Chapter Twenty Four: The City of Love

Cole's POV

I saw her.

I just saw her.

I freaking saw her.

And now I’m here in my hotel room, arguing with myself if I should Cylene and tell her the whole thing. But one part of me was saying that it’ll just ruin her new happy life.

I can’t just bust in their house and scream, ‘hey Mrs. Carley, I’m taking your daughter back!” Nope. She deserves being comfortable now. She deserves everything she has now.

That’s when my laptop buzzed on the edge of my bed. I grabbed it and noticed that Cylene sent a message.

PurpleGuitarist: How are the travels with the devil?

I sighed at this. Should I tell her?

FireGuy: I’m dying here, Cy. Remind me again why I’m here?

I can imagine her rolling her eyes at my reply. But she did answer instantly.

PurpleGuitarist: Because there’s no changing dad’s mind. He said you went to a dinner party last night. Any interesting things happened?

I froze at this. Cy, why the hell would you ask that?

FireGuy: Nothing. I’s just all boring. How are B and K?

PurpleGuitarist: Still avoiding each other. Man, one of them should make the first move already.

I breathed a sigh of relief at this. At least she didn’t suspect anything. As for Brent and Kennedy, I told Cylene about how Brent feels towards Kennedy. We both agreed that they should sort out this ‘relationship’ themselves. That wasn’t working fine.

FireGuy: Yep, agree with you. Do you think it’s time we should do something about it?

PurpleGuitarist: No. We’re not butting in.

PurpleGuitarist logged out.

Okay, she logged out without even saying goodbye.

Sighing, I put away my laptop and went up to the big glass window. The streets are busy – typical Vegas – and spring was already in the air. I pressed my forehead against the glass and decided to come outside.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I walked around the mall, not caring if Dad will be looking for me. Most likely he wouldn’t mind me loitering in Las Vegas because of the tons of work he has to do.

Then I saw her.

Again.

She was in an ice cream shop, busy with her phone and she looked like she was waiting for someone. I decided to go inside the shop and watch her. It’s not like spying or anything, but don’t I deserve to just look at her after she’s been gone for so long?

I stared at her, when that same blonde guy sat in front of her with their orders.

Damn, why was she always with this guy?!

They were talking and happy with each other, and I wanted to march right up there and slap some sense into her face.

God, I miss you, Aesha.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Aesha’s POV

I looked up at James, who set the ice cream sundaes in front of me. I quickly grabbed the dessert and tasted the sweet sensation in my mouth.

“I felt like I haven’t tasted this for years,” I said to him. He chuckled and licked his ice cream, “It’s kinda getting boring at home, right?”

I snorted, “I’ll get bored by the time I take a swim in the pool.”

He smiled mischievously, “Oh, really? Then we’ll go swimming later, then.”

I pouted at this but didn’t say anything. Swimming isn’t such a bad idea…

“What are we doing after this?” I asked, taking a spoonful of my ice cream.

“We need to go home. Mom said she has a surprise for us.”

I raised a brow, “What kind of surprise?”

“It’s a surprise, Elsha! How am I supposed to know?!”

“It better not be another dinner party,” I grumbled.

He shook his head, “I’m sure it’s not that. Though, I hate her surprises. It’s not good news at all.”

“Why?”

He zoned out, recalling something…Probably something bad?

“Should I ask about this experience?” I questioned.

“Nope.”

I smirked. That was probably a traumatic experience by the look of his face.

“So about last night,” he started. I cringed at the memory of last night. It felt so weird.

“I was just…uncomfortable.” I said truthfully.

“This is about your powers, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” I admitted, “I guess it’s just the effect of spring, that’s all. My powers are getting weaker.”

He nodded in understanding, “It’s not that bad during spring and summer.”

I raised both my eyebrows, “James, do you even remember that time when I was nine and I really had a traumatic experience at the beach?”

His mouth formed an ‘o’ shape, “Fine, I remember. But don’t worry about it, Elsh. You’ll be okay.”

I doubt that. Ever since I got into this whole thing with Cole, it has this effect with our powers. Now that we know about each other’s then I guess this summer and spring will be bad for me.

James finished his ice cream. I took one last spoonful of mine, “What do you think Mom’s surprise is?”

He shrugged, “Maybe something for my birthday. It’s this April, remember?”

I slapped a hand over my forehead, “Dammit, James, I forgot about your birthday! Don’t worry, I’ll buy you a great gift.”

He smirked, “It better be good, Elsha. Surprise me.”

I honestly don’t know what to give him yet.

“I should probably get you a girlfriend,” I joked. He blushed and bit his lip, “Maybe,” he muttered. I laughed at his embarrassment and stood up from my chair, “Come on, James. Let’s find out what the surprise is.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~

“What’s this, Mom? A French magazine?” I stared at the magazine on the coffee table, in front of James and me.

She beamed at us and tangled her fingers together, “We’re going to Paris!”

My eyes widened. Paris?! Paris?! I turned to see my brother had the same expression as me.

“Mom, I went to New York, Florida, Seattle, Washington, Boston and every other freaking city in the U.S! And then we’re going to France?” he exclaimed. Mom nodded.

“What for?” I asked.

“Well,” Mom explained, “We have large opportunity to earn some more money and  that company happens to be in Paris. We wouldn’t want to leave you both here alone, so I thought maybe we can bring you along to the city of love.”

My brother and I looked at each other. Not a bad idea going to Paris…

“When are we leaving?” James asked.

“The flight’s tomorrow. You both should better pack your things and get ready.” She said. We nodded our heads and rushed to the elevator.

~~~~~~~~~~

“I can’t believe we’re actually going to Paris.” I said as we made our way to the sixth floor, where the swimming pool was.

“Me too.” James said, “They never take me out of the US.”

“Do you think it’ll be fun?” I wondered out loud, opening the door to the swimming pool. I didn’t have to gape because I’ve seen it before. The pool itself was rectangular and so large, it almost took most of the space in the sixth floor.

I changed into my bathing suit – definitely not a two piece/ bikini – in the changing room. I got out to find James in his swimming trunks, testing out the water.

“Is it cold?” I asked. He nodded and then I proceeded diving into the pool.

The cold went through me easily, and I can feel my eyes turn icy blue. I let the cool water run on my skin. This is so comfortable and satisfying.

I opened my eyes and saw James grinning mischievously at me. I rolled my eyes and asked, “What is it?”

“Can you make a water slide?” he begged. My eyes lit up at the idea. I raised my hand, controlling the water and making a water slide with it. I lifted James up with the water and placed him on the top of the water slide.

‘You’re the best, Elsha!” he came sliding down and made a big splash. I chuckled and said, “Why thank you, my dear brother.”

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I waited patiently for James to arrive here in the coffee shop. Yesterday, we landed in here, Paris France. Mom allowed us to explore here in the mall today while John and her take care of business. James and I agreed to meet here in Starbucks before we parted ways.

And he came back acting so weird.

I snapped my fingers in front of his face, “Hey, James! Are you alright?”

He jerked out of his daydreaming, “What? Were you saying something?”

I studied his face for a while then it hit me. I smirked, “I know that look, Jamie. You’re love struck.”

He blushed instantly, “N-no I’m not!”

I fake gasped, “You’re stuttering!”

He unconsciously turned his head to the right, “I saw a really beautiful girl somewhere here. I didn’t get her name, but I think she caught me staring at her.”

I smile etched across my face. Jamie was finally a man!

“Then what are you waiting for?! Look for her, grow a pair, and ask her out!” I said.

He blushed again and turned his head to the right, “That’s her there,” he said softly. My gaze shifted over to a brunette ordering a coffee. Beside her was a guy.

My eyes turn as large as saucers, “No! You can’t like her!”

He raised an eyebrow at me, “Why not?”

“Don’t you know who she is?!”

He shook his head. I bit my lip and gulped. Of all the girls in the whole planet, why her?!

“She’s Shaelon Camarell.” I said.

“Your stepsister, right? That’s great! You can help me know more about her!” he suggested.

“James, I can’t let her see me! Even though I’m happy that she’s alright, I can’t let her see me.”

But my love sick brother wasn’t listening, “Who’s the guy beside her?”

I rolled my eyes, “That’s Sean.” I wonder why they’re here in Paris. Maybe about Mr.Leigh?

“The gay?” he asked. I sighed. I hate people making fun of Sean like that.

I stood up from my seat, “Okay, fine. You can come up to her, flirt with her or something. But don’t ever mention anything about me. Got that?”

“Yeah, sure Elsha.” He agreed, his eyes still glued to my stepsister.

He’s just too innocent. He never had a girlfriend before, and I’m scared it’ll break his heart. Just being a caring sister, people!

I hid somewhere near Sean and Shaelon’s table to eavesdrop as Shaelon stood up from her seat and James ‘accidentally’ bumped her. The coffee spilled on James’ shirt.

Really, bro?! That’s your flirting technic?

“Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry!” Shaelon apologized while looking up at James. She smiled at him, as if in a daze. Oh damn, does she like him?

“It’s okay,” James said coolly, “I’ll buy you a new cup, if you want me to.”

She giggled, “No, it’s fine. Do you want to sit with me and my brother?”

He smiled, “I’d love to.”

When they reached the table, Sean gave his twin a confused look. She motioned him to just leave and Sean ran off to somewhere.

From where I was hiding, I can clearly hear their conversation.

“So what’s your name?” Shaelon asked. James smiled – arrogantly – and replied, “I’m James Carley.”

Shaelon giggled again. It’s not one of those flirtatious giggles. It’s the kind of giggles you just can’t hold back whenever you’re with someone you like.

“I’m Shaelon Camarell.” She said.

After that were kinda boring conversations. They were both lovesick with each other, I wanted to puke in my mouth. So I decided to leave and go to the highest floor of the mall, which was the roof top.

I inhaled the spring air, which still has a winter flavor in it. I leaned forward on the railing, looking at the city.

“Never thought I’ll see you here,” A voice said behind me. I quickly turned around and gulped.

“H-hi, S-sean.” I stuttered. I would expect someone else to find out about me first – like Cole – not my stepbrother.

He put his hand up to prevent me from saying anything more. “The jig is up, Aesha. You ran away and got rich. How?”

I smiled nervously, “I found my real Mom. My new family’s awesome.”

“Oh,”

“Sean,” I said and he looked up at me, “Promise me you won’t tell anyone?”

He smiled, “I promise not to tell anyone except Shaelon.”

“What?”

“She deserves to know!” he protested. I sighed and nodded.

“So,” he began, “I saw you spying on Shaelon while he was with that guy. You’re getting overprotective of her.”

I shook my head, “Yeah sure, I’m overprotective of her, but I’m worried about someone else.”

“That guy she’s with?” He raised an eyebrow.

“He’s James, my stepbrother in my mother’s side.”

“Okay, but for me, I wouldn’t worry much.”

I nodded in understanding. I took a step closer and squeezed him into a hug, “I missed you,”

He pulled away and I tousled his hair. He laughed, “Missed you too, Aesha. And not a word about you to the others."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ha! Stupid Aesha, she doesn’t know Cole actually found about her first! And who likes Jaelon?

Dedicated to Briqhtness for the banner she made! love it!!!!

 -Vireen