Scores to Settle

The young handsome man furrows his eyebrows upon reading the message in his cell phone. He had been looking forward to receiving a reply from that person for a week and certainly that cold uninterested reply was not something he had been hoping for. Granted it had been years since his last interaction with Cathleen, but Paris had hoped he would get some sort of enthusiasm from his first love.

After all, it had been seven years.

Taking a deep breath, Paris locks his cell phone and places it back inside his trench coat pocket. He slowly takes in his surroundings, the bustling city where he spent most of his life in until he left it for Vienna seven years ago. Things have not changed that much from the way he remembers it. The scent of freshly baked pastry, taste of Decaf Cappuccino, and the sound of street musicians are still the same.

‘L’îsle au Chocolat’.

This quaint cafe was their their secret place where they would meet after school seven years ago. Everything from the simple rustic interior to the old matron waitress had not changed. Paris had always chosen the table beside the large window overlooking the streets. He didn’t like sweets, but he couldn’t help but order the cafe’s signature crème brûlée – Cathleen’s favorite.

Sipping his Cappuccino, Paris stares at the empty chair accross him and the untouched crème brûlée before him. He wonders if she still comes here and does all this. Does she still like to wear her long brunette locks down and does her warm smile still captivate the room whenever she’s around?

Or has she changed?

The Cathleen he knew would never send him such a cold message. The Cathleen he knew used to laugh at jokes even when they weren’t really funny. The Cathleen he knew used to hold his hand and gave him an encouraging smile right before a musical competition. The Cathleen he knew was like a ray of light that permeated inside his dark and boring existence.

Paris sighs, his heart tortured. He had returned for two weeks now and he had mustered all the courage left inside of him to break the news to Cathleen a week ago. He had prepared for the worst from Cathleen and yet her icy reply tore his insides. Maybe she has changed, she had moved on and found a much more suitable man to be beside her – a man who would fight for her, who wouldn’t run off to another country to selfishly chase after his own dream.

Paris knew he didn’t deserve Cathleen seven years ago, and he knew he doesn’t deserve Cathleen now. From what he heard, she had made a decent living for herself as an up-and-coming executive in a Fortune 500 company. He would be the last thing she need right now. He would only be in her way, which was fair considering she had felt like she was in his way seven years ago. It wasn’t fair for him to wish that her feelings had not changed for seven years, even if his feelings for her had remained the same.

Paris empties the other pocket from his trench coat and pulled out a small velvet box. He opens it gently and is greeted by the familiar sight of an elegant ring with a sparkling round diamond on top. He bought it on his first day in Vienna seven years ago and he had always known who he would give the ring to. Hopefully tomorrow when he meets her, he would let her know that.

------

It’s midnight and the lights are still on inside the third young master’s bedroom of the Pelletier household. The sight was normal among the household staff, for it was a known fact that compared to his siblings, Alain Pelletier had always been the most hard-working. It was almost a cruel fact that he was born third, after two heirs had been pronounced to inherit the most of the family’s fortune. The eldest Pelletier son was a brilliant yet broken man after the death of his wife three years ago. The second eldest was a loser – a timid man with a kind heart that gets deceived in numerous occassions and has no knowledge whatsoever that his trophy wife is cheating behind his back.

But tonight Alain was not burning the midnight oil to clean up his brothers’ mess to make them look good like he always did. Tonight he has a far more personal agenda and he couldn’t care less for his family financial feud. In fact, he was looking at a familiar brunette’s picture displayed in his tablet PC. In the picture she was smiling exuberantly behind a large window of a small cafe. A young handsome man was sitting in front of her, smiling in the picture and holding her hands like they belonged in his.

The picture is dated seven years ago, and it had been in Alain’s possession for that period of time as well. Along with some more recent pictures of the same young brunette woman sitting all alone behind the same large windown of the same small cafe, with a lost expression carved in her beautiful face.

Beside Alain are a few crushed paper fliers of a violin concert dating tomorrow. Some of the fliers that had not been properly crushed displayed a face of a young man whose name Alain had loathed for the past seven years, for that man took that woman’s heart seven years ago and has not returned it to this day.

Paris.

Autumn in My Heart

It was September. Silent chills of autumn swept the city as the leaves started to change its forms and colors. All the vibrant colors of spring had vanished and were replaced by shades of red and yellow, if not brown. In a month all the leaves would have withered away, unable to withstand nature’s preparation for a quiet winter slumber.

A terracotta-colored leaf landed upon Cat’s cheek. Cat brushed it away gently and continued to tread on the usual commuting path to work. Even though she was wearing a crimson trench-coat over her power suit, the chills still found a way to make her shiver underneath. A cup of the decaf green tea latte she was holding on her right hand provided little source of warmth but it will do for the time being. To distract herself from the cold, Cat allowed her brain to replay all her plans that she had made for today.

“You’re still not good with cold weather, Cathleen.”

A silky voice interrupted Cat’s thoughts, as they dispersed in midair. The voice had a deep sharp edge and a teasing tone. A sense familiarity washed over Cat as she turned around and had her assumptions confirmed.

Sure enough, a pair of familiar dark eyes observed Cat’s face amusedly as a smirk formed on the otherwise stunningly perfect face. The wind played slightly with the person’s wavy brown locks. Yes, the sound came from that beautiful man dressed in an elegant business suit, leaning on a posh black Aston Martin.

Cat held her breath nervously and forced a smile. “Good morning, Mr. Pelletier.” she greeted as politely as she could.

The young man gave a slight frown. “Why so formal so early in the day? I think you know me well enough to call me by my given name.”

Cat chuckled, “Well, I can’t possibly call the CEO’s son by his given name so-”

“Correct me if I’m wrong” the man cut in “But I don’t recall seeing this pathway as the Pelletier Tower and I don’t think the people here look anything like the staff in Pelletier Enterprise.”

“Well, that’s true but-“

“Then we’re not at work. So it means you can call me by any name you so desire.” he smiled playfully.

Cat cleared her throat. She wasn’t going to win this battle by any chance. In all the ten years she had known him, she had not won a single banter. “Okay then. Good morning…. Alain.”

“That’s more like it.” Alain Pelletier gave an approving nod and in a swift elegant move, opened the passenger’s door of his posh ride. “You made me wait long enough. Hop in or we won’t be able to make it to the office in time.”

“I’d rather not.” Cat said quickly. “The last time I arrived at work in your Ferrari, my boss and friends had a field day about it. Thank you for the generous offer but I don’t want a second chance to kill my social life.”

“It wasn’t a request, and we know I don’t like repeating myself.” Alain gazed at her calmly, but the words that came out from his mouth were superior and imposing. It reflected none of the gentleness in his expression. Alain quickly grabbed Cat’s wrist and pulled her into the car. The moment she was seated, the tone of his voice changed again. This time gentler –the tone he uses in his everyday conversation with everyone else. “So just sit back and enjoy okay.” He smirked as he closed the door.

*****

There goes my social life.

Cat sighed heavily as she stared into her computer screen, trying her best to ignore her workmates forming circles behind her. She could feel the cold jealous stares from her female coworkers. They should very well be giving her death threat notes by tomorrow.

Alain Pelletier was the third son of the Pelletier Enterprise CEO. Young, charismatic, and extremely intelligent, Alain was the most desired bachelor in her building and perhaps in the elite social circle. He was only one year her senior and now he’s the VP of Pelletier Media, a subsidiary of Pelletier Enterprise and Cat’s current workplace.

“Morning, gorgeous!” Sophie greeted merrily as she situated herself on her work station right beside Cat.

“Morning, Soph…” Cat half-groaned her reply. All the positive energy she had this morning were swept away the moment she had stepped inside the fancy Aston Martin.

Sophie threw a questioning look at her and gave a smile, “And here I thought that getting a ride to work in Alain Pelletier’s ride would cheer you up after what happened in my engagement party.”

“He’s my senior at high school, Soph. He used to tease me a lot at school.” Cat said with a hushed voice. “If anybody at work knew, they would think that I got my job through my connections to him, nobody would take me seriously and I will never get that promotion.”

“I think you’re being too dramatic here, Cat. You earned this job – and that long overdue promotion.” Sophie replied firmly. “He was just being nice you know, taking his junior to work. It doesn’t hurt that you both go to the same office.”

Cat was about to open her mouth and voice another protest when she heard the voices coming from three cubicles on her left.

“Did you hear? Paris Sinclair is coming to town for a two-night concert at the Ensemble Hall!”

Cat turned around and found her coworker Bianca talking on her cell excitedly. Bianca went on and on about how the tickets were sold out since yesterday. While Bianca was busy mourning the fact that she was not going to see the handsome violinist in person, Cat felt every system in her body crash just by the simple mention of Paris’ name. His name still had that effect on her even after seven years of his departure.

Cat opened her Blackberry and slowly opened the email. "Hi C, I'm back in town for a visit in a week. I need to see you. Love, P"

It was until then that she realized that there was a document attached to the email. Inserted was a front-row ticket to a concert taking place later tomorrow. Cat heaved another sigh just looking at it, butterflies churning inside her stomach.

Cat wasn’t ready to meet Paris. Not under this circumstances. He was a rising star, living his dream. She was a complete nobody, failed in living her dreams thanks to the cold shoulder of the universe.

But why is it that every fiber of her being is screaming ecstatically at the prospect of seeing him? This time in person – not in front of a television screen.

Taking a deep breath, Cat felt like she had made up her mind. She pressed the menu button and pressed ‘Reply to Email’.

Beau Soir

Cat heaved a long sigh as she closed the apartment door behind her.  After getting stuck for two hours in the terrible traffic, she was home at last. She had somehow miraculously get her tons and tons of work done before the clock strikes seven – which was a record for her considering her evil witch of a boss Samantha usually works her up until nine.

It had been one of the longest days in her life, and she needed a good dose of chamomile tea – stat!

Slowly, Cat removed her tan trench coat and gently hung it on the hanger right beside the door. The coat was a little wet, thanks to a light drizzle that welcomed her home when she stepped out of the car just a few minutes earlier.  A gentle purring voice greeted Cat as soon as she entered her living room. Ludwig, her lovable cat, was rubbing his head on Cat’s legs and begging for Cat’s attention.

“Sorry I’m late. Got you some treats though, Lou.” Cat smiled and lifted up a plastic bag from the grocery store, filled with tuna-flavored cat food that was her Ludwig’s favorite. Ludwig meowed in delight at the sight of the canned goods.

Cat walked to the kitchen and grabbed the can opener from her kitchen cabinet. She opened the can and poured its contents to Ludwig’s bowl. It didn’t take a second until Ludwig showed up and wolfed down the food happily.

“Slow down, boy.” Cat chuckled as she poured some hot water into a mug and placed a chamomile tea bag inside.

The sweet scent of chamomile slowly filled up her small kitchen. Cat closed her eyes and felt every joint in her body screaming in agony. She had been experiencing the same pain for two years now, and life shows no sign of slowing down. If she wanted to get a promotion before she hits 25 by the end of this year, she has to earn it by working like a horse to impress the crazily demanding Samantha Fuller. Even if it costs her her sanity, her social life, and her love life!

All her friends might be on a race to get married before they turn 25. However, Cat knew that love was not a part of the deal when she signed up for this.

As Cat waited for the chamomile to settle in her cup, she reached for her purse and pulled out her Blackberry. She typed a few things to do on her mobile planner for tomorrow, so she won’t forget what she needs to do.  She then checked her email and found out that her boss had simply replied:

'As attached. Should be done by 24^th. Thx’

Cat sighed, feeling a strong urge to grab a baseball bat and smash her Blackberry to smithereens. The only thing that held her back was her good sense. A Blackberry isn’t cheap and her whole life is in that device. She couldn’t afford to lose it just because her boss demanded her to revise the designs (that she had made after four hours of staring into the tablet PC) only after less than fifteen minutes of reviewing it! And now Samantha wants Cat to revise everything before the day after tomorrow!

“I sooo deserve this promotion.” Cat said bitterly as she took a sip on her chamomile tea. Usually the tea works wonders to calm her nerves. But the magic seems to have disappeared tonight. Cat found herself still upset, thanks to Samantha’s email.

‘Maybe I could just erase it and pretend I never got her e-mail…’ Cat plotted and an evil grin emerged on her tired face.

Cat grabbed her Blackberry and opened the Inbox. It was then that she again saw the email she received earlier that day. The email that clouds her mood even more than Samantha’s constant nagging. The email from a man she wishes to have forgotten after all these years. That man is the last thing she needed in a time like this.

But then again, how can you forget your first love?

-------

Cat remembered everything as if it happened yesterday.

It all started ten years ago. It was only a day after Cat and her family moved to this big city and Cat was already having trouble fitting in. She had hated leaving her friends back in her hometown thanks to her father getting a job in the city.

Cat remembered having a fit about the whole moving thing and went to the park to clear her head. She was sulking on her own at the swing when she heard an enchanting sound. That gentle sound was floating with the spring wind, like delicate snowflakes falling to the ground. A peculiar sense of grace enveloping its each rippling notes. Like the oceans tide, it came and it left, leaving an indistinctable path.

Slowly, like a moth drawn to flame, Cat followed the sound until it led her to a figure of a young man who held a small stringed instrument under his chin while his hands breathed life to the instrument with every stroke he took. Cat had only seen the instrument on books and television, but identified it as a violin. She had never known such delicate melody would come from a violin.

After the song ended, Cat couldn’t help but give an applause and such reaction turned the young man’s head towards her. His eyes were the most amazing shade of blue, much like the glorious blue sky behind him. But those eyes reflected loneliness and deep sadness that she couldn’t put her hand into.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Cat stopped clapping. “It was truly the most beautiful sound I have ever heard.”

“I’m sorry you had to hear that.” The young man replied, the tone of his voice a handsome baritone.

Cat’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion, “What do you mean?”

“My music is not as refined as you think.” The young man replied again “I still have a long way to go.”

Cat gave a slight frown. “What song did you just play?”

Not expecting that question, the young man paused before giving his reply, “Debussy’s ‘Beau Soir’”

“Well I think it’s beautiful.” Cat smiled. “Sometimes, you have to learn to accept compliments, and be grateful that you are still able to play such beautiful music. Rather than striving to be better all the time, have you ever taken some time to reflect and be satisfied at how far you have progressed?”

The young man fell silent upon Cat’s reply. Cat inwardly cursed herself for speaking up her mind without thinking again. She didn’t even know this guy and she’s giving him a hard time already.

Cat cleared her throat and flashed an awkward grin “Anyway my name is Cathleen, but everybody calls me Cat. I hate it though. It makes me sound like an animal.”

“My name is Paris.”

That’s how it all started. Nobody knew how that awkward encounter in the park was the start of an ill-fated love story that never had a chance to truly blossom. Cat had to accept the bitter fact that her first love had left her for a music scholarship in Vienna only three years after their meeting.

And now that he will be returning, Cat couldn’t help but wonder if he had remained the same throughout the years or if the music had gone into his head.

Personally Cat would have preferred if he would stay as the boy in her memories of that beautiful fateful evening - beau soir.

Prolog

Seven years ago…

It was the last day of spring and the airport was extraordinarily packed, bustling with people anxiously waiting for their flights. Among the crowd was a young woman, her eyes lost in the blue sky displayed from the glass windows. The sky was so clear, with almost no clouds concealing its glorious azure. She witnessed as one particular plane soared off towards that very same sky, further and further away until her eyes could no longer see it.

Further and further away to a place beyond her reach… and with it, a large irreplaceable part of her was taken away.

It took a few moments before the young woman realized that warm droplets of tears had trickled down her cheeks. And once the realization hit her, the tears wouldn’t stop falling. She gasped for air and felt anguish finally setting in within each breath she takes. After months of keeping her emotions in the back seat, the woman allowed herself to cry. She cared not that the sight of her arose questioning looks from passersby.

Just once, she wanted to break down and cry.

Tomorrow she would find strength to smile again. She would convince her friends that she was alright, that she was happy her ‘friend’ received the chance of a lifetime. She wouldn’t divulge on them how broken she actually was that her first love had left her to pursue what had ironically brought them together in the first place – music.

She couldn’t blame him. No promises had been made. From the start she knew he was going to leave her. The times that they had spent together would just be a fleeting memory of a young love that never got the chance to truly blossom.

Their story ends here – on the last day of spring.