Chapter Nine "City Of Light"
Sometimes people carry to such perfection the mask they have assumed that in due course they actually become the person they seem, when they could have been so much more.
W. Somerset Mangham
"Nathan I swear to god I would kill you if it weren't for the fact you're my cousin and I might need a kidney one day." Brooke bitched at Nathan as she finally reached the bottom of the staircase where all three of her traveling companions were waiting.
"Frankly my dear I don't give a damn" Nathan shot back as he grabbed her suitcase and gave it to the driver at the door.
Haley who was leaning against a wall next to Peyton finally opened her eyes and focused in on Brooke.
"Davis what the hell are you wearing" she laughed.
"What? You're in comfy clothes." Brooke eyed Haley's cotton green Juicy warm up suit with a tight white cami underneath and matching Steve Madden flip flops on her feet.
"Yeah, but I'm not in my Hello Kitty pajama pants and matching top."
Brooke huffed and stuck her tongue out at all three that were now laughing.
"Don't be jealous bitch, now let's go so I can lay my ass down in the limo."
Haley put her arm around an exhausted Peyton and led her outside.
"Haleyyyyy?" Peyton whined.
"Yes sweetie?"
"I just realized I'm going to look like a cow at your wedding."
Haley giggled. "You'll be gorgeous and glowing." she reassured her.
"Oh and you'll be an excellent reminder for me to not forget my birth control on the honeymoon." she quickly added and jogged away before Peyton could slap her.
"If Chris's big ass headed baby wasn't in me I could so catch you right now" Peyton yelled after her.
One hour later
Nathan was about to lose it when they finally arrived at the airport seeing as all the three girls did was bitch and moan the entire way.
Just as they had rolled to a stop at the tar mat in front of the private Jet Nathan hit the intercom and told the driver to count to 60 before he opened the door for them.
All three girls looked at him quizzically finally noting the frustration in his body language.
"Alright, I have been silent through the 45 minute ride, but I'll be damned if I have to go through this shit again on the plane. I listened to Brooke talk about how her hair wouldn't lay right without enough sleep. I listened to Peyton complain what an asshole Chris is just because he gets to sleep late and last and certainly not least I listened to Haley complain about how she should have worn her uggs instead of her flip flops because now her feet would be cold. Well, I have a newsflash, Brooke no one but you gives a damn about your hair, Peyton I think Chris needs a fucking medal to deal with your whining, and Haley here's a newsflash it's November, it doesn't take a genius to figure out how to dress appropriately. I may be wrong, but by the age of 24 you should know how to dress yourself.
Now, we are getting on that plane. There are two bedrooms. At first I was going to be kind and let you three have the two, but fuck that you all three can climb your asses in the master bedroom and bitch and moan to your hearts content. I need a damn Tylenol and a stiff drink to wash it down with. I don't care how early it is. Then I'm passing out by myself in my own bed. No one is to talk or to disturb me till that plane lands and I shove your asses in a limo that will take you far away from my plane and me. Is that clear?"
All three stared wide-eyed and open mouthed at him.
"Did I stutter? I said is that clear?" he repeated.
They all nodded in unison and just at that moment the driver opened the door and Nathan climbed out first.
Peyton was the first to speak. "Can you believe that?"
Brooke whipped her head around to her. "Shut the hell up do you want to get us in trouble again?"
Peyton looked at Haley for support. "Don't look at me I'm with Brooke no way am I pissing him off again." she whispered then scrambled out of the limo after Brooke.
Peyton quickly followed suit.
Nathan watched with a smirk as all three girls hauled ass to get into the Jet. He laughed and checked to make sure all their luggage was loaded and climbed up the stairs after them.
He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw all the girls had disappeared in the bedroom and had shut the door behind them. Finally, his headache felt like it would finally get some rest and silence it needed to vanish. Just in case he grabbed two Tylenol from a nearby cabinet and retrieved a water bottle from the fridge. He contemplated grabbing the Scotch, but figured he was too young to have women driving him to drink so damn early in the morning.
"Excuse me Mr. Scott?"
Nathan turned to find the family's pilot of ten years Michael Gates.
Nathan stuck his hand out and shook his pilot's hand. "It's great to see you again Mike."
"You too sir, usually I only have the pleasure of flying your brother and father around."
Nathan nodded. "Yeah either I stay at the estate for my business or fly commercial since a lot of our trips coincide." he explained.
Mike looked over his itinerary. "Well, I had been told Miss Davis, Miss James, and a Miss Sawyer were accompanying you at least part of the way." He looked up confused.
"Oh they're here. I banished them to one of the bedrooms. Let's just say the limo ride was none to pleasant." he winked.
"Trust me sir I fly your mother and her friends all the time, I understand your predicament." he smiled. "Well, I better get this bird in the sky. We have about a 30-minute delay due to fog, but we should be in Paris within three hours. Let me know if there is anything you need. Roger my co-pilot will be at your assistance.
"Thank you Mike"
Finally Nathan decided he might as well go crash in a comfy bed. He was still going to make good on that threat.
About twenty minutes had passed before he heard a soft knock on the door just as he was about to doze off.
"Come in" he muttered keeping his eyes shut.
"Nathan?"
"Yeah Hales?" he sighed sitting up on his elbows and looking over at her. .
"Well, I just wanted to say I'm sorry for earlier we were a tad on the annoying side, but in our defense we only get that bad when we're with each other. For some reason it's like our bitching capabilities multiply when we feel the other's presence." she explained and she saw him smirk.
"It's alright, I guess I was just tired too and it got to me," he conceded.
Haley grinned knowing she had buttered him up for her next request. "Just one more thing?"
Nathan rolled his eyes, "Shit I knew an apology would come with strings. Out with it" he instructed.
"Well, Peyton and Brooke already passed out and I was bored and thought I could relax with you.'
"Why not go relax out in the cabin with the bigger TV and food?" he suspiciously asked.
"Ugh, fine. I guess you're going to make me say it. I get scared," she softly confessed.
Nathan laughed at her till he saw she was actually serious. "You get scared? Come on Hales, you're just as rich as I am if not more. We were globetrotters before we took our first steps. How can you be scared?"
Haley put her hands on her hips and rolled her eyes right back. "Look, every time I traveled I was with Caleb, at least growing up, and if not him Jake was by my side. They were just always there and they always did one thing that somehow made me calmer," she nervously laughed.
Nathan eyed her and could see she was embarrassed which seemed odd coming from Haley James. "So what do you want from me?"
"Will you hold my hand during takeoff" she smiled sweetly.
Nathan didn't know if it was possible to think she was anymore amazing, but seeing her shy and scared in that moment made her even more perfect in his eyes. Even with her faults, such as annoying the hell out of him in the limo, it didn't make her any less perfect to him. She was simply what he viewed as perfection and no other girl before her had ever measured up. He knew deep down none ever would. He patted the space on the bed next to him and her shy little smile turned into a full-grown grin as she hopped onto the bed and settled in next to him.
"You are such a doll" she squealed and kissed his cheek.
It was amazing she could go from shy and demure to vibrant and confident in two seconds flat. It became clear in that moment that Haley James had a lot of sides and every one of them had him hooked.
"Nathan?"
"Hmm?"
"It's cold," she giggled
"Damn it Haley we are on a bed get under the blanket." he tried to sound dominating, but couldn't help but crack a smile at her.
"Well, I can't get under it without you."
"Why is that?"
"I swear and you say I have no common sense. If I get under and you don't then you'll be restricting my undercover space by holding down one side." she rambled off as if he was an idiot not connecting the dots.
Nathan thought about arguing, but there was no point with her. "Of course how dare I restrict Miss Haley James's undercover space." he stood up and pulled back and duvet.
"Damn straight hot shot." she grinned causing him to roll his eyes and smile back.
They both slipped off their shoes and climbed in the bed. Nathan closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep with her next to him, but Haley seemed to have other plans.
"Nathan?"
He sighed. "Yes Hales?"
"Turn the TV on please?" she whined.
Nathan reached for the remote and turned on the 27 inch plasma TV hanging above them that was hooked up to a Satellite.
He started flipping through the stations while Haley seemed to veto every channel.
"No, no, no, Yes eh never mind already saw it, no, no, God I hate this show, no…"
Nathan felt his headache coming back. "Here you pick something." he handed her the remote.
"I have Lucas trained now where he hands me it on the second 'no'" she smirked triumphantly with the remote in hand.
Nathan chuckled at her display; he had to give her credit for her underhanded ways. "Nicely played James."
"Thank you kind sir, Oh look Nightmare on Elm Street!"
"Hell No" Nathan tried to grab for the remote.
"What does Freddy scare wittle Wathan?" she teased.
"That's bullshit I just think it's a stupid movie."
"Oh really" she said with a mischievous gleam in her eyes. She leaned away from him slightly but still looked into his eyes and started to sing in a soft little girl voice.
"One two Freddy's coming for you, three four shut the door, five six grab you crucifix."
"Haley Stop!" he demanded.
"Seven eight better stay up late, nine ten never sleep ag… Oh Nathan!" she squealed as he pinned her down beneath him in one quick move. He grabbed the remote and clicked off the television as she laughed underneath his grasp.
"Alright, I'll admit it he freaks me the hell out. The dude hunts and kills you in your dreams. That's fucked up. I mean with Jason and Michael at least they get it over with quick, but damn Freddy is one messed up psycho." Nathan explained while Haley burst out laughing beneath him again.
"Aw I'm sorry Nathan, but it's not real. I can't believe you're scared of a movie."
"Says the girl who wants me to hold her hand during take-off even though she's been on a plane twenty million times."
She pushed him off her and sat up. "Hey that's different plane crashes do really happen."
"So what you think if you don't hold a guy's hand the plane will crash?"
"Well, maybe it is a tad silly, but I prefer just to stay with what works and I have yet to be in a plane crash so see it works," she proudly stated.
Just then the engine roared signaling the plane was about to take off. Haley got back underneath the covers and laid on her back mimicking Nathan's position and kept her eyes staring straight up at the ceiling.
Nathan looked over and noticed the tension on her face. He reached out and grabbed her hand intertwining their fingers and placed their joined hands in between them.
Haley looked at their hands together, then looked into his eyes and gave him a thankful smile.
As they felt the plane glide down the runway and lift into the air their hands squeezed each other's as tight as possible both staring at the ceiling above.
Once they were safely in the air neither made a move to let go. Instead their hands stayed intertwined as they both closed their eyes and drifted off to sleep. The two never spoke a word before letting sleep take over because even if they weren't ready to admit it to themselves or to each other neither of them wanted to lose the moment.
Sometimes silence is easy.
Nathan awoke first and smiled at their intertwined hands before reality hit him again. There it was draped across her stomach, her left hand with Lucas's ring attached.
Nathan picked up the phone on the side table and found out they had 35 minutes till they landed. He knew he had to wake her up. He reluctantly let go of her tiny hand and leaned in closer to her. She looked so at peace at the moment. Her lips were parted ever so softly and the impulse to kiss them was almost more than he could bare. He gently brushed the hair out of her face and compromised by leaving a soft kiss on her forehead.
Haley had felt his presence, but dared not make a move. She felt him let go of her hand and it almost shocked her the feeling of loss she felt. She could feel his eyes on her and held her breath when he brushed her hair to the side. The moment his lips made contact with her skin so tenderly her, however, she could not keep silent anymore.
Slowly opening her eyes she noticed the surprise register in his that she had awakened at that moment. She smiled up at him and she watched his eyes turn from surprise to lust in a split second. Her head was screaming no, but her body and if she were honest with herself her heart was screaming yes.
Nathan felt her soft delicate hand reach up to caress his cheek and just the simple contact had his entire body on fire. He wanted her, he craved her, he needed her and nothing was going to stop him.
"Haleyyyyy!" Brooke's unmistakable screech called out.
Nathan groaned, 'Except maybe that' he thought to himself. He looked back down at her and saw the guilt written all over her face.
Then just as quickly as he saw the guilt she replaced it with a mask of indifference. Like nothing almost happened.
Haley gave him a quick smile and climbed off the bed.
"We better get going before Brooke storms in here demanding attention."
Nathan just nodded knowing this was for the best and played along. "True, but if she starts in again on the bitching don't think I won't toss her out while we're still in the air."
Haley laughed at what was hopefully a joke and was so grateful Nathan was letting her get away with this.
"Haley, it's you!" Brooke exclaimed from her place on the couch.
Haley laughed and walked over to her. "Oh Brooke you're getting so good at that. Now who's that?" she asked pointing to Peyton sitting in a nearby chair.
"Ha, ha bitch."
Haley sat down next to Brooke and hugged her from the side. "Aw Davis you know I love you"
"Well, of course you do and I love you too slut." she hugged her back.
"What about me?" Peyton questioned from across from the room, acting left out.
"Peyton we know you're a slut obviously" Brooke pointed to Peyton's expanding belly.
"And damn proud of it" Peyton rubbed her belly.
"Seriously Pey you know we love you." Haley reassured her
"Oh, I know I just like hearing you say it" she grinned.
Nathan finally emerged from the bedroom and sat on the other side of Haley.
"So Nathan?" Brooke looked around Haley to eye her cousin.
"Yes Brooke?"
"Did you get that stick out of you ass yet?"
Haley put her hand over Brooke's mouth to prevent her from saying anymore. "Brooke unless you have a parachute attached to your ass I would stop right now."
Brooke nodded and slinked back down while Nathan just smirked.
Fifteen minutes later that had landed safely in Paris.
The three girls said quick good byes to Nathan and the pilot and hopped in their awaiting limo.
"Finally Paris!" Brooke squealed.
"Ugh, I know I haven't been here in over a year or so." Haley stared out the window gazing out at the beautiful architecture.
"Chris and I are thinking about buying a place here instead of always staying in hotels. I would love to spend at least half of each year living here and the other half New York. I could lose myself in this city with my art. It has a much more calming feel than New York, but I love the New York fast paced life too that's why I'd have to split the year up." Peyton explained.
"Pey, I think that is a fabulous idea and you'll only be a two and a half hour plane ride away." Haley realized.
"Oh we're here" Broke clapped her hands when the limo came to a full stop.
"Brooke, I love how excited you still can get when you've been here a millions time" Haley said.
"Blah, blah I'm just excited about the bed I get to crawl into."
Haley looked at her watch "Well, it's only eight so we can sleep till at least noon. Then we have to go meet Reem Acra at two o'clock sharp"
"Do you think we'd miss the chance to see your gown?" Peyton rolled her eyes.
All three climbed out of the limo and made their way into the Hotel Plaza Athenee. It was one of, if not the most, elegant and legendary hotels in all of Paris. The Plaza Athenee epitomized the regal and romantic Parisian style. They quickly were led to a private elevator that would lead them to the Royal Suite situated on the entire 5th floor. Only the most famous and wealthy stayed in the Royal Suite. It not only offered the best of everything, but ultimate privacy and security. At 20,000 a night they made sure your every need was met.
"Will there be anything else Miss James?" William their private butler asked after he had unpacked all their belongings with his private staff and made sure a large breakfast awaited them.
"No thank you William, that will be all for now. Thank you so much again," she said graciously.
"My pleasure and just buzz me when you need anything at all. Good day Mademoiselles."
"Alright my loves let's crash again because we are going to be on our feet for hours getting our fittings and making sure everything is just right, as my mother would say. " Haley sarcastically added.
Each girl retired to the separate rooms and sunk into their plush beds.
At two o'clock all three girls showed up at Reem Acra's private estate. Haley being a VIP had the luxury of one on one consultation in the privacy of the designer's home. This was their second official visit; the first had been when Ms. Acra came to the Scott's estate to help Haley envision what she wanted. There had been many phone calls and emails with photos in between, but finally Haley was about to see the dress come to life.
"Bonjour Haley dear. Come in, come in." she guided through the spacious house to a grand room obviously her personal design space.
Haley introduced her to Brooke and Peyton.
"Well, it's nice to put a face to the measurements and Brooke your gown is actually here and ready to be tried on as well. " she revealed.
Brook's whole face lit up at that. "I thought it wouldn't be ready for at least another two weeks."
"Well, I put a rush on it with the holidays taking up so much time in between now and the wedding." she explained.
She looked at Peyton "Don't worry dear yours will be ready within another week or two and you'll love how I worked in your rapidly expanding waistline" she winked.
"So Haley are you ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be"
The designer smiled at her nervousness and direct all three to a near by couch facing a gigantic ornate armor.
Oh and one more thing before we unveil the gown. After creating this and picturing you in it a million times in my head I could only think of one fitting name. I name all my one of a kind gowns and this one is no exception. So without further ado I would like you all to feast your eyes on "Perfection"
She called one of her assistants over and together they opened the doors and revealed a dress that could best be described as a masterpiece.
Haley fixed her gaze on the creation before her and was speechless; in fact she hadn't heard any screaming beside her so she assumed her girls felt the same.
The designer smiled and proceeded to describe the dress and all the work that had gone into it, to refresh Haley, and to enlighten her friends as well.
"This one of a kind couture strapless gown is made in ivory silk satin and has a slightly dropped waist that is ideal to accentuate the bride's tiny waist and flat stomach. At the hips the dress billows out into a magnificent full pleated skirt with a cathedral train. The bodice and the front of the skirt are decorated with spectacular hand embroidery that consists of antique gold thread, pearls, and Swarovski crystals that tapers off to the sides and back of the gown. The veil has not yet been finished but the tiara it will extend from has. It has Swarovski crystals and tiny seed pearls set in hand crafted antique gold to coordinate with the pale gold embroideries found in your dress.
"So what do you think?"
Haley finally snapped out of her daze and tears came to her eyes. "It is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, I mean I've seen the sketches, but to actual see it in the flesh has me in awe.
Peyton and Brooke turned to Haley and hugged her from both sides.
"That's it! That's your dress Haley my god it is just perfection, the name fits it to….well perfection." Brooke laughed with her own tears joining Haley's.
Peyton nodded in agreement still not able to say a word. Haley was going to be stunning and everyone's jaws would drop when they saw her.
Haley got up and examined the gown more closely amazed of all the tiny details and immaculate embroidery. She finally turned to Reem.
"I don't know how I could ever thank you for this" she hugged her.
"Hey now you get what you pay for with me sweetie." she smiled at her.
Haley laughed "Definitely, but I couldn't pay you enough for this." she enthused.
The designer smiled at satisfied looks on Haley's face.
"So Brooke do you want to see your dress? Oh and Peyton you can get a feel for what yours will look like?"
"How could you even ask that?" Brooke admonished.
"Bring it out designer guru!" Peyton finally found her voice.
"Alright well, I'm going to get Haley here into her gown and my assistant Caroline here will show you to that room off to the side to let you see and have Brooke slip into hers so we can make any adjustments. "
Brooke and Peyton followed Caroline into the other room filled with gowns and couldn't wait to see what she had created for them.
"Alright, here they are" Caroline unzipped a garment bag and took one of the dresses.
Brooke squealed and clapped her hands. "Thank god Haley loves us and didn't make us where hideous gowns."
"This is gorgeous!" Peyton gushed while running her hand over the golden fabric.
Caroline smiled at their happiness with the dress and proceeded to sum up its high points.
"Now this is yours Brooke since Peyton's is still being modified, but it is almost identical. The only difference will be Peyton's will be an empire waist, but the ratio of bodice and tulle will be the same. Her bodice will just be more flowing instead of tight like yours Brooke's. This gold dress was created to accentuate and coordinate with the gold embroidery in Haley's gown. Her version of gold is softer, but we wanted it to jump out more when people see your gowns. This dress is made out of silk and tulle embroidered with crystals and gold beading. Now Brooke you go ahead and slip this one and tell me if something doesn't feel right and Peyton strip down so I can take some measurements of my own and I'll need you definitely back here two weeks before the wedding, no exceptions." she instructed.
Peyton agreed and her and Brooke went about as instructed. Once the measurements were done and Brooke was 100 satisfied with her dress they went out to see Haley.
Haley had finally gotten into her gown, which was nothing short of a feat, and she realized she would need help getting back in it when the time finally arrived.
"Ok Hales look at how gorgeous I am?" Brooke announced coming through the doorway to model her gown, but stopping short when she actually saw Haley in her gown.
"Haley you look perfect. Damn I can't stop using that word. Ms. Acra you sure know how to name your gowns." she laughed through fresh tears.
Peyton walked towards Haley and grabbed her hands in hers. "You are so breathtaking Hales, Lucas won't know what hit him."
"Peyton you are so not a crier stop that or I'll get mascara all over my dress." Haley chided while blinking back tears.
"Ugh, I know it's this damn pregnancy making me all soft." she laughed.
Haley turned to Brooke. "Aw, Davis you look like the Golden Goddess now" she smiled. "That dress is amazing"
"I know it is isn't it?" Brooke grinned and struck a pose.
Reem took Haley's hand and began to guide her over to the massive floor to ceiling mirror. "Now it's time you get to see yourself."
Haley nervously turned her gaze upwards toward the mirrors and gasped. "She did look beautiful and the dress was the most stunning creation she had ever laid her eyes on. Seeing it actually on her, however, suddenly made her stomach tighten and her heart clinch.
Here she was the perfect bride, in the perfect dress, with the perfect fiancé, but what if what was on the inside was anything but perfect?
Haley could barely hear the praising going on around her anymore, as her mind seemed to fade away from everything, except that question. Repeating over and over in her mind was one word that now caused her entire body to fill with fear, Perfection."
Brooke noticed Haley was off in her own little world "Haley are you alright?"
Haley didn't even look in her direction.
"I'm perfect" Haley finally whispered
