Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Ana?s
Stirring, I stretch out in the large super king bed and a giddy smile slips across my lips.
I spent the evening unpacking and getting used to the huge penthouse. The floors are marble throughout, the ceilings high, and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the sea. The décor is impeccable, all neutral colours, low lights, and beautiful artwork hanging on the walls.
I finally allow myself out of bed and grab my phone as I do. I need to sit down at my laptop and get my travel vlog edited so I can get it posted. But first, I need coffee.
Padding into the open plan kitchen, I hunt for the coffee pods before slipping one in and turning it on. The machine makes a low rumble before the light flashes green. Grabbing a mug, I place it under the spout and wait for it to fill.
I look down at my feet, grateful I had a pedicure done before Royce dumped me. At least my feet look pretty.
Screwing up my face, I sigh as the machine beeps. A quick rummage in the fridge shows fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, salad, and dairy produce already in there.
Saves me having to do a big shop, but I still want to pop out into the quaint town today to get accustomed.
Grabbing the milk, I top my coffee up and stir a sugar in. My fingers around the mug as I bring it to my lips and inhale the heavenly scent of coffee.
My phone buzzes and I move over to where I left my phone. Swiping up, I see Nora’s name flashing.
“Morning.” I smile down the phone, and I can hear background noise before she speaks.
“Hey hey, you okay?” she sings, and I nod to myself, as I take a mouthful of my drink and hum in appreciation.
“First coffee?” she asks, the sound of her heels clicking across her office floor is all I can focus on.
“Yes, and it just hits so different,” I say softly, placing it down on the granite work surface and then frown as I look for a coaster.
“How was your first night?”
She begins her conversation as I am still searching for a coaster. Tugging on the drawers, I finally find one and place it down before my coffee sits on top.
A brief wave of relief settled in my chest, worries at having marked the work surface eased by a simple granite coaster.
Wouldn’t want to have marked the work surface with a ring mark.
“Yeah, good.” I move across the penthouse and stand in the lounge. Only a few steps away from the windows, I watch as the sun begins to climb.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” I smile as I turn on my heel and walk back towards the kitchen, swiping my mug from the side and pacing to look at the town below me.
“What have you got planned today?” Nora continues asking me.
“Not sure yet. I will probably go and look around the town, get a coffee, film some content.” My voice is low as I focus on the world going by beneath my feet.
“Well, I am now at my desk, boo, but I’ll call you later. Be safe, okay?”
“Always,” I reply, before we both say bye. I step back, slumping myself down in the small armchair in the corner, my eyes now focused on the sky. Somehow, I feel a little less heavy than I did when I walked in here yesterday.
I knew I needed to step away, I just didn’t realise how much I needed it.
The silence is welcomed as I sit in my little corner of heaven and enjoy the rest of my coffee, giving myself a slow-ish kind of morning.
Moving from the chair, I yawn as I pad back to the kitchen, placing my empty mug in the butler sink.
I run my fingers through the end of my knotty auburn hair, grabbing my phone, before fetching my laptop.
Then, I place it on the dining room table before sitting on the wooden chairs, my breath catching when the cool seat touches my skin.
I’m only wearing a silk cami and shorts.
Plugging my phone in, I swipe through the videos and upload them to my laptop. I busy myself for an hour making sure it all flows properly before I do my voice over and upload and schedule for it to go live on my channel tonight.
I glance at the time; it’s just before ten and I feel accomplished. I shower, make my bed, and get dressed in a lemon summer dress with tanned wedgies. I scoop half my hair up and clip it with a pretty flower hair clip and curl the rest as it falls over my shoulders.
A gold, seashell necklace and a matching bracelet round out the outfit before spraying myself with perfume. Reaching for my makeup bag, I sit and set my face and put a soft red lipstick on to finish my look.
I grab a tote bag, and place my vlogging equipment, purse, and a few of my make-up bits into it then walk out of the bedroom.
Taking my keys from the side, I have a quick look around the penthouse to make sure I have everything I need and once I am certain, I slip out the door and close it behind me.
I stand outside the apartment block and look at Alexandre with a smile. He returns it quickly and wishes me a good morning.
Tilting my head, I look at my phone and my brow furrows. I had no idea where to go first.
“Are you okay, miss?” He steps closer to me, his eyes trailing over my shoulder as he looks at my phone.
“I want to walk to the market.” I look up at him and he steps back, straightening himself up.
“You walk that way.” He steps forward and out onto the pathway as he points down a narrow, cobbled street.
“Okay.” I nod.
“Just keep going straight,” he says, his hand chopping forward and I watch him.
‘Okay.” I twist my lips.
He slips his other hand inside his grey jacket and slips out a card.
“If you get lost, call me,” he offers and my cheeks pinch.
I will get lost.
“Thank you, Alexandre.” I tilt my head to the side and sincerity masks my face. “That’s very kind,” I admit.
He smiles proudly and gives me a bigger grin.
Waving him off, I begin walking in the direction he pointed. I take slow steps, my eyes flitting around the beautiful architecture of this city and snapping photos of anything and everything.
I pause when I see the market, smiling at how busy it is. I didn’t need anything particular, but I did fancy some croissants and some different fruit to what is already back at the apartment.
Taking my phone, I shoot a picture of the sight in front of me and my heart warms. It’s so pretty and picturesque.
I post it with the caption: when in France. I watch the screen for a moment before the notifications start tumbling in. Moving forward, I take my time at each stall, speaking broken French to the vendors, picking up the produce and bringing it to my nose, and drooling at the smell.
Choosing bags of fresh fruit and vegetables, I place them in my tote. I even pick myself up a cute pink threaded bracelet as well as a royal blue shawl.
I don’t need them, but I want them, so why not get something I wanted?
Walking back through the market, I notice a small bookstore down a cobbled street and of course, my interest is piqued.
Dipping out of the now quiet market, I walk in, and my eyes light up.
It’s small but somehow has the same wow factor as the first time I saw Belle’s library in Beauty and The Beast.
It didn’t make sense, but it was wonderful. I run the tips of my fingers across the spines as I walk around like a kid in a candy shop.
“May I help you?” a young girl says as I stall my steps. She’s English.
I spin and give her a quick look up and down. Blonde. Blue eyes. Freckles. Mid-twenties, maybe?
“Just browsing.” I smile and turn my back to her.
“If you need anything…” She trails off and I glance at her over my shoulder.
“Thank you.” I continue looking through the romance section of the shop.
“Holiday?” She moves across the floor and leans against her counter, her eyes skimming over me.
“Kind of.” I turn to face her, my own eyes flitting. “Just needed a break from life,” I admit.
“Sorry to hear that.” Her voice is a whisper.
My eyes widen as I shake my head. “Please don’t be sorry. It’s a good thing… I think.” I laugh softly and she laughs with me. “I just needed a couple of weeks away and well, Monaco sounded perfect.”
That’s a lie, I didn’t choose Monaco. Nora did.
“Monaco is the best place,” she agrees, stepping towards me. Warmth radiates from her, and I know she has a good heart and a beautiful soul. Some people you meet you know that they’re going be just who you needed.
“Honestly, meant what I said.” She places her hand on the top of my arm. “If you need anything…” Her voice slips off for just a second before she continues. “Then please ask, or if you need a friend, or an ear…”
“Where’s a good place for lunch?” I give her a smirk, and I can see she’s a little taken a back by my question.
She stammers over her words for a moment before she steps back, tucking herself back behind the till. “All the places are pretty amazing.” She licks her lips, but her voice is small. “Are you fancying anything in particular?”
“Something light, maybe with a nice coffee… or a glass of wine.” My smile grows as I tighten the grip on my heavy tote bag. “A place where two people can chat about things and enjoy nice food.” I’m hoping she can sense that I would like her to come with me.
“I know just the place.” She wiggles her eyebrows and twists her wrist towards her to look at the time. “Care for some company?” she asks.
I mull over her question for a moment before the corner of my lips lift into a smile. “I would love some company,” I admit. Her grin widens as she skips towards the door and I laugh, dropping my face for a moment, my laugh fading into a smile.
She opens the door and I crinkle my nose, my brow furrowing. “What about…”
“It’s my shop, I can close for lunch.” She winks and swipes her bag from the hook, her eyes finding mine.
“I’m Rue.” Her blue eyes glisten like the Mediterranean ocean, and her steps bring her closer to me.
“I’m Ana?s.” I push my hand out and she shakes it.
“Nice to meet you.” She walks beside me as we move towards the exit of the small shop, her fingers twisting the open sign to closed before she locks up.