Chapter 43 of 51

41. Venus of our time

Beginning of us2,833 words~15 min read

Anniella's POV

"Can I open my eyes now boo?" Once again Drey told me we ain't going back home, we're moving to our next destination. Honestly I don't know if Drey wants us to travel around the world this summer, it was Italy after Bali and now this, where next? I love it though, I'm getting to experience new cultures and environments.

"Mmh yeah." I opened my eyes, looking at the beautiful city right in front of me. The cool and fishy sea breeze indicates it's a coastal city. I don't know where we are, Drey was tight lipped about it too and is surprising me.

"Where are we?" Just tell me already and let's go exploring boo!

"My hometown, Marseille." Drey said proudly, his eyes shining and his lips tugging into the most cutest smile that's so heartwarming.

"Seriously?" I'm not a football fanatic but I at least know about Olympique Marseille, the football club Abedi Pele of my country was associated with and his son now is. So this is where my Dre grew up?

"Yeah, I'm going to give you the tour around here myself. I know every hook and corner here."

"I don't doubt." I'm so ready for a tour around here, to taste particularly the food. I never knew I had this big appetite till I started my summer vacations. I can literally eat anything I'm given from Mie Goreng to lasagna, aracini and cannoli. I can't wait to taste Marseille cuisines and relish in them like I did the others. "How long are we going to stay here?"

"We have a month more till Summer is over, so we're going to be here for two weeks."

Two weeks to familiarize myself with this new environment, learn about their history and ofc food! What about the other two? "And the other two?"

"You'll know when we get there. For now let's go ma jolie fille brune." He winked at me, blowing me a kiss.

"Lead me on boo." I took his hands, ready to embark on this tour. I can hear croissant, beef bourguignon and coq au vin calling out to me already as I sniffed the air.

"Are you pregnant Ann?" Drey asked out of the blue. He stared at my face closely, his brow was cocked, waiting for me to answer.

"No I'm not, why are you asking that kinda question?" How can I be pregnant when Drey and I haven't done the deed? He can't be serious.

"Your appetite level has increased more than I can fathom. It's always food, I'm sure I'm never on your mind anymore."

Should I laugh or should I not? I chose the former, laughing hard at Drey. Like I said before, he can't be serious. I know I've grown to love food these past weeks but Drey is Drey and food is food, it only satiates my hunger but doesn't give me the joy, love and affection I get from Drey. I love food but I don't think about it more than I do of him, geez. "No babe, you're still and will always be my baby, food doesn't do me like you do, take a chill pill and gimme a kiss." I pouted, leaning in to him. That's going to put him at ease and stop this freaky thoughts and questions of his. It was jealousy then, now food. I'm wondering what it will be next.

Is it just be or is it Drey. His saliva sharing moments during this summer has gotten rougher yet addicting. It takes everything in me to break apart, "I can die for this French kiss."

"Enjoyed it huh?" I nodded my head, blushing furiously. Drey noticed and caressed my cheeks in amusement. "You're unpredictable babe, bold one minute, blushing and shy the next. How do you switch?"

"With a boo like you, I can turn into my impossible imaginations." I've become somebody else around Drey. Should I say bold and daring? Yeah I can. I've began doing things I thought I'll never do, feelings and emotions I never dreamt of having. It's all good at least these new things don't cause me to be my worst.

Andre's POV

Bringing Ann to my hometown and this vacation is one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life. With her, life is so good and worth living. Making me take decisions I'd have laughed at and spat my wine at if someone was to tell me I'll make years ago.

The day Ann came into my life was the day, I became a new born. Smiling more, loving more and forgiving kinda less. Going back to being that lovely person I was before some worst decisions I made changed me, making me someone I wasn't proud of.

I'm never going to get tired of thanking the heavens for sending one of its daughters into my life, Ann. A smile is on my lips right now as I remember her cute face trying soupe de poisson for the first time. She nearly spat at it in my face, telling me I tricked her into eating something that isn't beef bourguignon. I had to explain to her, in my hometown of Marseille which is a coastal city, fish is the main thing in all our meals and soupe de poisson is one of the oldest traditional meals, one worth tasting and dying for.

Ann reluctantly agreed and went back to drinking the soup. She eventually liked it's taste and even asked for more. Tonight, I'm taking her out to dinner. To a fancy yet casual restaurant down our family house here, where I've been to on many occasions. Their food is good and I intend on making Ann try some local dishes and get used to it taste for future's sake. Yeah when we're married with our lovely kids and we're hosting a family dinner, I want Ann to surprise my parents with our native foods. Just picture the proud look on my face if they love it which I know they will. My parents love everything about Ann, it's like they've chosen her over me. I love that they do, not all parents are happy with the choice of partners of their kids.

"Hey babe." A sweet soothing voice called out to me, causing me to turn my attention to its direction. Have you ever seen a beautiful angel at night, glowing and radiating beauty? The epitome of flawlessness and gorgeousness? If you haven't well I have and it's right before my eyes.

In moments like these, I want to proudly show Ann off to the world. Allow them inhale beauty from this Venus, déesse de la beauté, of our time. In other thoughts, I want to hide her away from the prying eyes of lustful men, who give no hoot if the beautiful lady is already taken. Tonight I'm going to take the risk and choose the first, no matter how beautiful she is, I can't hide her. Beauty is meant to be showcased and not kept in secrecy, it's a big crime punishable by nature; you lose your beautiful goddess to someone who can proudly show her off not as a trophy but appreciating nature.

My heart is swelling seeing Ann wearing the gold evening dress I bought for her in Milan, pairing it with the diamond necklace and earrings that came with the dress. Her hair was straightened and in a ponytail to her elbow with two side bangs. Now that's what I call black hair magic, her thick Afro hair is so long and is now at her elbow when I thought it would only reach her neck at most. I want Ann and I making babies and having girls who'll take after Ann's skin color, hair, mine and her eyes and her innocence.

Ann's wrist is adorned with a think gold bracelet and she's clutching a golden clutch, pun on the beat! This sight is too divine to behold, to make it last longer, I took out my phone taking pictures of her. My baby strutted different poses, making her look like the beauty goddess she is.

I stretched my hand towards her which she took heartily, smiling at me. Her smile made my heart melt and if I was a lady, I'd say it has released butterflies into my stomach.

We walked to my fathers old Benz kept in our garage which I've been using since we came and opened the door for Ann, waiting on her like the gentleman I am.

I got into my side of the car, starting it and driving away leisurely. We didn't make much conversations in the car save for answering Ann's questions about things she saw on the way and we were soon at the restaurant.

I waited on Ann again, proud to be of her service tonight and forever more. She smiled down at me, drawing nearer to be so I can slide my arms around her waist, inhale more of her enchanting and intoxicating cocoa and vanilla scent and walk us into the restaurant.

There weren't much people around at this time of the day. That's odd for a summer night, I'm happy it is like this though. My baby and I can dine in peace, wait I'm wrong. Three blind men who can't see I'm with Ann are sizing her up, licking their lips. I shot them a ball crushing glare with my eyes, they're unfazed by it and the closest to us, cocks his brows at me. This is the problem associated with getting pinned down by a pretty lady. "Shouldn't your eyes be somwhere else? I mean your girlfriend and not someone's." I said in a calm tone though within me I'm raging like a bull. This lustful stares has gotten out of hand, one day I may end up punching someone so hard they'll end up hospitalized for a long long time. I know I love Ann and I gotta tolerate this but seriously it ain't easy seeing other men eye your girl right in your presence. Sigh, I'm trying my best tbh.

The manager of the restaurant who happens to be an old family friend came up to us, smiling, diverting my attention from those idiots. The one I asked a question's girlfriend poured her glass of wine on him, staining his white shirt and uttering words I couldn't hear to him. He looks really pissed, glaring at me. I smirked at him in satisfaction, next time eye your girl man and not someone else's, you might not be lucky by just being showered with wine.

"Bienvenue Andre," Aurielie greeted me, turning to Ann as her eyes fell on her, slowly. Is it jealousy I see in her eyes? Or it's just my imaginations? My baby not only is being stared at but also making other girls intimidated by her looks. The funny thing is she isn't even aware? Masking her jealousy, Aurirlle asked, "et qui est cette beauté ici?" ( and who's this beauty here?)

"Merci Aurielie, recontre l'amour de ma vie et ma charmante épouse, Anniella." Ann gave me a questioning look, hearing my words and understanding them. Did I tell you she's now fluent in French though she has a little difficulty sometimes? I've managed to tutor her in my native tongue and she's excelled. I winked at her, telling her in my own way to leave everything to me. (Thank you Aurielie, meet the love of my life and my lovely wife, Anniella.)

"Vraimant Andre? Tu es marié? Comment de fair-il que je n'aie pas été imvité? Aurielie sounded disappointed, not at we not inviting her but at the fact that I'm married. I know those years of longing stares, blushing at my politeness and shyness around me to know she was in love with me. It's too bad, I'm not interested in her. Aurielie is one wonderful lady and the man who's going to win her heart is surely lucky. (Really Andre? You're married? How come I wasn't invited?)

"Je pensais t'avoir vu avec ce beau garçon gars anglais pendant la réception." Ann stifled a laughter, covering her mouth with her hands and stared at me with wide eyes. I nearly laughed myself, I'm clearly lying and Aurielie has fallen for it. (I thought I saw you with that English guy at the reception.)

"Haha très drôle Andre." She chuckled still believing the lie, "bienvenue mme Archambeau, c'est un plaisir de enfin renontrer l'épouse d'Andre."( Haha very funny Andre, welcome Mrs Archambeau, it's a pleasure meeting the wife of Andre.)

"Le plaisir est pour moi." Ann replied effortlessly in French, she's looking like a French royal, full of grace as the words roll on her tongue and adding more sexiness to her. My baby is dripping tonight. (The pleasure is all mine.)

"Permettez-moi de vous amener à vote table." Aurielie showed us to our table at a secluded area away from the prying eyes of those men,stealing occasional glances at an oblivious Ann who was also looking around the place. "Je reviens avec le vin." (Let me get you to your table.) ( I'll be back with the wine.)

"Ne vous in quiétez pas, vous pouvez demander aux garçons de nous servir." (

"C'est mon plaisir de vous servir ce soir." She stubbornly said walking away to get us the wine. ( it's my pleasure serving you tonight.)

"Andre that was an expensive joke on her." Ann pinches my hand, chuckling.

"I was bored and I decided to that. Aurielie isn't going to find out, her family and mine hardly communicate these days." We'll get married even before she finds out. Of course I didn't add that. I see her hesitancy when marriage crops up in our discussions to know she isn't ready.

"I hope so boo, I won't say I was around when the time comes, just so you know."

"Oh so you're going to put all the blame on me? Who gracefully answered when she was referred to as Mme Archambeau a while ago?"

"I don't know who that is." This tricky girl quickly answered and took out her phone, typing away before putting it back, "sorry that was Nessa, Chloe and El in our group chat. Let me say it just in case."

"There's no case miss, you can proceed." Rolling my eyes, I pulled her chair closer to mine and took her hands in mine, caressing it affectionately, "I trust you to know you aren't doing anything behind my back. I'm your first love and I own all your heart, there's no room to share it."

I inched closer to her and cupped her cheeks, debating on kissing her now or later as I stared into those beautiful brown eyes that will one day be the death of me. Ann took that bold step of kissing me lightly on the lips.

Wrong move babe. I can't resist the urge to kiss her like I've been going through out today. I deepened in and unfortunately, Aurielie's bad timing in bringing the wine shortened it.

For the sake of old times, I maintained my cool, unable to blast her for interrupting us. It's good she did though, I might not have been able to stop.

"Profitez des oiseaux d'amour, j'adorerai vous voir plus." Her eyes slid to Ann's left hand on which she was wearing the diamond encrusted ring I gave her. She swiftly looked elsewhere, giving us a professional smile. The cat has caught the bait, she's going to move on from me. I didn't use Ann in getting her to move on no, it was a silly joke I played to steal my attention and now I think I've killed two birds with one stone. (Enjoy lovebirds, I'll love to see your more.)

"Bien sûr Aurielie, Merci." Ann replied in a polite tone to Aurielie who looked like she wants to get away any minute. (Sure Aurielie Thank you.)

She nodded taking leave of us, her steps faltered and thanks to the timely intervention of a waiter, Aurielie would have fallen. I honestly feel bad for her, loving someone for so many years with the hopes of getting him to love you only for you to meet him with his supposed wife. So heartbreaking, but in life heartbreaking situations lead us to into sweeter opportunities.

I came here to dine with Ann and that's what I should do though I feel bad thinking about Aurielie and knowing I caused how she is now, "are you ready to eat traditional Marseille cuisine?"

"Try me boo." Ann replied seductively and later burst out laughing. One of these days this girl is going to pay for her torturing lip bites and on that day there will be no mercy for her.

Any guesses as to where they're next destination will be?🤸🏽‍♀️❤️ btw on top is the picture of Ann's dress.

Please don't forget to vote and comment🙂

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