Chapter 78: Chapter 78

(Dmitri’s Thoughts)

It is my last day here in France, I promised Heather I only need a week to finalize the opening and other business matters here. And then, I'll go back to the States.

And after what I witnessed last last night, there's no reason for me to stay here. "She's already happy with someone else. She finally got the love she truly deserves, something I didn't give to her back then," I sigh convincing myself.

But if I am ready to really let her go, why did my feet bring me here? And why do I have this yellow bouquet of flowers in my hand?

I am now in  front of the museum where she's working, arguing with myself whether to show my face to her or not. Should I be selfish or selfless?

I gulp when I hear footsteps approaching me. I feel nervous. It is the very first time I feel nervous just by anticipating seeing someone. I gulp.

In my mind I wish for two things, "I wish it is her, I wish she isn't her."

But when I finally hear an unfamiliar french accent voice, I feel like the heavens deny me of my last ray of hope. Maybe the Higher being wants to make it clear that I must not bother her ever again.

I sigh, failing to hide my disappointment, "You seem to be looking for someone from here?"

I look at her and let out a small smile, "Not really," I try to deny. But when she looks at the flowers in my hand, it seems she is telling me that she's not buying it. So I scratch my head and let her know the reason behind my visit.

My heart races, just thinking whether she wants to see me or not, but I really want her to have these, if ever she won't face me, at least she gets these. I speak in French, "Is Avery Anderson around? I would like to speak with her."

Her eyes are bewildered, "Are you her friend? No one has ever visited her here before."

My tongue gets stuck. I don't know how to answer her question.

"Am I her friend? Her ex? Her lover?" It makes me question myself, too. Who am I in her life?

The woman calls me out when my mind goes blank. I apologize to her and repeat my question.

Her face saddens when she gives me the news, "I am sorry, young man, Miss Anderson is not around for today, she has some important matters to deal with."

My grip tightens around the flowers I am holding. I don't know if I am going to be happy or not.

But one thing is for sure, I am now feeling the pain of not being able to see her before I am gone for good.

I clear my throat and try to compose myself, " Well, it's a shame I didn't get to see her, but, would you do me the honor of giving her these instead?"

The French woman happily receives the flowers, and she smiles at me, "What name should I tell her?"

I give her the saddest smile, "From someone who did her wrong."

Her face frowned because she couldn't understand me, but even before she could ask me more question, I walk myself out of the museum.

When I step out of the place, the suffocating feeling finally loosens.

I massage my chest that's been in constant pain.

"What the hell is wrong with you Dmitri? You shouldn't have come here. And even if she's there, what made you think she would see you or even talk to you?" I almost punch myself for being an asshole.

So I take my leave and freely wander in this busy street with no concrete destination in mind. My flight is still at night, so I have all day to roam around this small city.

My restaurant is just two blocks away from here, but I don't want to be there ever again, it reminds me of her, them.

So I walk around a coffee shop and passed by it. Then, I walk for more until I see a fountain in the middle of the crossroad.

I sit down for a while and my eyes traverse from one store to another. My attention gets hooked by a small boutique. They have pretty dresses and good accessory collections, they even have good gloves for men and women and a scarf.

I suddenly remember Heather asking for a souvenir, so I decided to pay this shop a visit.

"Little did I know that the moment I make my long strides towards the shop will lead me back to my life, her."

***

As I push the door, the mobile on top of it chimes ceaselessly. The scent of a lavender aroma lingers around my nostrils as I enter. My eyes roam around some good finds that my sister Heather would like.

Upon searching through things, and given the fact that the store is just small, I hear a voice that makes my whole being shiver.

I hear her unique laugh that makes my heart flutter. I hear the intonation in her voice as she shares stories with the person on the other side of the counter.

I stop and literally pinch myself to distinguish reality from dreams. But I twitch my face as I feel the pain of my own doing, “She’s here. Avery’s here,” my mind couldn’t contain the information my senses just gathered.

I try to hide myself in between the shelves where they display their things, but I crouch and level myself to it. I unknowingly smile and whisper to myself, “What a playful destiny, you showed up on my very last day here in France.”

I continue to admire her from afar. She’s wearing a yellow maxi dress with ruffles on its end. Her elbows are on the counter while her palm supports her chin.

Her legs are crossed and her lower back and bottom protrude outwardly. Her body is bent forward as she amusingly listens to the old vendor.

She must be friends with her. She happily sways her hips left and right while tapping the tip of her toes to the ground.

“So, how much is it?” she says in her not-so-perfect French.

The old woman smiles and answers in French, “Your French is getting better by the day, you really are preparing to stay here for good, huh?”

She chuckles and gives a vague answer, “Maybe? Who knows?”

A huge size of sharp needle pricks my heart when I heard what the old woman said, “For good? Do they plan to stay here after their marriage?”

My heart is stricken, my chest constricts, my breath escapes. I find myself clenching my fists on my side, and without me knowing, I just hear the words escape my mouth,

“No, you can’t do this me!”