Lorraine contemplated to phone Alex, but it was nearly eleven o clock at night, which would make it just after five in the morning in Paris. Alex would probably still be sleeping and she didn't want to wake him. She decided to leave it and phone him in the morning. They did not have any plans for today, so he might not even notice that she booked out of the hotel.
Everything happened in such a rush and her focus was mainly on her children. They were the most important people in her life, and she did not know what she would have done if this accident turned out to be worse.
After Richard died it was the hardest thing ever to let her children go, and it has been a difficult adjustment to be at home alone, but she knew that they had a right to live their lives and she had to adapt. Alicia has been a great support, and they have become even closer after the kids left. She didn't know what she would do without her.
Alicia was trained as a teacher but never pursued the career. Lorraine met Alicia by accident while shopping with her daughter Chloe. Chloe was only twelve years old at that time and was a difficult teenager to handle. She was throwing one of her teenage tantrums in the shop after Lorraine suggested something, and Alicia overheard and joined the discussion.
Alicia was wonderful and saved that situation...and she became part of the family soon after. Alicia was great with the kids and she was of enormous help when Lorraine was on set. She traveled with them and she just made their lives easier. Both of the kids loved Alicia, but they also respected her and did not see her as an employee.
After Richard died she was a real pillar for the kids and for Lorraine, and she supported them tremendously through that difficult time. Alicia was an extraordinary person.
Lorraine still couldn't fall asleep after all the excitement of the day, and got up to make herself some chamomile tea. That usually calmed her down a bit and she knew that if she didn't sleep she would be exhausted in the morning.
Alex woke up just after six. He quickly dressed and went for his usual early jog. He got back at seven and took a quick shower before making himself a smoothie in the kitchen. He was usually very health conscious and tried to stay and eat as healthy as possible. He looked good for a 46 year old male and was in a much better condition than other men of his age. He tried not to drink excessively and had the occasional glass of wine once or twice a week. He spent the last sixteen years building up his business and it was one of the most successful galleries in Paris. He was proud of himself. He was a good father and he has always supported his daughter and her mother financially and emotionally.
Even though he only saw his daughter every six weeks, they had a good and healthy relationship. He even had a great friendship with her mother, and people always thought it funny that they were still friends after the divorce. It was just one of those relationships that did not work out. They tried for a few years, but they had different values and goals in life, and they drifted apart. After the divorce it seemed as if their relationship actually grew stronger. They only had one goal now, and that was to give Caroline the best life ever.
Neither of them had been in any serious relationship after the divorce, but he was sure that things would change once Caroline finished school. Elaine dedicated her life to her child, and once Caroline comes to live with him for a year or two, he was sure that Elaine would be open to any new relationship. She had been seeing some architect for a while now, but she kept it casual and according to her he was only a friend.
His thoughts drifted towards Lorraine. She was the most beautiful and extravagant woman he had ever met in his entire life, and he really liked her. He felt awful about the fact that he did not even know who she was, and that he nearly killed her, but she seemed fine with it. He was just scared that he chased her away with that kiss.
He felt silly the second he kissed her and tried to salvage the situation without spoiling the moment. He wanted to know her better but he also knew that it would be a difficult relationship once she went back to Chicago. There was a seven hour difference between them and that could make things difficult for them, but one thing that he had always believed was that someone didn't come over your path if they were not supposed to. He believed that it was fate that they met and for this he owed fate big time.
It was just after eight when Alex phoned the Ritz and asked them to put him through to her room. He wanted to have breakfast with her before going to the gallery and he wanted to spend every free minute he could with her before she went back to Chicago.
"I'm sorry sir, but miss Johnson booked out last night."
"What do you mean she booked out? Did she say where she was going?"
"I'm sorry sir, I can't disclose such information to you. Goodbye."
Alex was devastated. He had scared her away and he had no way to reach her.
-To be continued-
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