Chapter 2

The embarrassment I faced with the flight attendant back there compels me to hide my face throughout the whole day. It was the first time I ever took a flight anywhere, acting paranoid could be an effect of a phobia I guess, turning back was no option. I have come here to study and work and that I will fulfill.

I took my bags finally after numerous checking and walked around the airport aimlessly 'where is the damn door?' I walked from corner to corner, door to another door but all I found was bathrooms or offices, how did I even get there. I tried other glass doors in front of me but I could not find any door that led outside. The crowds here were too much and the airport was large, finding the door has now become a deep search for me.

"Excuse me miss?" I twisted around to find a security guard holding a walki-talki on his hand.

"Yes?" I answered trying not to sound nervous or suspecting. If I acted in a strange manner I could be detained as a suspect 'bubbling feeling don't fail me now' I begged my nerves.

"Can I help you? I've noticed you were roaming the wrong direction for sometime."

'wow they have been watching me since, how come I didn't notice'

'It's technology local girl. Places like this have security cameras. Think of it how will they catch criminals without them, think dumbass' 

'oh shut up bossy Lolo before I hurt your back'

'You can't hurt me because I am part of you' shit she is right.

"Are you alright miss?"

I immediately snapped my head towards him. Act cool everything's going to be fine. "W- uh- I-There.." I cleared my throat. "I'm fine."

"Alright. I asked you where are you going to?"

"I..." I drifted again like my tongue has been tied from making out any word.

"Easy, take it slowly. You don't have to worry I am only here to help you." He assured me.

"I know where I am going but- I swear to god I don't want to admit it but I am kind of lost." I said feeling suddenly embarrassed.

He did not burst out laughing as I thought he would, his face was rather serious.

"Who are you looking for?" He asked me.

I put down my bag nervously scratching my neck, I looked around us, a few people with more security guards were at each point. Jesus tell me I did nothing wrong.

"I just needed to exit the airport that's all." I finally answered. I hoped within me he believed how else was I going to lie.

"That's easy follow me." He walked forward only to stop and turn back.

I looked at them suspiciously not quite believing them. It was my first time here in a foreign land and getting arrested is not what I plan for. I honestly don't know if I should trust him or them.

"Urr." I cocked my head to the side it was the way I showed how unsure I am.

"Miss please this way, you are not in trouble."

"And how do I know you are saying the truth?" I questioned him. I could feel the other security guards roll their eyes and make funny noises but I didn't care.

"Is this your first time here?"

"Yes"

"That explains it, I understand you feel nervous, but I promise you Miss there is nothing to be scared of. The way to the main doors is over there." He pointed at the direction he was taking me. Sorry, Mr but you got to lead the way first before I follow.

"Okay, lead the way." I told him. He gladly led the way ensuring I was following of course.

But he was right, he showed me the door I missed but I did not notice. I remembered very well that I passed this exact place multiple times but I never thought there was an entrance.

'I mean look at the large door girl, who wouldn't notice the door everything was of glass very transparent, wow Lorena you're so smart'

"Thank you officers I am so grateful." 

"You're welcome Miss."

I moved forward to the door so I could find my ride but I was called back by the same officer.

"Your bag Miss." He said.

"Oh thank you so much, I forgot."

"And we aren't police officers."

"Thank you for the reminder." I smiled which he returned, my eyebrows raised at their own accord surprised he returned the gesture.

"Thank you, have a nice day."

"And you too." He replied.

I did as Glory Winston told me and looked for a man holding a white sign reading Miss Lorena. It wasn't too hard to find him with my name written boldly on a white piece is paper.

"Hi." I greeted the white man with the cardboard paper sign he smiled lightly and opened the back door for me. I felt a bit bad letting him do all the work but I think it was how they worked here, I wasn't used to this kind of gentleness and modern gestures but I liked it.

"Sir what about my bags?" I motioned to my two big bags sitting by my legs. Lifting them was big work for me not to talk of pulling them all the way out of the airport building.

"I will do that." He told me. Based on my upbringing and morals it was rude not to assist when someone was doing you a favor, especially when they are older than you but he assured me it was fine and I can get inside the car.

I stepped into the car and closed the door without his help, I don't want to feel terrible or guilty for letting him do the work 'I really need to get used to the way they live here, but with time I will get used to it, I look out the window enjoying the beautiful view of Paris. I took out my phone to call my mother before my driver came in.

"Hello mom!" 

I heard shuffling from the other side I imagined she was looking for a private place to talk, she hates it when people try to listen to her conversation by now everyone at home would know I have left the country and would be pestering my mother for information so I don't blame her. 

"My baby girl." She spoke after a while.

"I can see you are trying to avoid annoying neighbours." I chuckled.

"You know me too well baby girl." 

"Yes I do."

I watched my driver get in and start the car.

"So are you already there? How beautiful is paris?" I can hear the excitement and happiness bubbling inside of her.

"Paris is great, can I call you back when I have settled in?" I asked her.

"Sure, I'll be waiting don't forget or I'll come myself and smack your butt."

"I won't."

"Bye."

"Bye." I waited for her to hang up before putting my phone out to take pictures. I saw the efil tower and a few traditional houses as he drove, they still live in those?

I think the insides are made to be modern but still retaining the old-fashioned look.

"It's so beautiful here." I accidentally voiced my thoughts.

"Yes it is." My driver answered. I sat uncomfortably thinking of what to say and do, he started a conversation with me what do I say back to get the conversation flowing, maybe I should reply or make a comment whatever.

"Are you a citizen here?" I cringed 'wrong choice' where did that come from? "I meant you don't only work here as a driver?" I tried not to sound dumb and creepy hoping not to make a fool of myself.

"It's okay Miss Lorena, well I am a born citizen of North America but I grew up here in France."

"That's nice. So where are we going to?" 

"I am taking you first to your University then we go to your hotel room."

"My hotel room?" My ears perked up at the mention of me having a whole room to myself.

"Yes." I saw him smile from the rearview mirror. At least he wasn't making fun of me.

"You mean to say I have an hotel room of my own?" I asked again, the shock was still in my mind. It sounded so untrue too hard to believe for me. For the first time I will not be sharing a room. This is real royalty something to be cherished.

He chuckled softly at my reaction I am sure he has examined me as a local girl who has never had a room of her own from the way I acted, well I am that girl. If not that I love my family and I don't wish to ever go back to my country 'hopefully' this place is heaven to me.

"Yes and that not all."

"What am I missing?" I pushed for him to answer.

"You'll find out soon when you get there."

"Okay then. But I am already loving this place." I crossed my fingers behind my head and laid back

He laughed so did I. He pulled over in front of a massive building and went to open my door. I quickly stopped him by getting out myself. There was no need for any formalities.

"Thank you but I can walk out myself."

"As you wish Miss Lorena."

"You can call me just Lorena."

"Good."

"Please what's your name?" 

"Sid."

"Nice short name. Oops don't get me wrong your name is nice." 

"It's okay, so wait by the door someone will escort you inside."

"But my bags?"

"Will still be here, you are meeting someone now then we drive to your hotel."

"Okay. But you are sure I'll see you right here."

"Yes of course, where will I be going?"

"Alright, thank you sir."

"Don't thank me you're welcome."

It was strange to me that I trust my luggage with a complete stranger believing him when he said I was meeting someone here, what if he lied so he could rob me.

I need to be positive with my thoughts if I want to ever make it out here. With that, I stepped on the concrete path and waited for who I don't know. Let's hope she or he is not creepy cause I'm gonna get out of here.