TASTE ME: BOUND TO YOU BOTH

CHAPTERTWO:PEACH

Maeve stood on the café porch, letting the cold air sweep her hair in a playful dance around her shoulders and face. A shiver ran through her, the chill both familiar and comforting. She brushed her fringe aside, hesitating as her fingers lingered in her hair. Should she tie it back or let it fall freely? Nathan preferred her hair up. He'd always tease her by tugging it gently whenever she was mad at him, before his hand found its way to tickle her neck, a simple gesture that makes her knees wobble. She knew he would adore her if she showed up with her hair in a ponytail, but she wasn’t there to please him. She was there to… Wait, what was she here for? Café de Nuit was quiet, the usual hum of chatter replaced by the soft patter of rain against the windows. Maeve scanned the room and found him easily—Nathan was perched at the bar, his glass half-empty as he poured another drink. Maeve shook her head in disappointment as she took long strides towards him and snatched the drink off his hands. “What is wrong with you?” “Peach!” He opened his arms wide to envelope her in them but she flung them to the side and smiled in satisfaction when he almost staggered off his seat, obviously drunk.“What is wrong with you, Nathan? Why are you drinking?” “I’m not drunk. I was attempting to be drunk, but I’m not drunk yet.”

His breath smelled of alcohol and she gagged. “Stop exaggerating.” He mumbled, feigning a frown.Maeve scoffed. “Why am I here?”“I needed to talk to someone. I’m heartbroken.” “Why didn’t you come home? We can always talk at home. I mean, we live together. "I needed to talk to you here.” “Why?” "I…. May broke up with me.” Maeve rolled her eyes. “Okay, and…”. Nathan squinted his eyes. “What do you mean “and?”Maeve shrugged. “May broke up with you, yes, okay, and what? Are you surprised? Didn’t you see it coming?”. She settled into the stool next to him, placing her handbag on the counter.“What do you mean? How could I see it coming? We were so in love.”

“Or so you thought.” “Peach…”. Maeve rolled her eyes for the umpteenth time. “Nathan, when will it be clear to you that you can not find true love in Paris? Every girl here want to date you not because you are the ideal boyfriend material but because you are Nathan Sutherland, the young, hot and sexy Chief Secretary of Diamond d'Or and the Personal and Executive Assistant to Armand Fointaine, the founder and the richest man in France and third richest in the whole world and you literally control a billion-dollar empire…”

Nathan’s eyebrows furrowed. “Why do you recite this to me all the time?” “Because you keep underestimating yourself. You don’t know how big you are, Nathan and you don’t respect yourself enough. Leave these hoes alone.” “May wasn’t a hoe.” “She was clearly after your money.” “And my d**k…” Maeve clapped. “Yes! Exactly! I’m glad you know. I mean, word must have gone round that you are good in bed.” “Peach, I can’t believe you…”

“Why exactly am I here, Nathan? I was engrossed in a Zadie Smith’s novel before you called me on the phone shivering. I thought you were literally dying…” “I am, Peach. Can’t you see? Why else will I be here drinking myself to stupor. I feel so empty without…without…” “Without a s*x partner.” “No! Without May…” “You felt empty without Doris, Mercy, Sasha, Susan, Monique, Asher, Peniel, Jessica, Ivy, Beatrice… who am I missing? Of course, that b***h, Annabel. You felt empty without them but look at you now, you’re doing just fine. Trust me, you will be fine in less than twenty-four hours. The b***h, May didn't even like me. Hell, I’m so glad she’s out of your life for good. We should cheer to that.”. Nathan watched in unbelief as she beckoned on the bartender.Nathan paused, thinking aloud for a second. “You remember them all?” “Huh?”

Maeve received the glass from the bartender and took a long sip. “You remember the names of all the girls I’ve dated.” “Just the ones you’ve dated this year though. In eleven months, you’ve been in twelve relationships, I don’t know how you do it but you need to take a break.” “I swear, I can’t remember the names of any of my exes except Annabel the last one.”. “Soon, you’ll forget hers and that of May. Trust me.” Nathan lifted his glass. “So what are we cheering to?” “A life without a third-party b***h, a peaceful life that consists of just the both of us, loving and caring for each other like we always do.” Nathan smirked. “Cheers.” They clinked their glasses and downed the contents in one large gulp. “Was that wine alcoholic?” Nathan asked, letting out a belch. “You know you need to be sober to drive, I’m already tipsy I can’t drive us home.” “I’m good.”.

The bartender refilled their glasses and they took sips in silence before Nathan smiled and took her both hands in his. She watched in wonderment as he lifted both hands to his lips and planted soft kisses on them, one after the other.“I love you so much, Peach. Thank you for being not just my sister but my best friend.” “Yikes!” Maeve freed her hands and picked up her almost empty glass, feigning disgust and turning from him. “That was exactly what you told me after you broke up with Anabel. Three days later, you met May and pushed me aside.” “But you know I mean it…” “Yeah, yeah. Let’s get out of here. It’s stopped raining.”

“One minute, I need to use the restroom.” “Hurry up.” She hushed and turned to the bartender, “Our bill please.” She let her self down the long stool slowly and as she dug through her purse for her card, she felt a huge figure towering above her, his hot breath fanning her neck. She shivered when he softly whispered to her ears, asking her to stand still, his arms circled around her waist and his groin area directly caressing her butt. Without thinking, she got into defense mode, turned around swiftly and delivered a kick straight to his groin. He screamed, groaned and sank to his knees. “What was that?!” She shouted cowering in fright and throwing her arms over her chest. “s**t! Mademoiselle, you stained your dress. I wanted to cover you up with my jacket.” “I’m stained?” She gasped in fright and looked over her shoulders, he had quickly wrapped a jacket over her, so fast that she hadn't noticed. She moved it aside and noticed the red stain at the back of her white dress. Ketchup. She had sat on Ketchup. “I’m so sorry…” She didn’t finish and he was already out the door. Suddenly feeling dizzy, she sank into the seat, trying to catch her breath, not knowing if she should run after him or wait for Nathan to get back. She must have injured him, she was sure. That kick was just too hard and it had gone straight to his balls. “Excuse me, ma’am?” She was startled by the gentle tap on her shoulder. She didn’t see three young ladies walk up to her and had been totally oblivious to their Hi’s and Hellos. “Can I see your jacket?” The blonde amongst them ask nicely. “My jacket?” She looked down and saw she still had the stranger’s jacket around her waist. “It looks familiar to the jacket Knight wore at his concert tonight.”. “Knight?” She was clueless. What was this b***h saying?“Maybe it’s a copy. Can I take a picture of it?” “Yes, yes. Sure.” She was too stunned to say no. Nathan soon appeared behind her and she melted into his arms at the sight of him. She waited until the ladies finished taking photos of the jacket, and turned away muttering thanks. “Nathan, I just assaulted someone. I’m scared he must have gone to call the Police on me.” “What? Who?” “I don’t know. He uhmm…he just appeared behind me and wrapped his jacket over my waist and I got shocked and I kicked his balls so hard that he fell.” Nathan’s eyes widened. “You kicked a man’s balls?” “Nathan, I fear I have inflicted an injury on him. He didn’t even wait for me to apologize. He angrily stormed off. He didn’t take back his jacket.” She took it off her waist and Nathan took it from her. “This is a Diamond d’Or jacket.” He observed and carefully held it up. The name “Knight” was boldly spelt behind it in diamond stones. He gasped, not believing his eyes as he instantly recognized the name.“Hold up.” He took out his phone, opened Google, punched in a few letters and held up the phone to her frightened face. “Is this him?” Maeve took the phone from him, her chin dropping to the floor. Knight. American-French Popstar. Aged 23. Three times Grammy-Award winner. He had pictures with the President of France, his daughters, the Queen of England, U.S President, had collaborated with Beyonce, Ed Sheeran, Drake, The Weeknd, Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift, Burna Boy and even BTS. He had been nominated for the Grammys 16 times and had won thrice. His networth was over $700 million. Her eyes widened. $700 million??!!!Nathan took his phone back. “Is this him?” He asked again.“ Nathan, I think I’m star struck. I f*****g met a global pop star and kicked his…” She placed her hands over her mouth, still not believing what she’d done. Nathan stared at her, eyes narrowing as the weight of her words settled. His sister had not just assaulted Knight, the popstar. She’d met and assaulted Dante Fointaine, the first son of Armand Fointaine—the successor to Diamond d’Or and, worse yet, his fu

ture boss.