Chapter 6

Charles arrived at the office, and as he walked through the building, his employees greeted him warmly. He returned their greetings with a smile and a nod, setting a friendly tone for the day. At work, Charles was known as a good and kind boss, but he could be strict and serious when the situation demanded it. He had high standards and loved when a job was done well and professionally. Despite his professionalism, he maintained a friendly rapport with his employees, and they all appreciated and respected him.

That morning, Charles attended several meetings. They were long and daunting, but he managed to get through them with his usual determination. After the last meeting, he decided to call it a day and made plans to meet his best friend, Gabriel, a funny and outspoken man. They chose a nice lounge to catch up over drinks.

As they settled in and began to chat, Charles couldn't help but bring up the recent incident with Chloe. His face lit up as he spoke about her, which didn't go unnoticed by Gabriel. Suddenly, Gabriel interrupted him, "Do you fancy her? I mean, what's her name again?" 

Charles paused for a moment, then replied, "I don't know what I feel, but I just feel so drawn to her. I haven't felt this way about anyone in a long time."

Gabriel smiled knowingly and said, "You have to see her again."

Charles nodded, surprised that Gabriel wasn't making fun of him. But then, with a teasing glint in his eye, Gabriel added, "Awww, lover boy!" He called him "Romeo," and they both burst into laughter.

Charles and Gabriel had been friends since they were little. Their parents were close friends, and the two boys had been inseparable ever since. They had been through all of life's ups and downs together, always there for each other, solidifying a lifelong, unbreakable friendship.

Elise, Charles' personal assistant, arrived at the lounge where Charles and Gabriel were enjoying their drinks and conversation. She walked in with a bright smile, greeted them warmly, and handed Charles the camera he had asked for earlier. 

"Hi, Elise! Thanks for bringing this over," Charles said, taking the camera from her. "You can call it a day now."

Elise nodded, relieved to be done with work. "Thanks, Charles. Have a good evening, both of you," she said before heading out.

Charles and Gabriel continued their conversation, laughing and reminiscing about old times. They discussed everything from work to personal life, enjoying the camaraderie they shared. After a while, they decided it was time to head home.

As they stood up to leave, they gave each other a big hug. "Goodnight, Gabriel," Charles said. "Always great catching up with you."

"Goodnight, Charles," Gabriel replied. "Take care, and good luck with Chloe!" he added with a wink.

Charles chuckled and got into his car. As he settled into the back seat, he turned to his driver. "Take me to Chloe's hotel," he instructed. "I need to deliver her camera personally."

The driver raised an eyebrow, but didn't question it. He knew Charles well enough to understand there might be more to this errand than just returning a camera. As they drove through the city, Charles couldn't help but think about Chloe. Maybe this was just an excuse to see her again, to feel that spark he hadn't felt in years.

As they approached the hotel, Charles felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. He wondered how Chloe would react to seeing him again. Would she be happy? Surprised? He was about to find out.

Chloe spent her morning gazing out of her window, taking in the vibrant cityscape of Paris while jotting down her thoughts in her notebook. The bustling city below was full of life, with people walking by, engaging in animated conversations, and surrounded by beautiful flowers and trees. The sounds of cars driving past and honking horns added to the city's lively atmosphere. She had decided to pause her Parisian adventure until she got her camera back, but the city was calling to her, and she felt an irresistible urge to be part of its energy.

She had a long list of places she still wanted to visit, but for now, she thought it would be nice to explore a nearby restaurant she had noticed earlier. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to soak in more of Paris's charm.

After a while, Chloe decided it was time to get ready for her outing. She chose a lovely white sundress that complemented her complexion, paired it with some comfortable flats, and accessorized with a small black bag. She applied a touch of light makeup to enhance her natural beauty and styled her hair into a loose, carefree bun. Satisfied with her look, she set off with a smile.

As Chloe strolled down the picturesque streets of Paris, she felt a deep sense of joy. The restaurant, which she initially thought was just around the corner, turned out to be a bit farther than expected. However, she didn't mind the extra walk. The ambiance and feel of Paris were enchanting, and every step she took reaffirmed her happiness. 

Living in Paris had always been her childhood dream, and now, here she was, experiencing it in all its splendor. She soaked in the sights, sounds, and scents of the city, feeling more alive and inspired with each moment. This was her dream come true, and she was determined to savor every single second of it.

When Chloe arrived at the restaurant, she was instantly captivated by the ambiance. The beautiful interior, adorned with colorful paintings and elegant decor, created a welcoming and artistic atmosphere. As she stepped inside, a friendly waitress greeted her with a warm smile and guided her to a cozy table by the window. Handing her the menu, the waitress assured Chloe she could take her time to decide.

Chloe took a moment to absorb her surroundings, appreciating the stylish design and the relaxed, yet sophisticated vibe of the place. A few minutes later, the waitress returned with a basket of fresh baguette, accompanied by a small dish of butter. The aroma of the bread was irresistible, and Chloe eagerly took a bite, savoring the crunchy crust and soft, fluffy interior. It was the perfect start to her dining experience.

As she nibbled on the baguette, Chloe found herself struggling to make a decision. The menu was filled with tantalizing options, each more appealing than the last. After much deliberation, she finally made up her mind. She signaled for the waitress, who promptly came over to take her order.

"I'd like the steak frites, please," Chloe said with a smile, referring to the classic French dish of steak and fries. "And for dessert, I'll have the opera cake."

The waitress nodded approvingly, jotting down her order. "Excellent choices. Your meal will be out shortly."

Chloe continued to enjoy her surroundings, listening to the soft French music playing in the background. The soothing melodies added to the restaurant's charm, making her feel even more immersed in the Parisian experience.

When her meal arrived, Chloe was delighted. The steak was cooked to perfection, tender and flavorful, paired with crispy golden fries. She savored each bite, relishing the combination of tastes and textures. For dessert, the opera cake exceeded her expectations. The layers of almond sponge cake soaked in coffee syrup, coffee French buttercream, and rich chocolate glaze created a symphony of flavors that was simply divine.

Chloe couldn't help but smile as she enjoyed every bit of her meal. The entire experience, from the ambiance to the food, was everything she had hoped for and more. It was moments like these that made her feel truly grateful to be living out her dream in Paris.

That evening, Charles arrived at Chloe's hotel with a sense of anticipation. He stepped out of the car, the cool evening air brushing against his skin as he made his way inside. The hotel lobby was elegantly decorated, exuding a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Charles approached the receptionist with a hopeful smile.

"Good evening," he said politely. "I'm here to see Madam Chloe."

The receptionist, a young woman with a friendly demeanor, checked the guest list and looked up with an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry, sir, but Madam Chloe is currently out and hasn't returned yet."

Charles felt a pang of disappointment wash over him. He had been looking forward to seeing Chloe, to handing her the camera in person and perhaps having a conversation. He had even hoped to see that spark in her eyes again, the one that had captivated him before.

"Oh," he said, trying to mask his disappointment with a polite smile. "Do you know when she might be back?"

The receptionist shook her head sympathetically. "I'm afraid I don't have that information. But you can leave a message, and I can ensure she gets it as soon as she returns."

"Thank you, but I'll wait a little while," he said. "Maybe she'll be back soon."

The receptionist smiled understandingly. "Of course, sir. You're welcome to wait in the lounge if you'd like. We have comfortable seating and complimentary refreshments."

Charles thanked her and moved to the lounge area, choosing a seat where he could see the entrance. He tried to stay hopeful, but the disappointment lingered. He watched as guests came and went, hoping each time that Chloe would be among them.

As he waited, he couldn't help but think about how much he had wanted to see her. There was something about Chloe that intrigued him, something that made him feel alive in a way he hadn't felt in a long time. Despite the setback, he decided that he would wait as long as it took to see her that evening.