Chapter 155 - No Questions Asked

"I get your sentiment but why do you think she has a better chance at messing with me compared to yourself?"

I pushed any irritation I felt from that comment down as I wanted to hear him out first. I knew Frankie in high school and she did not seem like the person Dean described. But with the utter seriousness in his voice, I felt compelled to believe him.

"It is not about your lack of abilities but rather more so my own anxiety and concerns. With you I can't help but worry about your safety. I have formal military training including combat plus other forms of self defense. Unless things have changed that I am unaware of, you have no formal self defense training and you don't carry any weapon or have bodyguard around."

"That freaks me out a bit because with friends I can at least rely on the idea of their personal protection being around. Same thing with your family as well as with me as we both have you as a top priority. But I don't like the idea of you having no backup. So my anxiety manifests that I would much rather play it safe than do anything risky."

His statements were true. As much as I did not like to admit it.

My parents never signed me up for a self defense class nor did I make the initiative to ask. I also hated the idea of people following me around when I can't see them as it felt disturbing. So I was my own achilles heel.

"Hmm." I had no rebuttal to his claims so I let it go. "Though I really think you should learn self defense. It never hurts to have some knowledge of how to defend yourself. I think having bronze fists will complement your silver tongue."

I nearly snorted at his analogy as it was pretty clever. "We will see about that." As much as I wanted to know more about Frankie I could tell that he did not want to tell me so I figured I would find out sooner or later.

Dinner arrived shortly after and our conversations were replaced with the quiet noise of eating with occasional comments. The food was quite good especially with the wine we ordered. The snow continued to fall outside which made all the lights look warm and hazy.

It was a perfect atmosphere. I wondered if that night at Rachels wedding had not happened what would I have done in Paris at this moment. Knowing myself before I probably would have only done very basic tourist activities or just make it a full work trip and just study jewelry and stone preparation but this was much better.

"Have you been in contact with your friend Fleur yet?" Dean had already finished his food and was just resting while I finished mine. "Hmm I did message her letting her know I arrived and sent her my itinerary for that day as well so we can plan out rides as well as meals. I promised to treat her as a treat."

Fleur was a unique woman who did not like gifts so whenever a time for gifts came up I would get around it by 'treating' her. It worked as she never refused a treat. "Oh nice. Does she know I tagged along? I don't mind finding something to do while you are with her. I don't want to impose."

"Oh she is well aware of you being here. She said if you would like to join us that it would be no problem at all. She also is aware you might be uncomfortable so she says she will take no offense to you coming." That was something I ran by her before I even invited Dean as she is a reserved person. She does not warm up easily to new people and prefers to keep to herself.

To my surprise she was fine with him coming along. "Maybe it is my advanced age but I have come to this point in my life where the loneliness I created for myself is suffocating. Aside from wanting more interactions I have also found more inspiration for my craft from new experiences. Maybe it is that fresh perspective."

"Also I trust your judgement and his creative skills. I have seen the art he shares as well as his own creations. His medium of choice and skill level is notable. I would like to pick his brain as well so in a way it is still me self serving myself."

"Well if it does not bother you I would like to see a bit more into what you do." His eyes crinkled from his grin which was infectious as mine crinkled as well. We ended up skipping on dessert as it was already fairly late and we went back into our room.

Butterflies filled my stomach as I wondered what would happen now. Would we do it again? Would it be awkward if neither of us initiated anything? I sat on the bed to remove my heels and peeked up at Dean from my lashes. He had his back towards me and was taking off his rings and other accessories.

In that moment I recalled the supposed surprise from Spain Dean said he got me. "Oh Dean what was it that you got from Spain?" 

"I almost forgot! Hold up let me find it." He rummaged in his luggage and pulled out what looked like a contract. "How good is your Spanish?" 

I twisted my hand in a so so manner. "Ehh I mean some words are similar to words I know in Italian but I would say it is not good enough to read a document." He smoothed the contract over and pointed to key sections. "Thats ok let me give you the quick overview. There is a lot of legal jargon but what matters most is that I got my grandparents approval to date and marry whoever I want no questions asked." 

I jumped out of the bed and any tiredness went out the door. "You are kidding. How in the world did you manage that? Did you not have some strained relationship with them?" I recalled how Dean was sad about his dynamics changing within his family and I hoped he did not burn a bridge to get this.

"I can see the gears running in your head." He kissed my forehead before pulling me into a tight hug. "Nothing like that but rather I just highjacked the game they were playing and made myself the winner."