8

I wake up and it takes me a few seconds to remember that I am in Paris. My alarm clock tells me ten o'clock in the morning. I haven't slept that much since my ex left with my money. Finally, this weekend may do me good. I get up and go to Lola's room to see if she's there. The room is empty but the unmade bed and the clothes lying on the floor tell me that she is already awake. Looking for the kitchen, I take the wrong door and open Theo's room. I discover a careful man, almost maniacal, only the socks that have fallen next to a chair undermine the order that reigns in the room. Between his room and his sister's, it's day and night.

When I close the door, the owner comes out of the bathroom adjoining the room. Luckily he's already dressed. A little ashamed, I blushed when he noticed me. He asks me :

"How are you Alison?"

—- I'm looking for Lola, don't you know where she might be?

— She went running with Ludivine. She told me she would be back before noon. Did you sleep well ?

He looks me up and down and I remember I'm still in my flower pattern pajamas.

“Pretty good, thank you. Do you know where the kitchen is? I ask him.

- Follow me. I have to have a coffee.

He shows me the way and I understand how I could have taken the wrong door. He offers me a coffee which I accept and tells me to go look in the cupboards to find something to eat. I find muesli and yogurt to complete my breakfast. I ask him :

- Do you know the program for the afternoon?

- Normally Lola will dress you from head to toe for the evening. I'm going to meet some friends with Jules to eat, I'll join you just before leaving.

"Can't I go with you instead?" I'm not comfortable with makeup, dresses and such.

- Normally, I would tell you to stay natural. You are prettier than most of the women you will meet tonight. When we take away their paraphernalia, they are less smiling and colder. You created your box, none can say the same. Tonight, you're performing for your company so you have to be on top and with Lola that will be the case. My sister knows how to surround herself well.

I blushed at his compliments. I know I'm not an ugly but I'm thrilled to know that he finds me beautiful. He tells me what he has planned this afternoon, in exchange I tell him about my week. We talk like this for nearly half an hour, then he offers me to put away the dishes that I used while I go to shower. I try to dissuade him but he insists and I go to relax under the hot water.

I then find him in the living room and he begins to tell me how he created his business with Jules. As I laugh at one of his anecdotes, we are interrupted by an argument in the hallway. Lola and Jules berate each other.

"Be frank Jules!" Dare me tell me why I shouldn't agree to dinner with him! Find me one valid reason!

Jules stays silent, he just glares at her. Lola puts her hands on her hips and raises her eyebrows in defiance. He approaches her and looks at her. They gauge each other in silence. Theo coughs to signal our presence and they move away from each other. He says to his best friend:

- I'm ready Jules. We leave the girls and join the guys at the restaurant?

He nods and walks into the hallway. I wish Theo a good day and he thanks me with a smile.

Once the men have left, I ask Lola about their argument.

— One of Ludivine's husband's friends recently separated. Ludi thinks it would do him good to have dinner with a pretty woman. I know him well, he's quite nice so I gladly accepted. Jules arrived in front of the building when she offered it to me. He didn't say anything at the time, but once in the elevator, he lectured me. The worst part is that he often rubs shoulders with him for work even if they are not close.

- This guy, how is he physically?

- Quite pleasant to watch after it does not make me hot or cold but I could spend a nice evening with.

"Do you have a picture of him?" I ask him, curious.

She does a search on Facebook to find an advantageous one of the type. After showing it to me, she waits for my answer.

— He's not the most handsome man on Earth, but he seems like a reliable, pleasant man. I can understand why Jules threw you a fit.

- Why, in your opinion ?

- Do not be blind, there is a sexual tension between you, it's tangible. The little that I saw you in the presence of Jules, if we remove your shouting matches, we feel a little too much. There's something between you. You said he hurt you once but why don't you try to forgive him. He's still with the woman he was engaged to?

She sat down next to me and began to tell me everything.

"No, they haven't been together for a while now. I have a hard time excusing him for what he did to me. It was at the very beginning of the business, I wasn't going to parties with my brother yet, I was coming out of college, a bit naive. From day one, I felt desire for Jules and I still blame myself for still feeling it after all this time. The worst part is that we both got along very well, as if we were on the same wavelength. Theo had to be away for a week and he had asked me to accompany him to a party on his return. The week had gone very well and on Friday, we still had a little work to do so I offered Jules to come and eat here while we were finishing. What had to happen happened and the night was magical. I was happy on the verge of being in love. The next day, we preferred to separate because we didn't want my brother to get angry if he found out. I was on a little cloud and I smiled at everyone. At one point, Jules joined us, we were talking quietly when a beautiful woman grabbed his arm and rolled him a shovel. I was on my ass and here she is, introducing herself as his fiancée. He was embarrassed, I pretended I didn't care but I was ashamed of myself. When I saw him again on Monday, he confirmed that he was indeed engaged to her. He tried to justify himself but for me it was dead, I felt guilty for weeks because of that. I know they broke up a few months later and she's married to an even richer guy and lives in another country. I don't know if one day I could trust him, he has already cheated on his fiancée who says he won't do it again and I don't want to be the cheated wife. To be on the other side without wanting it is already awful.

I feel that she still hasn't accepted what happened so I decide not to say anything. She quickly regains her natural cheerfulness and takes me into the kitchen, telling me it's time to eat before the designer, the hairdresser and the make-up artist arrive.

For several hours, I shaved meticulously, we took my measurements, we tested a few colors that would go best with my complexion, all orchestrated by Lola who directs everyone with a masterful hand. At seven o'clock, I can finally look at myself in the mirror and I don't recognize myself. I don't dare touch my hair for fear of damaging the loose bun that the hairdresser managed to do. The make-up artist comes to ask me:

"Will you put on your glasses for tonight?" Otherwise I have to accentuate the eyeshadow a little more so that it is more visible.

- No need, I put my lenses before makeup, I replied.

Lola looks at me surprised.

"Do you have contact lenses?"

— Yes, but I rarely wear them. As I work on the computer a lot, I have problems with dry eyes if I wear them at work. I got into the habit of putting on my glasses and I keep the contact lenses for special occasions.

We then thank the professionals and the designer helps us in turn to put on our dresses. I'm glad I managed to avoid the one they absolutely wanted me to wear. The one I'm going to wear has a more sober neckline and I feel more comfortable in it. Lola is to die for. She exudes an assurance that I would never have and that I envy her. She hands me shoes with lower heels than I feared.

- I thought you would be more comfortable with stilts, she said with a wink.

I thank her and the men arrive a few minutes later. Jules looks at me and gives me an approving nod. I remain unresponsive to his attitude. Theo approaches him and comes to look at me more closely.

- You are absolutely beautiful Alison. All the men tonight will be jealous of not having you on their arm. Women are going to hate you for outshining them.

My anguish must be read on my face because he takes my hands in his and says to me:

- You can do it. You are beautiful and everything will be fine, you'll see.

Lola, who had slipped away in the meantime, returns with a jewelry box. She showed it to her brother and said:

- I think he lacks a necklace to complete his outfit. What do you say Theo?

- No need, I already owe you so much. I'm not going to wear any of your jewelry, I tried to protest.

— My mother no longer needs it, replies my friend.

I shake my head, embarrassed that they want to lend me one of their dead mother's jewels.

- Frankly Lola, it bothers me too much. I don't want to impose myself more.

- If you had put the dress that we would prefer for you, it would have been useless to add more. Anyway, the necklace I have in mind does not suit me. It falls badly because my neck is a little thicker than yours.

She opens the box and shows the one she chose to her brother. He grabs me and pulls it out before she can make a move. She looks at him surprised and he answers her silent question.

"She's my date." To me the honor!

She shakes her head before shrugging. He comes to stand behind me to hook the clasp of the necklace. On a white gold chain, a stone of a few centimeters is mounted to be the only ornament of the jewel. Looking in the mirror, I think I recognize the nature of the stone. I dare not ask them for fear that they will confirm that it is indeed a diamond. Théo then comes in front of me and holds out his arm to me before asking us:

- You are ready ? Can we go?

Lola groans and takes our pockets for the evening. Then the four of us leave. My anxiety is at its peak.