Beach Side Romance

Chapter 16: Paris? Paris, France?

Olivia POV

Over two weeks ago, Drew came barging into my house causing me to have a temporary roommate that night, overwhelming feelings, and a messed up system. I was sunbathing outside my balcony with Lizzie who took a trip down with Luca this weekend. Julian was at the site today finishing some things that needed no help from me anymore since we finished the project last week, and everyone has been down to see the final product and were happy because we finished it ahead of time, and the set-up was beautiful. The grand opening was scheduled soon, but Mae was more than eager to take over the final details with Julian’s boss, for the grand opening. This is while we took some ‘time off’ aka go on the date everyone was waiting for. 

“Liz, are you sure he hasn’t told you anything about where he will take me?” I asked her for the nth time. “Yes, why don’t you ask your mom though? I remember you mentioning that Julian said she was the one who gave him the idea?” She answered, clearly still trying to put up with my jittery feeling. I called my mom as soon as Lizzie brought the idea up, and my mom didn’t know where he was taking me. “Oh sweetie, I couldn’t tell you where he’ll take you even if I wanted to. I gave him an idea, but that was it,” my mom admitted. I was running out of luck. I told my mom I will let her know once I found out and will talk to her soon.

Lizzie and I went to the grocery and the strip mall to do some retail therapy. She was stressed out with her midterms and I wasn’t really too happy about secrets right now. Pahuna was on sale, and a few more stores. After that session, I could honestly say that I may have had twice or even thrice the amount of clothes I had when I first arrived. We got some food to make dinner for the boys tonight since Luca was tagging along Julian’s site visit, and Jerome was still busy with the resort with the sudden uptake of occupancy since a couple of days back. We got back to my place and started getting everything ready for our menu for tonight:

Appetizer

Caprese Salad

Main Course

Garlic Butter Mashed Potatoes

Chicken Parmigiano

Roasted Vegetables

Dessert

Cheese Platter and Cold Cuts

Mixed Berry Cobbler Ala Mode

It was about 6PM when Julian and Luca arrived, and they looked dead beat. Luca slumped onto the couch and almost passed out looking tired, and Julian went to the spare bedroom where some of his things were now, doing god knows what. 

“Hey, dinner’s ready,” Lizzie said, tapping Luca on the shoulder an hour after they arrived. I quickly placed the salad on the table and knocked on Julian’s door. “Julian? Are you awake?” I asked, knocking again. When he didn’t answer, I opened his door startling him quickly trying to shut his laptop, but I already saw it. He was on an airline site looking at an itinerary.

Julian POV

I was looking through the itinerary I had planned for my ‘first date’ with Olivia. Amber told me earlier that Olivia was getting suspicious, and asked if she could know where I was taking their daughter. Johnny on the other hand, knew where I was taking Olivia. He was the one who gave me her passport details to key in. It was less suspicious that way, and Johnny was more than happy to help. I didn’t hear the knocking and was surprised by Olivia opening the door. “Oh, uh, sorry. I thought you were sleeping,” she said eyeing me suspiciously. “What were you looking at?” She asked. “I’ll tell you later after dinner,” I said smiling. I went out of the room to see Luca and Lizzie already waiting for us. 

Dinner was awesome, as always. The garlic butter mashed potatoes were to die for. “So, are you finally going to tell Olivia where you’re taking her?” Lizzie asked, a bit annoyed. I never told her where we’re going, but I did mention to her I was flying her somewhere. Olivia looked at me curiously, maybe she saw what I was doing earlier before dinner. “Uh.. could I speak to Olivia alone for a moment, Liz? Luc?” I asked. They nodded and went to step out for a while. Olivia was sitting on the couch staring at me. “Wherever you’re taking me, I sure hope it’s worth this agonizing wait,” she said staring at me. I produced an envelope from my back pocket, and handed it to her. “Here, but before you open it. I’ve already asked your dad if I could do this. I also promised your mom I would tell her after I tell you where we’re going”. She opened the envelope and I held my breath waiting for her reaction.

She was killing me, reading the paper over and over again. “THIS IS TOMORROW  NIGHT?” She squealed. “I figured I would cut close to the day we need to head out, but yeah, tomorrow night. Mae already approved your time off too,” I confirmed. “Oh my god. This isn’t a joke right? Please tell me it’s not a joke. But wait. This is so extravagant,” she worried. “It’s not a joke, and it’s thanks to our project that we get to go. The tickets and hotel are from my company to thank us for the fast turnaround, but the activities, that’s what I arranged,” I said. “PARIS? PARIS, FRANCE?” She squealed standing up to embrace me in a hug, which obviously, by all means I received. “Yes, Amber told me you’ve always wanted to go to Paris the day I met her for coffee. Johnny was more than happy to give me your details to key-in to buy the tickets. We need to leave for the airport in Bridgewood early though, since my stuff is mostly in Bridgewood and probably yours too” I said, still hugging her. When she let go, I waved Lizzie and Luca back inside garnering another squealing lady. I sent a text to Amber and Johnny informing them that Olivia now knew, and we’ll probably see them before we head off to the airport tomorrow night. “Good job, son. See you tomorrow,” Johnny replied. “OMG PARIS. YOU ARE HEAVEN SENT, DEAR. SEE YOU TOMORROW,” Amber responded.

I rejoined everyone and grabbed a bottle of beer from Luca, “here’s to your well-deserved vacation, you guys!” Luca exclaimed.

Olivia POV

Lizzie, Luca and Julian went back to Jerome’s place for the night. Lizzie and Luca will be riding with us back to Bridgewood tomorrow since they had school the next day and they just took the bus coming here last night. I was grateful for the time alone, and being alone here wasn’t too bad now that we’ve installed a few more cameras outside of the house which Marie took care of once she heard of what happened with Drew the other week. 

I was packing all my things, the end of September meant that it was Fall in Paris. I didn’t have much fall clothes with me, so I’m happy that we’re going back to Bridgewood early tomorrow. I called Mae to let her know when I’ll be away, and apparently Julian’s office already coordinated with her, and probably he told me that earlier I just didn’t register it. “Enjoy Paris, O! It’s well-deserved for sure! 5 days isn’t enough, but I’m pretty sure you’re gonna make the most out of it.” I went over the itinerary with her sharing that it was all Julian’s planning.

We dropped Luca and Lizzie off inside the university campus the next morning, and I’ve already informed my mom I’ll be home in a while. Julian needed to head back to his apartment, but because we took the R8 again, I dropped him off before heading home. I was scheduled to pick him up again by around 4PM, since we needed to be at the airport by 5PM. Everyone was home when I arrived. My dad was at the table talking to someone, and Andrea was coloring beside him. Mom was placing food on the table for brunch. Mom gave some fall clothes that she never wore. Thank god we’re the same size. It still had tags on, and were all cute and neutral colors. “You have a good flight, okay honey?” Dad said as he helped me zip up my luggage. I swapped my rattan tote, sundress and sandals for a leather tote, a fleece dress with black leggings and boots. I also had a medium sized luggage for the 5-day trip. After everything was settled, I said my goodbyes and left to pick-up Julian.

Julian POV

I packed my clothes and swapped the ones I was wearing for thicker ones to prepare for the flight tonight. I ordered food for lunch to keep me going because I didn’t have any stock here except for alcohol and other drinks. Luca told me to keep him updated on events before we dropped them off, but seriously he won’t be able to keep it from Lizzie for too long so I’m pretty sure what I tell him, she’ll know soon after.

Past 3PM, Olivia texted that she was on her way and I knew I might be occupied with a few calls so I think that leaving her a key card earlier today was wise in case she arrived early. I slid my laptop into my bag and did final checks before locking the door. I was waiting outside for Olivia to arrive when I saw a blonde woman walking towards me.

“Julian, there you are.” What the hell was she doing here? And how did she know I was here. From the corner of my eye, I saw Olivia walking towards me in her airport/Paris attire. Her hair was down and she had light make-up on, she was beautiful. I extended my arm towards her, “there you are.”

Olivia POV

There was a blonde woman in high heels and was carrying what seemed to be a very expensive bag. I parked a bit far because I wasn’t actually expecting Julian to be done by this time. He looked my way and hesitated, “there you are,” he said, extending his hand towards me. I took his hand by instinct, not even knowing why I did it. “Hey, I was here early and I thought I’d meet you upstairs.” I said, smiling as I moved in closer holding his waist. “Who’s this?” I asked, and turned around to the woman who looked disgusted. She was wearing a heavy load of make-up with smokey eyes and bright red lipstick. I was a fan of make-up, but not THAT much of a fan. “I’m Karen, and you are?” She said flipping her honey blonde hair. “Olivia, this is Karen. Karen, Olivia,” Julian introduced, testing the waters. “Oh, you’re Karen. I’ve heard a bit about you,” I said. 

While it made her momentarily smile proudly that Julian was talking to other people about her, I quickly wiped that smile away, “I’m Olivia, consultant, and girlfriend.” I said turning to Julian now trying to hide his surprise. “We’re going to be late,” I told Julian, “if you’ll excuse us Karen, we have a plane to catch. Julian here booked us a trip overseas.” Before she could speak, I’ve already turned around, still holding Julian’s hand, basically dragging him back to the car with his luggage in tow.

“Sorry,” he said when he got in the driver’s seat. I handed him the key as we walked to where I parked, I looked at where Karen was standing and she seemed to be talking so someone over the phone now. “It’s okay, you saved my ass for so many times now,” I said as he drove away.