Chapter 12 A Solitary Honeymoon

• Days Later.
• GENESIS
• I stepped out of the car and entered the hotel where I was staying. As always, two security guards walked ahead of me and two behind me. I was gradually getting used to this life, and it was incredible.
• I had explored nearly every corner of France that I could think of, and I was already feeling exhausted. I had indulged in plenty of shopping, visited the beach, explored museums, art galleries, and much more.
• It had been a perfect experience; I hadn't had a moment to feel sad or annoyed. I ate whatever I wanted, and it seemed like a lot of eyes were constantly on me. I mingled with many hot, wealthy people, and both Mom Leona and my family had been a great help.
• However, that evening, I wasn't feeling like myself anymore. I headed straight to my room in a sour mood, quickly showered, and then relaxed on the couch, attempting to watch some TV. But even that didn't help. It had been days since Jordan, my husband, had left me at the altar, and he hadn't shown up, texted, called, or sent a message.
• I was still me, still alone, and the terrible feeling I felt back then resurfaced. My vacation felt ruined, and all I could think about was going back home. I stayed in my hotel room for as long as I could, but eventually, I grew tired of it. I got up and decided to find something nice to wear.
• I found a gown I had been eager to try on. It was a peach-colored gown with sleeveless arms that stopped just below my knees. It hugged my body and had two slits on both sides of my thighs. I slipped on glass heels and grabbed a silver bag. I let my brown, wavy hair cascade down my back, added some jewelry, and left the room.
• My security guards stood at attention, waiting for me to choose a direction. When I did, two walked a few feet in front of me, and the other two trailed behind. I wasn't going far; I just wanted to visit the bar and blow off some steam and the terrible feeling in my heart.
• As I walked past, people stared at me, and I couldn't understand why. Was it because of my beauty? I knew I was beautiful. Or perhaps it was because of the guards who followed me everywhere. I traveled in a convoy and always had guards with me; that must have raised some questions in their minds. Or maybe they recognized me.
• They knew me, but not as Genesis. Genesis was a nobody, someone they didn't even know existed. They recognized me as the wife of Jordan Chase, who had come for a vacation because her husband was away on a business trip and hadn't been able to call or text her.
• I found the bar, where people were chatting and enjoying themselves, just like in any classy bar. I ignored the attention and walked straight to the bar counter. I took a seat and watched as the bartender gaped at me. It was flattering to know that I still held such power over men, even after being married. I let him gape for a moment, enjoying it.
• "Good evening, gentlemen, but I feel like your eyes might fall off if you don't stop staring," I said in French, and he looked away, embarrassed.
• "I am sorry, I didn't mean to stare," he replied in French, and I smiled warmly at him.
• "What can I get you?" he asked, getting straight to business. I just liked the way his words rolled out in French.
• "I don't know. Maybe a cocktail, I need the best here," I said, and he smiled.
• "Coming right up," he said before going ahead to prepare something I had never tried before in my life.
• When he returned, he handed it to me. "That's the best you'll get in all of Paris," he said with a wink, and I chuckled.
• "Well, enjoy," he added in that French accent that made me wish I could be as good in French. I nodded and he left me with my drink.
• I sighed and took a sip, moaning after tasting it. It was indeed the best. Though I hadn't tried many cocktails, I gave it a hundred percent score. I kept myself busy by going through my phone as I took another sip of my drink. It wasn't like I had much to do anyway. My wedding with Jordan was still making headlines, and I decided to avoid looking at my phone. Shouldn't I be happy? It had been days since my wedding, and yet I still felt miserable. My hand involuntarily went to the finger where he had slid a ring, and I played with it absentmindedly.
• "You miss him, don't you?" a lady said from a distance, and I turned my attention to her. She was blonde and very beautiful, appearing to be my age or perhaps a little older.
• I stared hard at her, unable to recognize her, and she spoke English fluently.
• "Sorry, I guess you don't know me. I'm Kathleen Hart," she said, approaching me, but my guards stood in front of her, keeping her at a distance.
• "Let her," I ordered.
• "You've got some tight security there," she remarked as she took a seat next to mine.
• "You can't imagine," I groaned, and she chuckled.
• "It must be great being a Chase," she commented, and I rolled my eyes. She obviously recognized me.
• "Your position right now was once a dream of mine," she added, and I smirked.
• "Yeah, right," I said dismissively.
• "It's true. Jordan is every girl's dream, rich or poor. But now he's married to an extremely beautiful person. That dream had to die, and now I'm extremely jealous of your beauty," she said, and I smiled at her, feeling a hint of pink on my cheeks.
• "I never knew someone could actually be jealous of me," I admitted, and she laughed.
• "You walked in here and stole all the attention. Most women here are glaring at you right now," she added, and I laughed.
• "Please apologize to them on my behalf," I said with a chuckle.
• "Hell no...they would kill me in place of you," she joked, and I laughed until I had my fill.
• "Tell me, you must miss him a lot," she ventured.
• "Huh????" I was momentarily confused.
• "Jordan, your husband," she clarified, and an 'ohhh' escaped my lips.
• "Well..." I paused, unsure of what to say.
• "I miss him a lot but..." I admitted, recalling the days we talked on the phone.
• "I can't do anything about it. He just had to have a business trip on our honeymoon," I explained, taking another sip of my cocktail.
• "It's normal for businessmen. You'll be fine," she reassured me with a warm smile.
• "At least you're in Paris; this is an amazing place to be," she pointed out, taking a sip of her drink.
• "Hell yeah...but I'll be leaving tomorrow," I said, my tone tinged with sadness.
• "Why? Just when I was about to make friends with the most beautiful girl I've met," she teased, and I giggled.
• "I'm sorry, but I need to go home," I pouted, and she chuckled.
• "Well, I guess your husband is waiting," she remarked, and a faint smile spread to my cheeks.
• I wished he was waiting. I hoped he was waiting. But with all I'd seen so far, it seemed like a lost cause.
• "He might be," I said, taking another sip of my drink.
• "Or he might be back in a few days, which is why I have to return," I added, and she sighed.
• "It's fine. We can still talk, right?" she asked.
• "Of course," I agreed, picking up my phone.