Chapter 44

44 Like Being Caught Cheating

Kalea and Aluna spent their time visiting various famous tourist attractions in Paris. Like cycling along the Seine. She also took advantage of learning to make cakes such as croissants, tarts, macarons, and others at the La Cuisine Paris cooking school. Her French language skills are getting more fluent even though it’s only an everyday language, but at least Kalea can understand and reply to local people’s conversations.

They also visited the Louvre museum, one of the largest and most visited art museums and a historical monument in the world. The location is in the Louvre Palace, which was originally a fortress built in the 12th century.

Kalea engrossed in observing the various kinds of works that were there from various civilizations ranging from Greek, Etruscan, Roman, to Islamic. The girl’s steps stopped at a painting of a woman who was very famous and legendary.

“Monalisa!” Aluna exclaimed while pointing at the painting that was also being seen by Kalea. Lots of people gathered there and took pictures of the painting. Aluna participated in taking pictures of the Monalisa painting even though she had visited Paris and the Museum several times.

Kalea’s gaze can’t be separated from Monalisa’s painting, which is very attractive and exudes a mysterious aura. Starting from the smile to her eyes, as if she was talking about something. The longer she stared at it, the less she understood what the painting meant and what it implied. Either look at her as if she was watching or invite her to talk.

Her hand began to point the cellphone towards the painting, she didn’t want to miss a moment that would not come once or twice. She didn’t expect to see it with her own eyes.

“Every time I see her, for some reason I get scared,” Aluna whispered to Kalea.

“Mysterious, huh,” Kalea said.

“So mysterious, even her smile often changes!”

.....

“Maybe if you look at it from a different point of view, the smile seems to change,” Kalea replied, focusing on the painting. Aluna turned to her friend, she was impressed that Kalea really paid so much attention to the museum. Even while she was there, Aluna didn’t feel like she was on vacation but on a study tour.

After being satisfied with seeing various works at the Louvre Museum, they decided to have lunch at a nearby restaurant around the corner called Le Pot de Vins. A French man walked up to them with a friendly smile. Previously, Aluna had booked a place at the restaurant, she was indeed tasked with ordering tickets or online activities because Kalea didn’t really understand. She heard that this restaurant provides friendly service and delicious food.

“Bienvenue, combien de personnes?” the waiter asked, asking how many people they would eat.

“Pour deux personnes,” Kalea replied, while sticking two fingers at the maid. She still wasn’t very confident with her accent.

“Déjà réservé une place?” (Have you made a reservation?)

Kale nodded quickly. “Oui, nous avons réservé une place.”

“Allons-y.” The waiter ushered them both to the reserved table, which was on the outside so that they could see the view. The waiter gave the menu to Kalea and Aluna. “Ceci est le menu. Voulez-vous commander maintenant?” the man asked if they were going to order food this time or not.

The two girls saw the various menus listed, Aluna asked the waiter, and luckily the male waiter could speak a little English and explained the menu to them well. They ordered some of the main menu, and for dessert, they didn’t forget the wine suggested by the waiter. However, Kalea also ordered water because she was a little unsure about the alcoholic drink made from fermented wine. Then, the waiter went to deliver their order to the chef.

“Wow, I’m still amazed by your language skills,” Aluna said, and Kalea only blushed to hear it.

Today is their fifth day on vacation. Arthur had just set off to catch up with them after finishing his work as quickly as possible so Juan wouldn’t nag and terrorize him. He even advanced some of these schedules just to follow Kalea to Paris.

They began to enjoy the food that the waiter had delivered. Kalea’s eyebrows shot up as the tenderloin entered her mouth, a taste she had never tasted before. “This is so delicious,” Kalea muttered as she looked at the dish. The menu she chose was Tournedos a la bordelaise, a steak of tenderloin doused with a mixed sauce of wine and other spices.

“You have to try Cassoulet, it’s popular here,” Aluna said, smiling broadly.

“Ah, I’m also curious about the menu.” Cassoulet is a type of casserole consisting of the main ingredients, namely white beans and meat. Some additional ingredients, such as chicken, duck, or pork, and grilled sausage.

They were busy talking while pouring wine with each other, Kalea actually refused, but Aluna forced Kalea to drink a little even though it was only one glass. Because the wine in France is the best wine in the world. It’s a shame if she doesn’t taste it.

“By the way, Lea. I feel someone is watching us,” Aluna whispered.

“Hmm? Who?” Kalea asked, her brow furrowed in confusion. The girl followed the tail of Aluna’s eyes which were pointing to the left and found a handsome man smiling at them.

“That’s the chef here,” Aluna said as she sipped her wine until it was finished.

“You know him?”

“Of course! He’s still very young, handsome, and good at cooking.”

“That’s definitely good at cooking, that’s why he became a chef,” Kalea said casually.

“But he can really produce such delicious and extraordinary dishes, right? Could it be that he has an interest in us? Or one of us?” Aluna asked in a whispered voice.

Kalea chuckled, feeling funny at her friend’s words. “Why? Do you want to find love in this romantic city?” Kalea guessed, teasing Aluna.

“Why not?” Aluna replied while blinking her eyes coquettishly.

The conversation was interrupted when the man they had been talking about suddenly approached their table. “Bonsoir, je suis le chef de ce restaurant, Gérard. Avez-vous apprécié la nourriture?” the man said named Gerard, asked if Kalea and Aluna enjoyed the dish he made.

“Ah, um ... bien s?r, ce plate est incroyable,” Kalea replied with a stiff smile. She said the dish was amazing. Aluna was also awkward because she was the only one who didn’t understand at all.

Gerard chuckled. “It’s an honor to be able to please two beautiful women like you two,” the man said now using English. Kalea and Aluna looked at each other alternately. They laughed too, a little relieved. Gerard is very friendly and comfortable to talk to. He also praised Kalea who was good at French.

At first Aluna was very enthusiastic and continued to talk to Gerard, but she began to realize that Gerard’s gaze was more on her best friend. While Kalea doesn’t seem aware of it. Kalea didn’t realize that Gerard talked to her more often than Aluna.

French men are often known for having a sweet and romantic mouth, an example of which is very clear in Gerrald. Kalea started to feel a little uncomfortable, especially since Aluna didn’t talk much anymore.

“Looks like we have to go home, it’s getting late,” Kalea said, ending the conversation. The restaurant was not as busy as before, so Gerard could talk freely with them. The man turned out to have lived in America for two years because of that he was accustomed to English.

“Oh, please. It seems I have kept you here longer. If you come again to Paris, don’t hesitate to eat here. I will serve a secret menu and no less delicious for you two,” Gerard said with a sweet smile.

“Oh, I love it. This restaurant is as recommended, really amazing,” Aluna said, a wide smile appearing on her face again.

“Thank you, Miss Leteshia.”

After that they went home to order a taxi, it was almost eleven at night. They had spent too much time with the chef. Kalea glanced at her best friend, who had turned quieter. “What’s wrong, Luna?” Kalea asked worriedly.

“Hm? Oh, I’m fine!” Aluna replied while putting on a cheerful face, even though it returned flat after that. For some reason, Kalea became a little uncomfortable even though she didn’t know the reason. However, she didn’t want to pressure Aluna to explain what happened. Luckily, the distance from the restaurant to the hotel is no more than half an hour. Maybe Arthur should have arrived, but the man hadn’t sent another message to Kalea. Making the brunette haired girl a little worried.

The two girls arrived at the hotel at exactly eleven o’clock at night. Kalea’s body was very tired and wanted to immediately meet the soft bed. However, the footsteps of the girl with the cat’s eyes stopped, Kalea’s eyes widened when she saw someone she knew very well sitting on the lobby sofa and looking at her very intently. Aluna was just as surprised.

“Si-since when ....”

Arthur got up from his seat and walked over to Kalea. “What time is it? Have you forgotten what I said before?” the man asked, his voice deep and intimidating.

“That’s ..., I came home on time, really,” Kalea replied while showing the clock on her cellphone screen. Arthur didn’t pay any heed, still staring intently at Kalea. Kalea swallowed her saliva roughly, she didn’t expect Arthur to be so angry with her. “Y-you been here a long time? Why didn’t you tell me?” Kalea asked with a stiff smile and was trying to change the topic. However, Arthur remained silent.

Shit, Kalea really doesn’t know what to do.

“Arthur ...” Kalea whispered with a pitiful face.

“You’re asking why I didn’t tell you? Of course, so I could know what time you came here after spending time outside. And yeah, you came back late at night,” Arthur replied in a tone full of emphasis. Kalea couldn’t defend herself, she was afraid that Arthur was already in serious mode.

As for Aluna, there was no intention to intervene or even help Kalea explain. She just kept quiet and turned her face the other way.