Chapter 1

SEBASTIAN

I sauntered through the massive glass doors and entered into a room that seemed to be carved by the hands of Aphrodite.

Well, it is France after all, and Paris at that.

The second floor was supported by marble pillars that surrounded an epic crystal chandelier that made it look as if the room was illuminated by the glow of the morning sun. The lush scarlet carpet cushioned my feet, turning those clacks from the high heels of a woman to soft quiet thumps.

"What's going through your mind?"

I turned to the voice, locking eyes with my boss, Mr Curn. He was an easy going man that made you feel assured that everything would be okay, I have no idea how or what magic he's using.

"Just a little nervous, that's all," I mumbled, holding onto my briefcase handle just a little tighter.

"It's your first meeting abroad, don't worry, I'm here. I'll do all the work, you get to watch and learn and soon enough you'll be doing this yourself." He smiled at me and clapped a hand on my shoulder. "But we should probably get going, their macaroons are to die for."

We walked up to a staff by the staircase that led to the second floor. "Reservation for Mr Curn."

"Moinsoir Curn, yes. Please, follow me." He led us up the stairs and into the restaurant that kind of reminded me of the one from the apartment building near Rowell Academy.

He led me to a table for four. "Here is your table, I hope this is satisfactory. Your waitress will be Fern, please let her know if you have any questions or are ready to order."

He bowed slightly before leaving me with a tall brunette woman. "Hello, my name is Fern, as my colleague said, I will be your waitress for today. Are you ready to order?"

"Not yet, we are waiting on someone but they should be a few minutes," Mr Curn replied, taking a seat.

"Of course. Give me a call when you both are ready to order." She then left us alone.

I took out my folder from my briefcase. I was to be meeting with a Mr Silvine from a relatively new company called 'Helping Hands'. As I was still relatively new to the company that I work for, they sent me out for my first meeting abroad.

Whilst waiting we talked for a few more minutes before Fern greeted us again, accompanied by two other people this time.

"Ah, Miss Parkinson, it is so lovely to see you again. How has France been to you this past couple of years?"

Parkinson?

My head shot up to see a smiling beauty. It was her, her face haunted my dreams for months.

"Audrey?" I stood in shock, emotions bubbling to the surface.

"Sebastian." My name was a whisper from her lips. She was just as I remembered her.

Her auburn hair was down and curled, framing a face that I swore was crafted by the gods. She wore a white, long-sleeved, fitted dress that complimented her figure, paired with a white bag and white stilettos.

"You two know each other?" Mr Curn's voice cut in, slicing the tension in two.

"Yes, albeit we haven't seen or spoken in three years but, we do." Her voice was silky smooth and she seemed a lot more relaxed than I remembered.

I can't believe it's her. She's really here. All the emotions I tried to push down those months after she left began to rise to the surface. It took me months to try and forget her, and yet, it never seemed to work. But here she is, standing in front of me, and this time I don't plan on letting her go.

"It is very lovely to see you again Sebastian." Her eyes sparkled in a way that made me feel...content? "Sebastian, Kent, this is my colleague Dominic Silvine. Please don't let me keep you waiting, take a seat."

AUDREY

We had discussed business for about two hours now. Despite contributing a lot in the conversation, I couldn't help but be nervous of Sebastian.

I worked so hard, late nights and early mornings to try and force my heart to forget him. The feeling I felt when I remembered him, it tore me to pieces. When I first arrived in Paris the guilt shredded me to pieces, creating an abyss in my stomach.

I felt the guilt gripping me by the neck, seeping into the memories with him. How I met him, got to know him. How he held me on the dancefloor, how we kissed. How I let him go and ignored him. How I ended it when he confronted me, then I abandoned him. How I left him. How Margo told me he came to my house to talk to me the day I left, only to find I was long gone.

Yet, here he is, smiling at me as if I didn't do anything to him. As if I didn't betray him.

He looked the same as when we first met, handsome in his own charming way. His eyes still welcoming, his lips upturned in that smile he would always show me. His hair was a bit shorter and well groomed, unlike the flowing locks from university, not that I'm complaining.

"I believe all is in order Miss Parkinson and once again, congratulations for the success of the Helping Hands Foundation." Mr Cern's voice interrupted my thoughts, throwing me back into the real world and onto my butt.

"Thank you so much for coming," I replied with a smile, standing up and hugging him, "It was so nice to see you again."

"It was. We really should meet up for coffee more often. Well anyway, I will be off."

"What about me?" Sebastian asks, not even moving from his chair.

"From the dreamy looks you've been giving Miss Parkinson all afternoon, I would think you would want to stay and catch up." At this Sebastian's cheeks flushed pink, a perfect mirror of my own.

"I agree," Dominic stood up and joined Mr Cern, "We should let the lovebirds do their business. I will see you later Miss Parkinson."

After they left Sebastian and I sat in silence, looking around the room, at our laps, anywhere but at each other. I was currently taking interest in my teacup when I heard him clear his throat.

"So, Audrey. It's been a while."

"It has Sebastian. It really has."