Chapter 15 After Paris
Arielle's POV
As a kid, one of my dreams was to go to Paris, to see the Eiffel tower and attend lots of fashion shows and most importantly, to eat croissants. Zane made it all happen in the blink of an eye.
“The French are known for their flavors and pastries, you know that?” Zane had asked when we sat at the exquisite table and I was evidently overwhelmed by everything that was served.
I ate to my heart's content, until I was so full I couldn't eat anymore. We had Foie Gras, Bouillabaisse, Sole Meunière, Tournedos Rossini, Caviar d'Aquitaine, Beluga Caviar, Albany White Truffle Dishes, some Truffle Ice Cream, Mont Blanc Aux Truffles and the ridiculously rare and expensive Golden Crène Brûlée for desserts topped with the Bordeaux wine.
Zane wouldn't stop laughing when I kept stuffing my face with food. I have been to elite parties with Adrian in the past but none holds a candle to the elaborate breakfast.
We decided to take a walk since I was full and unexpectedly, we were surrounded by reporters, the paparazzi and literally all the gossip journalists that were probably in the country. It was more of an ambush than I thought and they took several pictures of us.
“They are too much, we won't get away easily.” Zane had whispered into my ears.
I was scared, unsure of what to do.
“Do you trust me?” Zane asked me.
I pressed my lips together, it wasn't as if I had a choice and by this time, the pressure had intensified. Zane interlocked his hands with mine and shook it, calmly.
“Follow my lead.” He told me and I instantly agreed, he cheated his throat and pretended to be ready to address them but instead, he locked gaze with me and gave my hand a gentle squeeze. “Run!” He ordered, with a tone of urgency and we ran before they could realize what was happening.
They chased after us but we ran into the streets and it was exhilarating but adrenaline-pumping. We eventually listed them and couldn't stop laughing about it. The rest of the morning was spent having fun and doing the most random things.
For the first time in a long time, I felt alive and free. Zane stated that we needed to get back home since there was work to do though it saddened me, he promised we'd be back so we hopped on his jet and went back home.
I was exhausted and jet lagged by the time we got back and went to bed after a really long hot shower.
“Rise and shine sleeping beauty.”
I was awoken by a baritone voice rich in depth. I grumbled as rays of suns hit my eyes and I cuddled under the duvet, reluctant to forgo the comfort it provided.
“You're going to be late for work Arielle.”
“Leave me alone, five more minutes.” I pouted.
The duvet was yanked off me and I angrily opened my eyes and sat up. “What is wrong with you? Don't you know it's too early fo-”
My words trailed off as I set eyes on Zane. He was standing in the middle of my room, the rays of sun shone on him, giving his presence a godlike aura. He was fully dressed in a three-piece suit which hugged his body and his hair was combed to the front.
I had to protect my eyes with my hands, he smiled at me, his white teeth accentuating his ridiculously handsome face. At that moment, he looked like an angel descending from heaven. I quietly sniffed, his scent had taken over from the air and I was tempted to let it serenade me.
“Are you going to stay there all day staring at me?” He called out, drawing my attention back to reality.
I scoffed, trying to cover up my embarrassment. “What are you doing here? It's so early in the morning.”
He tuts. “It's ten in the morning sleepy head, you're a model signed under my agency, we need you to be at work.”
I pouted and stuck out my tongue at him, sliding my legs into my slippers by the bedside. “Can't I get a day off? I'm exhausted.”
He covered the distance between us and flicked my forehead with a finger, causing me to wince in pain.
“Ouch, that hurts!” I cried.
The sweet fragrance of his perfume invited me to take a closer look at his body, though he wore a suit, it highlights the outline of his body, his muscular built fit body, my hands tricked fon his face to his arms, his strong arms which for a second, I imagine they were wrapped around me.
I yawned, trying to rid myself of the intrusive thoughts. “I think I'll call in sick and go back to be-” I began to say, lazily and then tried to lie down by Zane caught my arm, I tried to free myself from his grip but his grip was feeble and so was his stance so he fell on me while I, in turn, fell on the bed.
For the first time, I felt his breath on my neck, it did things I didn't want to admit existed anymore in me. The pleasure center in my brain lit up and seeing his eyes up close was like staring at a peaceful and calm beach, the serenity drawing me into comfort. His perfectly carved eyebrows baffled me, how could a man be this beautiful?
“Like what you see?” Zane asked, teasingly and my cheeks flushed pink. I turned to look away but he let out an amused huff.
“Get off me.” I commanded, my voice lacking a tone of decisiveness.
He was enjoying it because he adjusted his position and was now staring at me in the eye, the warning bells in my head went off, we were too close for comfort and I bit down my lower lips, as if taking the cue, he stood up and straightened his suit.
“Leo will drive you to the agency when you're ready, today's your first day at work, make a good impression.” He advised, sternly and I was perplexed at how a minute ago, he was being flirtatious and the next minute, he's stern.
He then walked out of my room casually, as if he didn't just start an internal conflict in me. I got out of bed, dressed up and ate breakfast and Leo informed me the car was ready to take me to the agency.
The ride there was about half an hour but it felt like an eternity and when the car pulled over in front of the biggest building I'd ever seen, I was struck with awe just staring at it.
“Come, I'll show you around, especially your own office.” Leo offered.
I didn't turn him down or bicker, I was grateful to him instead because my anxiety was already kicking in. The agency, like every other agency had a lot of models but this was one was classier and screamed of royalty.
We took the elevator to the top floor, got off, walked straight down the corridor, took a right turn and then finally went into an office which had my name body etched on a marble tile, pasted on the top of if.
“Come inside.” Leo invited me as he opened and held the door.
My office was breathtaking and beautiful. It was painted in my favorite colors; lilac and tan. It had an ambient vibe to it and a feeling of coziness to it.
“This is where you'll be working and someone will come along later in the day or tomorrow, she'll be your secretary, to ease you of the workload and all.” Leo explained.
I sat on my chair and inhaled slowly, taking in the beauty and comfort of it, then exhaled slowly.
“That would be all for now, I'll take my leave, I have tons of work to do.”
“You? You have work to do?”
“Yes, I am a Doctor, remember?”
I felt embarrassed by my own question and laughed nervously. “Of course, I remember, I'll see you around.”
He narrowed his eyes, as if suspicious of my words but laughed instead. “You're nervous, that's strange for someone who always tries to rip my head off everything we speak.” He teased me.
I took a decorative pen holder, ready to hurl it at him but he had already disappeared out the door and I couldn't help but laugh. I took a minute to take it all in, I never had an office, all I got was a cramped space which I shared with four other girls and whenever I complained, Adrian would make it look like I was being ungrateful or entitled, but now? I had a whole office to myself.
This brought to my eyes as I got emotional, the realization of my new reality was far fetched from the life I had pictured for myself, far better.
“Are you trying to ruin your makeup?” Zane's voice rang and I flinched, startled.
“Zane? Wha-what are you doing here?” I retorted, quickly wiping my tears away.
“I own the agency, can't I be at my own workplace?” He threw back at me, warmly and without any trace of annoyance or arrogance.
“Oh, I see.”
He looked more handsome than when I saw him in my room, he had an air of manliness around him. He strides into the room like he owns it, actually, he owns it. One hand in his pocket, the other adjusting his tie, he had an unreadable look on his face.
He halts right in front of me, the desk separating us then leaned over and looked me dead in the eye, my heart skipped a beat. “I came to say something to you.” He said, his voice hoarse and gruff with a husky undertone. I gulped in nervously, still maintaining eye contact, then without batting an eyelid, he spoke again. “This agency is yours, do whatever the hell you want and like, if anyone dares to challenge you, tell them you have me as your supporter and if they don't like it, they can go to the deepest part of hell.”