"Roma, wake up, sweetie."
I groaned in annoyance and opened my eyes. "What is it?" I asked sitting up from the car seat that I had slept on throughout most of the ride.
"We're finally here! Paris, the city of passion and love. Aren't you excited?"
I looked at my manager, Hiroko, and narrowed my eyes. "No." I lied back down on the car seat and tried to fall back asleep.
"Roma…"
"I just want to get the movie over with and go back home. Nobody wants me here, so what's the point in coming a year early and practically living here."
"You have your mother's sour attitude towards these things. Be happier." I groaned in response and tried to cover my face with my blanket. "Think more positively. Maybe you'll make some friends for a change. Maybe something life-changing will happen. Maybe you'll fall in love. You never know."
I gave a frustrated sigh as I sat up. "Well, I'm officially up." I lightly glared at Hiroko. "Happy?"
"Ecstatic, and I'm sure you will be too when we grab you a cup of coffee and a bite to eat."
I shook my head as a smile made its way onto my face and I moved to grab my camera from my bag. "Did we pass the Eiffel Tower yet?" I looked out the window to look for the famous tower.
"Not yet." She pulled out her phone scrolled through something. "The first day of school starts this Monday."
"Great," I mumbled sarcastically as I kept my focus on staring out the window.
"So, because we arrived on a Saturday evening, you have all night to unpack and maybe you can wander around tomorrow."
I nodded and watched as my breath fogged up the window. "Hiroko?"
"Yes, Roma?"
"Why are we really here?"
I heard her sigh. "You seemed like you needed a break from your family." I huffed and continued to look at the foggy window. "I know your sister means a lot to you and you wanted to bring her, but your mother's a bit…" She trailed off.
"Bad. I know."
"Yeah. Too carefree and irresponsible when it comes to her kids. Your younger siblings need a caring person to take care of them." I felt her place her hand on top of my head. "If it's not you, then it's the next best thing, Astride." I felt my eyes water slightly at the mention of my sister's name. "Roma, I've met your father before." I looked at her, surprised. "Faustino is a good man. He's caring, supportive, and just a loving person in general. You have those qualities inside you too, which makes you a great person for others to have. You're mother used to be like that too, but she slowly got obsessed with being wealthy. Why do you think she's with her boyfriend?" She rubbed the tips of her fingers together. "He has money. You're mother's changed, and not in a good way. Do you think I don't notice the marks on your skin?"
I looked down at my camera and inhaled a shaky breath. "Why do you know so much?"
"I've been friends with both your mother and father since my high school years and I do research on my clients."
My grip tightened on my camera. "I miss papà."
Hiroko placed her hand on my own. "Romano, he has his reasons to leave you and your sister."
"Why?"
She pulled her hand away. "I'm sorry. I can't tell you, it's too dangerous for you to know."
I sighed, disappointed. "Okay." Hiroko stayed silent and I wiped the tears that had slid out of my eyes.
"Monsieur, can you please take us to the Eiffel Tower for a quick moment?"
"Bien sur, Madame." The chauffeur replied as he turned a corner.
"Roma, cheer up, okay." I sighed and looked back out the window. "How about this, we play a small game." I looked back at her skeptically. "It's simple, you tell me three positive things about moving here and... let's see... I'll tell you something about either about your father or your family origin, your pick."
I sat up excitedly. "Oh, that's easy. There's-"
"Ah, ah, ah~ They have to actually happen."
"Are you kidding me?"
"What? You can't just lie your way towards answers. Plus, you have to have more positivity about things."
I sighed and slumped down in my seat. "Fine."
"Nous sommes arrivés, Madame." The chauffeur smoothly said as he parked.
I looked out the window and stared at the Eiffel Tower in awe. "Wow!" I grabbed my camera and opened the car door before rushing out. I ran towards the tower and stopped when I reached the end of the road that the car was parked on. "Hiroko, hurry up!" I called out as I snapped a few photos of the tower, changing the angle after every three photos.
I heard a light, heartfelt laugh from behind me as I continued to snap away. "Roma, you're too much." I felt Hiroko ruffle my hair. "Do whatever you like, but remember that we still have yet to reach our house and unpack."
I snapped one last photo and stared up at the top of the tower. "Do you think we can go to the top so I could snap some pictures of the city, but during the night?"
"Of course, whatever you want."
I sighed and looked down at my camera. "Does this count?"
"What?"
I looked at her. "For a positive thing about moving here."
She smiled. "Sure."
I smiled triumphantly and looked back down at my camera. "Let's go. I don't want to lose any free time tomorrow." I said as I turned on my heel to walk back to the car.
"Roma, I know you'll love it here." She said as she walked beside me.
I shook my head and got back into the car. "Maybe I will, maybe I won't, but I know I'm going to miss Nice." I put on my seatbelt and put my camera away.
Hiroko made her way inside the car and leaned forward to speak to the chauffeur. "Can you take us to our apartment, Monsieur."
The chauffeur smiled as he nodded. "Bien sur, Madame."
Hiroko sighed as she leaned back. "You have a small interview tomorrow." She quickly clicked on her seat belt when the car gently moved onto the street. "They just want to learn more about who you are and about your role in "Risque Dans la Mariée.""
"Already? We haven't even finished with the casting."
"Well, now you have something to talk about during the interview." She ran a hand through her dark hair. She closed her eyes and sighed. She mumbled something in her native language as she rubbed her face tiredly. "The interview won't take long, so you'll have the rest of the day to spend it as you like, either with or without me. It's your choice."
I nodded and noticed that the car was once again slowing down to a stop, but this time it had stopped in front of a small apartment complex. The chauffeur turned to look at us. "Here we are, Madame."
Hiroko smiled at him. "Thank you, Avellino." She grabbed her purse jumped slightly when the chauffeur opened the door for her. I chuckled and grabbed my bookbag and blanket before getting out of the car myself. I saw Hiroko making her way towards the complex. "This way, Roma!"
I nodded and made my way to the back of the car, where Avellino was taking out our luggage.
He noticed me and flashed me a smile. "You seemed to have slept well, Monsieur Romano." He said as he pulled out one of my luggage.
I smiled along with him and pulled my luggage closer to me. "Yeah, but that was until the beast woke me up." I quickly looked behind me to see if Hiroko was behind me. "Don't tell Hiroko that I said that," I whispered to him.
He laughed and pulled out my duffel bag. "I'm sure she isn't that bad, Monsieur."
"She's not, but when she's tired or just woken up…" I trailed off and rubbed the back of my neck.
Avellino laughed again. "Je comprends, I understand. My sister is the same. Sweetest girl you'll meet until her beauty sleep is disturbed." He pulled out the last two luggage as he laughed lightly. I smiled and grabbed the handle of my luggage, getting ready to pull. "Ah, Monsieur, there's no need to do that. I can bring it up."
I shook my head as I grabbed my duffel bag after adjusting my bookbag on my shoulders. "It's fine, it'll be quicker with two people."
A look of uncertainty flashed on his face and he sighed. "Whatever you wish, Monsieur."
"Roma. You can call me Roma." I said before making my way to the complex.
I saw Hiroko walk out from the complex empty-handed. She walked towards me and patted my head. "Our apartment number is 202."
"Okay, thanks." I walked to the complex and made my way up the stairs, following the signs to the second floor. I saw room number 245 and sighed, making my way through the long, nicely decorated hallway. "210, 208…" I mumbled as I walked a bit faster to reach our new apartment. 202. The door was left ajar and I pushed it open, revealing a nicely furnished living room. I walked into the apartment, looking around the room. I dropped my duffel bag on the hardwood floor along with my bookbag then leaned my luggage against the wall. I placed my hand against the powder blue wall while I scanned the room.
"Do you like it?" I jumped and looked behind me to see Hiroko. She walked towards me and placed her own luggage beside mine. "I had bought some furniture online and had them delivered here. I tried to make it seem like home for you."
I smiled and gave her a small hug. "Thank you, Hiroko."
"You're welcome, Roma." She grabbed one of my bags. "I'll show you your room, okay." I grabbed my other bag and my luggage and followed her as she walked over to a small hallway that was painted a steel blue. She led through until we reached the second door to the right. She opened the door revealing a plain room, which only consisted of a sheetless bed that was between two Portofino France bedside tables and the boxes I had packed before coming here with Hiroko. "I didn't know what color you had wanted your room to be, so I kept it at white. If you want to change it just tell me."
I nodded. "Thanks, Hiroko." I walked into my new room and looked around, mainly noticing the glass door that revealed a balcony. I put both my luggage and my bookbag on my bed, Hiroko doing the same with my duffel bag.
Hiroko went to leave, but she stopped at the door. "I had them deliver some ingredients to the house either this morning or last night. Is there anything specific you would want for dinner?"
I shook my head. "Not really…" I unzipped my luggage and opened it. "Actually... Can you make something Italian." I pulled out some of my clothes. "Something papà would make."
I heard her chuckle slightly. "Sure." Her heels clicked against the floor as she walked off.
I looked around my room again and noticed a door. Probably the closet. I walked towards it and opened it, revealing a decently sized walk-in closet which already had hangers and a shoe rack at the bottom. I turned on the light in the closet before grabbing the clothes from my luggage and started to hang them up.
"Monsieur Romano?"
I stepped out from the closet to see Avellino standing in my doorway. "You can come in," I said as I grabbed more clothes to put inside my closet. "And didn't I say that you can call me Roma."
"Ah, yes, you did. Pardon, I am used to being formal." He said as he brought another one of my luggage inside my room. "Oh, and Mons- Roma, here is my card." I looked at him as I placed one of my shirts on a hanger. I held out my hand and he gave his card to me. "If you need a ride anywhere, just give me a call. I am your personal driver after all." I looked down at the card. Avellino Deniaud.
"Thank you, Avellino. I'll take note of that." I put the card in my pocket and continued to put my clothes away.
"Bonne nuit, Roma. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Buona notte, Avellino."
"Ah... Pardon?"
"It's Italian," I said monotonously. "Sorry, I keep forgetting that I'm not living in Italy anymore."
"No, no, it's fine. Au Revoir."
"Au Revoir..." I mumbled as I watched him leave my room. "Or addio…" I grabbed the rest of my clothes and brought them to my closet. "They mean the same just like bonne nuit and buona notte," I mumbled more simple and complex comparisons of both Italian and French.
"Roma! Dinner is ready!" I heard Hiroko call, snapping me out of my annoyed thoughts.
"Coming!" I folded the jeans that I held in my hands and placed them in one of my drawers, before turning off the closet light. I walked out of my room over to the living room.
I saw Hiroko placing two plates on a small table. She smiled at me and went over to a small kitchen, opening the refrigerator. "What do want to drink?"
"Water is fine," I said as I made my way towards the table. "What did you make?" I asked as I sat down.
Hiroko walked back to the table, holding two glasses of water. "It's called Pollo Puttanesca. Your father left a bunch of his recipes with your mom, but she never used them." She set my glass in front of me. "I found them and got permission to take them." I nodded and took a sip of my water before starting on my dinner.
Our meal was silent. Neither of us had anything to say. Nothing was on our minds that night.
When I finished eating, I stood up and grabbed my plate. "It was good," I said to Hiroko as I placed my plate in the sink. "I'll be in my room unpacking."
"Okay, I'll bring you a small cup of coffee for you when I'm done," Hiroko said before taking a sip of her water.
A yawn left my mouth at the mention of the warm drink. "Okay, thanks." I made my way to my room and started back on putting my clothes away.
By the time I was done with putting my clothes away from both my luggage and a few boxes - along with separating the different outfits that I plan to wear throughout the week - it had already become dark outside. I sighed as I switched off the closet light and sat down on my bed.
"Knock, knock." I looked over at my door to see Hiroko holding a mug. She switched on my room light and walked over to me. "I forgot to order some coffee for us, so I made some hot chocolate instead." She said as she handed me the mug.
"Oh, that's fine. Thanks, Hiroko."
She ruffled my hair. "Don't stay up too late. If you need help, I'll be working in the living room." She said as she left my room.
I blew on my hot chocolate. "Okay."
I sipped at my chocolate drink, enjoying its warmth. I closed my eyes in content... until I heard a light tap. My eyes snapped open and I looked at the glass door. I set down the mug on the bedside table and walked over to the door. I noticed a dark figure standing on the railing of the balcony. I opened the door causing the figure to look back at me. "I suggest you leave before you go splat on the ground," I said, preparing to attack the stranger. This probably isn't a good idea.
The stranger laughed, making my breath get caught in my throat at the warm sound. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you." The stranger stepped down and I saw that it was a boy who was wearing a skin-tight suit that adorned cat-like features. I glared at his masked face when he stepped closer. "I was just doing my nightly watch."
I watched him carefully, studying his features as I replied. "I'm sorry, I don't think Hiroko or I asked for a stripper-looking person to be on our property."
His cat-like eyes widened. "I don't look like a stripper!" He looked down at his outfit. "Do I?"
I chuckled slightly at his reaction. "Who are you anyway?" I asked, staring at the golden bell that rested on his neck.
"Me? I am Chat Noir." He said as he posed ridiculously and I gave him a skeptical look. I shook my head and moved to go back inside to go get Hiroko. "Wait, you seem fur-miliar."
I stopped and turn to face him. "You did not just do a cat pun."
"J'ai fait." He said smugly.
I scoffed and grabbed my hot chocolate. This will get interesting. I leaned against the door. "So… If you're not a stripper, then what are you, Gatto Nero." I asked, sipping at my drink.
"Oooh~ Italian~" He moved closer, making me take a step away from him. "Meow you have me interested." He grabbed my mug and took a quick sip.
I smacked his arm. "Hey! That's mine!" I snatched the mug away from him. "And stop with the cat puns, they're awful."
"You mean claw-ful."
I groaned in annoyance. "You've got to be kidding me."
"You mean kitten me." He reached for the mug again and I pulled it away from him. "You've got to admit, my puns are good."
I chuckled. Fine, if he wants to play… "Okay, okay. I'll admit, they are a bit claw-ver, maybe even a bit hiss-terical."
He laughed and patted my head. "See, you get it."
I swatted his hand away and made my way back inside my room. "Sì, sì. You didn't answer my question, Gatto Nero."
"It's Chat Noir." I heard him mumble.
He made his way into my room and I nearly choked on my hot chocolate at his appearance. I started to cough. "Are you sure you're not a stripper?" I asked as I stared at his lightly toned body.
He looked around my room. "Paw-sitive."
I tore my gaze away and placed my hot chocolate down. "Right…" I moved a few boxes around and found a box that showed a picture of a desk.
"No, really. I'm a-"
"Roma?" I heard Hiroko call from the living room. "Who are you talking to?"
I opened the box and started to pull out parts of the desk I was going to build. "Someone who calls himself Gatto Nero." I heard Chat Noir give an exasperated sigh when I said his name in Italian.
I heard Hiroko's padded footsteps walk towards my room at a fast pace. "Who?" She stopped at my door and just stared at Chat Noir. "Um…"
He held his hands up in defense. "I can explain."
"Please don't explain with your terrible cat puns," I told Chat Noir.
"Hey, you were the one who called them clever." He retorted.
"You mean claw-ver."
"Ā kami." I heard Hiroko groan. She pinched the bridge of her nose and she looked down at her phone that she held in her other hand. "You must be…" She lightly squinted in concentration. "Chat Noir?" She looked back up at him quizzically. "Right? You're a superhero who works with Ladybug."
"Un coccinella?" I shook my head. "Wait, you're a superhero?"
Chat Noir flashed me a smile. "To both your questions: yes." A small beep resonated throughout my room. He looked down at the back of his hand. "Oops, I've been here for too long. I better scat." He said as he grabbed my mug and went back onto the balcony. "See you around!" I watched as he hopped onto the balcony railing, sending a two-finger salute towards me, before jumping off.
I looked at Hiroko. "He's a superhero?"
"Yes." She moved to kneel next to me and she showed me her phone, which had a picture of Chat Noir and a female who wore a red bodysuit with black spots. Hiroko pointed at the girl. "That's Ladybug."
"I can't believe that he's a superhero." I glared at the balcony. "He stole my hot chocolate."
Hiroko laughed and stood up. "I'll get you some tools." She said as she walked out.
I hummed and placed my head on a nearby box and waited for her. That stupid Gatto Nero stole my hot chocolate. A yawn left my mouth and I closed my eyes. Paris... is it really that bad that it needs superheroes? I yawned again and sleep slowly overtook me as thoughts of Chat Noir and the move to Paris swirled around in my head.
I tried my best with translating these words because I'm not that fluent in these languages. If I mistranslated something, please tell me.
Translations:
French
Nous Sommes Arrivés - We have arrived
Bien Sur - Of course
Risque Dans la Mariée - Risk in the Bride
Bonne Nuit - Good Night
J'ai Fait - I did
Italian
Buona Notte - Good Night
Gatto Nero - Black Cat (Chat Noir)
Un Coccinella - A Ladybug
Japanese
Ā kami - Oh god
