Page 30 of Sold to the Highest Bidder
"At least I know my way out of an airport. That much should suffice."
Joshua laughed, shaking his head. The sound of him laughing seemed to drive her drowsiness away.
It was a hanger, but from what she saw through the rim of her new sunglasses, Paris was beautiful. She could see the Eiffel Tower in the distance, and it was indeed a sight.
Then came the issue of clothes. Nazalie wasn’t dressed for touring Paris, and she had no extra clothes with her. Thanks to whatever voice was in her head at the time, she brought her purse, which contained her ID card and her ATM card. She wanted to buy those little Keychains shaped like the Eiffel Tower. And those fridge magnets too. Katherine was going to be so jealous.
"Um… Joshua?" She asked as they exited the airport. "What are we going to do about our clothes?" It felt so weird coming out of an airport without luggage. She seemed to be going through all the odd phases since she started hanging around Joshua.
A chauffeur in front of a sleek black car was already waiting for them. Nazalie shook her head. 'Of course,' she thought; 'God himself would be shocked if Joshua entered a cab.'
They spent the next few days shopping and buying whatever Nazalie liked. Joshua didn't seem as impressed with the sights as she was. He must have been here before. It was sweet that he arranged the trip so she could see Paris.
They spent the first day resting in their hotel suite. Joshua wasn't kidding when he said he had everything taken care of. There were brand new expensive-looking clothes, accessories, shoes and lingerie all in her size, sitting in fancy boxes. Nazalie was speechless. Normally, she wouldn't have accepted them, but she had no choice. She only brought the clothes she had on. They both collapsed on the soft king-sized bed. Nazalie went out like a light. When she woke up, it was the next day. She was starting to get worried for herself. Was it healthy to be sleeping this much? She didn't think so.
Unlike her, Joshua hadn't slept, so he felt jetlagged. It took a while to get used to the time difference. When Nazalie felt like herself again, she thought it would be a waste to go to Paris and sit in a hotel suite all day. Even if the suite was like some paradise itself.
Nazalie suggested they follow a tour bus instead of using a chauffeur. She thought it would be more fun that way. Joshua agreed reluctantly.
Paris earned the name, 'the city of love.' There was something hauntingly beautiful about the place and Nazalie was in love with it. She loved the way the buildings lit up beautifully at night. She loved the smell of pastry and food as they walked down the street. The people were so expressive, laughing loudly, crying loudly, and kissing passionately.
At the end of the day, they needed to call the chauffeur. They couldn’t carry all her bags alone. Joshua was spoiling her.
They had been going around trying different types of French pastry. It was amazing. They all seemed to have some sort of filling inside. Some were so soft that they melted in Nazalie's mouth, and some were chewy. Nazalie was worried that she wouldn't fit through Joshua's penthouse door when they were done with their tour of Paris.
Then it clicked. This was a farewell trip. When Joshua and Nazalie returned to Canada, they would go their separate ways. Nazalie appreciated everything that he was doing. She knew Joshua was trying to make her happy. But she didn't need all the fancy things he bought for her to be.
Watching him laugh and spending time with him made her happy. She realized then, watching him carry her bags, that he made her happy. Joshua made her happy.
Nazalie hadn’t thought about what would happen when their deal was over. Of course, she would have her bakery, but would it be enough?
She would lose Joshua.
It was apparent that she felt something for him. But did it feel the same way? It wasn't worth it to throw away all her dreams for uncertainty.
On the plane ride back, Nazalie and Joshua were silent. They knew what would come next.
Nazalie clutched the heart-shaped pendant he bought for her.
At least she would have those memories with Joshua to keep her warm at night.
She hoped the bakery would be enough to make up for the gaping hole in her heart after she left the penthouse and the man she had grown to love.
Joshua
Paris has been great. The last time Joshua went there was for a business meeting. It wasn't as fun. He had time to see all the sights but seeing it with Nazalie seemed to make it more interesting.
Every time they passed by a shop, he liked the way her eyes lit up in childlike wonder. Her expressions were always genuine.
Whenever she saw something she liked and wanted to pay from her own purse, Joshua would quickly pay for it. It was always a battle of who was more stubborn between them. Joshua always won.
He liked seeing her happy. Joshua wanted to spoil her.
Nazalie was the driven and determined type. She wouldn't put her dreams on hold, and he didn’t want her to either. He decided that this would be his last gift to her, apart from the necklace he was holding. He would stop the demolition when he got back.
It was the last day of their vacation. They decided to sleep in today after an exhausting tour of the city. Joshua left early in the morning, while Nazalie was still sleeping. He saw her looking at a heart-shaped pendant the day before. He was going to get it for her.
The room was empty when he got back. The table was set. There was a bottle of wine in a bucket of ice. Two wine glasses were placed beside it, next to a platter full of creme-filled pastries.
