CHAPTER 55 - Paris

“Wake up, sleeping beauty; we are here.” Luca`s voice rings in my ears, and I snap my eyes open.

"When did we get here?" I ask, looking around as passengers start pulling down luggage from the overhead bins.

"Just now," he replies, standing to grab our own bags. Despite me telling him it wasn’t necessary, Luca insisted on coming along to Paris to help with my mission to meet with the shareholders and personally ask for their support. He says he doesn’t trust the bodyguards Bryant hired, as he doesn’t trust Bryant himself and needs to be here to ensure my safety. Typical Luca. I’m just glad to have someone like him by my side, someone who genuinely cares about me, even though he doesn’t have to.

We disembark and go through the security before exiting the airport. We are in Paris, and the ride Luca ordered is already outside waiting for us.

“You go first, my lady.” Luca bows as he holds the door open for me.

Chuckling, I slip inside the back seat. “You joke too much.”

He chuckles but doesn’t say anything as he slips in next to me.

Baron tries to get into the car, but Luca promptly shuts the door in his face.

"Get your own car and find your way!" he yells before telling the driver to move immediately.

And just as Victor tries to open the door to the passenger's seat, the driver zooms off.

“You are so mean!” I say, an unintentional smile curling on my lips.

“They annoy me to my core.” He groans.

“Because Bryant sent them?” I ask the question I already know the answer to.

“Fucking Bryant!” He growls, and I chuckle.

The remaining drives to the hotel is smooth and silent. I don’t even have the time to talk as I keep marvelling at the architecture of the city. Everything, everywhere, is magnificent and beautiful, making me wish I could live here forever. After checking in at our hotel, we are shown our rooms. Brant is in the room opposite from mine, and Baron and Victor take the room left and right to mine. Although they still haven’t arrived.

“See you soon.” I tell Luca as I push the door open and slip inside. I hear him mumble something, but I don’t get it before closing the door.

My stomach is rumbling as I didn’t have anything before leaving New York, so the first thing I do is order room service. After which I enter the bathroom to soothe myself with a cold shower. Once I am satisfied, I leave the shower, and as I enter the bedroom, I hear a knock on the door.

“Who is it?” I quickly ask.

“Room service.”

That was fast.

Walking to the door, I open it, and a young, red-haired lady appears before me. I can tell her hair color isn’t natural—it’s too bright.

“Good evening, ma'am." She flashes her beautiful set of teeth at me. I read the name on her tag.

“Sandra.” I say, mirroring her smile as I open the door wider for her to enter. “Come in.”

After serving me with my order, which was cheese and macroni, she promptly leaves. And the second she closes that door, I dig into my food and finish it almost as soon as I started eating. I didn’t know that I was this hungry.

My first appointment is in four hours, so I have to be well rested. With my stomach full, I don’t even have to force myself before my eyes start to feel heavy, and I jump into the bed, sleep effortlessly swaying me away.

***

A loud bang begins to sound; at first it feels like it is coming from a distance, but it suddenly grows louder until I realise that it is my door the loud bang is coming from. I snap my eyes open, and it takes a few seconds before I am able to register what is going on.

“Ivory!” Luca`s voice rings through. Without hesitation, I get out of bed and hurry to the door, swinging it open.

“What is wrong with you?” My voice is still thick with sleep. “Do you want us to be chased out of this hotel because of your noise?”

“You were sleeping.” He immediately notices, running his hand through his hair. He makes his way inside my room without invitation. "I swear, I was about to break the door down if you hadn’t opened it when you did."

Baron and Victor try to follow, but I bang the door in their faces. I don’t have anything against them, but I’m not having three men in my room at once.

“Why? You thought I had been kidnapped?” I say as I turn around and venture into the room.

“Or drugged.” He sighs, genuine concerns flashing across his face. Before I can reply, he continues. “It`s almost time for your appointment. Get ready.”

Oh, right. Quickly, I grab an emerald green dress embellished with silver, with a matching silver purse and shoes from my suitcase. My appointment is with Mr. Garnier at a restaurant by 7 pm. We are to talk about it over dinner, and honestly, I don’t know how I plan to win him over yet, but I have my hopes up.

After slipping into the dress, the zipper is difficult for me to pull up as I can't seem to get my hands there. After four miserable failed attempts, I decide to ask Luca for help.

“Can you help me zip up, please?”

Without hesitation, he stands up from the bed and walks over to me. As his hand brushes the bare skin on my back, a chill runs up my spine. I stand facing the mirror, watching him in the reflection as his eyes remain focused on mine.

“You`re beautiful.” He suddenly whispers, his voice soft.

My heart palpitates, and I wonder why it would do that at a simple compliment. I manage a smile in response.