Michel & Josette

Chapter 8: Michel & Paula

Two days later, Michel exited his apartment to go outside. He was just going to straighten things out with Josette so she wouldn't think he was a creepy stalker or anything.

Well, Michel would've seen her, but the pleasant old woman, Paula, stopped him outside of his apartment.

"Hello, dearie," she said pleasantly.

Michel stopped in his tracks, sighing deeply. He turned around and put on a big smile. "Well, hello, Paula!"

"Where are you off to in such a hurry?" Paula questioned him.

"Well uh…I was just going for a walk and hoping to run into Josette," Michel responded truthfully.

"Oh? You're hoping to run into that pretty girl?" Paula asked him curiously with a smile.

Michel nodded, grinning. "Yeah."

"Oh, how delightful," Paula sighs happily. "I am sorry to delay you, but I just have one favor to ask of you."

Michel got curious. "And what is that, I ask?"

"Will you have lunch with me at the nearby café?" Paula questioned him kindly. "We won't be long."

"Huh? But I…" Michel trailed off, not sure what to say. He really didn't want to have lunch with the pleasant old lady, and he only wanted to see Josette today and perhaps talk with her!

"Oh please, could you, dearie?" Paula asked hopefully. "I just want some company, only for a little while. It is not like a date or anything, honey. It's nothing like that at all, if that's what you're thinking."

Michel looked utterly appalled. "I-I wasn't thinking that at all!" Michel exclaimed loudly. "I just don't want to have lunch with you at the moment, I'm sorry!"

"Oh? Is it because I am too old, dearie?" Paula asked, sounding a bit down. "I only wanted a bit of company, only for a little bit. Nobody hasn't spoken to me or had lunch with me in a long while."

Michel shook his head, getting down on one knee and delicately taking one of her hands in his, looking up at her kindly. "No, no! It isn't because you are old, Paula! You are a very, very beautiful woman! I'm just in a hurry, that's all. I promise to have lunch with you whenever I have some free time!" he told her sincerely.

Paula gave him a kind and grateful smile. "Oh thank you, dear. You are incredibly sweet."

Michel blushed at the compliment and chuckled. "Well, thank you, madam!" he remarked cheerfully.

"Wow, I didn't know you were into old women, Mojo," a voice suddenly spoke from behind him.

Michel froze, still holding Paula's hand in his two hands.

He slowly turned his head around to see Josette standing there, hands on her hips and a very amused smile on her face.

"J-Josette!" Michel sprang to his feet, letting go of Paula's hand and putting his hands behind his back. "What are you doing here?!" he wasn't sure whether to be happy, embarrassed, shocked, or unhappy to see her.

It was a mixture of all actually.

"I was just passing through…" Josette answered, amusement dancing in her tone.

"It's…not what it looks like…" Michel muttered.

"It's okay," Josette laughed a little. "You don't have to explain yourself to me, Monte."

"It's Michel!" Michel hollered in annoyance. "A-And…I'm not into old women! It's nothing like that!"

Josette rolled her eyes. "Sure, Monterey."

Michel growled. "It's Michel!"

"Okay, Mooch!" Josette snickered, turning away and walking off. "Have fun with your girlfriend."

Michel's face immediately heated up due to all the embarrassment and anger he was feeling. "SHE'S NOT MY GIRLFRIEND!" he yelled hysterically, causing people to look in his direction.

Paula let out a pleasant laugh from behind Michel, seemingly amused. "Oh, Josette is such a sweet dear. Her jokes are hilarious!" she continued laughing pleasantly and started walking off.

"Huh?!" Michel whipped around to watch her go. "I think she was being serious!"

Paula did not hear him and continued onwards.

Michel fell to his knees, putting his face in his hands and groaning loudly in frustration and despair.

"Now Josette thinks I'm a stalker that is into old women!" he wailed loudly through tears.

Why were bad things only happening to him?