Ace

Chapter Seven

I'd been in Paris for a month already. It felt like days instead. The weeks had flown by, I was now 10 weeks along. I had the cutest little bump. I bought a few maternity dresses just because I knew it was coming soon.... and I didn't want to be completely devastated when I couldn't fit into my normal clothes.

I'd made new friends here in Paris. Archer was surprisingly easy to talk to and easy going. We went out to eat a couple times, but it was strictly platonic. I couldn't handle someone else in my life. Especially with Cookie. And yes, I did nickname the baby Cookie. And no, I didn't tell Archie about Cookie yet. It's none of his business anyway.

Anne, my PA, was such a good person and I told her about my pregnancy. She told me she supported me and if I ever needed anything to let her know.

Since I was thinking about him.... his best friend, who I just happen to be good friends with, was planning to meet me for dinner. Brooks Sterling, was his best friend since primary school. He's somewhere in the long succession to the British throne, but he's also a multimillionaire after the launch of his company. I believe he's #63 in line for the throne. I met him at a photo shoot for Vogue. Brooks is undeniably handsome and photogenic. Brooks and (A) were best friends through school and I eventually met A through my best friend Lauren and Brooks. Brooks is known to be cold and ruthless, but he has his soft moments. Brooks and I were strictly platonic. Brooks and A also have another best friend, Vince. Vince lives in California and is known to be the more light hearted one.

Alex is the other person I was meeting for dinner. Alex and A are competitors in their business. Alex and I had been friends since birth. We had gone to school together. Alex grew up in Scarsdale and we went to Columbia together. He was always the supportive big brother I wanted. He was friends with my half brothers and he was just always around.

I packed up my stuff and was on my way to go say goodbye to Anne. Anne was such a kind soul and I was so grateful that I didn't have some mouse as my PA.

"Goodnight Ms. Chevalier," She called out while her eyes were glued to the monitor. She was typing my speech for tomorrow.

"Goodnight Anne. Any plans for the weekend?"

Her boyfriend had just broken up with her a couple months previous to when I came to Paris, and he sounded like a real asshole.

She replied with a sad face, "Oh you know not much. I might go look for a new outfit or something tomorrowand then of course church Sunday."

I almost felt bad. Then an idea hit me.

"Anne would you like to go out to eat tonight? I'm meeting some friends of mine."

She looked skeptical at first, but then she gave in and smiled. "That sounds wonderful."

We decided we would get ready at my apartment and she could wear one of my dresses since we didn't have the time to go uptown to go to her apartment.

I put Anne in a burgundy dress and my purple leather jacket. I gave her my nude Louboutin pumps for the night.

I grabbed my little black dress that never fails and my black Louboutin pumps. Plus my dress was stretchy, so that was a plus.

When I moved to Paris I brought my maid Emmarie and my driver Henry. I called Henry and he came and picked us up. Then we were on our way to eat.

She asked who we were eating with so I told her their names and about how I knew them. Ever since I brought up Brooks she could not sit still. Anne couldn't stop fidgeting and moving around in her seat. I'd never seen her so nervous before. I looked up from my phone and raised my eyebrow. She was now smoothing down imaginary wrinkles on her dress and crossing and uncrossing her ankles.

"Anne, are you ok?" I asked her.

She let out a huff and said, "If only you knew."

I was about to question her more until we pulled up in front of the restaurant. Henry came around and opened the door for us and then we were in. Brooks sent me a text saying him and Alex had already gotten a table. I found Brooks automatically. I could hear Anne breathing heavily behind me and she looked like she was about to pass out.

"Anne do you want to go to the bar to get a drink real quick? Maybe some water or something," I asked.

She immediately turned around and stalked to the bar. I turned back around and made my way towards our table. Brooks and Alex automatically looked up and smiled when they saw me coming up. They stood up and kissed me on the cheek. Alex pulled out my chair for me to sit down.

"Ana how've you been?" Alex asks.

"I've been better, but I'm recovering."

"That's what you get for moving so often. I stay as much in London as I can." Brooks adds in.

"Yeah um... my friend should be coming she just had to stop at the bar first."

"Oh really? What's her name."

Just then Anne walks up with a glass of red wine in her hand.

"Anne Irvine." Brooks says unexpectedly.

I look up at her and she's staring at him with a look of disgust.

"Brooks Sterling, long time no see?"

He quirks an eye at her. "I believe you were the one who left, correct?"

This is going to be a fun night.