“I was hoping we can have a walk, instead of just eating at the café,” Antoine said. “I have someplace to show you.”
He offered Bellatrix his arm, and she took it. They both started to walk down the streets. It was spring, and the trees were blossoming with flowers. As they walked, nature surrounded them. Bellatrix could smell the flowers and the trees. If she closed her eyes, she could imagine herself back in the forest. She felt a twinge in her heart, and she realised it had been a while since she had met her pack. Maybe she should visit. Maybe if things went well, she could introduce Antoine… somehow.
They reached a small lake, and Antoine let go of her arm. He sat down on a bench and smiled at her. “This is the place I wanted to show you. This is where I come to when I want to be alone.”
Bellatrix sat down next to him, enjoying the beauty of the lake. “Do you feel like being alone often?” she asked.
He turned to look at her, a small smile on his face. “I lost my parents when I was thirteen. They died in an accident. My aunt took me in, but she was a very abusive woman. She made my life very difficult. I often came here, to be alone.”
“I am sorry,” Bellatrix said, taking his hand in hers. “I lost my parents when I was really small. They died-.” She trailed off when she realised that mentioning the battle her parents died in would raise questions she wouldn’t be able to answer.
“They died in an accident,” she finally said. “My brother, Dominque, raised me. When I wanted to leave the town to travel, he supported me. It was what I had always wanted.”
“Where do you come from?” Antoine asked.
“A small town,” Bellatrix said. “Far, far away. You will not have heard of it. What about you?”
“I hail from here, Paris,” he said. “I was born in this city. I have lived here all my life. I have travelled the world, but it is here I live.”
“Well then, maybe you could show me around?” Bellatrix asked.
∞∞∞
Antoine smiled as he watched Bellatrix. She was truly the most marvellous woman he had ever met. He slowly reached forward and brushed his hand against her cheek, lovingly. Her eyes sparkled, and he watched her as she told him about all the places she had been to.
“I am so happy I met you,” he whispered when she stopped talking, taking her hand in his. She blushed, and Antoine felt happiness in his heart.
Chapter 5
Eric
Eric continued to mindlessly scroll through his phone, his mind on Bellatrix. He couldn’t believe she had forgotten about the plan with him and preferred hanging out with that man over him. On hindsight, he should have acted better. He was trying to win her over and being moody and rude wasn’t going to help. But he had felt so hurt and betrayed that he had been unable to control his attitude.
He had everything planned. Today he was finally going to execute it, but that stupid Antoine had gotten in his way. Well, he wasn’t going to lose to that man again. He would expedite his plan. He would tell Bellatrix they are moving from Paris and traveling to another city.
The door opened and Eric looked up to see Bellatrix coming in. She had a happy expression on her face and came to fop down on the couch next to him.
“He is so magical,” she said.
“Oh, really?” Eric replied, jealousy burning through him. “Bellatrix, listen. I think we have stayed too long in Paris and maybe we should move on.”
She instantly sat up, a frown on her face. “We planned on staying another month. Why are you changing it?”
“I-.” Eric trailed off, trying to figure out what to say. “-I just think that we will have more fun in other places. I was actually hoping to attend this festival-.”
“I like it here, Eric,” Bellatrix said, cutting him off. “We can visit the festival when it happens again. I am having a lot of fun here, and I am not leaving.”
Eric sighed, trying to figure out how to convince her without ticking her off.
“What’s up with you?” she asked. “You have been acting so weird recently.”
“I am fine,” Eric replied. “I just don’t like that man, Antoine."
"Why?" Bellatrix asked. “What’s wrong with him?”
“He just gives off bad vibes, okay?” Eric said. “I can feel it in my gut. Something is wrong with this man. He is a weirdo. He threw his drink away discreetly last night, you know that?”
“Maybe he doesn’t drink,” Bellatrix said, narrowing her eyes at him.
