Chapter 7
Clearly, my work happened outside and it was so damn good. I didn't have to see that woman's face. I called Darcie since she is the best one I could ask for information.
"Imagine I had a WONDERFUL NIGHT. I never believed in magic until that guy appeared. His name is Xavier and he was a gentleman till he left me at home."
"I bet if I wasn't there, you would have invited him inside."
"Maybe…" she giggled. "What is the reason you called me? I bet you didn't call for listening to my romantic life; you aren't a fan of romance. Speaking about romance, how did your night go? I bet you made the guy run away quickly."
"It was work, Darcie, not some kind of gigolo walk in Montmartre."
"You know, we were in Montmartre yesterday. I thought I saw your blue dress but it's impossible for you to be in with some guy painting you. I wish Xavier painted me; he said he had the talent. I will tell him to do it some other day."
"Did you read the latest news? About the girl who disappeared in the Fontainebleau?"
"Oooh, yeah, I did. It's quite an unfortunate event. There were many stories about that. Her best friend said she was going out with a mysterious guy and he was charming and lovable. Why are you asking me about it?"
"I was assigned to find out more about it. I didn't know who to ask beside you."
"I am flattered. I read a post about a girl who hallucinated in Père Lachaise. It was a boom post for a while but knowing you, you don't browse social media that much. As far as I know, there isn't any magazine who talked about it."
"What kind of hallucinations? It looks exciting and terrifying at the same time."
"Yeah, it does. The girl turned all crazy after that. You can start by talking to her. Even the words of a mental sick person can be of use."
"What does it have to do with the disappearance? She didn't disappear. Anyway, I will see if I can visit Père Lachaise; cemeteries can be the start of many supernatural events."
"Are you starting to believe in that?"
"No, but supernatural is attributed to cases with no apparent solution and the cemeteries are mostly spooky at night. I will see you at home. Bye!"
"Yeah. Don't go and disappear on me!"
I hang up smiling. Sometimes, she was the funny one. Alexandre said I wouldn't be allowed on-site so better explore Paris. While taking a taxi, I googled the cemetery; it was such a fun ride because of it.
Seeing the cemetery in pictures wasn't as good as reality. The atmosphere here was worth the ride. My feet walked the area and my mind was lost in the sculptures and versatile stories each tomb showed. Humans can be so creative.
A stone angel with outstretched wings attracted my attention and I stopped, studying it.
"I never believed in love at first sight, but that was before I saw it."
A tall man approached me. His dazzling grey eyes and charming smile on his pale lips made the moon look like a joke in front of him. He reminded me of the full moon. I had to raise my head to meet his eyes.
With a finger on his mouth and a seducing gaze, he addressed me. Since coming down to Paris, I got to meet quite the handsome men.
"Where did you find this pick-up line? It's so cheesy and not romantic at all. Do you something from me?"
"I am Claude Gachet. I am speaking the truth; you are beautiful. You've got a lot of beautiful curves, but your smile is my favorite."
"Huh? Am I supposed to be blushing because I am cringing? I am Cleopatra. Too short without a last name."
"I am sufficient with that. It won't be hard to find you, because once you caught my eyes, everyone else disappeared."
"Okay, can you stop? I am cringing and hard. Please, when I read them in a story, I burst out laughing."
"The depressing stories in your bag like the fault in our stars. I don't think it's good for you to read it. You won't recover from it."
"Oh, is it? The librarian said I won't regret reading it. I guess I will find out about that later."
"So, aside from taking my breath away, what do you do for a living?"
"I am a journalist, more like a detective though. I like puzzles and riddles; they make my life interesting," lies. "What DO you do for a living?"
"I am a designer, a minor one still starting my business. When I saw you, I thought I found my muse. You don't know how hard it is to find someone who might suit your tastes for creativity."
"I am not interested in the offer."
"Even when I will pay you more than your actual wages!"
"Even so and or a minor designer, I don't think you have the money to pay me. Even when I see Gucci and Louis Vuitton clothing."
"You are knowledgeable and I am busted for lies."
"I guess so. Even your name might be a lie."
"No, I truly told you my real name. I feel so close to you to say the truth about it. Are you free tonight? I would like to invite you for an elegant soirée."
"I am sorry. I have an appointment with my doctor."
"You don't even care to honey it. Fine! We will meet some other day and you will like my company."
"I don't think so."
I waved my hand at him, so happy he went away. Something about him made me feel worse than being with Andre. Talking about Andre, I wonder how much he is having fun with his inexistent marriage. I only know the name of the one I need to reunite with his mate. Maybe, I would use the help of the detective.
When I got the supposed to be waited call, it was already night. I was heading back to home expecting a hug from Darcie and a good warm blanket in front of a good movie and snacks.
"Hello… Do you hear me? I think I don't have a signal."
"Yes, I am sure my ears are working fine."
"Very well. You are the assistant recommended by Alexandre. Meet me near le pont de la tournelle. I would be there with my car; it's an old model and it appears like made for the poor but Don't mind it, you won't miss it for anything in the world. Everything is going to be fine. I am kidnapping you tonight."
He hangs up, not leaving me even time to answer his creepy sentences. He said near so most likely he would be parking somewhere… Ready to kidnap me.
Since Alexandre recommended him, I will trust his judgement. I wasn't even home to have the luxury to change my clothes and have a good meal; my stomach was complaining already. Ah! My life is such a hard one.
I hurried to the location he told me about and looked for a visibly old car, with brown rust all over it and a fading color…
He wasn't joking when he said I wouldn't miss it. I bent my head down watching a brown-haired man smoking a cigarette and browsing his phone like an alien who got ahold of a strange mechanism. I knocked on his window.
"Hello! Are you Sir Mark?"