My Beloved Charm

Chapter 7: The Meet-Up in Paris

"I walked away for the past six years hurting him, but deep in my heart... I hurt him. I was the one who was hurt the most because of what I did." - Cez

...

March 20 at Juliana Hotel in Paris, France

Cez' Point of View

It was indeed a long hours of flight from Midtown Manhattan in New York going here in Paris, France. Exhausted. Tired. And mukhang magkaka-jet lag pa yata ako.

And now, I have arrived in the City of Lights or long-before known as La Ville Lumière in French. I don't want to tackle more about the Age of Enlightenment about this place. But, it's just one of the many places I wanted to visit and discover in my bucket list. Who would have thought that an opportunity paves the way for me to reach this place? It's a blessing in disguise.

What I can only say is that, it is one of the most Romantic Place I wanted to visit. And here I am standing in front of the giant Eiffel Tower.

Alone.

Travelling alone. But, not totally alone because I am here for a job. I am here for a photo shoot and I was invited by a certain director together with my handler to be the lead actress in the movie they are going to tell me later on, which up until now, I was a little surprised. Sinong mag-aakalang ang isang tulad kong wala namang acting stint ay kukunin as lead actress?

"Bienvenue à Juliana Hotel jeune dame (Welcome to Juliana Hotel, young lady)," a butler greeted, and smiled at me. Then, I entered the hotel.

It was a 5-star hotel in Paris, France. I am not the one who choose this, but it was the director. It's another surprised because this hotel is just 9-minutes walk to the Eiffel Tower. That's the only thing I know. But, I guess, I still have lots to know about this hotel. I need to explore the area if I have spare time. After all, and just like I said Paris is one of those country in my bucket list as a Romantic Place to visit.

"Welcome to Juliana Hotel, madam." I was greeted by the receptionist in a French accent who speaks English.

"Je vous remercie (Thank you)." I said in French. It's just a basic French that I know. Pero ang totoo, wala talaga akong alam sa lengguahe nila. But, it's better na may kaunting nalalaman para hindi magmukhang tanga.

"Do you understand English?" I asked the girl receptionist.

"Yes, of course, madam." Thank God, she speaks and understand English. Though, the accent was still there.

"Can you tell me if what other tourist attractions are near your hotel aside from the Eiffel Tower?" Out of curiosity, I asked her.

"I will, Madam. The Champ de Mars and The Eiffel Tower are the closest to our hotel. They are both 9 minutes walk from here. Then, there's Arc de Triomphe, which is 15-minute walk, the Grand Palais about 11-minute walk, and the Rodin Museum, which is about 14-minute walk from here." She smilingly said then handed me a little leaflet about the hotel and the surrounding area. I accepted it then browse for a minute.

"May I have your name, Madam so I can check your reservation and ask our butler to lead you to your room?" She smiled again while asking me. I almost forgot. I replied smiling at her the give her my name on the reservation.

"I registered under the name of my handler, Ms. Charlemagne Switzel." She thanked me then entered the name I provided on their reservation system. After a minute or two, she dialed a number and called one of the butler. The butler arrived and the girl receptionist handed the key to him. I just followed the guy to lead me to my room.

According the leaflet I was reading, they have 7 floors, Then, I saw the butler pushed the 7th button on the elevator. When we arrived at the 7th floor, I was accompanied all the way to the room I reserved. I just thanked the butler when I entered the room.

It's a queen size bed. Then, there's a sliding door with a little terrace with a view of the tower and the large garden, which I believe it was the Champ de Mars.

For a few minutes, I closed my eyes and breathe then feel the warmth of the afternoon coldness. The temperature is currently not cold nor hot. But, most of the time, I can still feel the coldness of the summer here.

I think, I'd rather stay like this for a few more minutes, but suddenly, my phone rings. I went back to the room then closed the sliding door and answered the call.

"Yes, Charlie?" It was Charlemagne, my handler.

"Meet me at the Champ de Mars in about 15 minutes." She hurriedly said. I thought I can still relax, but I guess I cannot.

"Alright, then. I'll go along. I just arrived at the hotel." I answered her back.

"I apologize, but the director wants to talk to you. He just also arrived and the lead actor was already with him, right now. We only have 15 minutes. So, you'd better hurry." She just hung up the phone without hearing my side. Lagi na lang ganoon ang handler ko.

What else can I do. What Charlie said, must be done without question. So, I hurriedly went out of my room. I will just have to take a cab or probably just walk going to the Champ de Mars then call Charlie to ask the exact location.

It was indeed a 9-minute walk from Juliana Hotel. I arrived about 5-minutes before the exact time. Then, I called Charlie to ask where she is. I looked around then saw someone waving at me. I walked over to the place where she stood.

"Hi, Charlie." I waved at her then she looked at me and smiled. Beside her was an average looking man and a middle aged man, which I assumed it was the Director.

"Mr. Blanchard, this is the lead actress." Mr. Blanchard, a middle aged man smiled at me then offered a handshake, which I accepted.

"It's a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Blanchard. You can call me Cez with the 'Z'." I introduced myself.

"Nice meeting you, Cez. I never expected to see such a young and lovely lady standing in front of me. And by the way, the guy beside me is the lead actor I have chosen. He is new, but he is already tested and proven when it comes to acting." Then, the director introduced the guy to me. He looks familiar. Nambola nga lang sa umpisa tungkol sa beauty ko.

"I'm J.P. You can call me, J.P." He smiled at me. His smile resembles someone I have known from the past. I just can't remember where and when did I saw him.Then, I accepted his handshake.

And for the third time in my life, I felt another connections about his warmth handshake, which I can't even recall where and when. O baka init lang ng palad o ang naramdaman ko at hindi connections na kung anuman ang iniisip ng utak ko. .

The handshake lasted for a minute then five, ten, and almost 15 minutes. He never let go of my hand. I don't know why, but I guess he reminds me of someone from my past. A person I knew that I couldn't remember.

"Mr. J.P. Can you let go of my hand now?" I told him. He was surprised to see my face looking a little bit mad. But then, I smiled at him, acting professional in front of the director.

"I am sorry. You... you are indeed lovely. Nice meeting you, Cez." He was still looking at me while my handler and the director were currently talking each other about the project. Ako naman ay umiwas na agad ng tingin sa direksyon niya. Pero ramdam kong may kung anong kirot at kakaibang pintig na naramdaman ang puso ko nang mga oras na iyon.

I don't know exactly what is my happening to my heart right now. It was beating too fast. May kinalaman ba ang handshake na akala ko ay init lang na nagmumula sa aking palad o si JP ang dahilan kung bakit ganito ngayon ang nararamdaman ko?

Whenever I looked at him, he smiled at me. Why is he doing that? It that how friendly he is?

Who is he? Is he something I really know from the past? Or someone I have forgotten that I don't want to recall?

He was indeed familiar, but I can't remember. Kahit anong pilit kong hanapin sa utak ko ay hindi ko maalala kung saan ko siya nakita.

The only thing I remembered was a memory coming out of my head telling something I cannot forget.

"I walked away for the past six years hurting him, but deep in my heart... I hurt him. I was the one who was hurt the most because of what I did."