Chapter 12 Breakfast in Paris
Zane's POV
You know the kind of pride that swells in a father's chest when he walks his filial daughter down the aisle? Yes that one, it was nothing compared to how proud of Arielle I was at the moment. I knew it was only a matter of time before Adrian and the jokers like him who called themselves Arielle's family would approach her.
I had watched from afar, ensuring that the TV didn't try to pull any funny moves and though I wasn't close enough to bear what was being said, I could see their facial expressions which betrayed their emotions.
“Do you think she should be talking to them? They're malicious.” Leo cautioned and I assured him everything would be fine.
“She'll take care of it.”
Barely was I done speaking when we watched her walk away from them with a triumphant smile plastered on her face. I chuckled and gave Leo a ‘I told you so' look.
Next up was the awards and Arielle crushed it. She was going to win anyways, I own and control everything so I bent the rules to her favor, hell! I'll bend the whole world to her taste if that's what she wants.
There were some who aren't happy with this. I went backstage to receive Ariel and saw Lisa accusing her of something, at first I stood back and watched as Arielle put her in her place but Adrian stepped in, trying to pull some emotional trick on Arielle.
Then came the mother, the ruthless two-faced sham of a mother who chose an adopted child over her own biological daughter, she played the guilty card and oh, I was impressed that Arielle didn't fall for any of that.
“She said she doesn't know you, leave it at that.” I fired, irritated by the act they were putting on.
Lisa tried to insult Arielle but we ignored her and left, she had no idea what I had in store for her and what pain she would go through.
Photographers were already swearing at the place, ready to take pictures of my Arielle and she excused herself to attend to that.
“Do we just let them go or..”
“Let it be Leo, soon, they'll realize their lives will no longer remain the same but tonight is for Arielle, let's ensure she enjoys it.”
I meant every word I said and Arielle, she did enjoy the night, she was getting so much attention that I began to feel slightly jealous she was smiling at people too much so I had to come up with an excuse for us to leave but I gave her more time to enjoy the spotlight and attention.
‘Over here Miss Rielle.’
‘Yes, that's the perfect pose’
‘Can you just smile for us?’
‘Yes, that's it.’
‘Perfect!’
Calmly, I walked over to her, avoiding the photographers and I gently tapped her on the shoulders, leaned in and whispered into her ears. “Let's go home Arielle, you need to rest now.”
“Do we need to go now?” She asked and I was surprised she wasn't tired but I followed her gaze and saw she was looking towards Lisa's direction and I chuckled, realizing what was going on in her head.
“There are other creative ways to make them gloat, exhausting yourself isn't one of it.” I informed her and motioned for Leo to come over.
Leo approached us and paced a path for us among the paparazzi of photographers. When we got to a more quiet place, he swiftly turned around to look at me and I halted abruptly, nearly crashing into him.
“Are you trying to get me tripping for you?” I asked, jokingly but wirh a frown on my face.
“I wouldn't dare, there's just one thing I think you should do before leaving.” He explained, apologetically.
I arched an eyebrow, suspiciously. “Oh really?”
“Yes boss, you should briefly introduce yourself as the CEO of BELLE and announce that we're hiring, not for the exposure but to make Miss Arielle more famous. Your influence would rub off on her and at this point, that's all we want.” He advised which was cleverly perfect.
“That's thoughtful of you.” I commented then sharply turned to look at Arielle. “Stay here with Leo, I'll be back soon.”
I didn't give her the chance to protest before heading back backstage. Leo had made the necessary arrangements and all I had to do was walk upstate and speak, everyone quieted and I inhaled sharply, the spotlight on me.
“Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I'm using this medium to formally introduce myself to you, I am Zane, the CEO and founder of BELLE, most of you, our paths may be crossing more often because we'd do business together, additionally we're hiring models for our agency, a shortlist of candidates will be emailed. That's all for now, welcome to the era of the BELLEs.” I addressed, my rich baritone voice reverberating in the space.
The crowd erupted as they clapped hard. Some were shocked coming into the light of who I really was. My name had made waves around the world but not my face, not many people recognized me because I hated the publicity and all but for Arielle, I was ready to show the whole world my face, if it came to that.
The fire accident had forced me out of hiding, I knew then that it was time I introduced myself to the world.
“Shall we go home now?” I asked Arielle as I approached her.
“Hmm.” She replied, nodding.
“I'll take care of everything.” Leo said.
“Good.” I replied, briefly then took Arielle's hands and continued towards the exit.
Our car was pulled up and we entered, Arielle let out a long sigh, of relief and excitement.
“How did it feel to be seen?”
“Its incredible, did you see the look on their faces? It makes all the intensive training and stress worth it.”
I chuckled. “There's more to come Arielle, there's more."
She smiled and fell asleep on my shoulders on the ride back home, I didn't bother to wake her up and carried her to her room when we arrived home. She grabbed my arm after I set her down and turned to leave.
“Thank you.” she said, sleepily.
I smiled satisfactorily and tucked her in properly, removing her shoes she'd be more comfortable. I gently kissed her forehead and she stirred. “I'd do anything for you little bear.” I whispered.
That night, I made reservations for us in Paris, to have breakfast at the Eiffel tower and to have time alone with Arielle, this is a big step for her and I want to hold her hands and make her feel special though she doesn't know yet, I would do anything for her.
The next morning, she woke up pretty early and came to the dining room downstairs for dinner.
“How's our supermodel doing?” I greeted, cheerily as she descended the stairs, she wore a plain t-shirt and a loose jean trousers to match but it looked good on her.
“Exhausted, proud and extremely famished, what's for breakfast?” She responded, with a lively and friendly tone.
“We're not having breakfast here, come, I'll show you where
“ I responded, motioning for her to follow me.
“Oh please, don't tell me I should be on a diet,it's too early for this please.” She complained.
I laughed quietly and took her to the helipad at the roof of the mansion. My private jet was already awaiting us, pilot set to take off. Her jaw dropped at the sight and she froze at a point, dazzled.
“What in heaven's name-”
“Come.” I told her, holding her hands and walking towards the jet. “We're having breakfast somewhere else.”
She was stunned to speak even as we boarded the flight. We settled in proper and the jet took off.
“You have a private jet!” She explained, finally coming back to her senses.
I leaned back against the Swiss leather chair, took a glass of red wine and twirled it in between my fingers, sipping from it slowly. “Yes I do, and there's more.”
She looked out the window, astonished by the height and clouds. “Wow, it's beautiful.”
“But not as beautiful as you are.”
She blushed, her cheeks flushing from embarrassment and it was a lovely sight, I felt a tuck at my heart, it was moments like this that I live for.
“Where are we going?” She asked, as if suddenly remembering we're high up in the air.
“Paris, we'll be having breakfast at the Eiffel tower.” I announced.
She gasped loudly and almost doubled over, I had to immediately move and support her to gain her stability, I was scared for a moment.
“We're going to Paris?” She asked, her eyes widened in shock and bewilderment.
Smirking and grinning mischievously, I nodded my head to confirm the affirmative. “Yes Arielle, we're going to Paris.”
She fell silent for a full minute then squealed so loudly that I had to plug my fingers into my ears to block out the sound. She reached over from her seat and grabbed my shirt, jerking me while she squealed.
“We're going to Paris!”
It took a long of convincing before she let go of me and her excitement died down a bit, I could tell as she excused her feet on the ground that she was way more excited than I expected, when we arrived at the arranged breakfast venue, she froze, gaping at the beauty of Paris and the exotic breakfast set-up I had prepared.
“You did all this for me?” She asked, her tone soft and barely above a whisper, I could tell she was trying hard not to let tears roll down her eyes.
I took her hands in mine, as softly as I could and spoke calmly. “This is what your life would look like henceforth, you're stepping into an era of comfort and luxury. You're the queen of this coast and your majesty, I am at your service.”