Chapter 2
1652 Words
Vincent
5 years earlier
"Good morning, beautiful," I say to Eliza, my wife. I met her 6 years ago at university. We dated for 5 years and got married a year ago.
She is a woman with a big heart. I fell hopelessly in love with her the first time I saw her, her bright blue eyes, a sweet smile, and blonde hair that falls to her waist.
Her slim and slender body caught my attention immediately. Being a focused young man who had to take responsibility for a huge company in the United States, I felt it was best to marry her.
My parents lived in Los Angeles until three years ago, when I finished my studies, and they left everything in my hands. Their trip was to take care of the companies here in France.
We see them every Christmas and New Year's.
My brother comes and goes whenever he wants; he's an irresponsible person who's only interested in travel, motorcycles, and going from club to club. He's a total Casanova, only participating in company meetings when his assets are at stake. I shake my head at the thought.
"Good morning, handsome," Eliza replies with that sweet smile. I approach and kiss her rosy lips, smiling, and bring over the breakfast tray I prepared for her. She takes the rose, inhales its fragrance, and closes her eyes.
"What's the plan for today?" she asks, taking a bit of omelet with her fork.
"You know me very well," I say and laugh.
She laughs and takes a sip of orange juice.
"We'll take a walk around the village, then have lunch at your favorite restaurant, come back home, and make love," I answer, stealing a piece of fruit.
"We're in the French Alps, how can we not go skiing?" She asks, raising both hands in a playful gesture.
She loves skiing, but I don't like it, to be honest, so I try to delay that outing, although I always give in to her wishes. I could never deny her anything.
"Alright," I pinch her small nose. "I'll organize everything for this afternoon." she smiles triumphantly. God, I adore her.
I leave her with her breakfast and go to take a shower, put on suitable clothes for the snow, and wait for her to be ready.
She looks beautiful with that gray wool hat and her oversize pink coat. We go out in the car and take a drive, admiring the incredible landscape.
She looks out the window with a smile, which makes me smile. We arrive at the village and decide to walk around hand in hand, entering some small shops.
She buys a lot of gifts for her parents and mine, even for Oliver, my brother. We'll pass through Paris before returning to Los Angeles.
I receive a call from the office while Eliza continues shopping.
I see her coming out of the store holding something, and I frown.
"I have something for you," she says with a smile and shows me a hat with ears. It's very funny, and she laughs, amused.
"Oh no!" I say, shaking my head from side to side.
She makes puppy-dog eyes, making me melt.
I rolled my eyes and let her put it on me.
"You look even more handsome," she says, smiling.
"I'm not so sure about that," I say, making a face. She laughs heartily and links her arm with mine.
We continue walking and head to lunch. She orders for me, and I order for her; it's a custom. We know each other very well.
We leave the place and go home to get ready to go skiing. I put on the suit, and she does the same.
"You look beautiful in that bulky suit," I say and kiss her lips.
"I look fat," she says, placing her hands on her hips. I laugh, hug and kiss her on the nose.
"Of course not!" She shows me her perfect smile.
We leave the house, get in the car, and a while later we arrive at one of the many places to start skiing.
Eliza is very excited. I see the instructor arrive; Eliza loves skiing but doesn't do it very often.
She starts doing practice movements. I stand to the side of them, listening to the instructions.
We begin to practice. I watch her go down and up on short runs. After a while, she moves to a steeper part of the mountain. I don't lose sight of her.
"Sweetheart, I don't think it's a good idea," I suggest, watching her move away.
"Honey, I'll be fine," she shouts from there.
I decide to approach her, walking quickly even though it's uncomfortable with these snow boots.
She has already started sliding on the snow. I see her going down quickly and know something is wrong.
I run, trying to reach her, but I can't. I see her fall from a high part of the mountain. My heart races, and I run to where she is. The trainer meets me.
I arrive almost breathless and see her unconscious, her nose bleeding. I feel my world stop when I see the height from which she fell.
I feel her pulse, take my phone, and the instructor gives me instructions to call for local emergency services. I ask for help and hang up the call.
"Eliza, my love," I say with my heart in my throat, taking her hand and caressing it.
"It's better not to move her," says the instructor. I nod, and my tears start to fall down my face.
"Please wake up, don't leave me, please," I'm by her side on my knees, looking at her face, wishing with everything I have that she wakes up.
I start to get impatient, and that's when I hear a helicopter. It doesn't take long to land.
I see the paramedics get off. They carefully place her on a stretcher. I see them place her inside the helicopter, and I get in after them, holding her hand while the paramedics examine her. God, I can't lose her. I cover my face with my other hand.
"She has a pulse. We'll do tests at the hospital," says the man while looking at the screen.
I nod, not letting go of her hand. God, I should have refused; it's my fault. I feel fear and anxiety.
We arrived at the hospital. The doctors are waiting for us with a stretcher. They transfer her from one stretcher to another. They give me instructions.
We go down in an elevator. Even though I want to go with her, they don't allow it and leave me in the waiting room.
I run my hands through my hair in frustration.
Damn it! I should have told her no. I walk back and forth, unable to calm the nerves that have taken over me.
Hours pass. I'm sitting in one of the chairs with my head in my hands.
"Mr. Lacroix?" the doctor asks.
I stand up immediately and walk quickly to her.
"How is my wife?" I ask in a whisper.
"She has a severe brain injury, some fractures. We had to perform surgery. She had internal bleeding. Unfortunately, we couldn't do anything for her baby."
What? Did I hear right?
"Baby?" I ask, unable to believe it.
"Yes, your wife was one month pregnant and lost the baby."
I feel everything inside me shatter. I fall heavily into the chair behind me, and the tears flow uncontrollably, covering my face with both hands.
"We'll do our best to save her," the doctor says, patting me on the back. I feel desolate.
I see people running towards where Eliza is. The doctor runs quickly. I lift my face.
"What's happening?!" I stand up and shout to the doctor.
She shakes her head and runs toward the emergency room.
Present Day
It's been 5 years since the tragic day of the accident, my life changed completely.
Solitude has become my companion, and I've turned into a somber man. The only thing that keeps me going is putting the company first.
"Sir, everything is ready for your trip," Philippe enters my office.
I will travel to France for a partners' meeting, and I'll be there for a month.
I'll be seeing my parents for the first time in three years. I decided to distance myself from the world; people did nothing but look at me with pity.
How pathetic. I don't need anyone's pity.
I stand up and walk with him to the building's parking lot.
"Sir, your brother called since you didn't answer him. He said he would spend some time in the city and stay at your house," I sigh.
He only comes to conquer women and spend entire nights in clubs and bars.
My phone rings, and I see it's him.
"Hello?" I answer in a dry tone.
"Is that how you answer your dear brother?" he speaks with sarcasm.
"What do you want?" I ask, annoyed.
"I'm going to stay a couple of days at your house."
"Philippe already told me. Just don't bring any of your conquests and don't sleep with the girls who work at the mansion. I don't want to have to fire another one because of you."
I hear him laugh.
"I'm serious," I say in a slightly louder tone.
"Calm down, little brother. You should try to conquer some girls and relieve stress. Maybe that way you'll be less bitter."
Without another word, I hang up. I'm not interested in anyone else; no one can fill the hole I have in my chest.
I get into my car with Philippe beside me, busy answering emails and calls. I see the city through the car window.
We arrive at the airport, and my plane is ready.
After a few hours of traveling, I arrive in France and head straight to my parents' house.
- Writer
