Page 16 of Paradise Pride

“Oh no…” Florence covered her mouth with her hand as she stared at her. “I’m so sorry that happened to you.”

“Yeah, me too.” Meghan sighed. “I was travelling on my own, for work. There was a managers’ meeting organised by our mother company in a venue somewhere on the outskirts on a Thursday, but I also booked a room in a more central hotel for myself on the Friday and Saturday because I wanted to see the city. The hotel wasn’t the best I’ve stayed in, but it wasn’t bad either. I had a lovely time exploring Paris, but when I came back to my hotel room on Saturday night…” She paused and took a couple of deep breaths. “It all went so fast at first. I barely had time to process what was happening. There was a knock on the door, and I assumed it was hotel staff, so I opened it. There were two men, both wearing balaclavas, caps and shades, and one of them held a gun to my head and told me in broken English to be quiet while the other one tied me to a chair and gagged me. Then they searched the room and took anything valuable they could find. My phone, my iPad, my watch, my jewellery and my handbag with my wallet and passport.”

“My God, did they…” Florence bit her lip, stopping herself.

“No, they didn’t sexually assault me, but I speak a little French, and one of them said to the other that he liked the look of me and that it would be a shame not to take advantage of the situation since they were there anyway. The other man stopped him and told him they didn’t have time, but when he turned at the door, he hissed that he’d come back for me later.” Meghan held on to her stomach, sick at the memory. “I tried to escape but couldn’t free myself, so I sat there for hours, expecting him to come back and to…” Warm tears trickled down her cheeks, but she allowed them to flow as she always felt a bit better after. “I thought he was going to rape me.”

Florence pulled her into a tight hug and held her for many minutes. “Who found you?” she asked in a whisper.

“Those men had robbed four other rooms on my floor that night. One of the victims managed to free himself after two hours, and he alerted the reception, who then called the police. The hotel security checked all rooms. They were there before the police arrived.” Meghan inched back and gave Florence a small smile. “I’ve never been so terrified. I had no passport, no phone and no bankcards, so the embassy and the police worked with my travel insurance to me get back home the next day. The hotel offered me their suite as an apology, but I was so scared that I went to the airport instead and spent all night at the bar.”

“Did they arrest them?”

“Yes, but not until four months later when they were caught doing the same thing at another hotel. And then, because of the pandemic, I didn’t travel after that. I thought I’d be fine by the time we came here. I don’t have nightmares anymore, and I’m comfortable at home alone. But clearly, I’m not fine.”

“That’s understandable.” Florence took her hand and squeezed it. “Does Kim know about this?”

“No, I never told her. Only my parents and my therapist know.” Meghan swallowed hard. “Perhaps I should have told her, but I don’t like talking about it, and as I said, I didn’t think I’d be so afraid. I only told you because…well, because you’ve helped me so much and I want you to understand my fear.” She frowned as she was thinking out loud. “Maybe I should check myself into a hostel for the remainder of my stay. Ten people in a dorm should solve the problem. Or I could sleep on the sunbed all day and stay up at night. There must be nightclubs that stay open until dawn.”

“Sure there are, but that’s ridiculous. You’ve paid for a decent room, and you won’t enjoy your holiday either way,” Florence said. “I’ll stay with you, or you can stay with me.”

“No, absolutely not. It’s so sweet, but I could never ask that of you. You have better things to do than make me feel safe, and I’m not your responsibility.”

“You didn’t ask.” Florence looked at her. “And I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t genuinely want to do it.”

16

Florence

Florence woke early to the raised voices of the women in the room next door. They were laughing inside before they ventured out onto the balcony, and she could hear every word, as Meghan’s balcony door was open. She turned to Meghan, expecting her to wake up, but she remained fast asleep. A lock of dark hair draped over her face moved ever so slightly each time she breathed out. She looked so peaceful, cocooned in the covers, and Florence wondered what it would feel like to lie there with her, against the heat of her skin.

She hadn’t been prepared for what Meghan had told her. Such things didn’t happen to people she knew. Apart from the occasional run-by handbag grab in town, she only saw robberies on the news. Florence was glad she knew now, and she didn’t regret her staying over. As long as Manuel didn’t mind bringing in clothes for her again, it was no trouble, and she loved that she could stay in bed forty minutes longer. Just watching Meghan sleep made her calm and happy, and she wanted her to have a good time and not worry about anything. It made sense now that she’d panicked that first night, when the hotel was entirely deserted. And it also made sense that she was scared last night at the prospect of sleeping here alone.

“Good morning.” Meghan stirred and smiled as she woke up. “Did the neighbours wake you?”

“Yes. They’re very lively considering it’s only seven o’clock,” Florence said with a chuckle.

“I don’t mind. It’s nice to wake up to the sound of laughter.” Meghan yawned and sat up. She was wearing that transparent T-shirt again, and her full breasts looked delightful as she stretched. “Do you want coffee? I got some instant at the hotel shop yesterday. It’s not the best, but it’s nice not having to leave the room before the first one, right?”

“I’d love a coffee but let me make it.” Florence got out of bed and turned on the small kettle on the mini fridge. “Did you sleep well?” she asked, turning to Meghan as she scooped instant coffee into two cups.

“Yes. I’m actually feeling quite awake.” Meghan got up and joined her. She pulled a pot of coffee creamer out of a grocery bag and handed it to Florence. “Shall we take it outside?”

“Sure.”

Florence picked up their coffees while Meghan pulled the blanket from her bed end and put it on the balcony to sit on. She didn’t seem self-conscious about her lack of clothes anymore. They’d seen each other enough now to not be precious, and Florence didn’t care about wearing the thin T-shirt either.

“This view is much nicer than the view from my balcony,” she said, wincing against the sun as she sat down and sipped her coffee.

“I’m glad staying here has at least one perk.” Meghan raised a brow at her.

“Not just one. I have more time in the morning when I’m here, and then there’s you, of course.” Florence felt her cheeks turn red the moment she’d said it.

“Me?” Meghan smiled shyly.

“Yes. I like this, with you. Waking up, drinking coffee, talking…”

“Hmm.” Meghan’s lips pulled into a goofy grin. “Me too. It’s…”

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