Chapter 154 - Protect My Peace

We set aside the things we brought and got ready for dinner. Gina mainly helped me pack long sleeved dresses as we both knew I would get cold. I slipped on a cream long sleeved dress and pinned my hair back into a sleek bun.

I grabbed my heels from their bag and started to put them on.

Dean came out dressed in a black turtleneck with black slacks and some dress shoes in hand. His hair was styled to make his curls more prominent and smoothed after wearing a hat all day. He had an cuff on his ear which brought out his features more.

"So what are we thinking? The restaurant has some tables that are outdoors which means we may need to bring jackets but the view of the Eiffel tower is pretty killer. Otherwise we can eat indoors in one of the more secluded booths so we would be warm but no view."

That was one of the best parts of the tables here as during the evening the lights on the tower turn on which is a stunning show in of itself. During warmer weather those tables are more difficult to get. However, considering the current weather conditions right now, the tables are available as very few people want to eat in the cold. 

Granted the team at the hotel do their best to ensure the experience is as comfortable as possible but the weather is not something easily managed.

"Hmmm I don't mind either way but how about lets save the dinner outside during the last few days so we don't get sick mid trip." Dean nodded and tapped the side of his head. "Thats true, ok sounds like a plan." He held his thumb up to confirm and helped me grab some of my belongings including my phone.

We walked down to the restaurant and were escorted to our seat. It was a good call to not eat in the patio as through the window I saw light snow start to fall. "Looks like we lucked out." Dean also had noticed the change in weather.

"I was just thinking the same thing." I grabbed the menu to look over the meals when Dean interrupted me with a question I was not anticipating. "So....have you heard anything about what happened at Felix's wedding?"

He must have seen the notifications I was ignoring. "Honestly I saw some stuff but before even coming on this trip I told myself that I would protect my peace and not look at anything until I come back."

I crossed my fingers and tucked them under my chin. "I know it may not really seem like it but I have gotten over them at this point. If anything they just can't seem to help themselves in bothering me." 

His seemed a bit taken aback at my statements but he began to laugh into his palm. "You are so right. Honestly I hope you don't misunderstand my intentions in asking. I know you well enough to know how you feel but I was concerned about the amount of texts you were getting. So I wanted to check in to see where your headspace was at."

The waiter came back to get our order for drinks so I glanced at the menu to find something but thankfully Dean started to ask the waiter questions about the wine selection they had. We decided on a sweeter red wine as well as some water on the side.

After the waiter left, I returned back to our initial conversation. "I am doing fine, if I had to guess what happened is that people showed up realized we did not go and made a fuss." I shrugged and based on the few snippets my eyes read before I could stop myself, I was probably right.

My parents as well as my media team back home would handle these things for me for now so I was in no rush to answer anyone at the moment.

"I don't doubt that. It is very rare that both of our families would be absent from an event like that so if nothing happened I would be more surprised by that." He too shrugged nonchalantly.

"Though on a related note. How in the world did you recognize Frankie Rhodes? I did not even notice her until you pointed her out." The odds of her being in France at the same time we were was slim. She looked a bit different than the look she sported in high school.

She wore more mature clothes and wore more makeup than before. It was not a bad look but it was a total 180 than the bare face and preppy clothes. I always thought the preppy look suited her as she had a youthful face so it matched her image.

"I am usually pretty good with faces and it was not only until you mentioned her name that I was able to place where I knew her face from." He seemed to want to evade answering my question fully but I was not sure. But something felt like he was hiding something.

"Your wine." The waiter came in to drop off the wine and collect our dinner order. "I get wanting to limit the people who know about us but your reaction seemed to be more concerned than just us being found out."

Unlike myself, his poker face was easily readable. "I have seen first hand the type of person she is and without getting to detailed, nothing good comes from knowing her. And while I personally have no care or worry about that, with you involved I would rather play it safe."

"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.