The black van

Our shopping trip had to be postponed till the next day because Alexandro had plans for that day. There was no party, but we went around and met people. I was officially Mrs. King.

At a point I felt useless, I didn’t know much about the financial world, and I thought of learning but I reminded myself that I didn’t belong to this world and would soon be out of it.

I had to keep myself under control and make sure I left the place unscattered.

But even as I tried to keep myself under control, Paris kept throwing surprises at me. Alexandro was different. Like he was another person entirely.

“Why didn’t you wear your ring.” He asked, surprisingly he didn’t sound angry. It was like he just wanted to know.

“I forgot,” I said honestly.

“They’re never supposed to be out of your finger.”

“Even while I bath?”

“Even while you bathe, they’re not fake, what are you afraid of?”

I nodded. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Are you sure about going out with Elena? I thought you didn’t like her.” He raised his brows at me.

“Maybe you thought wrong,” I said, not bothering to explain our bonding session. Another surprise was that he didn’t push for an explanation.

Then we had breakfast together, for a moment it was like we were a family.

“Who is Anthony?” I asked casually as we ate. The least I could do was know people.

Alexandro must have accepted the guy's return because he only shrugged casually. “Ian’s first son.”

“You don’t like him?” I asked.

“Let’s just say we do not see eye to eye.”

“Where is he at the moment?” I asked curiously.

“Aren’t you too curious about a stranger?” He deadpanned.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

I was done eating so I made to stand up, “You look pretty in red. You should wear it often.” Then he stood up and vacated the table before me.

Typical Alexandro King. Yet I could resist the urge to blush at his compliment.

The next day didn’t come as soon as I wanted, we had gone around Paris. It would seem like our coming to France was to assure these people that Alexandro King was truly married. I had to admit that I felt safe at least.

I couldn’t forget the note and the recording of me that had been sent by someone I didn’t know, I couldn’t even tell how they got it, but whosoever it was couldn’t follow me down here. I hoped for that much.

“Are you sure about leaving the hotel with Elena?” Alexandro asked for the last time.

“Of course. She doesn’t bite, does she?” I insisted. First, it was obvious he also wasn’t totally against it like he had been against my association with Portia and Nina, second, I was overdue for a friendly female company.

“Be careful. Call me if you need anything. Here’s your credit card.”

I took it with a smile on my face and gratitude in my heart.

It was not surprising to see that Elena had her own her, but I was impressed. It was a beautiful and sleepy Rolls Royce and I could guess that it was a lot of money.

We started with Shoes, Paris had the best shoes I’ve seen, made from the finest leather or carved out of glass, shoes with precious stones, and maddening prices.

This wasn’t the kind of shopping in which you filled your cart. It was about quality and not quantity. We got two each although all four were of different brands.

Elena’s taste was so different from mine, also she picked without checking or asking the price. Later, I realized that products like this didn’t have a price tag on them.

Next were hats. I’ve never fancied hats but I could tell Elena was a hat freak. We did a little bonding as we played with the fancy head covers. We talked, and she told me about her two brothers. Anthony and Elliot. I had met Elliot so I was very curious about Anthony. It had been a long time since anyone saw him last but Elena assured me he checked on her regularly.

“I don’t like to buy dresses, instead dresses she made for me. I have a seamstress, she’ll design styles for you that you would never see on anyone else’s body, c’mon.”

The seamstress store was far at the extreme of the market but it was a big place. The woman sold all sought of material and I had to admit that it was a thrilling feeling to pick the material you want your dress to be in.

“You can check this one out, I’ve used it before and I loved it,” Elena recommended. I held the material and it was smooth to touch, “Let’s check another.”

We went around the place and chose 5 materials each, although this time we shared two in common.

We had our measurements taken then we chose styles.

I didn’t know why I started feeling conscious but there was this feeling I didn’t like. It was getting a bit late but that wasn’t it because it wasn’t getting dark. Paris was still lighted up like it was morning.

I looked through the glass walls, our car had been carefully parked, and I had to acknowledge that Elena was a good driver. There were other cars in the lot but a Van caught my eyes. I believe I had seen it when we were shopping for hats but I couldn’t tell if it had gotten here before we did or if we were here first, we weren’t the only ones who bought hats and got dresses on the same day.

I thought to call Alexandro to inform him of our progress and that’s when I realized my phone wasn’t with me. “Shit.”

“What is it?” Elena asked, “Everything okay?”

“I left my phone in the car. Give me a minute, I’ll go get it.”

She handed the keys to me and I went out to the parking lot. It was quiet, there was no one else but me. I began to feel a bit awkward. How terrible it would be if the car got stolen from me.

I clicked the open button and the car beeped to life, I opened the door and reached for my phone, but just before I touched it, I heard someone call.

“Excuse me?”. I turned. It was a woman. She was heavily pregnant.

“Are you okay?” I wasn’t sure I could handle a woman in labor. She looked pale. She was standing just behind the black van.

“I wanted to open my car door but my keys slipped out of my hands to the floor, I tried reaching but.” She stopped and rubbed her prominent belly. I guessed it would be hard for her to reach the floor with her stomach.

“You own the van?” I had to ask, I was curious.

Her face seems to turn paler. “No, no. the car beside it.”

The van was covering the car so I walked to her. The key lay there on the floor.