Forbidden Love

III - 1985

For weeks, Pier and I explored Paris together. We visited his favorite restaurants and art museums. He showed me his favorite parts of the city, including the locks of love. He told me, "One day, I will take you here and we will add a lock with our names on it." I gulped at the sound of him thinking that we were together, and the thought of Gregory was in the back of my mind. "Pier, my darling, for you know I have a lover back home whom I plan to marry when I return." He wouldn't take no for an answer, for his love for me was not something you could stop. "My darling, who is this man you speak of?" He said, frowning. "His name is Gregory, Gregory Jackson. He is my fiancé, and we are getting married as soon as I get back." H looked upset, as if I had broken his heart into a million pieces. But maybe I did. He looked at me with wide eyes, smiling at me. He then grabbed my hand and pulled me closer. He kissed me. I didn't hesitate, for his lips were as soft as silk, piercing gently across mine. For a minute I thought I should stop him, but a part of me never wanted it to end. "Oh Pier, you know I can't do this. For I could never cheat on a man who loves me so." I pushed him away. "If that's what you want." He paused, "see you around, miss." He started walking away. It wasn't what I wanted. I wanted to keep kissing him. I wanted him to hold me in his arms as I look across the horizon. I wanted him.

***

At school the next day, I saw Pier standing by the water fountain talking to his friend Lèif. I walked towards him. "Hi, could you give us a minute?" I looked at Lèif. She sighed, "I suppose." She walked away, and I turned towards Pier. "Pier, I-" I started, but he interrupted,"No, no. I'm sorry. You are engaged, I- I shouldn't have kissed you." He looked down to the floor in shame. "No, Pier. Don't be sorry." I touched his arm, and he lifted his head up. He looked at me with his piercing brown eyes that made me shiver. "My roommate thinks I'm making a big mistake- marrying Gregory." I said, looking uncertain. "If it's what you want, it's not a mistake." He said, placing his hands on my cheek. He continued, "I must go to class, see you later." I smiled and waved.
After my last class, i raced down the halls to find Pier. We had planned to hang out again at his grandmothers farm. He had horses, which are my favorite animal. I found him. "Pier!" I shouted, "Pier, over here!" He looked over and raced towards me. "Ready?" He said. We got into his car and we drove off. It was quiet for the first few minutes of the car ride. "Let me tell you something about my grandma," he said, holding my hand, "she makes the best french macaroons in history. I asked her to make some for you, I hope she did." I smiled at him. He never let go of my hand, nor did I move my hand. I frowned. What if I'm making a mistake marrying Gregory? What if the love of my life is right here, right next to me? I sighed and looked over at Pier. "Pier, give me your honest opinion," I started, "Do you think I'm making a mistake? You know... marrying Gregory?" He curled his lips. "Do you love him?" He said nervously. "I-" I paused. Did I love him? "I don't know." He looked at me, then back at the road. "Lemme tell you something, don't get married if you don't love him or if your not sure if you do. You might regret it. But you've been with this guy, what? 4 years? I think you love him, and if you think you should marry him then marry him." He seemed upset. I placed my hand on his shoulder. "You are amazing, Pier." I said, and then I laid my head on the window and fell into a deep sleep.
We had made it. His grandmothers farm was beautiful, very bright and colorful. I saw horses running back and forth, some were a soft brown and some were a rich, crystal white. We knocked on the door. The door opened, and there was a small lady, who was indeed, his grandmother. "Pier! Oh my- it's so good to see you!" She exclaimed, hugging and kissing him. She continued, "And who is this? A girl? Everyone, he's brought a mademoiselle!" Everyone in the background cheered. Turns out it wasn't just his grandmother- his entire family was there. "Oh no, grandmother, it's not like tha-" he said, but was interrupted with his grandmother shouting, "everyone come, come! Pier's here! And he's brought a girl!" Everyone was shouting, and Pier exclaimed, "she's not my girlfriend, ma. She is my friend." Everyone went quiet. "Oh-" she said, looking disappointed. "Well, welcome girl-friend!" She winked, "come and get some delicious food, madam!" She pushes me towards the food. I dig into the macaroon stash. Believe it or not, I auchally had never had a macaroon before that. And trust me, they are delicious. "I'm sorry about my family, they are just ready for me to marry." He laughed with embarrassment. "I love them." I said, hugging him. He nodded with gladness. We all enjoyed a meal that his grandmother had prepared for us. Pier told me she had worked at a local bakery, "La Macaroons" and it was one of the top ranked bakeries in the country. His family was one of the nicest I have met, and they welcomed me with open arms. I felt like I fit in, like I belonged. Like it was my own family.