"You're awake," Antoine whispers, and I turn to face him.
"I was afraid it was just a dream," I say honestly, smiling at him.
"It's not, baby girl." He leans in for a kiss, and when his lips meet mine, I smell coffee.
"Have you been drinking coffee without me?" I pull away and frown.
"It's almost midday, and I've been awake since sunrise." He shrugs as if justifying himself.
I laugh at how cute he looks when he does that.
"If you left no food, I'll eat you," I threaten, and I see a mischievous smile appearing on his face. "Oh, you want that, don't you?"
He wraps his arms around me and starts kissing me.
"I ordered fresh croissants and fruits; they are waiting for you." His mouth travels from my lips to my neck and collarbone. "Also, I've changed the coffee machine to make freshly brewed when you wake up."
I can't believe I am that lucky. Seriously. I always was a girl with lots of insecurities and a predictable future who didn't think she would ever find true love.
And here I am, lying in the arms of the best man in the world, ready to do anything to make me happy, even run away with me.
My phone starts ringing, and I startle in surprise, perfectly aware of who that might be: my aunt.
"Don't answer," Antoine says, holding me, trying to stop me from picking it up.
"I can't," I say, my eyes getting moist unexpectedly.
"Yes, you can," he tries to persuade me, still holding me in his arms.
"I have to," I whisper, my lips shaking.
"No, you don't. Tell her to fuck off and stay with me."
I chuckle. It isn’t that easy. There is a real world outside this fairy tale, and I can't hide from it forever.
I pull my hands out of his grip, and he lets me go. When I reach for the phone, I see my hands slightly shaking.
"Hello," I say quietly when I pick up.
"Where the hell are you?" I hear Fiona's voice and freeze in fear. She’s supposed to be in Corsica.
"I'm...reading..." I lie, unable to think of anything else.
"Get your ass here right now! We're waiting for you!" she keeps yelling.
"But...it's my birthday, I..."
"We'll talk about it later. Jules arrived this morning."
"Who?"
"Your future husband!" Her scream rings in my ear. "He wants to have an engagement party tomorrow, but first, he wants to see you. So don't screw this up as you always do! Get here right now!"
She hangs up without waiting for my response. I place the phone on the bed, unable to get up.
"I have to..." I try to say, but my throat is so dry that I can barely speak.
"I heard everything," he retorts, his harsh voice. "I'll go with you."