Last Kiss in Paris

Chapter 15 - Shady Dealings

Suggested Song: Sober by G-Eazy ft. Charlie Puth

Ooh, I know that I'll regret this when I'm sober
But every shot I'm getting closer, getting closer
Is it true that 80 proof is the reason I'm with you?
Oh, I know that I'll regret this when it's over

—

The couple walked for about ten minutes until they reached a canal cutting though a quiet neighbourhood. Pierre let go of Amrisha's hand and beckoned her towards a set of steps leading into the canal. She followed him down, glad that she didn't have high heels on, and gasped when she saw the view. Bobbing in front of her was a small rowboat, with a picnic basket and fairy lights. A sandy-haired boy, probably sixteen or seventeen, stood up from the oars, and bowed. "Ah, Monsieur Pierre, bonsoir," he said with a heavy French accent. "And zis is ze Mademoiselle Amrisha? You're even more beautiful than monsieur described! Je m'appelle Sébastien and I will be your captain tonight!"

Thoroughly impressed and blushing slightly, Amrisha took Sébastien's hand as he helped her onto the boat. She was startled by how blue Sébastien's eyes were and how cute he was. She grudgingly took her eyes away from him. He was quite different from Ben, yet he reminded Amrisha so much of him. Ridiculous, she thought. Your first date with Pierre and you're getting distracted. She tried to focus on Pierre as he squeezed in beside her under the small canopy . "Chardonnay?" he asked, pulling a bottle out of the basket.
"Er no thanks, I'll have water," Amrisha replied, remembering her previous experiences with alcohol.

Sébastien started to row the boat at the front. Pierre reached into the picnic basket again and set an array of steaming dishes on the padlocked iron chest in front of them: baguette rounds and pâté, leek and potato soup, pain au chocolat, and a meticulously arranged dish of grilled salmon with quinoa salad. "I love salmon!" Amrisha exclaimed as they began to tuck in.
"Me too," Pierre said with his mouth full. "Guess we're not too different after all. Sébastien's making."
"Enjoying your meal?" Sébastien called from the front. "Ze soup and pâté is a family recipe. Ah look! Zere is my quartier." They passed a clump of quaint shack-like houses to the left of them. Amrisha frowned and leaned over to Pierre. "Poor guy," she whispered, noticing his grubby polo shirt, "how much did you pay him?"
"Money is no problem for me" Pierre said, a little too loudly.
"Me too," Sébastien said, turning to look at the couple. "Rowing zis boat is only my evening job. I have other ways of income while also going to le lycée." He winked, and Amrisha noticed that his grubby polo shirt was Ralph Lauren, and that his belt was Chanel.

"Oh," Amrisha said sheepishly. They continued down the canal, with Sébastien giving them the tour of the area, as they finished their dinner. It really was a perfect date. Pierre noticed Amrisha shivering and grabbed a blanket from under the seats. He pulled her closer to him and wrapped the blanket around them. Amrisha shivered again, not from the cold, but from the feel of Pierre's skin against hers.
"I can't believe we only have less than a week of Paris left," Pierre murmured.
"What about school? You won't ignore me when we get back will you?" Amrisha said.
"Mm," he replied. "I'll be busy though," he said simply. Suddenly, his phone started to ring and Pierre took out an iPhone Xs. "Hey," he answered. "...not now, later, I'm kinda busy ok?....ok ok bye I'll call you later promise." He turned the phone off before slipping it back into his pocket. "Just er, my mum."
"You didn't have to hang up on her," Amrisha said. "Never mind, but Pierre, I don't even have your phone number."
"Yeah, chuck me your phone I'll write it in." For his profile pic, Pierre pulled Amrisha closer for a selfie, but surprised her when he gave her a peck on the cheek. "I have a present for you," he said, handing back her phone and taking out a small box from inside his jacket.

Inside, was a pair of gorgeous rose gold drop earrings, which made Amrisha's jaw drop. "That's- it's too much Pierre," she gasped.
"You don't like it?" his brows furrowed.
"No, n-no, I love it, but no boy should ever spend so much on me." She knew those earrings would cost a hundred or two hundred dollars at least, since her mum owned a couple of jewellery stores. It wasn't that expensive - after all, most kids at her school came from rich families - but Amrisha didn't like flaunting her wealth. Sophie's parents owned a large Brazilian bank, Alek's dad was head of the Toyota Australia division, Alexander's dad owned most vodka brands in Russia and Mel's parents were successful investors. In fact, the reason all of them went to this school was because it was the only public school their parents approved of. They had all despised the posh private schools they were sent to before. That's why Amrisha had liked being around Ben so much. He lived a normal family's life, worked hard for his scholarship and didn't go on holidays to a private island every summer.
"It's fine babe," Pierre said, shaking Amrisha from her thoughts. "I know your dad is chief engineer of Boeing or whatever, but my family owns basically all the property in Mongolia and Tibet."