When Strangers Wish

Chapter 3: €2,000

Juliette got up clumsily as she was awoken by a loud knock. The room was dark. But she knew where she was because of the softness of the bedding. What time is it? she thought, feeling the bedside table for her phone.

The knocking continued, and the person at the door shouted, "Jules. Babe."

She recognized Antoine's voice.

It was 2:17 am. She grabbed her robe and threw it over her shoulders, but struggled to get her arms into the sleeves. Finally, she rushed out of the room. Questions filled her head. Where was Antoine coming from at this hour?

When she opened the door, she noticed something was off about Antoine. Maybe it was her sleepy state, but he looked worried, and his shoulders sagged a little.

"Babe? Are you alright? Where are you coming from?" Juliet asked, becoming more concerned.

Antoine quickly realized that his appearance might have given him away.“Yes, babes, I’m alright. I’m fine.” He hugged her a little too tightly, making her uncomfortable. “I was out late and decided to drop by. I was missing you.” His voice sounded tense.

“How are you?” he continued, trying to take control of the conversation.

“I’m fine,” Juliette answered, not convinced by his response. “Let’s go inside.”

Antoine carefully shut and locked the door.

“Are you sure you are alright?” Juliette quizzed him. Her eyes examined him as if he were a child who came back home looking ruffled and battered. “You look...”

Antoine hushed her by putting his left palm softly to her lips. Then he wrapped his right arm around her waist. “Don’t say it, baby,” he whispered, pecking her generously

Still, Juliet had a nagging feeling that something was not right. But he kept waving it aside, so she decided to find out in the morning. Now, sleep beckoned.

After undressing and getting into bed with her, Antoine kissed Juliette softly on her arm. She had taken off her robe and was back in her thin-strap nightgown, which clung nicely to her body.

He kissed her a few more times, caressing her body, trying to initiate s*x.

“Baby, not tonight. Let’s get some sleep.”

He ignored her and continued working his hands on her body. He fondled her torso while kissing her cheeks and neck.

“Baby, stop.” She sounded a bit forceful, and Antoine got the message. He got off her and lay on his back.

Juliette then put her head on his shoulder and her arm across his waist. “Hold me, let’s sleep,” she said softly.

Antoine did as she wanted, wrapping an arm around her and holding her comfortingly. He gazed into the darkness, thinking deeply. s*x was not what was on his mind.

====================

Antoine woke up and found Juliette's eyes fixed on him, studying him. He thought she was reading his thoughts to discern what was weighing on his mind. For a split second, he thought his behavior had given him away.

"Good morning, hun!" Juliette broke the ice. She moved closer to him. She then placed her right hand on his right arm and propped herself up with her left elbow. "Did you sleep well?" she asked, smiling.

Antoine's mind cleared for a moment. "Good morning, darling.” His throat felt dry. Forcing a smile, he said, "I... yes... I slept well, thank you!"

He kissed her a few times.

Wanting more kisses, he pulled her closer. Her body was soft and warm.

Feeling the hardness in his groin, she gently pushed him. "So, where were you coming from early this morning?" She asked, fully disengaging from him.

"Nowhere serious, babes," he said somewhat too quickly. "I told you I was just out late."

"Okay," she remarked. "And everything is fine with you?"

He scratched his head, looking downward. Quickly realizing himself, he looked up, saying, "Yes. Of course. Everything is fine."

Juliette nodded and started to get out of bed. But Antoine stopped her and pulled her back. "What is it, babe?" she asked him, smiling

Wrapping his arms around her and kissing her neck sensually, he responded., "I was hoping we could... You know..."

Juliette got the hint. But she wasn't in the mood. So she shook her head, saying, "I have a busy day, Antoine. But first, it's breakfast time." She got off the bed and entered the kitchen.

During breakfast, she placed two plates on the table. Each had a thick slice of toasted bread. They were topped with mashed avocado and a sprinkle of fleur de sel.

Antoine was at the table, seated across from her. He nursed his heavy mug of coffee with sugar and cream and then grabbed a slice of bread. The sight of the meal made him salivate.

Juliette took a sip of Earl Grey tea. Putting the cup down, she noticed the pale brown patch around the inner wall of the china. She wondered why the stain was so stubborn. She had scrubbed it a million times. Yet it never faded.

"Nice," she said as she examined her toast and took a bite.

"So what are you doing today?" she asked him as she sipped her tea.

Antoine swallowed a bite of toast. The avocado paste did little to soften his dry throat. "Um... Run some errands," he mumbled, avoiding her eyes.

He lifted the mug to his lips and took a mouthful sip from it, clearing his throat. He had to act fast. He was losing time. "There is something I wanted to discuss with you," he continued.

Noting the change in his tone, Juliette's eyes widened a little. "Okay," she said, biting her toast.

Antoine cleared his throat, putting his toast down. "Well, I have a problem," he finally admitted.

Juliette put her toast down, her eyes widening with concern.

She then leaned in towards him, her chair scraping slightly across the floor. "What happened? What is it?" Her fingers hit the table. They made a small, hollow thud as she reached out a hand, questioningly, and for emotional support.

Antoine's eyes wandered around the small kitchen. He looked everywhere but directly into Juliette's eyes. He held tightly to his cup with both hands. "It's a bit difficult to say," he began. "But the long and short of it is that I need some money. Urgently."

She leaned back a little, her expression becoming indifferent. The situation was very familiar. It wasn't the first time Antoine needed money urgently. But he never paid it back.

Antoine sensed her concern and said, "It's only €2,000." He had wanted to ask for more, but her response made him decide on €2,000. He hoped she would not consider it too much.

"€2,000?" She asked, raising her voice. "Antoine, what do you need €2,000 for?" What on earth...? Looking away from him, she folded her fingers loosely and rested her hands on her lap. She looked at him again. And then lowered her head, looking down in thought.

Antoine decided to finish what he had started. There was no point in giving up now. He leaned forward, utilizing the opportunity.

"I've been working on this deal for a while," he said. "But for some reason, the seller changed the terms and wants a €2,000 deposit today. I need to make the payment to secure the deal. And once it's done, I'll make at least €15,000 in profit."

Juliette bit her lower lip. She assessed his demeanor. He seemed nervous and yet sounded convincing. She concluded that he was lying, remembering the monetary promises he had made in the past. He always lied whenever he asked her for financial help.

"I don't have €2,000," she said, folding her arms

Antoine became desperate. He said, "Please, Jules, this is a great opportunity. I'll return it as soon as the deal is completed."

Juliette looked at her toast, losing her appetite. She hated to be in such a situation. If only Antoine behaved himself. She would have sent him the money without the back and forth. "But Antoine, you've said that before."

Not knowing how to defend himself, he nodded. "Yes, babes, and I'm sorry about those failed promises." He shifted his chair backward, stood up, and walked to her. He leaned down towards her, putting his left hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry," he continued, looking at her and hoping he'd charm her into accepting his proposal. "I was hoping to make a fresh start. This deal will give me some decent capital for situations like this, and then I can build from there. I really need your help on this." He raised her chin, looking into his eyes. "Please, babe. Help me."

Juliette averted her eyes, considering the situation. "Okay," she said.

====================

"Here, we'd position the low vases in a staggered pattern," the wedding planner said, gesturing with both arms over the shiny oak reception table. "I'm sure you know why we’re doing this."

Juliette nodded, but her mind was elsewhere. Unlike most days, today she was having a bad day, no thanks to Antoine for making her part with €2,000. Her hard-earned money.

"Yes, you said staggered," she said, not knowing exactly what the event planner was talking about. But she figured it wouldn't be a problem. With her years of experience, she could tell what clients wanted.

This was the third time this was happening today. Her thoughts have been all over the place all day since she left the house after giving Antoine the money.

First, it was at the shop while attending to a customer. She had inexcusably mixed up a simple order. Good thing Claire hadn't noticed, as she was busy attending to another customer. Luckily, the customer wasn't as grumpy as the well-dressed man who gave Claire a hard time the other day.

The second time was when she fumbled the payment for some fresh orchids at a supplier. She had handed over the wrong slip and caused a delay, which the attendant didn't take lightly.

Now, she couldn't focus on a task as simple as arranging urns. Damn you, Antoine, for ruining my day.

Still, the incident continued to occupy her mind. While lost in thought, she failed to notice rain clouds gathering quickly.

She shouldn't have given Antoine the money. Lending money to him wasn't an issue. The problem was that he never paid it back. But she loved him and dared to hope he wouldn't disappoint her this time. Again.

She hadn't told Claire about it, but she already knew Claire would not support what she did. She'd been out of the shop most of the day, or Claire would have found out. Thank heavens for that.

Just then, without a sign, it started raining swiftly as if the clouds couldn't hold it any longer. Thank heavens indeed. Now her clothing, also, was about to be ruined. What a day!

Juliette sprinted through the downpour. She used her arms to shield her hair, but the rain increased in intensity. She took cover under the narrow awning of a nearby café. And pressed her back against the wall as the rain fell more and more, trickling down her shoulder.

She then pulled her soaked blouse from her skin. She frowned at how it clung to her and outlined her curves. Her hair was soaked. And even her jeans were not spared, though they were still holding out. "Damn you, Antoine," she muttered as if he was responsible for the downpour.

As she adjusted her blouse, she looked across the street. In that moment, nothing mattered. The rain, the soiled clothes, the ruined day, even Antoine's behavior, didn't matter. Juliette saw someone. And she froze, forgetting all her troubles.