26.No way am I giving up on her

Andre's POV

I run my fingers through my hair. I'm beyond frustrated and enraged. "Can't you go any faster!" I barked at the chauffeur who was taking me to the airport, though there's much left to be done here, I'm taking a break see Ann and to sort out somethings at the office.

I'm not able to reach Ann and my calls to El are also going straight to voicemail. I'm very sure it's because of that garbage circulating on social media.

It's total rubbish. How can I cheat on my Ann. How can I cheat on the only girl who lights my world with her simplest actions. The girl I'm dreaming to take to the altar and spend the rest of my life with.

As for that scum paparazzi who took the photos and spread those lies, he should go hide in a hell hole. I'm going to make sure he suffers the consequences of his stupid actions. The desire to please his boss and maintain his job is shattering the beautiful relationship I have with El.

I don't even know where my phone possibly fell. I lost it on the day I went to Eiffel Tower with Adaline. I need to replace it, I had been so busy I forgot to buy a new one. My parents complained to Pierre anytime they couldn't get through me. They haven't asked about the news, it's either they're waiting for me to get back home to confront me or they've heard it and chosen not to talk about it.

I'm wondering what my baby is going through right now. I'm hoping beyond all hopes she hasn't allowed the garbage to get into her. I saw the post and read some of the comments from Pierre's phone. I don't really care much about they tainting my name, they've done so much of it in the past but dragging Ann into it and trying to destroy our relationship is something I'm not going to turn a blind eye to.

The media company that lousy paparazzi works for is going to face my wrath. I'm going to sue them, no one messes with love of Andre Archambeau's life. No one!

I slammed the door of the car, running to the private jet and entering into it. "Tell Esteban to get me to New Jersey as soon as he can!" I barked the order to the frightened air hostess, she scurried away.

I loosened my tie and paced up and down the bedroom of the jet. I wish I had wings so I can fly to Montclair and be with Ann. I miss her so much and I need to clear the air surrounding the pictures and post. It's no where near what those idiots are displaying out there.

I've not been able to sleep much knowing this is costing my relationship with Ann. A knock sounded on the door, "what do you want!?"

"Sir I want to know if you would like to eat or drink anything." Samantha the air hostess mumbled from the other side of the door.

"Keep your food and drinks to yourself and leave me alone!" I sighed, I'm being a mean boss today. Venting out my anger and frustration on these people who have no idea and did not cause it.

I looked out of the window trying to busy myself with the clouds. They aren't nice enough to steal my attention and get me out of this mood. I went to the living room of the jet and sat down to work. After about an hour of pretending to work, I gave up. I wasn't working much my mind was on Ann and the almost all of the papers in front of me have her name doodled out on them with hearts around them.

She's gotten me to fall so deeply in love with her each passing day. I swear on my late Grandma if those idiots have ruined my relationship. Oh God they're so going to pay, a still voice in my mind keeps telling me I've lost her. I refuse to believe that. I can't lose Ann! No!!

I wish this damn 7 hours flight is over so I can explain things to Ann, cuddle with her and get some sleep before going to the office the next day. I can't even take a day off, we're planning to extend our territories this year, there's no time to be lazying around, taking a day off or even a vacation.

After we're done with the first hotel in France, I'm going to take Ann to a long and romantic vacation to any country of her choice. Ann, my cute brown skin girl. I miss you so much babe.

I sat on the sofa, day dreaming about her and all the good times we've had together. My eyes are drooping and I keep yawning yet I don't want to sleep.

"Pouquoi ne dors-tu pas?" Pierre said to me when he entered the living room. He was yawning himself, we're both tired.(Why don't you get some sleep?)

It's a long flight to New Jersey, why don't I sleep since I'm sleepy. I can't sort out the mess with me here anyways. I might as well kill time by sleeping, it's gonna give me some sort of energy when I get down. "Wake me up the second we land in New Jersey alright?"

"Oui Monsieur, dormez bien." He yawned sleepily, lying down on the couch.(Yes Sir have a nice sleep.)

"Aren't you going to use the other bedroom?"Pierre sometimes is weird, who ditches a comfy bed for a couch when sleeping on a couch is detrimental to our health.

"Je préfère ici." (I prefer here.)

Weirdo. "Whatever you want, just wake me up or lose your job."

He turned his head to face me. "We all know you can't do that."

I rolled my eyes at him, not because I'm annoyed. He's rubbing the truth in my face. Pierre is damn right, I can never think of firing him, he's one of my most efficient employees for years now. He's dedicated and stuck with us even when things went down the line. I appreciate everything he has done for the company.

I entered the bedroom and dumped my body on the bed, I'm too tired to get out of my suit or even my shoes. It's going to be uncomfortable but I just can't, I'm too tired and lazy. I fell into a deep slumber after thinking about Ann.

"Move out of the way!" I shouted at the driver in front of me. He's driving slowly as if he's scared of the road in front of him. The others behind me honk their horn in anger at me as if I'm causing this delay.

I overtake him driving at top speed, slowing down only  when I got to the Montclair road and resumed the top speed again. People stared at me like I'm crazy, driving as if I'm in fast and furious in this quiet neighborhood.

If only they knew. I slowed down three houses away from Ann's house. There was a white Acura which I recognized to be El's driving out of their gate on to the street.

I honked at her to stop. Getting out of the car, I run up to her, "El thank goodness I saw you, I've been trying to reach Ann but it's not going through."

She scowled, crossing her arms over her chest and looked elsewhere. This isn't the El I know. "What do you want from her!?"

"She's the love of my life, don't I have the right to talk to her?"

"She's no more the love of your life, she's better off without you." She sneered at me, rolling her eyes in exasperation.

Oh no, don't tell me El also believes the trash circulating out there. "What are you taking about, don't tell me you also believe that."

"I don't know what else to believe after seeing my sister go through a whole lot of pain just because of your stupid actions!"

"They're lies! El you know me better than what they're saying out there." I couldn't help but shout out my frustration at her.

"I don't know you anymore Andre, everything shows I don't know a single thing about you after all these years." El said with disappointment in her tone, looking straight at me in the eyes.

"What did you say Ann went through?" I asked finally going over what El said previously. Frustration clouded my senses, I didn't pay much attention to it before.

"It's none of your business, it will be better for you to stay away from her and not cause her more pain." She said to me, walking back into her car.

I chased after her, holding El by her hand. "El please!" I pleaded almost breaking down in tears. I can't possibly live my life without Ann, it's too much to ask from me.

"Leave me alone! Leave Ann alone! And stay the heck away from us." El yelled at me, yanking my hands of her and got into her car, driving off not before showing me her middle finger.

I sat down on the ground and buried my face in my palm, the tears I've forced from spilling in front of El came flooding out. No!!!!! I can't stay away from Ann, she's the reason I live. No way am I giving up on her.

My life without her is worthless. Ever since Ann came into my life, it's been full of joy unlike the old, boring and loneliness it was. She made me have a new meaning to life, a new desire to be my best and love and now this.

I clenched and unclenched my  hand. Anger, hurt and pain building inside me. I slammed my fist into my palm, gritting my teeth. I can't lose Ann just like that, I have to fight for her with my all. I'm going to endure all her shouts, anger and frustration. There's only one thing I want and that's to be with my Ann.

Slowly, I got up from the ground and dried away my tears. Those idiots are surely going to pay for this, the pain they're causing Ann and I, I swear on Grandma. I walked to my car with a new Hope in my heart. I refuse to believe I've lost Ann till I meet her vis a vis and talk with her. She's mine and I'm not going to ever lose her. Never!!

I wandered the streets debating whether to go to my parents or penthouse. I decided on the latter, I have to freshen up and get a new phone before. They're probably trying to reach me by now.

I drove to my penthouse, using the home phone, I called Pierre to deliver a new iPhone to my house in thirty minutes at most and went up to my room.

The door to my room was already opened. I was in a hurry and must have forgotten to close it the night I went to France. I got out of my coat and pant and entered the bathroom.

My mind wandered to Ann, how's she feeling right now. She must be sad and crying and I'm here, unable to wipe her tears, comfort her and make her happy like I should.

I sighed and got out of the shower, drying my body. I wasn't in a good mood, I'm hurting like a wounded lion, deprived of being with his lioness.

Taking out sweats and a tee, I got into them and left my room, going down the stairs into the living room. Pierre sat on the couch watching a football match with his back turned to me.

I sat down beside him. He was munching on a slice of hamburger  and caramelized onion pizza and taking swings from the red wine in front of him. The sight of my favorite pizza couldn't bring me out of the gloomy mood I'm in. "Passé moi le téléphone."(Give me the phone.)

He searched for something beside him, his eyes glued on the tv and handed me a package bag. "Il a une nouvelle carte sim dedans."  I shook my head and took the phone from it, turning it on. (It has a new sim in it.)

The first thing I did was to dial Ann's number offhead. The call wasn't going through again, I redialled it and it was still the same. I threw the phone away in disappointment and anger, why has she switched her phone off.

"Prévoyez-vous d'acheter nu nouve au téléphone? (Are you planning on buying a new phone?)

"Tais-toi Pierre."(shut up Pierre.) I replied clearly annoyed, I'm in no mood for his comments. I dialed my mother's number, it went through but she didn't pick up. She must be busy, I put the phone away.

"J'aimerais pouvoir mais je n'aime pas the voir dans cet état." (I wish I could but I don't like seeing you in this state.) He took his eyes off the screen and looked directly at me. "La colère et la frustration ne résoudront pas la situation Donne-lui juste un jour." (anger and frustration won't solve this situation, give her sometime.)

"You don't get me Pierre, I can't lose her."

"You won't lose her, if she's really the one for you, this lie can't break you apart forever .Give her time, it heals all wounds."

What he is saying is true but what if I give her space and she thinks I'm not doing anything to fight for her and our relationship and give her a more reason to believe those lies. "you're right yeah but—" a call came through on my phone interrupting our conversation.

It's mother calling back. "Hello beautiful."

"Andre Caleb Archambeau!" Mother called me by my full name on the other side of the line her French accent so thick when she's angry or excited. Her tone, accent and calling me by my full name shows she's mad at me and I know what's has gotten her angry at me, the stupid rumors.

"Mother—"

"Don't mother me, I didn't raise a cheat for a son." She said sounding disappointed. "Do you know what that poor girl is going through because of you stupid actions? You wouldn't have any idea since you're busy with your new lady."

"I'm not a cheat mother and you of all people know that." I got up from the couch to my library. I want all the privacy I can with my mother. Pierre isn't a nosy person though.

"Son I know, I know, but who was that lady, I saw it myself and I don't know what to believe, you used to be."

"I like what you said I used to be, that means I'm no more. I'm not a cheat mother, that lady is your own daughter, Adaline." This is the truth that does idiots don't know. How can I have an amorous relationship with my own blood sister.

"Adaline?"

Translations of the French in parentheses. So do you really believe Andre was with his sister and not his secret lover like they're presuming?🤸🏽‍♀️