Film of Love

The Start of It

“Welcome, dear!” It was Aunt Melinda who was smiling from ear to ear as she greeted us.

“Good evening, Auntie!” I say as I put my luggage on the doorway before I drag into their living room.

“Make yourself at home because this will be your home too for next months and years maybe.” I smile at her. I looked around appreciating the place that I will be living for the next couple of months or longer since I do not know anybody but Aunt Melinda.

“My daughter is sleeping, so she’ll be surprised tomorrow seeing two gorgeous girls are here,” said Aunt Melinda. Still the old jolly woman I met years ago.

“You are too sweet, Auntie!” says Dem who is placing her shoes in the shoe rack like she has been her and knows what to do and where we should put things away.

“You are ‘still’ gorgeous, Aunt!” She returned her compliment emphasizing that she was gorgeous before and now which made the older woman smile.

“Can’t believe that you guys are here and staying here. Are you guys hungry?”

We hummed as a response. “We ate a pretty late lunch but we are starving. We just ate bread and that’s it.”

“Bread is still a carbo,”

“Nothing beats home-made food,” I said, which I gained two nods from the two who agreed with me. I mean who wouldn’t agree that home-made foods are the best, and give me the nostalgia vibes.

We ate what Aunt Melinda served and it was so delicious, of course, it is additional when the cook is a real chef. After we ate, we brushed our teeth, washed our bodies— we went to our beds and the bed that was waiting for us was a bunk bed that was beautifully crafted in oak wood and lumber.

“Good night, Dem!” I said, staring at the plain ceiling. We eventually decided to do a ‘rock paper scissors’ game and led the game until I won the upper bunk bed.

I heard a stomp from below, that led me to let out a chuckle. “Don’t be sulky!”

“Yeah, whatever! Anyway, good night to you too!” After what she said, the silence and the coldness of the room, the cozy and warm bed pulled me to sleep in time. I didn't know I was already asleep.

Hoping I could get a long sweet sleep tonight and tomorrow will be the day, the start of it.

I woke up exactly at 7 am which makes me feel different when I usually wake up at 8 or 9 am back in my home.

….

Home?

I think not anymore.

“You’re awake now?” Dem asks as she puts down her hair towel into the clothesline to dry it off.

I look at her with my tired eyes. “Yeah! Is the water not cold?”

“What do you think they don’t have a heater here?”

“I forgot. Sorry!” her face palmed herself before sitting in front of the vanity. We are getting one vanity and more space for clothes. Although we are staying in bunk beds, it is still comfortable as I sleep. Very homey~ and Cozy~ I’d say.

Dem finished her skincare routine and said. “Let's go eat breaky!”

“Yeah! you go first, let me just wash my face.”

—

Aryn went after Dem who is now sitting on the table fresh from the bath. Melinda’s daughter is still nowhere to be found and Aryn guesses that she is still sleeping. She is actually excited to meet her Aunt’s daughter because she met her once when Cosette was still a baby and a toddler.

“Will Cosette remember me?” Aryn suddenly asks and her aunt just smiles as a response.

“Of course she will,” she replied. “If not then there is a lot of time to be close and get to know each other.”

She nodded. “I guess so.”

Cosette is just a few years younger than Aryn and hoping that the age gap will not hinder them to be close. One thing Aryn doesn’t want to happen is that living in her new home with someone secretly not liking her because that would be so damn awkward for both of them, not actually, for all of them.

She doesn’t want any trouble because she has so much in herself and she is near the pit of giving up for the reason she cannot take it anymore.

A sound of opening and closing of a door echoed throughout the room. No one is in the room with doors except for the sleep lady who is now wide awake with hair buzzing out anywhere. Typical look of someone who just woken up from her deep sleep.

“We have a companion, mother?” her husky voice was heard clearly.

Her aunt let out a laugh and commanded her to take a look at herself before joining them in the dining room.

“Are you freshened now, Cosette?” her mom asks her daughter while she puts another plate at the table.

“Yes, mom.” She walked towards the dining room.

Now, she is facing Aryn and Dem and seeing their faces clearly, Cosette looked shocked when she finally saw them.

“Hi Cosette! Dem Linton here!” Dem said, introducing herself with a wide smile plastered on her face.

Aryn waved at her shyly and did what Dem did too.

She sat beside her mom and across Dem in this little rectangular burgundy-like wood table with the food and cutlery sitting on the both sides of the white marble plate.

“Let us eat!” Melinda said to the girls who were waiting for her to signal. As it is now said they all hope to eat their very first breakfast meal in Paris.

The two are used to not eating hard meals in the morning but looking at this setup they might need to adjust to things they never did before until they get used to it and be part of their everyday routine.

“So…Is the room okay with you two?” she asked. “I mean I am a bit worried because you two might not fit in that space I provide.”

Aryn shook her head and said. “Auntie! Don’t be sorry about it. It is actually nice and cute sleeping on those beautiful bunk beds.”

The lady smiled at the compliment she just received.

She put her right hand to her left chest while saying. “I am glad you guys appreciate it!”

Dem and Aryn gave her a sweet warm smile to let her know.

“Anyway, how are you Cosette?” Aryn asked. “You are just a toddler the last time I saw you!”

She scratched her head a little and put a little smile on her face. “I am doing good. I am in my last year as a college student too.”

With delighted eyes Aryn replied. “Oh!~ Really? That’s so good!”

They chat about Cosette life without hurting her feelings like some sort of Family gathering drama. They finished their breakfast in peace and with that Aryn and Dem presented themselves to wash the dishes while the other two left to rest but Melinda insisted on letting Cosette join them in cleaning the kitchen and the dining room.

Melinda left the room and went to the living room with a cup of tea and enjoying the rest she deserved while browsing some tv channels on her television.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, they are full of voices with excitement, anticipation, expectation, plans and dreams. It's been a while for both sides to have ‘new’ people staying close by. New means not the stranger once but someone they knew. It's just that they are in a newer set up wherein they will stay with each other on one roof for the meantime.

“Is school harder for you when you shift programs?” Aryn asks, worrying a bit about the situation Cosette was in.

Cosette sighed that made her stop rubbing the table. “I mean at first it was hard but now I am pretty catching things up and going back to what should be called ‘normal’ students.” Aryn nodded, understanding the other one.

They split the work which makes them feel more at ease, with these simple things it can be said that they can be alright futher living with each other as they could get along with each and every one.

“How about you, Aryn?”

“What about me?” She looked at her.

“What is it that you guys traveled here for?” she asks the two. Aryn can’t tell what the real motives are because she needs to be cautious and not paranoid and not let anyone harm besides herself because this is her damn business.

“I am finding work now,” she replied. It is partly true anyway. She is here for two reasons, to work and find justice. She doesn't know if she can get justice with the years having passed by but she feels something coming.

References from Marthe’s story there are more stories underneath the story itself and she is ready to go on further because this thing will never end until it gets into the line that ‘History will repeat itself’ and that is what she is trying to stop— for her present and for her future.

A footsteps heard and it was from Melinda who was giving back the cup she was using. She heard the conversation and the thought of saving it changed the topic.

“Why won’t you go and get ready girls?” she said.

“What for?” Dem asks as she turns off the vacuum.

Melinda smiled. “Go and explore the city while it is morning!”

The two young ladies widened their eyes full of excitement. They are dreaming of touring in the aforementioned city. It is the City of Dreams for Aryn.

The two girls cheered and excitedly exited the area to go to their room. Cosette will not be with them because she needs to go to her university to do her errand there. Melinda advised them to use a map to help them go to the places they want and also gave them pocket money although they want to deny the little money, they also need money because they are near having zero balance.

“Thanks, auntie!” Aryn said and hugged her aunt and they went out to the l’ apartemente. It is starting to get cold in the city so they both wear the newly woven, beautiful muffler from the new warming gift as tenants. Dem always joked about them being tenants which is partly true.

Both are now waiting for the line to narrow down because they didn’t expect that the gas station would be full. They are driving to anywhere that is available to them. Dem is today’s assigned driver and Aryn will be the one to secure the roads and the destinations.

“Where are we going, Aryn?” she asks as she starts opening the engine.

“We are going to…the Louvre Museum,” she replied to her friend.

—

The Louvre Museum is on my bucket list and maybe Dem’s too. I bet it is everyone too. I mean it says on the site that it is the most visited museum, so why not visit when we have free time now.

"Wow!" We exclaimed. We are definitely soulmates as we both said that at the same time. We look around although the museum is full and packed with people even if it is still morning.

A bit more walk and we will be lost in this huge place. "Do you have a map with you?" Dem asks.

"None. Can we just follow directions or ask people?" I replied. "But you're the one who will ask people."

I told her that before it will be turned to me. It's not that I don't want to ask somebody but I am shy and need to adjust a few moments with the place I am within, just like in Aunt's house though they are family.

She sighed while looking at me because she knows there is no way she can persuade me in doing so. I smiled at her and she just pouted. It is like that every time but if courage and confidence wake up in me I'll be able to do that by asking people something.

We went maybe a hundred to thousands steps and we finally found the 'Mona Lisa' which has so many people and their cellphone peeking up in their heads.

"Shall we go nearer?" This time it is my turn to ask.

"You think we will be able to be near or much more be nearer with the art?" she said.

"Chill there lady! I am just asking and for your information I don't like to be squeezed in any way."

We just took a picture of the whole place and some of the art pieces and a few of our faces within the frame. We really give our time to roam around the huge museum and take pictures every time we can and even admire some art pieces to some that don't have a crowd that much.

We have finally got a spot in this outdoor area and rest our feet for a while because I can feel that it is getting more sore any minute from now. Dem beside me is taking care of our pictures. I lay my head on her shoulder while taking a look also at her phone.

"Believe me when I told you I am a better photographer than you," she said with a little hint of boasting in there.

I rolled my eyes and said. "Yeah, whatever!" I just agreed with her because firstly, I am tired of arguing with her and secondly, it is true anyway.

A few minutes passed by as we both had fun seeing our pictures. Our stomachs grumble a bit and it is a sign that we are now hungry. I look at my phone and to my surprise it is lunch time.

I stand up and still look at Dem who is still on her phone doing things I don’t have any idea.

“What are you doing? Let’s go!” I say as I pull her arms to make her stand up.

“Wait! I'm finding more decent places to go to," she excuses so I drop her hands.

"Why can't we just choose when we can while walking downtown?" I pout and sigh because Dem’s mind is already made up.

"We gonna just waste time when we can just search on internet.” I slowly nodded and also accepted that we might get more exhausted with the sheer exhaustion we are feeling right now.

Dem suddenly jumped out which made me jump out too from my little world that I made a minute ago. “We are going to ‘Au Revoir French Bistro’!”

—

“I reserve a space in ‘Au Revoir French Bistro’.” Melvin says at the same time I am fixing the collar of my shirt. “This is it, I guess. Wish me luck that this will end in a good note.”

“I’ll drive you there? Or You’ll drive on your own?” he asks. I look at the time and we have a few hours ‘till the time.

“I will go alone,” I replied.

“Okay! Just be careful!” He reminded me.

I pick up the Green Lining’s Block-Waist Bag Noir Laponie Plumage and if paparazzi come by and take me a picture I might as well do the promoting secretly. Those paparazzi are just pain in my ass and Melvin’s too and they are annoying as f**k, just don’t let me be in a mob due to them or I will do something they wish they didn’t step in my neck.

“I'm going now!” I walk down to the parking lot and hop into my fresh bath baby mercedes-benz and put on my seatbelt and go to the resto Melvin just said.

Little in me expects high for the information he has in his hand right now because I’ve been looking for her and isn’t it the right time when our life feels safe and in peace. I will be making much more progress than the last time. The last time was so hectic as a rising actor in the industry needs to bow down to the seniors to make it through but well I am a Martin so I don’t usually bow down to anyone, anyway.

“Traffic jams are a bit good to me today. Is this a sign?” I can’t help but to think. We need to meet before lunch time because for sure there will be a crowd in every restaurant here and there.

—

Jace went to the parking space allotted for him from the restaurant. He walked towards the entrance that was located at the back where the parking lot is connected. This is a huge building, it is long and wide. The exterior is colored in peach and brown for the other details with lots of windows and inside is good looking vintage with wooden tables and chairs has a fancy cover with plain porcelain plates with blue color on its sides and silver cutlery surrounding the plates.

Fragile glass of water and inverted glass of wine. There are only a few people that make this restaurant so empty, you can even hear echoes if not for the sound of plates and people in the kitchen.

Jace spotted the guy in his very formal and retro style look, he is actually making himself look like he is sherlock holmes but he is a nice guy. He was a self-proclaimed one when he met Jace, funny guy yet has a great mind, that’s still the reason for Jae to hire him.

“Good morning, Mr. Martin,” he was greeted by the said man.

“Just call me Jace. I feel like you are calling my dad and it is better to make your name secret or else,”

They smiled slightly. “Sure, it is.”

“Shall we eat first before dropping the news?” Jace asks the man who is busy trying to organize things in the rectangular table when there are so many things on it.

This is the first time Jace has eaten here and he doesn’t know but now he realizes how it is not recommended if you are going to have a meeting only here.

The man nodded, therefore Jace called a waiter and got their orders. The waiter gave them time for the food to be cooked and with that they just continued talking random things although Jace can’t wait to hear what is really the reason why he called a meeting.

They finish eating it like they are speed rush things in the resto and Jace just jumps to the real thing today by asking in the serious tone ever what is the news Han has and wants to give to him.

“So, here are the things you can read regarding her, January Ashton.” Han gave Jace a couple of paper staples with a label on them. “Very organize, I like it.” Jace thought.

“January Ashton is a former athlete, specifically a figure skater. She rose a popularity in her town because of the win one after another. She has a brother aside from her parents. She is close with the Lintons, Dem linton and her parents.” One by one Hand drops the information precisely and correctly.

“She graduated as a Film major and is rumored to be applying at the Levitate Company as a screenwriter. She is still unemployed at the moment. She is living in Honfleur, Calvados, Normandy.”

Jace leaned back and processed all the things. He is happy because she is safe and alive, no communication and updates from them even his mother will reply with short lies or nothing at all.

“Thank you, Han!”

“You’re welcome, sir. I am just doing my job!” Han replied.

A few moments before they are leaving the restaurant with a good note he saw something or someone rather. He suddenly stood up which made Han look at where he was looking at the moment and saw two girls.

“Aryn! Here it is!” A voice shouted from not far from where he was standing.

“Jannie?”