Author's Chapter Notes:
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Paris and Justin spent Saturday and Sunday together and they planned to go to the beach and just relax for Memorial Day.They never mentioned the kiss,like it never happened.But they both knew that they couldn’t hide how they felt for each other now.
But later on Sunday night,Justin called her after he left her apartment
“Hey,couldn’t stay away from me huh?”she asked
“Paris…I got some bad news”he said
Paris frowned,what was wrong?Did he know?Did Pierre open his mouth?,”Um whats wrong?”
“We gotta cancel plans for tomorrow”
“Get out of here,why?”she asked
“They set up studio time for me tomorrow for the ‘Im Lovin’ It’ Campaign song.It could take all day,who knows…Im sorry.I know that you wanted to go to the beach and everything-“
“Its fine…I mean Im not surprised”she said,even though she was disappointed. They had spent everyday together for the past week.It would be weird being by herself.”You do what you do,make that money and just call me if you have time ok?”
“Ok,and if I don’t?”
“Don’t what?Call me?”
“Yeah”
“Then I figure that you hate me”
“Paris-“
“Im kidding,I would figure that your too tired,your like me,you love your sleep”
Justin laughed,”Thanks for being understanding.I’ll talk to you later ok?”
“Ok..bye”she said.She hung up the phone and sighed,what was she going to do with herself now?
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Paris decided to go to the beach by herself.She hadn’t been to the beach in awhile and she didn’t want to be stuck in the house.It was a beautiful day after all. She went to Calypso Bay Beach,the most popular beach in LA.It was quite a drive to get there,but it was worth it.She relaxed and got one hell of a tan.She treated herself to a cheeseburger,fries and water and a big chocolate and vanilla cone.
At around 6,she gathered her stuff together and drove home.By the time she got home,it was almost 7:30.She was in a bad mood because of the traffic and that Justin hadn’t called yet.Even though she expected that.
She walked up the steps and went through her bag and looked for her keys. She expected to hear the familiar sound of scratching at the door,but she didn’t hear anything.A weird feeling came over her.She found her keys and unlocked her door and walked in.
She looked around in shock and dropped everything on the floor.Her apartment was totally empty.Everything was gone,the kitchen was empty,except for some tea china and some of it was broken.She opened the refrigerator and saw that it was empty too.There were barely anything in the cabinets.She ran to the living room and everything was gone except for her laptop and her printer that she got from work.She ran to her room and there was only the mattress on the floor and her clothes were thrown inside boxes.Her dressers were gone
“Ive been robbed”she finally said.Then she stopped.It was Sean.He was actually serious,he took everything.She went in the bathroom and found one towel and a washcloth,he even took her toothbrush.She laughed,it was all too absurd.She didn’t know what to do or say at this point.
She walked back into the kitchen,and there was a knock at her door.She rushed and opened it,”Sean what the hell-“she started to say.Then she realized that it was Mrs.Jones from next door,”Oh hello Mrs.Jones”
“Hi Paris.Um….is Baby missing?”she asked
“Huh?No…what are you talking about?”she asked,then she realized that Baby was nowhere in sight when she checked the house.He couldn’t have taken the cat.He hated that cat and Baby was hers.She bought her.”Wait…yes she is”
“Im sorry Paris,to disturb you on a holiday but…I saw a black cat outside and it looked like Baby”
“Its probably some other cat Mrs.Jones.I never let Baby outside unless shes with me”
“I know but…um… I found this”she said as she held up a blue tag.It had Baby’s name and her address
Her breath caught in her throat,she swallowed and whispered,”Where did you find this?”
“Outside in the front-“she said.
Paris didn’t let her finish as she ran down the steps.She ran to the front and sure enough there was a cat.But it wasn’t alive.It was laying on the side of the parking lot.She walked up to it and then saw her collar.It was Baby and she was dead.She fell to her knees and started sobbing
“Paris huney,Im so sorry”Mrs.Jones said as she tried to comfort her.But Paris pushed her away.She sat there in the parking lot and cried for a few minutes and didn’t care who saw.She figured that Baby got scared when Sean came and moved everything out and ran out the door and got hit.She could see tire marks imprinted into her fur.
“Shes gone”she said to herself as she sobbed.The cat was all she had and she treated her like it was her own child.It felt like she had a miscarriage or her child was murdered.She got up and ran inside,she had to find something to bury her cat.She looked through the boxes of clothes for an old t shirt that she could wrap the cat up in.
Then the phone rang,she was surprised to hear it.She thought that Sean had taken that too,even though she bought it.She found it sitting on the floor next to her diary and her mattress.She picked it up,hoping it was Sean so she could cuss his ass out.
“Hello?”she said in a quiet and shaky voice
“Miss Madison?”came a mans voice
“Yes”
“Sean asked me to call you”
“Where is he?And who is this!?”she demanded.Now he had people calling for him!What a fucking coward!
“I don’t know where he is,but Im representing him.Im an attorney.My name is Lawrence Allman”
“Why are you calling me?”she asked,she was confused
“I thought Sean would have told you,but I see that he hasn’t.He wants to sell the apartment”
She wasn’t surprised,”Ok…”
“But hes willing to give you one month’s grace before you put it on the market,unless you would like to buy him out at fair market value”Lawrence said
“What do you want from me!?And why are you calling me on a holiday? You aren’t supposed to be working”she said as she started to cry on the phone,”Im not buying the apartment back from him that’s for sure…I cant afford it”
“Miss Madison”Lawrence said quietly,now realizing how unreasonable his client has been,”Im really sorry.Theres no pleasant way to advise you of all this.I thought that maybe a phone call would help-“
“Its ok…its not your fault”she said as she tried to calm herself down
“Well lemme see,you can file for spousal support.You can at least get some money out of this”he said to her
“In order to get spousal support,you have to be a spouse right?”she asked
“Yeah,wait…you two aren’t-“
“No,we used to date…before he became an asshole”she said
“Um…ok…so you are not going to buy the apartment back from him?”
“No if he wants it so much he can have it”she said,she couldn’t believe that he was taking the apartment just so he can sell it and get some money out of it.
“Well hes giving you a month-“
“You know what?Put it on the market now,I know that’s what he wants”she said
“Are you sure?I think you should take the month so you can get yourself settled-“
“Im fine Mr.Allman just tell me what I need to do”she said,she had no use of the apartment now.
“Well ok,the first thing you need to do is to be sure that you aren’t there when its being shown to potential buyers”
“That’s fine”she said
“They want you to make your key available to the realtors and leave the apartment in good order”
“That wont be difficult.Did he tell you he has taken every piece of furniture with him?”she asked getting even more upset by all of this,”All I have is my mattress,my clothes thrown in boxes,my phone and my laptop.I’ll do my best to keep it neat”she said sarcastically
“Wait its not furnished?”
“No its not,he took everything,its practically empty”
“It might not show well that way.They probably think you refurnished”
“Well Sean should have thought about that before he came in and took every damn thing in here.Im not going to refurnish an apartment that hes taking from me”she said.She didn’t feel like talking about this any longer,”Is there anything else?I have things to do”she said,that was a lie,the only thing she could do is cry.
“No.We’ll proceed with the realtors and advise you who’ll be handling it.How soon do you want to start showing it?”
Paris shook her head,”Um…tomorrow whatever”she said
“Are you sure?”
“YES!”she shouted,then she stopped.She shouldn’t yell at him.It wasn’t his fault that he gets to represent an asshole.”Im sorry,yes I would like it to start showing tomorrow”she said quietly and calmer
“Alright,thank you.We’ll be in touch”he said
“Alright”she said and hung up the phone.She sat there on the floor and looked around,what was happening to her?Everything was going so well and now everything was being taken from her.”I need to take a bath”she said as she got up.She didn’t know what to do with herself and that’s the first thing that came to mind.
She walked into her now empty bathroom and turned on the water,she got undressed and wrapped the one towel she had around her and looked for her soap.But there was none,he even took her soap.She sat on the side of the tub and cried some more.
There was no discussion,argument or any conversation about what belonged to whom,or who wanted what.He had simply taken all of it,because he had paid for most of it and because he felt that it was his and he had a right to.There was nothing else she could do.
She let the water down the drain and found her silk slip that she always wore to bed.She was surprised he didn’t take that.She walked out of the bathroom and back into her room,it was now dark outside and she turned on the light.She was also surprised that he didn’t take the lightbulbs.
She saw the rain pouring down and saw some lightning flash.At least now the weather fit her mood.She sat there and cried as she sat on the floor next to the mattress.She put her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them and rocked back and forth.She sat there for who knows how long and then she realized that she needed someone.She didn’t want to be alone
She picked up her cell phone and saw Justin’s name under her recent calls.She almost forgot about him.She called his cell phone.He was probably still working and had no time for her now.It rang three times and she started crying again.He was still busy
She was about to hang up when she heard his voice,”Hello?”
She couldn’t speak,all she could do was cry and sniffle.Then she finally said,”Justin….”
“Paris?Im on my way”he said and then he hung up.
She stared at the phone,was it that easy?She was surprised that he was rushing to her rescue.The lights blinked a few times and she sighed,they would blow out any minute now.She rested her head on her kneecap and cried and waited for Justin to come.
__
“Sorry”Justin said as he cut another car off on the highway,he heard their horn honking at him.He was scared,he didn’t know what was wrong with Paris.But she didn’t sound too good on the phone.He was finished for the day and didn’t have to go in until Wednesday.He took the exit that would lead to the waterside near her apartment and sped there.
He pulled into the parking lot and ran up the steps and opened the door.He was shocked to see that her apartment was empty.Then he heard someone crying.He turned and saw Paris sitting on the floor next to a mattress,”Paris?You’ve been robbed?”he asked as he ran up to her and sat next to her
She shook her head no as she cried,”Why are you sitting here on the floor?What happened?”he asked her as he pulled her in for a hug.She cried in his arms for a few minutes and then pulled away
“Sean….”she said
“He did this?”Justin asked.She shook her head yes,”That bastard,why would he rob you?”
“No…”she said,”This apartment is his and hes been threatening to take this apartment away but I didn’t believe him and when I went to the beach today he came in here and took everything he even took my toothbrush and my soap and then his attorney called and now Sean wants me to sell the apartment and find a place of my own and Baby is dead and-“
“Whoa wait,slow down…Baby’s dead?”
Paris nodded her head,”She ran outside and got hit”she said as she started sobbing all over again.
Justin didn’t know what to do or what to say.He looked at her,she was just wearing a black silk slip,her hair was a little messy and her face looked red and splotchy from crying.But she still looked beautiful to him,”Ok..you need to get some rest ok?”he said as he laid her down on the mattress
“I cant sleep”she said
“Yes you will,you need it to clear your head.And anyways you love sleep right?”Justin asked as he laid on the mattress next to her.He gave the one pillow that was left to her and put it under her head.”Please stop crying Paris”he said,he couldn’t take it anymore.Hearing her cry made him want to die himself.
Just then there was a big roll of thunder,a big flash of lightning,and then the lights blew out,”Oh perfect…now I have no lights”Paris said through her tears.
Justin held her close to him and let her cry.She soon cried herself to sleep and soon he fell asleep too.
__
A big roll of thunder woke Justin up a few hours later.He looked at his watch and saw that it was almost 2 am.He looked and saw Paris laying next to him.She actually looked peaceful,but her face was still wet from all the crying.He still couldn’t believe at all that was happening to her.Sean must be one of the cruelest people he has ever known and he hasn’t even met the guy.
Justin tried to move his arm because it started to cramp up.He tried to do that successfully without waking her up…but he did.”Sorry”he said
“Hi”she said barely over a whisper,”What time is it?”she asked
“Its almost two”he said.Just then another flash of lightning flashed across the sky
“I hate lightning”she said in a shaky voice
“Do you have any flashlights?”he asked
“He probably took them all”she said and then started crying again
“Paris,please don’t cry”he said as he held her again.”Where do you usually keep them?”
“In the cabinet above the refrigerator”she said as she sat up
“No let me”he said,he turned on his cell phone and that was enough light for him to get across the room.Good thing there wasn’t any furniture or he would have broken something
“Did you find it?”she asked him
“Yep,he must have forgot it”Justin said as he turned it on
“I used to have a lot of candles”she said
“Where do you keep those?”he asked
“They might not even be there but I kept them in the bathroom”
Justin went in the bathroom and a few seconds later he said,”Damn you got a lot of candles”
“Its only like 10 in there”she said
“But you don’t have any matches”he said
“Oh”she said sadly
“I can use the stove”he said
A few minutes later,the room was lit up a little and it smelled like Warm Vanilla Sugar,”Smells good in here huh?”she said as she laid there
Justin leaned on his side so he was facing her,”Yeah it smells like one of those lotion shops”He heard her sigh,”What?”
“I miss Baby”she said
“I know you do-“
“God,after today Im not gonna have anyplace to go”she said
“What do you mean?”he asked
“The apartment is gonna be put on the market tomorrow,so I gotta be out of here…well by today actually”
“Does your mother know?”
“No,anyways she loved Sean and she still hates the fact that I broke up with him”
“Did you tell her that he cheated on you?”
“Yeah,but she says hes a man and men do that and I should have given him a second chance”
“Well Sean gives us guys a bad name”
“Anyways,she kicked me out of the house at 18,she certainly wont let me stay there when Im 23”
“But you were forced-“
“Justin,you don’t know Francine”she said,”I can give Chelsea’s mom a call”she thought.She was a manager of a local motel,she could a discount,”I could get a discounted hotel room until I get on my feet-“
“No Paris,you cant stay in a motel”
“Justin I have nowhere else to go!”she said sternly
“Then stay with me”he said
“No Justin I cant-“
“Your not intruding because I invited you.I have plenty of room”
“I don’t wanna be a burden”
“You wont be,Sean is the burden here.None of this is your fault”he said as he put his right arm across her stomach,”Anyways its like we’ve been doing this whole week,its just this time its like a sleepover.Oh!You can even make me breakfast in bed”
“Oh I get it”she said,”You just want me to stay for your own purposes”she said and half smiled
“Did I see a smile?I think I did”he said as he laid his head on her shoulder,”Is that a yes?Please say yes,I wouldn’t forgive myself if you were staying in a nasty motel or out on the streets”
“Ok,but I wont stay for long-“
“Yay!”he said excitedly as he sat up.She laughed a little and smiled up at him.Her dark brown eyes were moist and shining,they seemed to sparkle almost,”Oh…I forgot to tell you…”
“What?”she asked
“You look beautiful”he said
“No I don’t”she said,”I look a mess”
“Cant you accept a compliment?”he asked
Paris smiled,”Thank you…you do too”
“No...Im not beautiful…Im handsome…get it right”he said
She laughed a little,but then her smile soon faded and she sighed.He could tell that she had a lot of things on her mind.She had a lot of pain,disappointment and sadness in her eyes,she also looked so afraid because she didn’t know what she was going to do next.He wanted to kiss all of that away.Then he remembered the kiss that they shared a few nights ago.He loved it and he felt like he was in love with her.
He then leaned down and kissed her,he was afraid that she would pull away,but surprisingly she didn’t.She hesitated and soon her arms went around his neck and pulled him closer to her.He shifted his body so he can lay on top of her.
He let her tongue enter his mouth and returned the favor to her.He felt her fingernails going up and down his back,which sent shivers up and down his spine.He also felt her other hand playing with his hair.
He started kissing her on her neck and started sucking on it,his hands went up her leg and under her silk dress that she was wearing.Then she stopped
“Justin…I cant-“she said breathlessly,that kiss totally took their breath away
“Im sorry”he said as he pulled away from her and took his hand from under her silk dress
“Its just that Im…waiting..Im saving myself”she said
He looked at her,”You’re a virgin?”he asked
She nodded,”That’s why Sean left me.He was sexually frustrated even though he said that he promised to wait for me.I had to be in love with him and he had to be the same with me.He did say he loved me,but I never believed it.I never felt loved by him.But maybe…it doesn’t matter anymore,its just virginity right?”
“No,I mean.Its important to stick with what you believe in Paris.If you feel that you need to be in love with the person.Then good,that’s what making love means”he said,”And I agree with you.I never have sex with someone unless I know that they love me”he said to her.He was tempted to say that he loved her but he didn’t want to scare her.She already had too much on her mind
“Im probably the oldest virgin in LA.Hell,all of California”she said
“No,nuns and priests have to be celebate you know.Well some priests are,but we wont get into that”he said and he got a small laugh out of her,”But whoever you give your virginity to is going to be the luckiest guy in the world”
Paris shook her head,”Justin my virginity isn’t painted gold or anything”
“No,but..well I bet most guys agree with me when I say this.If a girl waits and waits until she is ready and is sure,then its gonna be better.Because virginity to a girl and virginity to a guy is different.To girls,its sacred.Once a girl loses it after waiting, the guy feels like she gave him a gift”
“Really?I thought that guys loved the girls who gave it up in a heartbeat”
“Some do,but deep down they wish they had something different”he said
“I don’t see my virginity as a gift”
“You should,most women would give anything to have theirs back”
“True”she said,”That’s what my mother says”she said and sighed,”I was a mistake”
“Hey shhh”he said as he held her close.”Don’t ever think that you’re a mistake. No one is”he said.He suddenly had this strong urge and he felt like he needed to take care of her,they both laid there and listened to each other breathe.They laid there in silence and soon they fell back to sleep.
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