It Started in Paris

Chapter Eleven: Guess Who's On The Tour With Us

I sent a report to Margaret last night after that awkward good-bye with Jack. I attached photos that Leila took. I noticed that there was a response to my first report from Margaret about the decaying letters we found outside our apartment and their unspoken feelings for each other.

From: Margaret Ellington

To: Lauren Swift

Subject: Re: Report

Jean? Helen? Who are these people? Did you meet them?

It triggered my curiosity. Why does she care about two old people she doesn't even know about? After sending my second report, I replied to Margaret's e-mail.

From: Lauren Swift

To: Margaret Ellington

Subject: Re: Re: Report

I've met Jean and his grandson.

After a moment, there was an instant reply from her.

From: Margaret Ellington

To: Lauren Swift

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Report

How old is he now?

Seriously, why is she obsessed with Jean? Unless, she's Helen...

She can't be Helen. That would be just weird. She's sixty-two years old. Helen is approximately in her eighties. I responded to her e-mail. I came up with the idea that she might want to interview Jean and put it up as an interesting article on our magazine.

From: Lauren Swift

To: Margaret Ellington

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Report

Eighty-four.

I waited for her reply but thirty minutes had passed and she still hasn't replied. I closed my laptop and lied beside Leila who was already fast asleep.

*****

"Wow." A guy's voice was inside my head.

My eyes were still closed and I thought that I was beginning to dream about my Prince Charming, or in a more grown-up term: Mr. Right.

"Yup. She's been asleep all morning," Leila's voice came.

Okay. This is definitely not a dream.

I opened my eyes and saw Jack standing at the end of the bed with his arms crossed. He was newly shaved which made him look even more dashing. Great. Now, I have no more reason to call him an Arrogant Monkey.

I sat up and rubbed my eye. "What are you doing here?" I glanced at the clock and it's only seven in the morning.

Me? Asleep?? All morning?! These people must be a fan of mornings.

"I'm here for the second day of our tour," he spread his arms wide.

Oh yipee.

"I'll just get dressed and we'll go," I said groggily.

He shoved his hands in his pocket. "Okay."

I stared at him blankly.

"What?" he complained. "What are you looking at?"