It was a peaceful Thursday night and the sound of laughter could be heard on the downstairs balcony of the penthouse. Damien, Mikayla and Hannah shared jokes over a relaxing dinner, consisting of Trinbagonian channa aloo pies and a sweet and spicy tamarind sauce, made by Mikayla with their assistance.

Damien made a sound of satisfaction as he took another bite, "Now I understand why you were always over at Mikayla's," he said to Hannah as he continued, "her cooking is really amazing, I am in love with Trini food!"

Hannah grinned in agreement, "Well, since you've stolen my chef, I need to come over as often as I can to get my fix! In fact, I think we should do a Trini Thursday where once a week she can make us meals from her Caribbean homeland."

Shaking his head enthusiastically in agreement, Damien's eyes lit up at the suggestion.

"Oi! I'm right here you know!" Mikayla grumbled, though liking the idea

Both Damien and Hannah laughed as they continued to stuff their faces, dipping their aloo pies ever so often in the delicious tamarind sauce. Their cheeks were slightly flushed, due to the somewhat spicy ingredients that were in the food.

After some time, Hannah suddenly spoke, "I cannot believe that bitch Bethany! Who does she think she is?" she complained, as she helped herself to another slice, "Mikayla will only be snogging one woman, and that's me!"

Damien choked on his drink, "What?" he looked over at Mikayla, his aquamarine eyes twinkling questioningly.

"Hannah!" Mikayla exclaimed, her face showing her slight embarrassment.

"Oops! I thought you told him Miks!" her blue eyes looking a bit apologetic.

Sitting up straighter, Damien put his glass down, his face lighting up with amusement and curiousity, "Tell me what?"

Mikayla shook her head, "I didn't get a chance to yet. But hey, since you like to blab your mouth, you can go on right ahead and tell him!"

"I'm sorry!" Hannah whined, "I really thought you would have told him about us."

"There's an us?" Damien's attention perked up even more and he coughed back a laugh as Mikayla elbowed him.

Clearing her throat, she started, "So, once upon a time, back in secondary school, Mikayla and I sort of experimented whenever we slept over. Nothing major, but we practiced kissing each other before we kissed any boys." Hannah said, her hands a bit animated as she continued, "Of course, I would have loved to do more than kiss and cop a few feels but Mikayla was always shy about it and I never really pressed her. Which is why that slag Bethany needs to back the fuck off my woman!"

Mikayla inwardly groaned and tilted her head back, her brown eyes looking up at the sky so as to avoid looking at Damien as she heard his soft laugh.

Chuckling a bit, his eyes drifted between Mikayla and Hannah, "So you were each other's first kiss, that's kind of hot."

"Perv!" Mikayla said, as she sat up and looked at Damien.

She then threw a piece of pie at the blonde as she frowned. Pouting, Hannah moved closer to Mikayla, using her big blue eyes to try and get some sympathy before she starting tickling her best friend.

"Okay okay stop!" Mikayla conceded, "I forgive you."

Satisfied with herself, Hannah shifted back into her seat, "Be careful with Bethany though. You know what they say about the quiet ones, they're always the worst. She sounds a bit loopy if you ask me and she clearly has a thing for you."

"That's the same thing I said!" Damien chimed in.

Waving them both off, Mikayla stood, "Can we not talk about her? I rather not have to think about her for the next few days."

With silent nods, Hannah and Damien stood up as well and the three of them began clearing the table. They carried everything back into the kitchen.

After they had cleaned up, Hannah asked, "So you guys leave for Paris tomorrow morning and come back Sunday night yea?"

Mikayla nodded as they all walked out of the kitchen, "Is there anything in particular you want me to bring back for you?"

"A sexy Frenchman?" Hannah joked then added, "Surprise me. You know, anything to do with food I'm sold."

Damien laughed as they entered into the foyer, "I'm sure we can think of something. The driver is downstairs, he'll take you home safely." he said, as he pressed the button for the elevator.

"Thanks D!" Hannah quipped as she playfully slapped his firm ass, "Have a safe trip!"

Mikayla's loud laughter filled the foyer at the shocked expression on Damien's face. She was sure that no one had ever smacked him on the ass like that.

"Oh Hannah!" she giggled, as she hugged her best friend.

"Don't think I forgot yours," Hannah then spanked and groped Mikayla's round behind as she kissed her cheek and hugged her friend goodbye, "Love you, be safe."

Hugging her back tightly, she replied, "Love you too, try not to get into too much trouble this weekend yea?"

"I make no promises!" Hannah grinned, as she stepped into the elevator and left the penthouse.

Mikayla watched as the elevator doors closed, she felt Damien's hands hug her, pulling her back against his chest.

Damien nuzzled Mikayla's neck, whispering as he teased her, "I knew you and Hannah were close, but I had no idea you guys were that close."

Biting her lips and closing her eyes, she enjoyed the warm feeling of being in Damien's arms, "Well, it just goes to show you that you shouldn't judge people."

Grinning, he spun her around and kissed her, picking her up in his arms. His intent was to carry them up to the bedroom. However, they did not manage to make it that far.

Damien ravaged her on the landing right there and then, the clothes littering the staircase and corridor.

————— ▲ —————

Using Damien's private jet, they landed on a smaller airport on the outskirts of Paris on Friday morning. He rented a convertible so that they could take advantage of the beautiful summer weather.

Mikayla felt like she was in an old Hollywood movie with her hair wrapped up in a scarf, wearing sunglasses as she tilted her head back to enjoy the fresh summer air.

Occasionally, Damien's hand held hers, only stopping when he needed to change the car's gears. His thumb brushed idly over the back of her hand, sending slight tremors through her body ever so often. Mikayla would be meeting his parents today. Naturally, she was nervous, but Damien had assured her that, compared to the dinner they had had with her own mother, meeting his parents would be a walk in the park.

She took in the beautiful views as they drove to his family's chateau. It had been built in the 17th century and had been in their family for the last 175 years. Mikayla was excited to see his childhood home. She could just imagine all the stories that had occurred within the manor's walls since it had been built.

After driving for about half an hour, they approached the chateau. The front entrance was a long, tree-lined driveway. Damien drove around a large fountain that was situated at the front of the building. Taking her hand, he led her up one of the stairs that was part of a two-sided staircase which flanked the large front doors.

Damien and Mikayla were greeted by a doorman who had already opened the door before they even made it up the stairs.

"Master Damien! So good to see you. This lovely lady must be Madame Mikayla." the elderly man smiled.

Releasing her hand, he went up to the man and hugged him, "Florent! All is well, I hope? Indeed, this is Mikayla, my girlfriend."

She smiled as she watched Damien greet the doorman. It warmed her heart to see him hug the elderly man. It was obvious that they did not have a typical 'master/servant' relationship and she felt herself fall even more for him. As Damien introduced her, his voice brought her out of her thoughts.

"It's nice to meet you," she held her hand out to him to shake to which Florent took and kissed the back of it.

"The pleasure is all mine," Florent said, before turning back to Damien, "I will have your luggage brought up to your room."

Entering into the manor, Mikayla could not help but stare in awe. She felt like she had stepped back in time, the décor mimicking the classical French styles. She fell in love immediately. Her observations were short lived however, as Damien's parents appeared at the top of the stairs.

Seeing Daniel and his wife as they walked down to greet them, caused Mikayla's cheeks to heat as she remembered her first encounter with the man. She was a bit surprised at the appearance of his mother Sophie. It was clear that Damien took after his father in appearance with his tall and dark features. His mother was blonde with bright, grey-green eyes. Mikayla had assumed that she would be tall and model-like, to match the physical appearance of her husband. She was surprised to see that Sophie Arnauld was actually much shorter and very round, with wide hips and an ample bosom.

"Damien! Mikayla! It's so good to see you again!" Daniel smiled broadly, then introduced his wife.

"Mikayla, meet my beautiful wife Sophie." Daniel said before adding, "Deary, this is the enchanting young woman who's captured the attention of our son."

"Oh, Daniel you weren't lying when you said she was a beauty! No wonder he's been so busy," Sophie gushed as she greeted Mikayla, before tugging on Damien's cheeks teasing him.

Mikayla had to stifle a laugh as she watched the exchange. It was obvious that he was close to his parents as they embraced him. She felt honoured that they felt comfortable enough to express their love for their son in front of her.

"I have a nice brunch spread laid out for us in the garden," Sophie said.

His mother led everyone down a corridor that took them past some large rooms, before exiting onto a beautiful courtyard that further stretched into an enchanting looking garden.

The meeting with Damien's parents was similar to the dinner they had shared with Mikayla's parents, except that Sophie did not run her through the ringer as her mother Cynthia had done with Damien. Mikayla learnt that the couple had been married for thirty-five years and they had met in Strasbourg, when Daniel accidentally bumped into her at the Christmas Market.

Mikayla also found out that the couple opened the chateau up to the public during certain times of the year for three days a week; Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. People would be allowed to explore the large garden, as the property was on a lavish ten-acre property.

When they were finished with brunch, they went on a tour of the manor. Damien and Daniel were a few steps behind, while Sophie and Mikayla walked ahead of them. The manor was spread over four storeys, with twelve bedrooms, six of which had en-suite baths. There were also three self-contained studios, each complete with a kitchenette. The large gardens played host to various dinner parties and weddings, as they rented the manor out at various times of the year.

"As you can imagine, this place is much too big for just the two of us, especially in our old age. But we like to spend a few weeks at a time here," Sophie said, her voice bubbly.

Smiling, Mikayla replied, "This place is beautiful. I can see the appeal of wanting to return here time and time again. I couldn't even imagine how amazing it was to grow up in a place like this."

"Oh yes! It can be a bit overwhelming at first, I assure you. Especially for a small country town girl like me," the older woman chuckled.

Looking at her in slight confusion, Mikayla asked, "What do you mean? Were the chateaux in your town not as big?"

Sophie laughed heartily, causing her husband and son to look at her curiously, "Heavens no my dear. I was the daughter of a farmer. I grew up in an old 17th century farmhouse in Alsace."

Mikayla's eyes opened in surprised, "Oh! I apologise, I assumed that you were like Daniel..." the rest of her sentence was interrupted.

"Like Daniel? No, my dear, our story was one of those rare fairy-tale stories. The handsome and rich gentleman falling in love with the simple farmer's plump daughter." Sophie winked at her husband before her eyes glazed over no doubt reminiscing.

Daniel came up and hugged his wife from behind, "As you can imagine Mikayla, my parents did not really approve, fearing that poor old Sophie here would run off with my money." he kissed his wife's neck, it was obvious how very much in love they were after all these years.

"Come on you two, save that for the bedroom," Damien grumbled as he stood next to Mikayla, his hand reaching for hers once more.

The next words out of Mikayla's mouth surprised his parents, "I can understand why your parents would have thought that. It's like I was telling Damien, people usually date within their social circles for a reason. There's a lot of greedy people out there, so your parents were only trying to protect you. I'm glad that your love won them over in the end."

Mikayla could only hope to find a love like that herself, her brown eyes slowly looking up to Damien who had his intense aquamarine gaze fixed her on her. It was as though they were having a silent conversation between each other.

Sophie's voice broke the silence, "Indeed my dear, it may sound cliché, but true love most certainly conquers all."

It was then that Damien decided to continue the tour. He walked with Mikayla in front of his parents, while the older couple followed, their hands entwined. They were currently exploring the second floor, going over some old painted family portraits. Damien was telling Mikayla a story surrounding a painting with a tall man who wore a red hat standing next to a horse, her laughter filling the hallway.

Leaning over to her husband, Sophie whispered, "You're right my love, Mikayla is simply enchanting and just perfect for Damien. I wonder if they realise that they both love each other."

"Probably not, you know how slow this new generation is," Daniel whispered back with a soft chuckle, "although, from the way that they're looking at each other, it seems that they may not be so slow after all."

"Indeed, they certainly seem to be realising the depth of their true feelings, even if gradually." Sophie said, her voice full of happiness.

————— ▲ —————

Later that night, Mikayla was snuggled up in the large comfy four poster bed, having fallen asleep before Damien came in to join her.

As usual, visions of Damien invaded her dreams. She had been dreaming about him making love to her. Only this time, they were in the garden behind the chateau. His name was a soft whisper on her lips. With a small smile, Damien looked down at Mikayla as she lay on her back, peacefully sleeping.

He could not help but notice the way her hips lifted the silk sheet that covered her. The material traced her body perfectly. The way her erect left nipple was visible under the thin, silky fabric was so erotic. Damien suddenly realized that her right breast and nipple was completely exposed, and just as aroused as the other.

Damien's body reacted immediately to the sound of his name escaping her lips in a soft moan. Not being able to help himself, he shed his clothes, then lay down next to her, his hand moving between her legs.

His fingers skilfully stroked her, "You say my name so sweetly in your dreams, say it again..."

Damien's voice gently coaxed her awake, all the while his fingers never stopped touching her. Mikayla's body slowly began to stir. His name was on her lips as she felt his hand tease her, bringing her out of a sweet dream to an even sweeter reality.

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AN: In Trinidad and Tobago, an "Aloo pie"  is a soft, fried pastry made from flour and water, and filled with boiled, spiced and mashed potatoes and other vegetables like green peas or channa dhal.