let Maya work? Or do you need to wait outside?”

“I’m staying.”

“Well, stop trying to scare me. Because I’m not changing my mind.”

The tattoo gun buzzed to life and Gabby nervously reached for his hand.

He gazed down at her like he was trying to figure her out.

“Vous êtes plein de surprises.” (You’re full of surprises.)

Then he gave her an upside-down kiss just as the first white-hot traces of the needle seared into her skin.

* * * *

Monday was the last day of filming at the studio and no one was happier than Ken.

He and Laurent had made peace and Larry was teaching him how to do the two-step.

Sasha called in sick, but everyone else was there. The whole staff was in a good mood.

There was still a lot of editing to be done, but they watched a rough cut of the documentary and everybody gave a standing ovation at the end.

Some people were laughing and crowding around hugging Larry.

Others were still fighting back tears from the touching interview with the twins’ mom in their hometown of Sarcelles.

Laurent shied away around the corner by himself.

Gabby went to find him. “What’s the matter, babe?”

“I don’t know. I just never talk about my life like that.” He dug his hands into his pockets studying the floor.

“I know, but it’s a good thing. People need to see how proud your family is of you and how hard you and Larry worked to get where you are.”

He pulled her close.

It could have been a friendly hug, except that now their body language was like lovers.

One of the producers passed by, the one who was always flirting with Laurent. She stopped dead in her tracks and almost broke her neck doing a double-take.

“Can I help you with something?” Gabby stared her down until she rolled her eyes disapprovingly and walked away.

Laurent rested his chin on the top of her head.

Neither of them noticed Larry standing in the shadows of the hallway watching them, too.

Wrapped in Laurent’s arms Gabby lightly touched the bandaged spot over her heart, still tender as it healed.

She didn’t care what anyone thought anymore.