Chapter 16

"You weren't kidding when you said the place of the dead," I said looking at the cemetery in front of me.

"Nope"

"So we're going in there?"I asked

"Why not"

He seemed to notice my hesitation. I mean who wouldn't.

"Come on. It's not like they can jump out and eat you" he teased

"That helped a lot," I said with a roll of my eyes, and let's not forget the evident sarcasm.

He dragged me inside the cemetery ignoring my protests.

"I present to you Pére Lachaise cemetery," he said

"It's really wide" I commented

"Yh, there's also an equally wide garden that's separated from the cemetery," he told me

"What's the garden used for?"I asked

"Picnics mostly" he answered and I nodded

"Some history perhaps?" he asked and I giggled

"I should have brought a notepad and a pen with me, " I said and he laughed.

"The Pére Lachaise cemetery is one of the largest intramural Parisian cemeteries and one of the most famous in the world; many famous people are buried here. This cemetery welcomes more than three and half million visitors every year making it the most visited cemetery in the world"

"Wow," I said in awe" I have to get buried here. Maybe I could get buried beside..."

"You're not going to die anytime soon," he said with a reassuring smile. Almost melting my insides. Almost.

"Stay here, I have something to show you," he said with a mischievous smile

"I'm not sure I can trust you with that smile of yours"I stated

"Just trust me," he said and left

Several minutes passed and still no sign of Etienné. I was getting worried.

"Boo"

My heart jumped out of my mouth onto the floor, under a car that crushed it, and into a blender that turned it into liquid.

Etienné laughed but I was in no mood to melt because of the sweet sound he was making.

"How dare you?"I asked fuming

"You should see your face," he said laughing

"I hate you" I spat

"I'm sure you don't mean that, "he said and his laughter subsided.

"C'mon it was just a joke," he said

"A joke that almost gave me a heart attack" I argued

"I'm not going to say sorry," he told me

"I don't expect you to, "I told him and started walking.

I felt a sting on my back and I realized he had hit me with his hands. Although it wasn't that painful, I had a sudden urge to make him pay. I know a wise man had said "Weak people take revenge, strong people forgive, intelligent people, ignore" but screw that wise saying. I was getting revenge.

"I'm going to kill you" I fumed

"Catch me if you can," he said with a playful glint in his eyes.

I ran and ran but still couldn't catch up with Etienné. My legs gave way and I fell to the ground. If my legs could speak, I'm sure they would have insulted me for assaulting them.

"Fine, I give up. I forgive you" I told him and he came to sit beside me

"I knew you'd come around," he said and winked

"All this history and chasing has me working up an appetite, "I told him

"I know the perfect place for great food," he said and my face lit up instantly.

~~~~~

"Boulevards and café. Now a quick history" he said

I groaned

"Skip the history part and let's go straight to the food," I said, groaning once more.

"Fine foodie" he teased

"I'm too hungry to argue with you, "I said

He led me inside a cafe that had a modern look but still felt homely. The smell of pastries welcomed me. Etienné led me to a table

"Etienné" someone called.

"Mr. Louis" Etienné greeted "Nice to see you again, "Etienné said and from there onward they spoke in french for what seemed like hours. It was as though they had forgotten I was even here. I cleared my throat loud enough for them to hear.

"Mr. Louis met Krystabel"Etienné introduced me to the man.

"Such a lovely lady" he commented and I smiled.

"I better get going. Extend my greetings to your mother" the man pursed his lips "I might see her this weekend" he told Etienné

"She'll be expecting you, "Etienné told him and he left.

"Did you forget that you have a hungry lady with you?"I asked rhetorically

"Nope"

A waiter came but instead of taking our order, he jumped into a hearty conversation with Etienné.

"I am pretty sure you don't get paid to talk with your customers, "I said to the waiter and he apologized. I placed my order and the waiter went to get my food.

"You're grumpy when you're hungry," Etienné said as I ate my food

"Usually I'm not, "I said and continued with my food.

I apologized to the waiter when he came to hand us our bill and he said it was okay.

Etienné and I(mostly me) moved about tasting pastries and sweets from every shop we came across. To say I was hyperactive would be an understatement.

"One last one"I begged

"You said that the last time" he scolded

"Please, I promise this is the last one"I tried sounding like a baby.

"Why do you have to be so cute?" he asked

I blushed

"If I let you eat it, you'll go shopping with me" he bargained. I frowned. I hated shopping.

"Do I have to?"I asked and he nodded

"Fine" I agreed

We went into several stores. The stores had perfect lighting, the perfect atmosphere for shopping but not a single perfect dress. I was already getting tired from trying on clothes. Etienné dragged me into another store for the nth time today and I groaned.

"Ma'am can you find this lady a dress?" he asked the woman at the counter.

"Sure" the woman answered with a shrug. After walking through tons of aisles she handed me clothes to try on.

I went into the changing room and did my business. I came out of the dressing room

"How do I look?"I asked and Etienné fell from the chair.