Today People

by Barbara G. Tarn

  "Wow." Brian grinned. "Kurt, I think you're already in love!"

  Kurt smiled sheepishly. "Maybe," he said. It couldn't be, though. It was way too sudden. No, he was just curious and intrigued by Becky. He wanted to know her better. Even if she totally refused to go to Paris with him, he wouldn't give up on her entirely. He really wanted to date her. Maybe he should have asked her out first, but then she didn't look like the kind of girl who would have said "yes"...

  ***

  Debby picked up the phone. "Wide Horizons good morning, how can I help you?"

  "Hi, it's Kurt." She recognized the voice anyway. "Did you convince Becky?"

  "I'm working on it." Debby glanced at Becky, feeling like a conspirator. Her colleague was answering the other line, so she continued in a low voice. "But she doesn't want the vacation and doesn't trust you."

  "I'm working on it too," he chuckled. "The vacation will be forced on her. I talked to your boss. As for me, I'm a gentleman, please convince her I don't want to hurt her."

  "That's the tough part!" Debby sighed. She glanced at Becky again. "She looks kind of upset, though. Are you the invisible owner of this franchising?"

  "No, but he's a dear friend of mine."

  "I should have known," Debby smiled against her will. "I must hang up, now. Don't worry, Cinderella is under control."

  Becky and Debby hung up at the same time. Becky looked upset and Debby burned with curiosity.

  "What happened?" she asked.

  "It was the boss," Becky answered flatly. "From Saturday I'm off for a week. I didn't ask for a vacation, though, did I?"

  "Good, now you can go to Paris with your Prince Charming!" Debby tried to cheer her up, thinking Kurt must be very smart (or very rich) indeed.

  "Debby, please, Prince Charming doesn't exist!" Becky snorted. "Why should I go to Paris with a complete stranger?"

  "Because he is handsome, rich and has chosen you to go with him," Debby said. "When will you get another chance like this? Think about how many would like to be in your place!"

  "Then why don't you go?" Becky pouted.

  "The ticket has your name on it," she smiled. "And I don't have a passport. Come on, you'll finally see the city you've been dreaming of, do you really care who pays?"

  Becky pondered. "Not really," she admitted. "With my savings it would take me another ten years to get there, with a cheap flight and a cheap hotel included..."

  "While now you're flying first class and sleeping in a suite at the George V." Debby smiled triumphantly. "What are you waiting for?"

  ***

  Debby took Becky to the airport.

  "You sure you know who I'm traveling with?" Becky asked.

  "Yep," Debby grinned. "And I'll pick you up next Saturday."

  "I'll try to call you during the week," Becky sighed. "I'll miss you."

  "Miss you too. But have fun!"

  They hugged each other, then Becky dragged her small trolley to the check-in counters. Kurt welcomed her with a smile.

  She had mixed feelings about the trip. She was excited at the prospect, but also worried by the company. She still hadn't figured out what he wanted from her and really hoped he wouldn't ask for something she wasn't willing to give. Although he was attractive – she couldn't deny it – therefore maybe... maybe not... She tried to think about their destination to distract herself from the jarring thought of him.

  His conversation was entertaining – he had traveled a lot and seen Many countries – so sometimes she found herself telling him things she wasn't expecting to say. But responding to his talk was becoming more natural as hours went by.

  She knew who he was now, AS she had heard his family name even if she had never bothered with his history. He knew how to put her at ease with his gentlemanly manners. He was smart and funny, sometimes she forgot They had just met and talked to him as if he were an old friend.

  She liked his smile and his voice and his eyes, and maybe if she could stop thinking about it, she might take it easier. If she stopped listening to those warning voices of prejudice and tried to hear what love had to say. If such thing actually existed, of course.

  Eventually she fell asleep on the long flight, as first class was so comfy she almost felt in her own bed. She woke up when they reached France, just in time for the final in-flight service.

  He had booked a limo to take them from the airport to the hotel. Of course. She felt a little silly getting in the luxurious car with her cheap trolley and her cheap clothes, but if he wasn't bothered, neither was she. She was too proud to show embarrassment.

  He looked tired and admitted he hadn't slept on the flight. She felt a little guilty, then the sights of the French capital distracted her.

  Her jaw dropped when they entered one of the two Royal Suites of the George V on the Champs Elisées. She wasn't expecting the direct access to a private terrace overlooking the historic Art Deco fountain of the Three Graces. The antique-filled suite featured oversized spaces for entertaining and relaxation, and the business convenience of a private office. Heck, it was bigger than her own apartment!

  There was a marble entrance foyer and oversized living room with marble fireplace, a dining area that seated up to eight guests, and the master bedroom had a spacious marble bathroom with steam room, sauna and a walk-in dressing room with hairdressing facilities; there was a second bedroom and a separate guest powder room off the foyer. French antiques, traditional fabrics and paintings dating from the 18th and 19th centuries took her breath away – one thing was looking at them on a computer screen, another was actually setting foot in the suite.

  She blushed and turned to Kurt.

  "Thank you," she said, overwhelmed.

  He smiled. "Which bedroom do you prefer?" he asked.

  "Uhm... that one." She pointed at the closest, not daring to explore.

  "Okay." He headed for the other one.

  "Kurt!" she called.

  "Yes?" He turned to look at her.

  "Do you usually come here alone and use all this space all by yourself?" she asked.

  "Yes, why?" He looked amused.

  "What do you need all this space for?" she wondered.

  "Family honor," he answered. "Only the most expensive suits us."

  "Oh." So he was that rich. Damn.

  He smiled again and retired to sleep.

  Becky looked around a little more, tip-toeing to the window to look outside, checking the kitchen, and eventually retired to sleep too, still wondering what she had got herself into.

  ***

  Kurt was amused by Becky's enthusiasm, as they walked up and down the streets of Paris. He had never walked that much, but following her in her exploration was never boring. Tiring maybe, but also fun. He discovered places he had never heard of, maybe because he usually came for business or other official events. He was aware of Paris art treasures, but he had never spent one day as a tourist, and it was refreshing.

  People-watching was as much fun as at home, but watching Becky awing at everything was even more interesting. Streets and buildings looked different when she pointed at something with an excited voice. It was fun to follow her Lonely Planet guide, but he quickly decided to unburden her of the task of trying to speak French – he was almost fluent, he could do the talk. Her beaming face was a wonderful reward.

  They dined on their private terrace after the first exciting day. They had had a couple of crèpes near the Cluny museum for lunch, but he insisted on having a proper dinner in their room – catered by the hotel, of course, he wasn't going to ask her to cook. Not that she had insisted on cooking herself, maybe it wasn't her thing.

  She didn't dress up for it, even if she changed clothes, and that was refreshing too. She obviously still didn't consider herself on a date with him, in spite of everything.

  "Why did you invite me here?" she asked as they finished, the waiter gone after serving the desserts.

  "Because I wanted to spend some time with you," he answered, leaving half of his c
rème brulée. "You see the world in a different way, and it's been a pleasure to rediscover this city with you."

  "I bet you never took the subway before," she teased.

  "No, but it's not the only thing you view differently," he replied, amused.

  She hesitated, playing with the crystal chalice with her last drop of champagne.

  "Kurt, are you rich?" Now she was serious again.

  "Very rich," he admitted with a shrug.

  "How much?"

  "Very much."

  "You know I'm not for sale, though, don't you?" She frowned.

  He laughed. "I didn't bring you here to buy you," he said. "I like being with you, because I can be myself."

  "We've been together for forty-eight hours!"

  "It's enough for me to tell."

  "And what is your real self like?"

  "Very simple."

  "Like this luxurious, historical suite?" She raised her eyebrows, skeptical.

  "Noblesse oblige," he smiled. "And I'm sick of women going after my money."

  "Then you shouldn't flaunt it in our face."

  "I'm sorry, I just thought we'd be more comfortable here, but if you prefer we can move to a lesser hotel or simpler room, but then you'd have to share the bed with me," he teased.

  She scoffed. "I don't think so," she said. "I'm not after you at all."

  "No, you're running away!" he chuckled. "But when you learn to trust me, we'll be very happy."

  "And if I never fall in love?"

  "It's a shame. I want to keep seeing you, and spend my life with you. Next move is yours. You know where I stand."

  She nodded, serious. "I'm very tired. I'm going to bed," she said.

  Both rose from their seats and he accompanied her to her bedroom door. He didn't try to kiss her, she looked upset enough. He went back to the terrace and looked at the city lights. He wasn't sure of how he felt, or why he had told her he wanted to spend his life with her. They had barely met. She was interesting, but...

  He sighed and decided to sleep on his own words. Things would be clearer in the morning, hopefully.

  ***

  The rest of the week flew by, through the Louvre and the Galleries Lafayette, brasseries and crèperies, a stop for a portrait near the Sacré Coeur and a show at the Moulin Rouge, including visits to Versailles and Vincennes.

  Becky went back to work still dreamy, welcomed by Debby's bright smile.

  "Welcome back! How was it?"

  "Fan-tas-tic! And he's a real gentleman." Becky still hadn't recovered from that. After their talk, the topic hadn't been brought up again, not even at the airport when he had said good-bye like an old friend.

  "You mean you haven't..." Debby looked disappointed, but she was proud of herself.

  "I didn't want to make it too easy for him," she said. Although maybe she had turned him off completely, a small voice whispered. She ignored it.

  "Right, he needs obstacles," Debby didn't sound convinced. "So you said good-bye and that's it?"

  "I gave him my phone number," she admitted. She wasn't sure it had been a good idea, but she had done it without thinking. "We're going out Friday night and then we'll see."

  "Tell me... do you still think he's an arrogant prick?" Debby asked, half teasing and half challenging.

  "I must admit I was wrong about him," she sighed. "He seems to be in love... do you think I look like I'm after his money?"

  "Are you after his money?"

  "N-no, I mean, he's sweet, takes care of everything, makes me feel protected..."

  "Becky..." Debby smiled mischievously. "You're falling in love!"

  She shrugged with a smile. "It's very possible," she admitted. "What's wrong with it?"

  "Nothing, Cinderella. I'm very glad to see a fairy tale come true."

  "And do you believe in Happily Ever After?"

  "You know I do. And so do you."

  Becky wasn't sure about that. Life wasn't a fairy tale, and Prince Charming and Happily Ever After were just that. Even if she actually ended up with Kurt, it wouldn't be that easy to keep the relationship going.

  But then she hadn't felt like this for someone in a very long time... and maybe life sometimes became a fairy tale!

  ***

  He took her to a posh restaurant and they talked. She wore her best dress for the occasion, looking as elegant as the other guests. She had learned behaviors from movies, but he was very sweet in explaining what she had missed.

  In the limo on the way back, they were both silent. She wondered what was behind his thoughtful smile and hoped he was still interested. She had behaved as a perfect lady, the best she could, what would happen now?

  He accompanied her to her building's door. Her voice refused to come out, but her body gestured to come in.

  He shook his head, still smiling, then kissed her lightly on her lips and motioned her inside.

  She went in sort of dazed and didn't look back. Something went wrong? she wondered, still tasting the sweet but short kiss.

  "Just a kiss?" Debby couldn't believe her ears either when she told her. "You're kidding me! Where did you find that guy?"

  "He found me, remember?" she replied, uneasy. "Now, what shall I do? I mean, I think I've let him know I'm interested too..."

  "Why don't you call him, invite him somewhere and tell him everything?" Debby suggested.

  "You think I should call him?" she worried. She hated the phone, so impersonal, and she couldn't even see him and...

  "Well, why does he have to make all the moves?" Debby shrugged. "If you're interested, dear, you better let him know before he tires of chasing you!"

  "He says..."

  "He might meet somebody else in this very mall, someone who isn't too shy to use the phone."

  "Debby, I hate you when you're so damn right," she snorted, frustrated.

  "Then pick up that goddamn phone and call him!" Debby smiled encouragingly.

  Becky stared at the awful thing with a frown. She'd defeat it. Now.

  She relaxed and picked up the phone.

  ***

  Kurt was playing golf with Brian when his cell phone rang.

  "Yes? Oh, hi..." his heart started beating faster. He couldn't believe his ears. "Okay, I'll be there, see you later."

  He hung up and almost jumped for joy. "Sorry, pal, gotta go," he told Brian, beaming.

  "Who the hell was that?" Brian wondered. "I never heard you obeying so promptly!"

  "It was Becky." Saying it was exhilarating. "She wants to have lunch with me."

  "The girl at the mall?"

  "Yep. Gotta go, call you."

  "Man, you're fucked up!" Brian shook his head.

  Kurt smiled, shrugged and jogged away.

  He still couldn't believe it when he sat at the table where he had met her. She had the same serious expression of that first day, but he knew things were different now.

  "I hope I haven't disturbed you with my phone call," she said.

  "No, it was a great surprise. And I'm not that busy anyway," he answered, trying to control himself. He wanted to hug her and kiss her and stop talking at once. But he wasn't going to rush it.

  "What were you doing?" she asked, curious.

  "Playing golf with my friend Brian," he shrugged. "And he was winning."

  "Oh, I guess I should have known," she sighed. "Forgive me for saying it, but the 'very rich' part is the only thing that bothers me about you."

  "Why? Did you have a bad experience with a rich guy or is it only a matter of prejudice?"

  "Prejudice. Goes both ways, you know. The rich don't like the poor, the poor don't trust the rich. Usually. Because you take some things for granted and we have other priorities, or something like that." She snorted her frustration at not being able to express herself properly. It had looked so easy during their first encounter, was she now embarrassed because she was starting to care about him?

  "I appreciate your honesty about it, but as I told you, I could live without all that
money," he said, impressed by the fact that his main attractive to other women was actually a hindrance in her case.

  "Wouldn't you miss the parties, the golf club, the Royal Suite and all that stuff?" she wondered.

  "All that stuff is kind of boring after all these years," he replied. "And actually I'm thinking about starting my own business."

  "Would your parents approve of me?" she insisted.

  "Probably not, but I don't give a damn," he said. "I'm leaving my golden prison anyway, you only have to decide if you're coming with me or not."

  She stared at him, thoughtful, for a moment. He prayed she wouldn't let him down. His new life would be good, but with her it would be perfect, a dream come true. Now he knew what he really wanted, but she had to make her own choice.

  "I do," she said at last. "I do want to be with you. I do want to spend the rest of my life with you. But I don't want you to lose your privileges."

  "I won't lose them all, don't worry," he assured. "I do have money of my own and I can be as successful as my father if I want to."

  "I have no doubts about that..." She blushed. "So what do we do now?"

  He took her hands across the table. "How about you meet my parents on Sunday, then I meet your folks and give you an engagement ring?"

  "With diamonds?" her voice trembled and her smile was weak, but she left her fingers in his hands.

  "Of course," he grinned. "And then we can get married and live happily ever after. What do you say?"

  "Let's do it. But I want you to pick me up when I finish work today and take me home. We still have a lot to talk about."

  He squeezed her hands. "Sounds perfect. Are you going to eat something? I don't want you to starve..."

  And he could wait to kiss her. Wait until they were alone in her small apartment, where lips met, hands went everywhere and clothes started flying...

  ***

  Becky showed Debby her engagement ring – white gold, no diamonds, as that was meant to be a joke – still overwhelmed by the events. Her parents were delighted, of course, but Kurt's parents hadn't been impressed by his choice. She wasn't sure she could have her Happily Ever After.

  "Sorry I couldn't make it to the engagement party," Debby apologized. "How is everybody?"

  "His best friend is nice," she answered. "But some of those girls were really mean."