Chapter Text
Maria opened the door to her new apartment. Her new home. It was called a chambre de bonne which translated to a maid quarter. It certainly was with the size. She walked in and that was it. A window with a view of the city was straight ahead. On the left was a shower and a small sink. Thankfully there was a curtain. Then on the right the tiny kitchen and bed. Above the bed was a bookshelf and space to store clothes. It was ninety-six square feet in total. The toilet was down the hall.
Maria set down her two suitcases and backpack. It was hard carrying them up five flights of stairs. She sat down on the creaky bed. This was her life now. She looked out the window and was surprised at the tip of the Eiffel Tower. The building blocked most of it but it was still a pleasant view into the courtyard.
Maria pulled out her phone and called her best friend.
“Maria! How are you? Did you make it in alright?”
Maria lightly smiled at her friend. “Evie I’m fine. It was a two-hour train ride nothing crazy. The place is small though” She looked around again. It was much different than what she was used to.
“I know but you know me. I’m always worried. Do you start work tomorrow?”
“Yes, I’m excited to work at Petit Palais. It will hopefully be similar to the British Museum.” Maria saw the job opening and knew she needed to go for it. England had nothing left for her anymore.
“I’m happy for you. I’ll come visit soon.” she sounded cheery.
“You can’t stay over.” Maria half-joked. “This place is so small.”
“I told you it would be.” Evie laughed. “Why did you pick to live there?”
Maria shrugged. “I don’t want anything too big. Plus, the rent is month by month. I don’t want to be tied down if I need to come back to London.” Maria wanted to play it safe for now. She hoped within six months to get something a little bigger. She could also save some extra money in those six months.
“Smart well I better head off. Good luck and if you need anything please call.” Evie sounded desperate. Maria knew why.
“I’ll call you tomorrow after work bye.” Maria hung up. She looked over at her stuff and decided to unpack. She didn’t have much left anymore. After all that happened in London, she got rid of most of her belongings. It was too hard to keep.
She pulled out the picture of her and Evie during college. Another picture is when Maria was her bridesmaid. She placed them on the bookshelf. Maria opened her suitcase grabbed her history textbooks and placed them there as well. After an hour of unpacking her stomach was rumbling. It was time for dinner. Maria walked out of the apartment and down the stairs. The stairs were once a servant's stairwell. Paris was so different from London.
She arrived on the streets of Paris. She was still impressed by the city. Despite missing London; Paris felt like a new start. She took a deep breath and put her headphones on. She played her classical music and started her walk. She had no idea where she was going all she knew was she wanted to get lost for a moment and forget everything.
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“Wake up” Altair felt his face being hit. He blinked a few times and swatted the hand away.
“What are you doing?” Altair groaned. He blinked a few times and Desmond came into focus.
“Heading to work,” Desmond told him. “It’s 6 pm by the way.” Altair sat up on the couch and rubbed his face. Desmond looked at his sad friend. The last few months have been extremely difficult for everyone. Altair looked worse for wear. “Altair listen you’re my best friend but it’s time for you to head back to your place. You’ve lived on my couch for a month and before that, you lived on Malik’s couch for months. You’re still paying rent at that place.” Desmond went ahead and ripped the band-aid off. He needed to have this conversation yet he didn’t want to be around Altair too long after it. Therefore, it was perfect to have before he went to work.
“I have three months left and then I’m done,” Altair said. “I can’t go back. I just can’t.” His mind was already racing just thinking about stepping a foot back in that wretched place.
Desmond sighed. He would put this conversation on pause. For now. “Okay, I’ll see you tonight.” Desmond turned and left without another word.
Altair leaned back on the couch and sighed. He knew he disappointed Desmond. Hell, he disappointed everyone in his life. Altair knew he needed to get it together but it was so hard. The only thing he was decent at was working. Unfortunately, it was the weekend when he drank, and working on the weekends was not a thing. Altair stood up and grabbed his motorcycle keys. He needed to pick up some food and drive around to clear his head.
He hopped on his motorcycle. He knew he should be wearing a helmet but he would be on the backroad and even if he got hurt. So what? He would no longer be a burden.
Despite living here most of his life Paris always offered something new to see. Whether it be a new food stand or someone yelling in the streets. Altair lost in thought didn’t even see the woman waking in the street until the last second. He slammed on his brakes and the motorcycle halted abruptly. Altair was at an awkward angle looking at the woman with intense hate.
The woman looked at him in shock and grabbed her necklace. She had clearly been daydreaming. “Sorry,” she took off her headphones. He was an exceptionally handsome man. His eyes were as golden as the sunset.
“Watch where you’re going!” Altair sneered at her. “I could have killed you.”
Her face now scrounged up in anger. “I said I was sorry.” she snapped back at him. “No reason to be rude.”
“And no reason to step into the street with busy traffic! What are you suicidal?” He gestured around the empty street.
Now she looked like she was about to kill him. Her face was a tinged redder. “Shut up you bastard!” she flipped him off and stormed away.
Altair sat there in shock. No one had ever spoken to him like that. He composed himself and continued. As he did, he kept replaying the events in his head. The woman appeared and looked shocked. She was stunning though. Her warm brown eyes complemented her dark hair. He shook his head. He didn’t want to know why he was thinking like that.
After about an hour Altair arrived at Desmond’s bar. It was called Tempête in the Oberkampf district of Paris. This district was known for its bars and clubs. It was a lively district at night compared to others. Altair walked into the cramped bar and found Desmond serving drinks. Several football matches were playing on the numerous TVs littered throughout. Patrons were drinking and cheering on their teams.
“Hey,” Altair sat across Desmond.
“No” was all Desmond said as he mixed a drink.
“You didn’t even hear me out,” Altair exclaimed.
“I’m not giving you a drink.” Desmond poured the martini into a glass. “I close tonight and I would rather not close and carry your drunk ass home.” Desmond had done it too many times. Altair was heavy, especially after working all day with rowdy Parisians.
“Fine, I’ll go drink somewhere else.” Altair retorted.
Desmond’s quirked an eyebrow at Altair. “You’re gonna get drunk at another bar.” Desmond wanted to see Altair try. At least he would be getting out.
“Yeah,” Altair said unsure of himself.
“And then call Malik to get you”
“I’ll call Kadar.”
Desmond burst into laughter. “Kadar will throw you under the bus. Then Malik will be mad and get you. You’re just adding extra steps.”
Altair set his head on the table. “At least I have work tomorrow.” Altair knew Malik was one more incident away from committing him somewhere.
Desmond rolled his eyes and wiped down the bar. “By the way we’re invited to Arno and Elise’s place on Friday. Apparently, Elise's college friend moved here and she wants to have a welcome party.” Desmond was annoyed he had to remind Altair it was on the group chat and if he bothered to check his phone Desmond wouldn’t have to be his personal assistant.
Altair sat up and groaned. “I’m not going. I’d rather not see Arno and Elsie have pda everywhere. It’s disgusting.” Altair hated how in love they were. They’d been married for five years but it felt like fifty to Altair.
Desmond rolled his eyes. “You’re just a bitter old man. You’re going or Malik will have a crap attack. He’s making his bread.”
“I do like his bread.” Altair agreed. “If I go, I’m going to complain the whole time and be anti-social” Altair crossed his arms like a child.
“Whatever man.” Desmond put the towel away and attended to some bar patrons. Altair looked around at everyone happy and drunk. Every time he got drunk, he hated he was miserable and felt even more miserable as he woke up. He knew he needed to go back to his place however he couldn't bring himself to do it.
Altair’s mind wandered back to the woman he almost ran over. In all his years of living in Paris, he had never seen someone yell at him like that. It infuriated him yet he was interested in who she was. He wondered what she was daydreaming about. It must have been good to almost turn into road kill.
“I guess I’m going to head back.” Altair stood up. Before Desmond could respond Altair walked back outside. Winter was slowly settling into Paris. Altair cursed himself for only wearing his white hoodie and joggers. He needed another jacket and a scarf at least. He hopped onto his motorcycle and started the drive back to his place. This time he wore his helmet to combat against the cold.
Paris was so different at night. The lights made the city come to life. The way the Eiffel Tower glistened against the velvet sky was truly a sight to behold. Altair on the other hand could care less. He drove past it as if it were street trash. He drove quickly back to Desmond’s. He didn’t want to stay here and lurk. He wanted to sleep and get to work as soon as possible. Work was the only thing he had control over.