•°I tried to distract myself, to move on, but deep down I knew no other love would ever be as great, would ever be as pure, as his- Ky

~Paige~

"Paige, wake up," Dylan mumbled against my ear.

I opened my eyes to find Dylan sitting on the bed, caressing my face with a smile on his face.

"Dylan?"

I loved his touch, his soothening touch.

Where was I? Why was he here?

"Are you really here?" I asked, not believing my eyes.

"Yes, I am."

I felt paralyzed; I couldn't move. I was shocked by his unexpected presence.

But how?

"This isn't a dream?" I asked, unconvinced. I've been having dreams of Dylan lately and they all had felt real, but as soon as I opened my eyes, he'd be gone.

"No, baby," he murmured, as he brought up my hand and kissed it.

My empty heart filled up and I no longer felt lost.

"Why did you leave?" I asked, hoping to get a reasonable answer.

"It doesn't matter, I'm here now and I would never leave. I love you."

My smile became triumphant as I managed to raise my hand to touch his face.

Before my hand could reach his face, his figure suddenly disappeared. I swiftly opened my eyes and saw nothing. I gasped at the realization and disappointment that it was just an illusion. He wasn't there; I was only dreaming of him, again.

Week 5 without Dylan.

The first two weeks had gone by, by lying on the bed and sleeping.

I couldn't deny that I hadn't missed him. I missed him so much that I craved to read the messages we exchanged. But I didn't - not because of anything, but because all it does is bring back everything I've ever felt for him.

I had been trying so hard to be okay with him leaving. I had been trying so hard not to think of him or to stumble across memories of us. I had kept myself busy, touring around the city, shopping, tasting all kinds of macaroons and ice cream and visiting museums with Chloé.
Lots of things reminded me of him, reminding me of all our conversations, all our nights and all of his smiles.

Today, I didn't feel like going out. I decided to stay home because I had some preparations to do for tonight's party. Chloé's father was hosting a huge annual new year party where friends and family would meet and mingle. I was really excited this year; Chloé's father claimed that he had a surprise for both Chloé and I.
Ever since we were kids, his surprises were always out of this world. From the pink ponies and horse drawn carriages to the private concerts with our favourite celebrities, he always seemed to amaze us.

Sitting on the couch, I scanned through the bunch of magazines that Chloé had dropped by earlier. As I flipped through the pages, something caught my attention: a photograph of Dylan and I while we were at the Gala under the list.

A photograph.

That was all it took for the tears to burst my dam of restraint. I clutched the magazine tight in my hand. I looked past my own dreary eyes and stared upon Dylan's face that had been caught in a moment of perfection. I focused in on his eyes, they were glistening with the twinkle of laughter that I loved, his dark tousled hair. Giving a half smile, I touched his lips in the photo, his pink lips which I loved kissing. I clutched the magazine tight, pressing it hard to my chest.

The sadness flowed through my veins and deadened my mind. It was a poison to my spirit, dulling me and killing off my other emotions until it was the only one that remained. It was as if a black mist had settled upon me and refused to shift. No matter how bright I felt, there would come a thought about Dylan and would dim off my light.

I wiped my tears and headed upstairs to my room to freshen up so that no one would notice.
I then took a relaxing bubble bath and listened to music which would lighten up my mood and could help me loosen up.

While drying my hair, I heard the door bell ring so I switched it off and rushed downstairs to open the door.

"Hi dad," I chirped as I hugged him.

"Paige. Are you alright? Is there something wrong?"

"No. Nothing, why?"

"You look-"

"I just woke up. That's why," I interrupted, trying to avoid more interrogation.

"Maybe."

"Dad?" I whispered as I got closer to him.

"Yes?" he looked at me, worriedly.

"Did you find out anything about Dylan?" I asked, hoping he had found any information.

"No darling. He isn't even paying any expenses. I had to pay them so that the employees won't leave. He hasn't even come home."

What if he was in trouble? I should have searched for him or at least asked Alex about him. Hearing this made me feel so worried and it increased my desire to go back to New York.

"Do you think something has happened to him?"

"I don't think."

I hope.

Just then the doorbell rang and Chloé came in with a broad smile.
"We have appointments for tonight."
"Bye Uncle Harold, see you tonight," she said as she dragged me out."

☆☆☆

The second Chloé and I stepped into the place, the lights along with the soft music turned off.

Lights then flashed on and off in a dramatic way as the music changed into a classic soundtrack.

Chloé and I exchanged glances; we were confused.

"Was this part?" I asked Chloé, remembering that we had both checked with the party planner and my mom. The party didn't include anything like this.

A couple of models walked into the place wearing black as they held white frames with black drawings of dresses.
I noticed that these were illustrations of what Chloé and I had drawn a year ago. These were the dresses we designed for the fashion show we'd always dreamt of.

After the small show they gave, the ten models then stood next to each other still holding the pictures, the words P by Chloé on the screen behind them.

Chloé's Father then called us and showed us that he had prepared everything. He had spoken to a few models, other stylists and designers. All that was left for us was to pick a date and design more dresses to be featured.

After the show, we mingled with the guests. The dance floor seemed pretty crowded as Chloé and I decided to go and dance. An hour later, we could hear people chanting: the countdown had began. I looked up at the screen where a virtual block had popped up.

...5, 4, 3, 2, 1

Happy New Year.

Yes, what a torture I had to watch every couple in the room make out the second the clock struck midnight.

After a few minutes, Chloé's Father went up to say his speech.

"Thank you all for coming today. It's a blessing to have you all by my side...."

-'I just want you by my side.'

I stopped focusing on his speech and remembered that one last night with Dylan.

"Promise me.. Promise you won't leave me."

He made me promise to stay, yet he left

The second I read that paper, I couldn't think straight. I was so disappointed that all I could think of was leaving him and leaving everything behind.
I was disappointed and hurt that he would leave after the last night we spent together. I was disappointed that he would still leave, knowing that we both felt the same way towards each other. By leaving, he'd hurt the both of us.

I tried reaching him after a week while I was in France, but his phone was out of reach. I had Alex's number but I was scared of calling.

Maybe I should have gone to him. I should have searched and tried harder and called Alex.

"Hey, pretty," a guy said as he gave a grin and ran his hand through his dark hair.

I shook myself out of my thoughts and looked at him and faked a smile.

"Why are you alone at the bar?"

"Well, because I want to be alone."

I hoped he'd gotten the hint.

"I can't allow that to happen. Two martinis, please," he looked at me before he signalled for the bartender to come.

"Thanks, but I don't drink martini."

"Oh, how about we ditch this party?"

"No. I'm enjoying it here."

"Do you want to take a ride in my Lambo and maybe we could hit it off later in my mansion."

I was already visualizing the duct tape over his mouth.

"Darling, I'm Paige Williams. So all those luxurious things you listed to impress me, I've got them all." I winked.

"Oh I see what you're doing. What is that thing you girls do? What is it called?" He said, searching for the right word.

No baby, I ain't playing hard to get, I don't even want you.

I faked a smile. "It's called get lost and it's over there," I sneered as I pointed to the exit.

"Baby, is everything alright?" A deep masculine voice said as a masculine hand made its way around my waist.

I gaped at the thought of Dylan right beside me.
My inner self then reminded me that it was impossible for him to be Dylan. Coming back to my senses, I smiled and turned to face him.

Mr-half-witted-creep looked at us, dumbfounded. "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked, irritated.

"Tell you what?" I asked, confused.

"That you're taken."

Oh, seriously?

"Must be none of your business," the mysterious guy stated before I could even answer as he glared at him.

Mr. creep then rolled his eyes before he gulped down the martini and walked away.

He then removed his hand from my waist and I turned and smiled at him; he reminded me so much of Dylan.

"Thank you, I owe you," I said as I studied his face

"You do."

His hair itself was like spun gold, contrasting perfectly with his icy blue eyes. A few hair locks fell at the side, framing his tanned face as he ran his hands through his hair.

"Champagne?" He asked as a garçon walked past us, holding a tray filled with glasses of champagne.

"Champagne." I nodded as I smiled.

"I'm Julien Perez," he said as he gave me the glass.

"Paige Williams."

"En chanté."

"Oh you speak Français?"

"I'm French. My mother is French but my father isn't. I've lived all my life here, but I speak both languages fluently."

"How do you know Daniel Carter?"

"He and my father have business history and have been friends for a long time."

We chatted about random things, getting to know each other. He was fun and I enjoyed our little chat.

"See you around Paige. I hope we do meet again. À bientôt."

"Au revoir Julien."

Oh look, the Eiffel Tower

Chapter 32 comes up on 22 January
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