Blame It on Paris - Book cover

Blame It on Paris

Aimee Dierking

Chapter 2

TWELVE DAYS LATER

Michael was all packed. He had all his suits in the hanging bag, ready to go, as well as shirts and ties, while his regular clothes and toiletries were packed in the other bags.

His mom had helped him get Ollie all squared away and had his suitcase ready to go in the hallway. Michael had a backpack filled with snacks, a sippy cup, and a variety of toys and activities for his son to occupy his time on the flight.

Michael had emailed back and forth with Anelise, getting to know her, and was surprised at her maturity, given she was only about to turn twenty-one.

He had sent her some videos of Ollie so she could get to know him better. And she had sent a recording of her reading him a bedtime story, which Ollie loved. In fact, Michael had to play it every night before Ollie would go to bed.

Michael’s mom, Susan, was of invaluable help to him over those two weeks. She helped her son pack, prepped the house for an extended vacancy, and helped talk Anelise up to her grandson.

She loved spending time with him and spoiled him rotten while she was there. They went to the park, the toy store, and his favorite restaurant. She had never seen a child eat a quesadilla as fast as he did!

“Michael, is there anything else you need before tomorrow? I can run to the store if you need anything,” Susan offered.

“I think we are all set, Mom. Thanks,” he replied as he packed the chargers and converters in his carry-on.

“Anelise seems like a good choice for this trip. I’m glad Kim and Neil suggested it,” Susan noted.

“I am so thankful! I have no idea what I would have done if she hadn’t agreed to do this,” he admitted. “But it still puzzles me why she reacted the way she did when I had asked if she wanted to come tonight.”

“Well, I guess you never know what happens behind closed doors. But I get the feeling that Kim still thinks of her daughter as a fifteen-year-old who’s in need of parenting.”

Susan continued, “Kim actually told me the other day that she was a little pissed that Anelise didn’t ask for permission before she had told you yes.”

Michael stopped to look at his mom. “Are you serious?”

She nodded. “I bet there is more to this young woman than meets the eye.”

“Do you think I made a mistake?” Michael asked. “And be honest, Mom.”

“No. I think she is very dedicated to her studies. You can’t get your master’s in less than four years without being driven. My intuition says that she just wants to spread her wings and be her own person.”

Susan continued thoughtfully, “I think Ollie will be in very good hands and will learn things by being around her, good things.”

Knowing that she was the most intuitive person he had ever met, he trusted her judgment and nodded. “Thanks, Mom.”

She kissed his cheek. “You’re welcome. I haven’t yet decided what present I want, but I’ll make sure you keep your word when the time is right. Or maybe just a Burberry bag! I’m going up to bed now that Ollie is down for the night. We have an early morning!”

He bid her goodnight and went into his office to make sure that he had everything he needed to do his analytics of the company his current company wished to merge with.

Being the head of accounting and having practical experience in forensic accounting, the company’s owner and CEO saw Michael as the logical choice to be sent to ascertain whether the British company was a good prospect for expansion.

Besides Michael, the delegation included Craig, head of the legal department, and Ken Banks, who was in charge of observing their HR department and learning how the whole company operated and how British law worked.

Ken was a good man and a hard worker. He was leaving behind his wife and two teenagers for this trip, but they were to visit him in July.

Satisfied that everything was packed and in order, he climbed into bed after showering, hoping that the next three months would be a good experience.

Anelise and Leslie were at their favorite restaurant with some friends, celebrating the end of the spring semester. Leslie was several drinks in, while Anelise only had two, knowing she had to get up early.

“Ani! I’m so jealous that you’ll get to be around all those hot British men in their sexy accents!” Tiffany yelled over the loud music playing from the jukebox.

“I know, I mean... and you are getting paid while you are writing your paper! What the fuck, Ani!” Monica slurred.

“Not to mention that the guy she’ll be working for has a deep, sexy voice!” Leslie added as she went in for another mozzarella cheese stick.

“Just lucky, I guess.” She laughed as the other girls mock-insulted her and called her by her pet names.

“Don’t forget to call us and send pictures!” Tiffany added as she hugged her friends. “I have to go. My parents will be here by about eleven, and I don’t want to be sleeping with a hangover like last time when they arrived. Daddy cut my allowance!”

The other girls laughed and waved, and she went to her Uber ride that was waiting. After dancing to a few more songs, they all shared a ride home.

Leslie and Anelise were giggling and laughing as they got out of the car and climbed up to their apartment. Right after opening their door, Leslie plopped on Anelise’s bed while she changed and started her string of questions.

“You have the converter packed?”

“Yes.”

“What about your passport?”

“In my purse, with my tickets.”

“What about your cell phone and credit cards? You got everything changed and updated as you needed?”

“Leslie, yes, I have the international plan on my phone. I went to the bank to tell them what was going on, and they have everything changed with no fee for conversions. I am all set. What is going on?”

Leslie sat up and let out a sigh. “We have never been apart for this long since we met! And I can’t even come and visit!”

Anelise sat next to her and hugged her tightly. “I know it will be a little different and a little scary being apart. But I promise you that I will text you every day and try to call every few days.”

Leslie nodded but then asked, “Why do I feel like everything is going to change after this?”

“Because you’re crazy, and your imagination is running away from you!” Anelise chuckled. “Now stop with all this sadness. Try to sleep off all the drinks you had. I have to leave early, but I’ll come and say goodbye before I go.”

“What time is your flight?”

“My flight is at 7:30 a.m., and with the time change, I’ll be in Chicago by about 10 a.m., which is perfect. The London flight is around 12 p.m., so I’ll get some time to know Mr. Whitlock and Ollie a bit,” she explained, yawning.

Leslie nodded and went to her room, yelling, “Sleep well, brat!”

“Back at ya, snot!”

They both crawled under their covers to sleep before their lives changed for the next three months.

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