Thirty-five ~ Evelyn

I shriek as my flailing limbs fail to provide an anchor.

Ade throws his arms around me, preventing a clumsy descent onto the floor.

Clinging to Ade's arms, I pant, desperately trying to catch my breath.

My eyes search out the source of my terror, landing on Heidi looming over Ade's shoulder.

She's doubled over, tripoding against her buckled knees. Her body convulses under the force of her feral laughter.

Adam gradually pads into my field of vision, a distraught look of remorse drips down his features.

"Sorry." He mouths glancing between us and his girlfriend, who's now crouched on the floor.

I shake my head, well accustomed to Heidi's antics. I attempt to push off of Ade's lap, but his grip tightens, trapping me against him. Winking at him with a finger pressed against my half smile, he reluctantly lets go.

Tiptoeing, I approach Heidi from behind. Folding at the waist, I push against Heidi's spasming side - applying only a small degree of pressure - and watch her boneless form collapse to the floor.

She makes several fruitless attempts to get up before accepting her fate and rolling around on the decking with her hands clamped around her stomach.

Satisfied with my meddling, I plonk down into a chair and collect a flakey croissant to enjoy whilst the show unfolds.

Adam takes a few steps towards the rolling mass before turning around and taking a seat.

We sit in a comfortable silence, enjoying the delicious food, until Heidi grapples her way up off of the floor and staggers over.

"That was too easy!" Heidi chokes, leaning on Ade's chair.

"More like too evil!" I shoot her a mock glare.

"Oh, you'll live!" She sighs dramatically as she embarks on the challenging journey to her seat.

She falls into it with a thud before clutching at a chocolate filled pastry.

Rolling my eyes, I look to Ade for a slither of sanity and calm, "What's the plan for today?"

"My first meeting is at one, but I should be finished by five to meet you for dinner. Feel free to do whatever takes your fancy until then. There's a spa downstairs if you get bored." Ade explains before awaiting our input.

Heidi spews ideas and we fall into easy conversation, excitedly planning our day.

When Ade rises to leave, I walk with him to the lift.

"Can we see the Eiffel Tower's lights after dinner?" I request, gazing at his sparkling blues.

"Of course." Ade kisses my forehead lightly before pulling me into his warm embrace. "Have a good day."

He loosens his hold as the lift doors glide open.

"Go, have a good day. I'll see you later." I reassure him, silently wishing he could stay.

With a final kiss, Ade withdraws into the lift, holding my gaze until the doors sever the connection. Emptiness fills my chest as my previously waving hand droops against my hip.

I wander back to the balcony, Ade's vacant chair snagging my attention.

Telling myself I'm being pathetic, I explore the expansive balcony. It stretches across the width of the hotel, floating above Avenue Montaigne.

People bustle in the streets below, flaunting paper bags adorned in the logo of varying designer brands.

They seem so small and unreachable. I can admire their world of riches, yet it is completely untouchable.

Retreating, I train my focus on the Eiffel Tower instead.

"Shall we head off?" Heidi leans on the railing beside me, drawing me out of my thoughts.

"Sure, want me to see if a guide is available?", Ade mentioned the hotel offers complimentary guides to show you around the city and translate when needed.

"Sounds good, I'll grab my stuff and Adam."

I take the lift to the foyer to search for Paul.

A concealed door off of the red carpeted track has been left ajar. With no Paul in sight, I head over to the mystery room.

The familiar crackle of radios echos through the door. I peak through the gap before knocking.

Large screens displaying security footage line the walls. Three men observe the monitors whilst a forth chatters through a radio.

A broad man shoves his office chair away from the desk and strides over upon hearing my knock.

"Yes?" His harsh tone strikes me, but I stand my ground.

"Please could you check if there's a guide available?" I stutter, taken aback by his manner.

"I'll send one up." He steps away, shutting the door firmly behind him.

"Thank you…" My volume falls with every syllable as I stare at the shut door mesmerised.

I trail back to the suite and collapse onto a sofa.

Letting my mind be absorbed by darkness, I observe the room as a distraction.

It's extremely monotoned, providing respite from the rest of the suite. The room invests heavily in black and white with mahogany tables and sideboards.

The only pop of colour comes from the alternating lavender and cream chairs surrounding the dining table and a few lavender lampshades to match.

White sofas, accompanied by two footstools, are adorned in an extravagant black fleur-de-lys pattern.

The original shell of the building is intact, carrying a historical charm that reflects Paris' timeless beauty.

The sofa dips next to me before Heidi's voice resonates throughout the room, "Any luck?"

"Yeah, someone should be up shortly." I push a smile onto my face as I turn to my friend.

"Amazing!" Heidi's eyes crinkle under the force of her unrelenting grin, "I feel like a princess."

Something about Heidi's joy makes my heart twitch. I hope she gets the holiday she's longing for.

I suppress the unsettling sensation and expand my smile, "I'm just going to grab my bag."

Reaching our room, I check my sorry-looking reflection.

I drag a brush though my unruly knotted hair and touch-up my eye makeup.

Somewhat satisfied, I collect my black handbag and head back to the lounge.

As I enter the room, a tall blonde women saunters in through a separate door, greeting us with a showstopping smile.

We discuss what we'd like to do and decide to split the activities across two days, assuming that Adrian would be occupied in meetings again tomorrow.

"Shall we set off?" The cheery guide exclaims hopping off of her chair. We all jump up, following suit.