The Search

Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

I slept the whole way on the plane and when I woke up I found my head comfortably snuggled on Derek’s shoulder and I jumped and woke him.

“Woah there Jessie,” he teased, “I was enjoying that wee cuddle.”

I glared at him and he stuck out his bottom lip, which looked absolutely ridiculous.

“Someone wake up on the wrong side of the plane?”

I rolled my eyes and stood up from my seat. My head was pumping and I combed my fingers through my hair only to find a huge tangle. I sighed to myself.

“Don’t worry, Lowie, you look beautiful.”

I grabbed his arm roughly.

“Look, none of this while we’re over here okay? You’re my sister ex-husband! You get that? And I know exactly what kind of guy you are! So while we’re over here no flirting, touching, staring and please Derek do not use that stupid grin, it may work on other girls but not on me.”

Derek threw his hands up in the air.

“Don’t flatter yourself,” he winked, “I like em…younger!”

I rolled my eyes at his revolting comment.

“You used to like it.” He winked at me again making my stomach churn.

I couldn’t wait to get out of this confined plane.

I looked down at all the notes I had written earlier, in order to find Peter. I had researched the hotel Le Serinio and had written down the owners names and all the reception staff. I had familiarised myself with the map of the street on which Le Serinio was found.

“Do you usually memorise everything about a hotel before you stay?”

I narrowed my eyes at Derek. I was tired of his constant remarks.

Finally the planes door opened and we walked towards the main building. I rushed to the bathroom and sighed as I looked at my reflection. My hair looked like a twister had attacked it and my eyes had huge dark circles, threatening to take over my whole face. I took out my make –up bag and began touching up. I ran a comb through my hair and quickly ran out of the bathroom to find coffee.

I breathed a sigh of relief as I saw Derek approaching with two coffees in his hands. I reached out and he quickly swiped it out of my reach.

“Not for you!” He smirked at me as he handed a beautiful, tall, thin, blonde girl the cup. She looked about seventeen which was disgusting for a thirty-two year old man to be buying coffee for. She had a European look to her and he accent was strong Russian when she murmured thank you.

Rage filled up inside of me as I strutted towards Costa. I almost screamed when I saw a long line standing at the counter but coffee was crucial at this time.

My nerves were throwing a strop in my stomach and my head was pounding. Derek’s antics weren’t helping the whole thing. I kept thinking of Peter, this was all for Peter, this was all for our future life together.

“Sorry there miss.”

I swerved round to see a tall young man with dark hair looking at me expectantly. His accent was French and his chocolate brown eyes made me feel weak at the knees.

He held up my mobile phone and I looked at him strangely, wondering why he had it.

“You dropped it back there and eh..”

He scratched the back of his head and laughed nervously.

“But when I saw the lock screen, I eh, think you very beautiful and I add my number.”

I giggled at his cute accent and his flattery.

I slowly took the phone from him.

“You new in Paris?”

I peered at him and took in how his teeth were so perfectly white and set in a perfect row. He had perfectly swept hair and he looked to be around my age. He was wearing a suit with a smart waistcoat which made me wonder about the occasion.

“I’m eh..visiting!” I smiled.

“I am local, I can give you tour if you like?”

He smiled a crooked grin which sent a chill up my spine.

“Coffee?” He asked and he stepped ahead of me and ordered two Americanos with an extra Espresso shot which was exactly what I needed right now. I thanked him and we took a seat at a table nearby.

“What is your name?” He asked.

“Willow Davies.”

“I am Wesley Claude. I live in Paris and I work.”

“Oh? What do you do?”

Wesley’s face darkened and I flinched as Derek matched over and shoved Wesley from his seat.

“Derek!” I screamed.

“You little piece of..”

Wesley stood up with the same darkened expression which made me fear. Wesley ran for Derek and threw a punch which collided with Derek’s eye and Derek was sent backwards but was back on his feet as quick as a shot. Derek kneed him and Wesley fell to the ground after Derek punched him hard in the face.

Derek grabbed my hand and started to run.

“Quick! Grab the bags,” he roared at me.

The anger in his voice made me obey and soon Derek and I were sprinting hand in hand out of the airport as passers-by angrily glared.

“Derek! What’s happening?”  I breathed as we duck into a taxi.

“Lowie, this is only the start of it.”

I immediately thought back to the letter I had received warning me to not look for Peter and fear struck my whole body. Whatever Peter was part of it must have been something bad. I realised I was still grasping to Derek’s hand and my head was on his chest.

“Who was that man?”

“Lowie we can’t speak now, we’ll speak later okay?”

I nodded and rested my head back onto Derek’s strong chest.