The Tales Of A French Woman (HEAVILY EDITING)

chapter 3

I woke up to the glaring sun and squinted as I glanced at my phone. 8:36 AM. I groaned and fumbled out of bed. I dragged myself into the shower, hoping that the cold water would wake me up. It did just that. I washed my hair with my coconut and raspberry shampoo and rubbed my cherry blossom shower gel all over my skin. By the time I stepped out I smelled like an exotic fruit basket. I walked to my closet and scanned the shelves for a work outfit. I picked out something chic but sexy. A long sleeve formal crop top, my baby blue jeans and my martini glass heels.

I skipped down to the kitchen and took out the food I cooked the day before for my picnic with Jacob. I warmed the Beef Bourguignon and Potatoes Dauphinoise in the oven before packing them in my hot bag, then I placed the chocolate souffle and flamiche into some Tupperware and walked to my office. I grabbed my diary, my shading pencils, pens, erasers and most importantly my sketch book. Before leaving, I set a timer to remind Tana to water my plants. Then, I hopped into my car and headed off to work. If you're wondering what I am. I'm a fashion designer. I already have my own fashion brand here in Paris.

I entered my building and greeted the doorman. I'm immediately welcomed by my assistant who fetches me my morning coffee and breakfast burrito. I take the elevator and get to my office. I open the blinds to let some sunshine brighten up my office. My assistant Jaymes enters my office to drop my coffee and burrito down and reminds me of my errands. I groan inwardly and slump down on my chair. I dismiss him and sip my coffee. Je peux le faire [I can do this] I motivated myself.

-time skip-

I was finally done with most of my work. I leaned back in my chair and checked my phone. It was only 12:20 pm. I closed my eyes feeling like I was forgetting something, when all of a sudden I started to think about Jacob and how I was supposed to meet up with with him for lunch. I immediately sat up, grabbed my phone, purse, car keys, sketchbook, pencils and the lunch bag. I immediately run out of my office telling Jaymes that I was going for lunch. I got downstairs and rush to my car. As I was about to start driving, I realized that I didn't know where his workplace was. I'm honestly so stupid. I take my phone out and call him. I wait for him to pick up and when he does, I hear the voice of indila.

"Bonjour Indila" I greeted.

"Salut Camille" she replied," Cherchez-vous mon père?" [ are you looking for my father?]

"Oui. Nous avons en fait un déjeuner ensemble alors pouvez-vous bien vouloir me donner l'adresse où il travaille." I said [yes i am. we actually have a lunch date together so can you kindly give me the address to where he works.]

"D'accord, mais vous devez d'abord me promettre que nous sortirons tous les trois pour une glace plus tard." She said. [okay but first you have to promise me that the three of us would go out for ice cream later.]

I laugh lightly and say" oui oui je peux maintenant,  pouvez-vous s'il vous plaît dire l'adresse que je suis un peu en retard ici." [okay okay i will now can you please tell me the adress I'm kind of running late here.]

"père travaille chez Marigold Clinics" she said [my father works at Marigold Clinics]

"thank you and see you soon" I tell her

" bye" she answered, then cut the call. I sighed in disbelief, I was simply shocked that he worked at Marigold which is one of the biggest teaching hospitals in Europe. They were at the forefront in cancer research and quite a few of their doctors were Nobel Laureates. This is going to be a long ass ride with all this traffic.

Some time later...

I circle around the Marigold parking lot, the place is packed as usual. Desperate families seeking treatment for their loved ones often come here as a last resort. A consult is so expensive here that banks offer special interest loans just for them. I finally find a space and get out of my car. I glimpse at the same car, making sure it was locked. I walked towards the entrance of the hospital in pursuit of finding the man that had captivated my attention since we met. 

The stench of antiseptics hit my nostrils a little hard, small undertones of the smell of flowers attempting to distract my nostrils from the antiseptic smell of carbolic acid. I make my way towards the receptionist who greeted me with a charming smile.

"Hi, Welcome to Hôpital de Laurent, I'm the receptionist Laura and how can I help you today madame?" The receptionist said. Her voice welcoming and calm.

"Um, hi, I'm here to see Jacob," I responded 

"You mean Dr Antoine?" She asked with an eye brow raised.

I nodded, shooting her a small smile. 

"He's currently performing surgery in the Operating Theatre, but he's estimated to be done in the next 15 minutes. So if you can kindly sit down and wait here," Laura said while scrolling through his schedule for today.

"Merci!" 

I sat down near the deck of seats littering the reception, and finally took in the exceptional architecture of the building. Although it was a hospital, it was quite comfortable. Plush lounge chairs littered the waiting area, accompanied by square shaped coffee tables by their sides. A huge skylight hung at the ceiling giving everyone an amazing view of the light blue sky, splashing light onto the freshly polished tiles of the floors. There were separate accommodations for patients who were treated indoors and outside, and the quarters were orderly and tidy. There was a lot of activity and bustle in the hospital's hallways. With white-clad medical professionals and nursing sisters  pacing up and down. Others with health records tucked under their arms. I just sat and watched them breeze by, wondering when Jacob's surgery would be over so I can finally eat .

After 5 minutes, I look up to see Jacob in his black scrubs and blue crocs, notebook and pen in hand but all I could think of was how his shirt perfectly hugged his muscles, just imagining how it would feel to holding on to his broad shoulders as he -- No! I shook my head. I can't be having such thoughts.

"Jacob," I said, meeting him half way and giving him a side hug. "I hope you haven't forgotten our lunch date because I cooked a wide variety of food." holding the basket in front of him to see.

He chuckled, "lets head to my office then" he wrote. I nodded in response and followed him as he led the way to his office. he opened the thick brown cedar wood door to an office full of medical wonders. 

Hello my lovelies. I'm so sorry for not updating in a long time. I've just been busy with exams and life itself. Welp here's chapter 3. Hope you enjoy it.

a bientot

my lovelies.