Trip of a Lifetime
Chapter 3
***Hours Later (Streets of Paris)***
Scarlet's P.O.V
We finally caught up with Cinder and we kept our distance by walking behind her within a few feet. After hours on the streets of Paris, it was starting to get late and we ended up lost. We have been trying to get back to the motel but with our phones dead and not that much money on us, we have nowhere to go. Just when things can't get worse, it starts raining.
Just great.
It was coming down fast like cats and dogs and we couldn't see anything. We ran as fast as we would without slipping and try to find somewhere to take refuge from the rain. We were near a big, fancy, 5-star hotel when Cinder starts running towards there.
"Cinder! Where are you going?", Cress shouted.
"Inside!", Cinder replied.
We followed her and just when we were on it's front steps. There was a small group of paparazzi that just came out of nowhere and were trying to take pictures of us. They were speaking in French and flashed their cameras. They kept saying a name which I couldn't understand. We rushed inside to get away from them and surprisingly, they didn't follow us in. I guess they have mistaken us for someone staying in the hotel. We looked around to our surrounding and my mouth dropped at this beautiful hotel.
The lobby was beautiful with luxurious decor and a few tables with vases and flowers on display. I see a crystal chandelier on the ceiling and very beautiful paintings on the walls. The lobby was not to crowded as I see guest coming from lounges and staff bustling to work. It was like something from a movie and so far, this is the most fanciest place I have ever been to.
I see Cinder walking towards the restrooms and Cress and I decided to follow her. On our way, we see at the front desk and two of the staff were talking to a girl who looked bored. The two men were mumbling in a cross between French and English. I have studied French to prepare for trip and even I don't understand what the hell they are saying. However, the girl at the front desk looked very familiar, but I didn't stick around to find out and headed to the restroom.
When we got there, I saw Cinder was leaning towards the sink and she was on the verge of crying. She was taking deep breaths and took off her jacket into the floor. Cress walk over to the sink next to her.
"Are you..."
"Don't!", Cinder snapped. "I just need to be alone. Please", she said as she stormed off to the bathroom stall.
From all of my years of knowing Cinder, it's best to leave her alone for a few minutes until she calms down. However, it's very rare to see her this way. It always breaks my heart and I can't do anything but watch, even if it's only for a few minutes.
I take off my hoodie and set it down to dry. I'm soaking wet to the boot and I'm freezing. Also, my hair is freaking wet and its usual curls have been straightened. I can see Cress's dress has molded into her skin and her short blond hair was only half wet. I grabbed one of the many towels from the sink and Cress try to drain out the remaining water from her hair.
After a few minutes, someone just walked into the restroom and head over to the sink. I took one glance at the mirror and I froze. It was the same girl from the lobby, with her fancy designer clothes and purse and brown hair. She had brown eyes, tanned skin, and her hair reached to her shoulders. I blinked a few times to see if this was real but it is. That girl looked exactly like Cinder!
Same age, same look. This was impossible.
My eyes were about the pop out of my head and was trying not to say anything. I see Cress looking at her and was just as shocked as me. The girl was searching for something purse and pulled out her phone. We watched as she dialed a number and pressed the phone to her ear and spoke.
"It's me, Selene. Yes, I'm still in Paris. Mother's forcing me to go to some charity event to repair my rep.", she said with some sort of British-accent." I don't know! Polar bears, hungry people. Where are you?".
Man, she was a spoiled brat. I just met her and I just want to punch her in the neck right now.
I see her grin." Majorca! Hmm".
Cress and I shared a look behind Selene's head and were shocked. Selene continued.
"Well... since the idiots at the front desk couldn't find my package, I can catch a plane right now and be at the by the morning. I'll just sneak off and be on my way. By the time my mom does the math that I'm not there, I'll already with you guys. I won't even bother checking out...". She stops and looked at us with a nasty look. We looked away and pretend to mind our own business. She continues talking.
"Let me talk to you when I'm at the airport. It might take a while..."
"Scarlet, can you pass me a towel?", Cinder called out from the stall.
Selene hung up and walked out of the restroom. As the door shuts, Cinder came from the stall and start washing her hands.
"Guys, I asked for towel and nothing. I guess I don't blame you since I heard little spoiled princess there. Who was that? What is her problem?"
She looked at us as we were still shocked and didn't say anything.
"Uh... are you guys okay?", she asked.
Cinder's P.O.V
After a couple of minutes of explaining on what just happened while I was in the stall, I still didn't believe it. Both of them saying that the rude and spoiled girl that I overheard, looked exactly like me. I try to tell them that it wasn't possible and they're crazy.
"Look, my file said that both of my parents died in a car accident when I three years old and had no record of any brothers or sisters. It was a miracle that even I survived that car crash.", I explain.
"I'm telling you, just trust us.", Cress says as she was trying undo my ponytail and ruffle my hair. After it settled down to my shoulders, they gasped.
"Oh my god! You looked just like her!", Scarlet said.
"I don't look anything like her."
"You didn't even see her."
"Well, I heard her."
"Well... I believe it's the same thing. You guys are like twins.", Cress suggested.
"That's crazy and you're the most logical person I know".
"Yeah but if only you were British.", she murmured.
We were almost dried and as we grabbed our things and leave the restroom into the lobby, Cress speak.
"Can you please try a British accent, please!", she asked.
"No.", I answered.
"Please Cinder! Just one intimidation and I promise I will drop the twin thing".
"Fine", I say and I mastered up my British accent and did my best impersonation of that stupid brat.
"Poor me. Mommy wants me to help poor people, but I hate poor people.", I said.
"Okay how did you do that, that was creepy?", Cress asked.
"Yeah. It sounded like a mean Mary Poppins. Do it again!", Scarlet said.
We laughed and despite this shitty day, it did cheer me up. This has been one of the worst day of my life and I decided it was time to stop feeling sorry for myself. I did another go and they were surprised that I almost sounded like her.
"I want to go to Spain. I want to see my friends. I want a golden goose..."
"Excuse me Miss Blackburn!"
We turn around and see a short man with suit and was trying to speak English. Must be one of the staff. He continue to speak.
"Good news, we were able to track down your package and will be delivered first thing in the morning."
"Wait what?" I said in my normal voice.
"We're not...", Cress tries to explain.
"There must be some mistake...", Scarlet said but was interrupted.
" Yes, yes, we know.", he said. His face turned into pleading." We are so, so sorry. So sorry and we promised not to let this happen again, Miss Blackburn. Your package will be here in the morning"
"Hey, hey, hey, it's fine. Um... it okay. You don't need to make a big fuss about it. We're fine.", Cress interrupted him and try to calm him down. Even though she may not be the most social person in the world, she's very kind and trying to make sure that this man did not end up in tears. Finally, the man smiles and spoke again.
"In the meantime, we will get your room ready and...", he stopped and turned to the man behind him. Another staff member. He clapped and immediately, I see two other man pushing a cart with a giant silver platter with a bottle of wine. It stopped in front of us and the man speak again.
"We have found, as you requested, a 26-pound langouste.", he said and lifted the platter lid. It was a red, giant, cooked lobster. One that is the size of size of my backpack and looked so red and juicy. My stomach growled and I wanted to eat all in a heartbeat.
I looked over and see Cress and Scarlet's mouths dropped as they were drooling over this lobster. We have never seen this type of fish back home and it's the cost of Iko's and I monthly rent. Something I would never afford in my entire life. I was about to speak when it hit me, this wasn't mine. These people actually believe that I'm some sort of rich person and staying here. No one knows who I am and they are actually buying this. Right there, I was faced with a moral dilemma.
Do I take this meal and steal something that isn't mine or tell the man the truth. I know that this meal is not mine to begin with. I am not Selene Blackburn. I don't belong here and we'll be on our way out. However, it is raining outside. We are tired, starving, and have no idea where to go. I have worked as a part-time mechanic for four years while Selene has been going to parties and raised with a silver spoon. I think it's time I take control and enjoy myself for once.
After all, it's just for the night.
I use my accent again and spoke," I shall take it in my room."
Scarlet looked at me but didn't say anything while the man told the others to do as instructed.
***Hour Later (Hotel Room)***
After one lobster later, we were stuffed and Cress and I had lie down on the bed while Scarlet was pacing the room. It was a one bedroom suite but it's much bigger than the one from last night. At least this bed was enough to fit at least for three of us.
"Can you imagine having a room like this and not even staying in it?", Cress yawned.
"Yeah", Scarlet spoke."Because we're not stay here".
We all looked at the her.
"Said the girl that eat almost half of the lobster", Cress stated.
"The point is that we can't stay here and we are going to get in big trouble.", she said.
"I know but we don't have a lot of options. We're lost and those people believe she is Selene. It's just for the night and we'll get out of here first thing in the morning", Cress said as she was pulling the covers to get in bed.
"Great. Now we have to make the bed.", Scarlet mummered.
"Scar, just relax. We're just resting", she said and tossed her one of the chocolates from the bed.
Scarlet catches it and looks at it for a second and sits down on the side of the bed. I decided to speak.
"Come on, Scarlet. It's been a long day and we have nowhere else to go", I said.
Finally, Scarlet touches the blanket on the bed and crawled until she plop down and lie between me and Cress.
"Fine.", she said. "Just until it stops raining".
We all agreed and decided to go asleep. Cress and I shared the blanket while Scarlet slept on top of the covers to keep us separated. Finally, I turned off the lamp and fell asleep.
Sorry I'm late. I had a few things to take care of but enough about me. I have kept you guys without a story too long and I am almost done with my writer's block. I hope you guys like this chapter even though that this may not be my best one, I had to give you guys something. I'll see you soon with a new chapter.
XOXO
-Bookatopia1227
