by Lena Skye
“I miss him a lot, and I hate that I haven’t gotten the chance to speak to him as much as I thought that I would. But he’s busy, and I’m busy. When you throw in our time difference, we just don’t have many opportunities to talk. I don’t know how long we’re going to make it like this.”
“Don’t think about it too much because you’ll just drive yourself insane. It’s only been a few days so you all haven’t had the chance to work the kinks out of this arrangement. Focus on work, and when you get the chance to talk to him, express your concerns. He seems like the kind of man that will listen.”
“You’re right, he does his best to accommodate the request that I make, even when I’m trippin’.
“See. Now you just let me know if you need anything. I’ll do my best to make your transition here easier. I would show you where all of the fine straight men are, but you have one already.”
I laughed, “Thank you, you’re doing a wonderful job already.”
#Chapter15
“Okay what the hell is going on?”
Nicole
A few days later I was starting to really get into the zone.
I knew my team a lot better, I was traveling all over Paris and meeting different designers. I was able to literally get my hands on pieces that I previously only dreamt about. My dream had arrived, and I had to pinch myself every morning when I woke up in my condo. I was probably spoiled for home because I didn’t have to drive anywhere. My company car was sitting in the same spot where it had been since I’d received it. My driver took me anywhere I wanted to go and at any time. I didn’t bother him in the evening though.
On this particular morning I felt amazing, and the sun wasn’t even shining. That’s the biggest thing that I missed from home. It always seemed to be so dark in Paris to me; it was a good thing that I didn’t have to care about a tan, because it wasn’t going to happen. I still wore shades because it made me feel bad ass as I stepped out in my custom designed dress, and 5 inch Giuseppe Zanotti heels.
My car was sitting outside, but my driver didn’t open the door. I knew that it was mine because of the license plates. I was a little annoyed because he ruined my exit from the building. I had it played out perfectly in my head. I would sashay out to the expensive car with blacked out windows. He would be standing there with his white gloves, and perfectly tailored black suit (he doesn’t even wear white gloves), and he would hold the door open for me. He would greet me in French like he does every morning, close the door behind me, and we would set off to work. I loved that image because it kind of made me feel like Miranda Preistly from The Devil Wears Prada.
But today I guess a bug had crawled up my drivers butt, and he wasn’t in the mood to open my door for me. Now if I was Miranda Preistly I would have checked his ass but I kept quiet and stewed in silence as we headed to our destination. He began driving, but we weren’t going our usual route. I’d come to recognize the scenery that we passed every day, and this definitely wasn’t the same way.
“Excuse me, where are we going?” I asked.
The driver remained silent, and I figured that was probably because he couldn’t understand a word that I was saying. He spoke French and not much English. He always opted for silence when he didn’t know what the hell I was talking about. I was trying to learn French, but it wasn’t clicking the way that I wanted to, so I didn’t know how to speak to him. We drove for a little while longer, and nothing looked familiar at all. That’s when the panic set in.
I began to wonder if I was being kidnapped. I didn’t want to end up on an oxygen or lifetime show because I was being stupid. I had missed a huge sign. He usually got out of the car and on this day he hadn’t. Was it even him driving the damned car? I couldn’t see his face because his hat was too low. However, I noticed the salt and pepper grey hair at his temples that bore a striking resemblance to someone I knew.
Before I could say anything, he pulled over, and stopped the car.
He took his hat off, turned around with a huge grin spread across his face. With a horrible French accent he said, “Are you ready for your happy ending madame?”
I was stunned as I saw Michael sitting in the front of the car, and I was rendered speechless. He turned back around without waiting for a response and took off again.
“What are you doing here?” I asked in surprise.
“I’m driving you around silly,” he said with amusement in his voice.
“I know that,” I said, “I mean what are you doing?”
“You’ll just have to wait and see.”
Within moments we arrived outside of the Eiffel Tower. He pulled up and I got out of the car. I was amazed to see Patrice, Jasmine, Cedric and Reuben standing and waiting for me.
I was excited and confused at the same time; I wondered what was going on.
Reuben had a huge smile on his face. “Well hon, work is canceled for the day because you have more important matters to take care of.”
I went over to both of my friends and gave them a huge hug. I was taken aback because no one was really speaking, they were only grinning like idiots.
“Okay what the hell is going on? Why is everyone here but Kenneth?
Patrice gave me a knowing wink, “I have a feeling that he will be showing up very soon.” She then looked to our right and pointed, “I think that might be him.”
I looked over and saw Kenneth arriving in a horse and carriage. He was sitting in the back in a brand new suit holding a rose. He was accompanied by a violinist playing romantic music. My heart swelled with joy, and I wasn’t sure if any of what was happening was real. I was sure that I was going to wake up at any moment and find out that it was a cruel dream. That had happened to me a few times before.
Kenneth stepped out of the cart and gave me a huge hug before he handed me the rose.
“I’ve missed you so much,” he said.
“Oh my god, I’ve missed you too,” I said as I trembled.
As I took the rose he then got down on one knee. I was sure that my eyes were about to bulge out of my head. I looked around, and there was a small crowd forming around us, and they were pulling out their camera phones. I couldn’t believe what was happening to me and finally in a good way.
“Nikki, you are the best thing that’s ever happened to me. You’ve believed in me even when I gave you reasons to lose hope. I’ve come to realize that my life doesn’t make sense without you in it. You are my other half. You are my soul mate. Would you do me the pleasure of being my wife?” He asked as he took out a beautiful and huge round cut ring with a double halo around it.
I shook my head as I tried to fight back tears. I never envisioned this for myself, it was all too perfect. It was greater than I felt that I deserved. I squeezed my eyes closed.
“Nicole?” He asked.
“Oh, yes!” I exclaimed.
Everyone cheered as Kenneth began to slide the ring on my finger, stood to his feet, and we kissed. The violinist began again, and it was all delightfully cheesy. I couldn’t stop crying tears of sheer joy. I’d spent so much time being sad, and he was preparing to come see me. He took my hand and led me into the carriage. We waved to the people that we loved and to the small crowd of tourists that had formed then Kenneth directed the horse down the street. He kissed me, and the crowd began to cheer. I felt like royalty in that moment.
We went on a tour of the city. Reuben had taken me on a tour a few days prior so I was able to point out some things and sound a little knowledgeable but it was beautiful nonetheless. The sun had come out as well, and I thought that was pretty ironic. Kenneth had champagne aboard, and we sipped as we enjoyed the warm day and talked. I didn’t want to rain on my own parade, but I had to deal with what was bothering me.
“This has all been so amazing, but it doesn’t change the fact that you’re going back to Atlanta and that we live 1000s of miles apart. Being without you for so long has been killing me,” I said.
He gave me a smug look, “Who said that I’m go
ing back to Atlanta?”
“What about your clients? Michael? Your business?”
“Shhhh,” he responded as he put a finger to my mouth. He leaned in and whispered into my ear,
“As long as I’m with you, nothing else matters.”
I leaned back and gave him another peck on the lips. He’d just made me the happiest woman in Paris.
He continued, “The times of my life that I’ve been apart from you have been the worst times. Even when you were gone for a day, I found it hard to function. Some people are just made for each other no matter what happens, and that’s us. As far as I’m concerned, nothing else matters in life as long as we’re together. I’m here to stay, and I’m never leaving this time no matter what comes our way.”
“You don’t know how long I’ve wanted to hear that,” I said, “I was so worried, and I wondered if I made a huge mistake by moving here.”
“You didn’t make a mistake, you followed your dream. I want you to have the life that you deserve and this job is wonderful. There’s no way that I couldn’t have allowed you to take it.”
“You’re right, it has been amazing. It’s so far beyond what I imagined.”
“Also, I don’t want to let the Amanda incident ruin what we have together or put me off of marriage. So just to prove how serious I am, I’ve already set the date.”
“Yeah? When?” I asked excitedly.
*
Six weeks later, I was a bundle of anxious nerves.
It was the morning of my wedding and everyone that I wanted to be there had been flown in. My dream come true was happening, and I had several moments where I would jump up and down and squeal. Luckily the two people that I loved understood where I was coming from.
“Girl if you don’t stop squealing, you’re going to give me a headache,” Patrice said.
“Sorry I just have so much nervous energy, I have to get it out,” I laughed.
“Here drink up, it helped me a lot when I got married,” Jasmine said as she handed me a mimosa.
“But don’t drink it too fast, drunk brides are not cute and you don’t want to mess up your pictures.”
I took slow sips of my mimosa as we sat in the bridal suite at the mansion that we were getting married in. “I can’t believe that I’m about to get married.”
“Believe it, it’s happening and it’s long overdue,” Jasmine said, “You and Kenneth have been beating around the bush long enough.”
“That’s the truth,” Patrice chimed in.
“Oh shut up, everyone knows that me and Kenneth are on our own time. We don’t do things by the book. We like to go in circles before we get to our destination,” I laughed.
“Small circles,” Patrice said.
“Redundant circles,” Jasmine said quickly.
“Oooh you all play too much, now help me get into my dress so that I can marry my man.”
Before I knew it I was at the altar with Kenneth. I was the one marrying him and no one was going to stop us. I didn’t have anything to hide, and I wasn’t trying to trick him. He was mine, and I was his. Behind him stood Michael and he was smiling brightly. I then noticed that he wasn’t really staring at us, he was staring behind me. The only two people behind me were Jasmine and Patrice. I made a mental note to be nosey about that later.
I then refocused on the man that was standing before me. It was difficult to stare directly at him without tears forming. The love that I had in my eyes was reflected in his. He and I had finally reached the finish line, and we didn’t allow any adversity to stop us. We won!
“You may now kiss the bride,” the minister said.
My husband didn’t waste any time, he gently placed his hand on my face and kissed me. It was perfect.
*
The day was wonderful.
Nicole and I were at the hotel. We planned on leaving for our honey moon in the morning and I could not wait. I helped myself to the wine while Nicole was in the bathroom getting prepared for our first night together as husband and wife. I told her that I didn’t need any fancy lingerie, but she insisted. I wasn’t going argue and deprive myself of the chance to see her scantily clad.
I wish that I’d gotten my act together sooner. I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t treat her the best in the beginning. However, we weren’t ready for such a huge step. We didn’t appreciate each other as much as we should have. Time apart had taught me that I couldn’t be fully happy with anyone else other than her. She’s made for me.
I was so happy to have her as my wife, and her happiness was all that mattered to me. Her happiness is still all that matters to me.
We had finally made it. I love you Angel Face and I always will.
#Epilogue
5 Years Later....
It’s hard to believe that I’ve been Kenneth’s wife for over 5 years now. My life has been full of life, love and happiness. As I sit on the balcony of our home watching the Paris sunset with a glass of champagne in my hand, I can’t help but think about how blessed my life has eventually been. I can confidently say that I’m now living the life of my dreams and as I am sure you know I went through a lot to get there. I expect that you have to be wondering about everyone in my life, so I’ll break it down for you.
Jasmine and Cedric are finally expecting. They recently discovered that it’s twins, and Jasmine doesn’t know if she should rejoice or cry. She frequently does both because the hormones are driving her insane. Cedric is taking it all in stride, and he gets her whatever she wants. I still find it funny that they got together after years of hating each other. It really is a thin line between love and hate.
Joshua and Kenneth never spoke to each other again, and Kenneth doesn’t seem to be hurt at all. The last I heard Joshua tried to launch a business, but he went bankrupt. It’s ironic because if Kenneth was his accountant, that would have never happened to him. Karma is a bitch, and he’s having a difficult time recovering from that. I can’t say that I feel sorry for him.
Desmond’s fashion line never took off on a large scale. He really needed to break the European market and secure a contract. He came over to Paris a couple of years ago to try to drum up business; he didn’t realize that I was the person that gave the ultimate yes or no decision on whether to take his designs. Well, I’m sure you know what I said.
Loren managed to sleep her way to the top back in Atlanta, she went to New York and had a pretty good run as a model. She then plummeted back down because of her drug addiction. She had to go to rehab, and now no company wants her to front their products. I have a little bit of sympathy for her because she was never a happy person on the inside, despite her beauty on the outside. I realize that now even though I hated her at the time.
I don’t really know what happened to Amelia, the last that I heard she married some old rich man. He better watch his back because she’s the type of woman to poison a guy for money.
As for Patrice and Michael... Well, I want to tell you so badly, but that is another story for another day and I think I will let Patrice tell it in her own words. I am sworn to silence there!
And finally, me and Kenneth are still happily married and stronger than ever, and that’s what’s really important to me. There have been plenty of challenges, but that happens in any relationship. The difference is that our challenges have brought us closer together. We no longer run at the site of adversity. We talk through our problems and I have learned to do less over-thinking. I guess in the end true love did find a way but it took a hell of a long detour though!
Just as I think I can relax I hear a voice that is very familiar to me these days.
“Mommy Mommy!”
My baby is calling me; I take one more sip before going to take care of the matter.
“You better get to bed before daddy comes home. You know that he won’t be happy if you’re up late,” I tell him as I scoop him into my arms and put him back into his bed. I tuck him in the way that I do every night.
“I love you mommy.”
He says while closing his eyes with a smile on his face.
I gently kiss his forehead, “I love you too, Goodnight Kenny”.
The End
Note From Publisher:
Lena would like to thank everyone who has supported the “Pretty Fly” Series which includes YOU.
There are plans for a spin off story featuring Patrice and Michael which is promising to be even MORE dramatic then what Nicole and Kenneth went through (if that is possible!). There are also rumors that these books could be turned into a TV series which would be amazing also. What actors do you think should play Nicole and Kenneth??
Anyway, all this can not happen without your support and interest, so if you would like to see any of these things happen please give a positive rating to the Pretty Fly For A White Guy Complete Series Box Set on the Amazon store.
