chapter 29: Le Jules Verne

Autumn
I really wanted to open my eyes, but Ian covered them firmly. I couldn't see anything.
He wanted to bring me somewhere and surprise me. I didn't want to agree, but it was Ian. He would never drop his plan. He picked me up on the jet when I was sleeping, just so that everything went according to his plan, which explained a lot about him.
I walked as he instructed. I knew I wouldn't get hurt if he was beside me. "Open your eyes now," he informed me, putting his hand away from my eyes.
When my eyes fell on the banner, I couldn't help but jump in happiness. "Oh my God! I cannot believe this. You brought me to the Shakespeare and Company bookstore?"
He just smiled.
I always pretended to love my surprise, even though I didn't. But the surprise that Ian had for me really made me happy. How could he even guess that I would love being in a bookshop?
Montez knew I was a bookworm. Yet, he never gave me a surprise like this. He didn't even give me a storybook as a gift, let alone taking me to a bookstore.
Why the hell was I even comparing between Ian and Montez?
"So, by the reaction, I assume you liked the surprise?" he asked.
"Of course!" I gave him a peek on his lips and ran inside.
When I stepped inside, the smell of books hit my nostrils. I started looking out for new books on the shelf after smiling at the owner.
My parents didn't like it when I bought books. They were afraid of me turning into a nerd. I never cared about it though. If reading books made me a nerd, I didn't mind that nickname. I used to order books from Amazon or borrow books from my friends until I got my freedom.
I checked out the new book, Cupid's Match. The title itself seemed intriguing to me.
"I guess you even forgot my existence," I heard a familiar voice. I didn't turn around and checked the summary of the book.
I asked, "Why would I even forget you?"
"Because you are in your book world."
"How did you know I would love this place?" I questioned, looking at him this time.
"You removed my precious antiques to stuff your books on the shelf. That explains a lot, doesn't it?" I handed him the book on my hand and pulled out another book, trying to hide the embarrassment. I was crazy before, wasn't I? "If you are thinking that you were crazy at that time, then let me tell you, you are crazier now," he blurted out.
I avoided him and continued checking for new books. After some time, I saw that there was no other person apart from me, Ian, and the owner, not even any other employees.
"How come there is no one else apart from us?" I glanced at him.
"I just booked the place for us for some time."
I arched an eyebrow. "And exactly how much time?"
He let out nervously, "Just three hours."
He thought I would be angry. However, I just laughed at him. "You're really cute." I pulled his cheeks. Then I went back to my books. "Will you do the honor of helping me instead of standing like a statue?"
"No, I will just sit and chat with the owner," he deadpanned and we both burst in laughter.
"You are insanely crazy," I let out.
After buying around thirty books, we reached our suite. "We need another shelf only for your books," he mumbled.
"I am so damn tired!" I laid on my stomach on the bed. "I don't think I can go anywhere tonight."
"We have got exactly two hours to rest. We have a dinner reservation."
I looked at him in horror. "You gotta be kidding!"
"Well, you still have two hours to find out whether I am kidding or not."
I groaned, still lying on the bed. We decided to take an hour's nap. After we got up, I kept staring at the closet.
"What the hell should I wear? Can't I just go in my comfy outfit?" I turned to Ian, who was looking at me while sitting on the bed. I pointed him to my white tank top and grey sweatpants.
His lips curved into a smile. "We can do one thing." He stood up and took the shopping bags, which we didn't check yet. "We can wear whatever we bought for each other today. If we bought plenty of clothes, we could decide what to wear for each other."
"That's not a ba��I stopped when one thing slipped into my mind. What if he chose a joker outfit for me? "What if one of us bought something bad?"
He looked at my facial expression. Sensing my fear, he said, "Don't worry. I didn't buy anything that would make a crazier person look the craziest."
I heaved a sigh in relief. I could easily trust his words now. Many things have changed than before. I took the bags and handed him his one. "I'll change here, and you can change in the washroom," I told him.
"Okay." He said while going inside the washroom, "Tell me when to come out." I smiled widely at his words.
When I started to see what he bought for me, I was amused with him. He bought a cute white dress, which looked classy and comfortable, just the type of dress I wanted to wear today. I didn't even check the other clothes because I decided to wear that dress.
Without waiting for another split second, I started to get ready. He bought a beautiful pair of diamond earrings and an elegant watch with a bracelet. I wore white heels. I didn't know why he bought everything white. I even took the white Gucci bag.
He really bought beautiful stuff. How could I even think he would buy ugly things? His fashion sense was really impressive.
I did light makeup and tied my hair in a bun. "You can come out now," I said after I got fully ready.
"That was really quick," I heard him say.
I glanced at Ian. He looked ravishing wearing the white suit. He even wore the shoes and watch I bought for him, including the cufflinks. He didn't wear sunglasses, because people would think of him as blind if he wore them at night.
"You are damn handsome." I approached him and ran my fingers through his hair. "Not to mention, you look hot."
"I know."
I chuckled. "How do I look?"
He looked at me from head to toe. "You would look perfect, but one thing got missing."
"What?" I immediately stood in front of the mirror, trying to find out what I didn't wear. He stood behind me and started putting a pendant on my neck, which made a gasp escape from my lips.
The pendant was engraved with 'V' and all the pearls over it were shining. No doubt, it was made up of diamonds.
After he was done, he wrapped his arms around my waist and put his jaw on my shoulder. "Now, you look perfect." He started kissing my neck slowly. "Stunning woman."
"When did you order this pendant?"
"Before even coming here," he mumbled and started biting the place he was kissing me. I bit my lips, preventing a moan to escape from it.
After mustering enough courage, I pushed him away as I spoke, "Okay, it's getting late. I don't need any marks while going out. I will have to wear heavy makeup then."
With a groan, he ran a hand through his hair. "Fine, let's go."
A smile took over my lips as we continued walking before getting into the car. Surprisingly, we reached within a minute.
"Did you book dinner for us on the road or��" when my eyes fell on the Eiffel Tower, I stopped midway. "Why are we here, Ian? I told you that we should come here on the last day."
"Chill out, woman." He placed a hand on my back. "Let's go inside. We are having dinner at Le Jules Verne. You know, it's a famous restaurant and it happens to be in the Eiffel Tower."
We walked inside. I was quite nervous, but I maintained my strong posture.
This is it. I am stepping inside the Eiffel Tower, without you, Montez. I am sorry.
"Good evening, monsieur and madame," a beautiful woman greeted us. She looked very smart.
"The Becketts," Ian said curtly.
She nodded. "I will show you the table."
We followed her. The table was at the corner of the window, from where we could see the entire city from her. The scenery was wonderful. How would it look from the Summit of the Tower?
"What do you wanna eat?" Ian asked after we sat on the chair.
"Just order something." I didn't pay attention to him anymore. My eyes were on the window. I wish everything went differently.
If you were alive Montez, maybe I would still be here with Ian as our parents arranged our marriage a long time back. But you would have understood. I could stay and enjoy happily with the thought that you have no problem. But now, I couldn't even know if you were okay with me moving on or not. Maybe as a punishment, you wished for me to never be able to fall for anyone.
"French Champagne?" he questioned as his voice brought me back from my trance. I looked at him.
Why don't you just forgive me, Montez? I have a perfect man with me, yet I won't give my heart to him until you forgive me. Even though I want to.
"Sure." I took the glass he filled for me.
"You can share anything with me, you know that, right?"
I nodded, not saying a word in return.
A waiter served us food. I knew that Ian ordered something delicious. His taste was perfect in everything, so I started digging into my dinner.
I would share everything with Ian, once I was comfortable enough. I didn't want to talk about Montez and anger Ian, but I have to talk about it one day.
"You know, I really like you a lot," I blurted out.
He arched an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"
"I just wanted to say that I like you."
He gave me an adorable smile in return. I have to talk to him about you, Montez. I just have to let it out of my chest. I want my life with Ian forever.
I stared at Ian.
I was afraid of his reaction. Usually, he was understanding. My only fear is, what if he gets blinded by jealousy?