"Oh, my God. What are we doing here?" Ellen asked, perplexed about being at the airport. "I'm taking you out, literally out of the country." Henry declared with a huge smile. "WHAT!" Ellen screamed, drawing attention to herself. "Cool down baby girl, you will draw attention to yourself. I told you it's a surprise." Henry said, winking at her. "But Henry, I don't even have my passport. I have done no preparation whatsoever. How will I be allowed to fly out of the country?" Ellen quizzed, still shocked. "Well, that's the benefit of knowing some people. Dad is a very influential person, so is your father, by the way. We're flying without hurdles because I mentioned my father." Henry explained boastfully. "You can't be serious. What about where you're taking me? Are they not going to demand anything at immigration?" Ellen asked, not convinced. The last thing she wanted was her father being called, about her illegal entry to a country, with non-other guy but Henry, without his knowledge, on her birthday. "Eleanora, do you honestly think I would pull something this big without tying up any loose strings? Just relax and allow me to make this a birthday to remember. I have everything prepared for you, okay." Henry coaxed, calming her fears. "Okay, I trust you." She finally agreed, anticipating what Henry had in store for her, Stephanie's words completely forgotten. "Where are you taking me Henry?" Ellen asked again. "Sweetie, if I tell you, it won't be a surprise anymore. But I will give you a hint, it's a 6-hour and 30-minute flight. The time right now is 1:30pm, so we'll land by 9:30pm over there. Your parents won't be back today, right?" Henry asked with a mischievous smile. "No, they won't. They'll be back on Monday." Ellen replied. "Welcome aboard Mr. Yawson. Enjoy your flight." The airport official greeted when she recognized Henry with a wink. "Please tell me she was not flirting with you." Ellen said in disgust. "Why, jealous?" Henry teased as they sat in the first-class part of the plane. "You wish. Wow, I've never been on a plane before. How many girls have you done this for?" Ellen scoffed and asked with a raised brow. "Let's see…three." Henry replied with a smirk. "I see." Ellen said, her glee diminishing. "Eleanora, Ama, Wilson. Those are the girls I've done this for. That is to say, just you, baby girl. I splurge my father's money, but I barely use his contacts. I didn't do this even for Naa." He said, counting her full name with his fingers. The blood that rushed to Ellen's face was enough to cause her high blood pressure, as she was blushing profusely. "Alright ladies and gentlemen, the plane is about to take off. You are advised to follow these safety protocols before take-off, there will be a non-stop flight to Charles de Gaulle International Airport, Paris. Profitez de votre vol." The air hostess announced. "No way, you are taking me to France? We're celebrating my birthday in Paris?! Tell me I'm dreaming." Ellen asked, becoming hysterical with shock. "Yes, I'm taking you to Paris. Happy birthday baby girl. I told you I'm making this a birthday to remember. That's how much I love you, Eleanora." Henry said, holding her hand for takeoff. He was used to flying, but Ellen was nervous though happy, this was her first flight, and she couldn't imagine being with anyone else. If she didn't like Henry before, this just became a deal breaker. How many guys, players or not, will take a girl who is not his girlfriend to Paris, just to celebrate her fifteenth birthday? She had to admit; Henry knew how to sweep a lady off her feet. She placed her head on his shoulder and enjoyed the view from the sky.
***
A car was already waiting for them when they landed. True to Henry's words, there was no hurdle at the airport immigration. He straightly demanded to see the officer in charge and sorted everything when the man came. Ellen found his French accent beautiful as he spoke. "I didn't know you speak French." Ellen commented when they entered the awaiting car. "I took my French classes seriously; dad needed for Audrey and me to be fluent like him. He has French associates. He'd always say they'd be of help to us one day if we could communicate with them. So, we studied hard, and dad brought us here once in a while to enhance the language, before my mom and sister left for England. But we still meet here sometimes during vacations. I had to get mom to help me in getting the liberty of coming here though." Henry explained. It was late at night as the car sped to God knows where. Ellen was a nervous wreck as she wondered what Henry had in store for her. She didn't even think about what she was going to tell her parents if they suddenly returned, and she wasn't around. She loosened up by trying to communicate with Henry with the little French she learnt in basic school. That made the ride more fun as Henry laughed at the few mistakes she made before correcting them. The car came to a halt in front of the fabulous Hotel du Petit Moulin. It was situated in Paris' timeless Marais neighborhood. It had exclusive décor curated by the Christian Lacroix, promising a Hollywood royalty-like stay. Ellen gaped at the luxurious hotel in front of her, not knowing what to say. "Let's go inside." Henry said, taking her hand. They took the elevator to the pent floor of the building, where it was dark. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!" People shouted the moment they stepped inside the penthouse. "Oh, my God. What is this?" Ellen asked, surprised to see Clara, Eric, and her friends together with a few people from the sports team, and NSMQ team from school. "Happy birthday Ellen. This is your surprise party, organized by yours truly. Fly if you have the money to do so." Clara greeted her with a hug and explained. "You organized this? How?" Ellen turned to ask Henry with tears in her eyes. "I told Clara and Eric my plans when Kelly told me your birthday is coming up after school, during WASSCE time. We all agreed to it and spoke to your friends about it, which they agreed. When Naa came, I told her about it too and she was onboard with the plan. She told me she'd get you ready with your friends and not say a word. Abby and Kelly deserve a reward for not spilling the beans, I gotta say. We opened an invitation to whoever can afford it, and here we are. You deserve a celebration for your birthday." Henry explained, wiping her tears. "Happy birthday Elle, sorry we didn't tell you about this." Abby wished her with a hug. "Forget about you two being actresses, where do your parents think you are? And how did you get here so fast?" Ellen asked, after receiving a hug and wish from Kelly as well. "They know we're here. You have no idea the tantrum I had to throw before I was giving money for the procedures. I told them you were all going." Kelly whined and they laughed. "Well, I told mine I wanted to have a two-day vacation with my friends for Ellen's birthday. They asked if there would be a chaperone, and I told them yes. Dad was in a hurry to leave so didn't ask me who. He just signed a check and voilà, here I am. I know just the times to make money of my dad." Abby said. "My God Abby, didn't think you are capable of that." Ellen said and they laughed. "I don't know about you guys, but Henry definitely feels our girl, and I support him for all this. Do you know aside from our transportation, he's shouldering the entire cost? How expensive yet romantic, right?" Kelly said with admiration.