"Where are you going?"
Loreley stopped. "To take a walk along the boulevard. I wanted to let you rest and not disturb you..."
Johnny pulled himself up and leaned on his elbow. "Come over here to me. I want to celebrate the first day in Paris in my own way."
"Then you're not so tired after all!" Unbuttoning her shirt slowly in a way that clearly showed her intentions, she threw the garment onto the ottoman, unzipped her skirt and it slip down along her legs.
“The rest is up to you,” she said, moving towards him until she was so close she could feel his breath on her face.
Johnny put out his hand and within seconds she stood naked in front of him. His desire was clear to see.
That evening, he surprised her by indulging in foreplay much longer, knowing how much she liked it. It was one of the few times Loreley felt filled with attention.
If he loved her, maybe he wouldn't react badly at the news of the baby. Maybe she was just creating problems for herself and exaggerating them. Difficult as it might be, she found herself thinking about a life with him and their child. But why had it happened at that very moment, so soon?
***
The next morning, John left her alone and went to discuss the project with a construction company, Loreley decided to visit the Louvre Museum. She had been there already, some years before, but hadn't been able to see all of it.
She spent hours exploring the rooms, going up and down the stairs looking for the pavilions where the works that interested her were displayed, and stopping every now and then to rest.
Late in the afternoon she went shopping along Boulevard de Sébastopol and bought just a few things, because not much would fit in the suitcase.
When they met up again at sunset, Johnny suggested they go to the Eiffel Tower. They had the taxi drop them off close by and strolled along the banks of the Seine watching the sun disappear in an explosion of red and orange behind the buildings, as the first lights of the evening appeared.
The top of the tower could be seen in the distance, soaring above the trees. When they arrived at the foot of the imposing metal structure it was fully illuminated.
Loreley looked at people lined up in front of the ticket office and heard John muttering. "Look how many people are going up to the top! Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Not if you don't feel like it," she replied, trying in vain not to let her disappointment show.
"All right, I’ll do it to please you this time too."
He was doing his best to make her happy, she thought.
"Maybe I should make you smile more often, your eyes are shining."
She really wanted to show him how much she appreciated those words, but gave him a fleeting kiss instead: there were too many people around.
They arrived on the rooftop panoramic terrace an hour later. Seen from above, Paris was indescribably beautiful, the lights multiplying as the minutes passed, creating brilliant patterns interspersed with splashes of tiny shimmering dots.
The crisp evening air made Loreley shiver a little, which may not have been due to the cold breeze, but the knowledge that it was time to reveal her secret to him.
She looked around and noticed a red sign above their heads: "Bar and Champagne", she read.
"What if we get a drink?" she proposed.
He followed the direction of her gaze and smiled. "It's a great idea."
It might be a mistake to talk to him about such a sensitive subject in a public place, but this was a special occasion and she didn't want to waste it. She had to try. It was all so perfect.
With the second glass of champagne, she decided to make the dreaded announcement. She took a breath, feeling the rapid pulsating of the artery in her neck. Be brave... trust yourself!
"Johnny, I have to tell you something important."
He placed the glass on the table. "I'm listening."
"I’ve been very focused on work in recent months; you know that, don't you?"
"What are you wanting to say?"
"Well, you know..." How hard it is!
"Loreley, what is it?" he began to get agitated. He changed his position.
"I'm pregnant," she told him.
A countless number of times she had tried to guess what his reaction would be. She had imagined everything, but not that he would burst out laughing.
"This is really funny. You're not going to scare me. I’m not falling for it."
Scare him? She was speechless. Her thoughts were muddled and she couldn’t utter another word, but the expression on her face must have said it all, because he stopped laughing.
"You take the pill, you can't be pregnant! Don't joke about it."
"I'm not joking in the least."
"Have you stopped using it without informing me? Without asking my opinion?" he asked her, raising his voice.
"It’s not like that. Don't get upset, keep your voice down..." she begged him, almost whispering.
"Now I understand your behaviour these last few days!"
"Try to stay calm, please!"
"How can you expect me to remain calm after you’ve put me against the wall?" His gaze seemed to express contempt. "How could you play such a rotten trick on me?"
He made to leave, but she stopped him, grabbing him by the arm. In turn he blocked her hand, clutching her wrist: "Don't touch me..." he ordered. Then he let go and without adding anything else, walked out on her.
In disbelief, she watched him go through the door, his step stiff and fast. She felt as if she were suffocating.
Maybe he was feeling just like that too, she thought. She felt betrayed. From his point of view she couldn’t blame him, but she had not done it to him on purpose; this had to count for something.
Feeling let down, she paid the bill and walked to the elevator.
As it descended, she looked down at the city below for the last time, her heart pounding in her chest.
She laid her forehead on the glass wall and closed her eyes. Feeling the tears start, she blinked trying to stop them. Fortunately, people were too busy enjoying the view to pay attention to her.
She hoped Johnny was down there waiting for her, but didn't see him.
Sudden flashes of light made her to look up before she even set foot on the ground: the Eiffel Tower, already illuminated, had just lit up with more bright flashing lights, like the ones you’d see on a grand and sparkling Christmas tree. It seemed to want to encourage her not to lose heart. It was an invitation to smile; and it was successful, even if just for an instant.
On the way back, she called John and sent more than one message to his cell phone, with no reply. When she arrived at the hotel, the room was empty, as she had already imagined.
She kept her phone close to her. But, in the end, realizing he would not return that night, she felt the need to hear a friendly voice and called David. And, for the second time, shared the news of the baby on the way.
Her friend was speechless. On the other end of the phone, all she could hear was a cat mewing.
"Hey, David, say something!"
"My God, Loreley! And that’s how you tell me, over the phone?"
"I have no other way to do it right now. Wouldn’t you agree?" At that moment she needed his comforting virtual hugs, not reproach.
"I