France Day 1

B was a big help in getting this trip set up so quickly. She said it would be great for me to relax while we waited on scores from the previous pictures. Unfortunately, I couldn't choose my own hotel. The agency I won the trip from had an established boarding house where everyone stayed.

"Bonjour, welcome to France! My name is Roarke, and I have been charged, by B herself, to keep an eye on you and show you around."

"Are you tired? Perhaps you would like time to rest and get settled in, no?" I was in a daze! It still seem unreal to me that I was in another country. Perhaps it was jet lag but I didn't want to waste a moment.

I gave a nervous chuckle, "Actually, I slept a lot on the plane. I was thinking maybe a quick look around town or something before night fall would be nice." Roarke laughed, "The town? No, no, no. The winery? Yes, that is where we will start. You will like it. Come, we will take the limo."

I could already feel the cares that had held me down for so long, start to slide off my shoulders. I was free once again. And I was going to not let worries intrude on my precious time.

The winery was beautiful on the outside. But I was filled with awe when I entered and saw the walls filled with racks of wine! As I started to browse the racks, I got distracted by the excited chatter of the others around me. But I couldn't understand what they were saying!

"You have everyone all worked up, mon petit. It is rare for someone of your fame to visit our little town." I watched as Roarke expertly poured wine into some glasses. He looked over at me. "For you, au gout. To taste." I smiled and nodded.

But before I could follow him, I was stopped by a girl who spoke halting English. She wanted my autograph! As I was signing her picture of my beach party, a woman began snapping my picture. Paparazzi?! Roarke came to my rescue and pulled me into a small room with a big machine in it.

We sat and talked while a woman brought us glass after glass of different wines. "So, you are one of B's models, too?" I was feeling kind of floaty and light-headed. The world seemed to be moving in slow motion ... and I liked the feeling! "Yes, but only on certain assignments. She rarely travels out of country anymore." I had almost forgot what I had asked him!

"B had said you were going through a rough patch with your copain. Do you mind me asking what happened?" I giggled, "Copain? ... Oh, you mean boyfriend." I giggled some more. Everything just seemed so funny. "He was evil! He cheated on me with another model then ... it ended." My happy feeling was starting to drift away as thoughts of Jake and Derek filtered into my mind.

Roarke pushed another glass into my hand. "No use letting old memories bring you down." As I was gingerly sipping yet another glass of wine, Roarke suddenly jumped to his feet. The paparazzi had found us!

We headed down some stairs to another section of the winery. Once again the wine was taking effect and I nearly stumbled down the stairs! Roarke was constantly at my elbow with another glass or a bottle to refill the one I held.

I let loose and really started to have some fun. I started dancing to the radio and encouraging the others with us to dance too.

I even started getting crazy with some of my fans and posing all silly for their pictures. I'm pretty sure some of them ended up on Facebook. Roarke approached me. "It is getting late, mon petit. I need to get you home." I leaned against him heavily, "Yes, take me home."

The limo ride home was somewhat sobering, but I had already decided to be as wild as possible. At the entrance to the house, I threw myself at Roarke. "Come inside with me, Roarke. Show me all about french lovers." He tried to pull my arms from around him. "No, Lacey. You are quite drunk. I have no wish for you to have regrets come morning." So I did what any woman would do when she was being rejected...

I kissed Roarke with all the gusto I could muster! 

And it worked! Roarke scooped me up into his arms and, despite the many onlookers, carried me up the stairs to the room I was staying in.

The rest of the night needed no words.

Day 21 & 22

The new day started real early with a call from B, as usual. "Yea, I can be there for 5am. No, don't bother with calling Vi too. I'll just go and wake her up."

"I need her to get some info from our new photographer. I had to fire Jake for not showing up or calling in."  I barely listened as B went on about a double shoot and being behind. I knew what she didn't. That Jake was never going to show up or call in again.

When I hung up, all I could think about was how Derek had snuffed out Jake's life without so much as a blink.

Despite everything Jake had done ... some part of me had still been in love with him! And that part hurt and hated Derek for taking him away. I tried to pull in my emotions as I walked across the hall to Vi's room.

I was kind of surprised to actually see both Vi and Jacq were both sound asleep. I never even heard them come in. I reached over and gently shook Vi awake.

"I'm sorry I had to wake you, Vi." I whispered. "But B called and needs both of us there early." Vi got up and looked at me questioningly. "Are we not going to talk about ..." her voice trailed off. "No, please don't mention last night. Let's just focus on today and go from there. What am I going to do about my eye. B is gonna flip."

"OK, we'll let the whole Jake issue drop for now." Vi tilted my head from side to side. "I have a trick I can show you that will completely mask that black eye. First, you have to..."

We both were quiet and contemplative the whole drive out to the shoot location.

And as soon as we arrived, the new photographer, Adam, was ready to get started. He explained what he was looking for and B made comments on things she wanted to see. I felt numb to the world and just followed along.

But once we got started really working, I let my mind focus on only the photo I was taking.

Adam changed angles...

...ideas...

....positions....

14 hours later, i was told we had ANOTHER shoot to do.

I rolled with it and did a quick change. I headed to the barn where they had changed one of the horse stalls into what appeared to be a workout room.

I was to be performing Tai Chi. A solitary endeavor and I was to appear focused.

After a few lighting adjustments, this one went rather quickly. I was beat by the time Adam and B called it done with this one. I grabbed Vi and went straight home. I didn't wake until almost noon the next day!

I was on my way out the door when Vi stopped me. "What are your plans now, Lace?" We had spent time inside discussing Jake, Derek, cosmic balance, and other necessities. I had expressed a need to just get away. "I'm not sure yet."

"You know, you haven't taken your trip to France that you won from Colours. You should seriously consider going." And with that, she walked back into the house and out of the hot sun.

But the wheels had already started to turn.

I pulled out my cell phone right then and there and booked the first flight to France!