Unfortunately for Milo, Sonny parks outside Trésors before we can even kiss and I snicker as he sighs. Poor guy has blue balls. But he did it to himself. I kiss his cheek and get off of his lap, returning to my seat and straightening my clothes. Sonny gets out to open my door and I throw a final wink to Milo, slipping on my sunglasses. I’ll channel all of this built up energy towards seducing Julienne.
“Giselle.” I call for her to join me as Sonny opens my door, she hands me a phone with the information I asked. Walking by my side as we step into the cute shop. I read the files and look around, pretending to shop waiting for Julienne to make her appearance.
“Ms. Dixon.”
“I told you don’t call me that.”
“My apologies. Snow, I was wondering…” Giselle trails off and I turn to look at her. My cold eyes are always empty and calculating nowadays. Ever since I woke up in the hospital I’ve felt different. Like I’m slowly becoming someone else.
“Should I be regarding Mr. Malone as I would Ms. Sparrow? If so, I apologize that I wasn’t aware.”
“Hm, for now regard him as a business associate that I’m attracted to. In terms of friendship, things are clear but business…I love money and Milo loves power” time will tell if we will clash. Giselle nods as she looks around the store.
“While we’re here it wouldn’t hurt to find an appropriate outfit for dinner tomorrow.”
“Believe it or not Milo prefers when I match his grunge, also it bothers Arthur which I like.”
“There is no harm in switching it up every now and then. An upgraded version of your style. Also, if you want to address this situation befitting of a proper conglomerate, it wouldn’t hurt to look the part.” I glance at Giselle who gives me a sure nod.
She’s not wrong there. This is new territory for me. If I want other businesses to take me seriously, a new look wouldn’t hurt.
“Hm, you may have a point, Giselle. And there’s one person that can help.” Removing a shirt from the rack absentmindedly, I spare a glance at Julienne coming from the back and talking with a customer. I examine the shirt inwardly scoffing at the frilly lace.
This looks like church clothes with the white frills they put on babies. I put the shirt back and continue walking around as Julienne does the same. This continues for 10 minutes until the foot traffic dies down and Julienne is at the check-out counter, talking to an employee.
“So, how do you want to approach?” Having studied Julienne’s information I hand Giselle the phone.
“Giselle?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Were you and my mother really best friends when you were younger?”
“Yes, we were inseparable until she met Reuben.”
“You guys spent a lot of time having a girl talk, right?” Giselle frowns confused, but nods, tucking her hands into her pockets.
“Yes, that’s right.” I watch Julienne talk to a customer who’s obviously flirting with her. Men and women have been hitting on her nonstop, money, attention, fame, whatever their motivations, I can’t be the same. I have to appear alluring but sincere.
“What do you notice, Giselle?”
“Ma’am-I mean, excuse me?”
“All of the customers that have come in recognize her as Julienne Leroux. She’s wanted, desirable, flirtatious. My approach has to be different. Come along, Giselle and be a good butler.” I make sure my tone sounds like a pretentious, spoiled, silver-spoon brat. Even in her confusion, Giselle doesn’t question me or my reasons, like officer Bailey, she just waits for her orders. I slide her a gold card that looks far flashier than it is.
I motion for her to grab a few items before going to the check out. The worker begins speaking in French and though I understand I play dumb, plastering on a look of panic.
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“U-Um. I-Im sorry, I-I” stuttering, I meet Julienne’s eyes briefly before resuming my act. Julienne comes over with practiced controlled grace, a soft and welcoming smile on her face.
“There is no need to apologize, I can assist you.” Julienne dismisses her employee to help someone else as she scans my items. Her accent is a mix of British and French, different from any I’ve heard before.
“I hope you’ve found everything to your liking here at Trésors.”
“Yes, thank you. It’s such a beautiful boutique. I’ve been to a few in Paris but this is the most welcoming.” I ease my panic into relief as we talk casually. My eyes are soft, warm, and unimposing. She’s still guarded, expecting praise or for me to hit on her.
“I wonder if the owner designed the place herself. All of these shops in Paris are so beautiful. It’s almost a perfect distraction.” Her shoulders relax under the veil of mystery and I can see intrigue slowly filling her eyes. She’s not that much older than me, younger than Giselle.
Such a young gold-digger.
“Yes, our owner loves all things design, but fashion is her dream. This store was her passion. Open a boutique in Paris, oui? Who wouldn’t want that? So one day she decided to chase her dreams.” We both laugh and I sigh, a wondrous glaze filling my eyes.
“I can imagine. I’m here to get over a cheating ex. I could never be so courageous as to do something like open a boutique in Paris. It’s hard to believe I’m still here, it’s always been a dream.” She looks at me, relaxing more under my false naïvity as I nod to Giselle who pulls out the gold card to pay. The shine catches the light as well as her attention. Something critical that Milo failed to mention, her marriage was nothing but a business deal.
I knew a woman like her would only engage in me for 2 reasons, if we related or she saw something worthwhile. She barely bat an eye when I mentioned a cheating ex, but now, there’s a gleam in her eyes.
Greedy little bitch, I could work with that.
“Break ups are the worst.”
“Tell me about it, I’ve been going on shopping sprees trying to forget but it’s just not working. My friends are dragging me out tonight so I’ve been trying to find something, embarrassingly though my stylist was who that bastard cheated on me with.”
“The disrespect.” Her gasp and acting is better than her clothes in my opinion.
“I know right?!” I sigh, looking over the clothes I picked with a pitiful expression.
“I don’t know, I’ve never been good at fashion.”
“Nonsense, tu es magnifique” I force a blush on my cheeks, chuckling and moving my curls from my face. Before staring entranced, as if she’s the most beautiful and interesting woman I’ve ever seen.
“W-what does that mean?” She chuckles, putting her finger under my chin and lifting my head. My eyes go wide and I lean in, gulping.
“You’re the most gorgeous customer I’ve had all day.”
“Oh, you’re just saying that.”
“Truly” she glances at my card again before using her finger to trail across my jaw. “I apologize if I’m being too forward.”
“No! I-I mean, you’re not being too forward at all. Paris is the city of romance right?” Her smile goes conniving as she holds onto my card for a second longer than necessary before handing it back. I don’t move to get it and Giselle, always aware, doesn’t hesitate to take the card.
“Thank you for all of your help. I’d be totally lost without you. Well, I should go, I still need a stylist to find an outfit for tonight. I’m absolutely helpless on my own. I’d buy an entire store at this rate.” I pout as Giselle grabs my bags, heading towards the door.
“Thanks again, you reminded me that maybe I can find new romance here in the beautiful city after all and an outfit to go clubbing.” We both laugh and I turn, locking eyes with Giselle, still waiting and analyzing. I hear the clack of heels behind me before a hand is gripping my arm in a hold that screams desperate for cash. My eyes hold the smirk I won’t display as I stare at Giselle before turning to Julienne.
“How about…I become your personal stylist, just for tonight.”
“Really?! I don’t want to cause any trouble with you and your boss.” The laugh that escapes her lips is so arrogant the gold trim holding her together is obviously fake.
She’s staring at me like a starved dog.
“It’s no trouble really, after all, I’m the owner. Julienne Leroux” My eyes widen as I stare at her stargazed. She flips her hair over her shoulders and motions to her store.
“R-Really? That’s so…woah” she laughs, stepping into my space again, sliding her hand down my wrist to my hand.
“Come on, I’d love to dress someone as beautiful as you…”
“Ariel.”
“Ariel, a beautiful name for a beautiful woman.” I smile and look back at Giselle, her eyes show me that she’s impressed, but her expression doesn’t change.
“Tell Mr. Malone that I’ve found someone else to occupy my time here in Paris. He’s no longer needed.”
“Malone? Do you mean-?” Julienne gets worried but I just throw her a wink fitting of a spoiled brat.
“Don’t worry, that boy has nothing on my daddy. Shall we keep shopping?” Giselle nods, heading towards the door.
“Um, won’t you need your card?”
She really can’t help herself.
I reach into my bag, holding a thick wad of cash, making her eyes widen. Julienne practically licks her lips as she stares between me and my money.
“How much can you dress me with this, Ms. Leroux?” She tugs me over and I smile, knowing that the bait has been set and she’s already hooked.
This is the life of a conglomerate. Showing one card and hiding the ones of value.
Reuben.
Roman.
Natasha.
Milo.
Julienne.
In terms of business they’re like stairs. The stepping stones to climb to where I deserve to be.
Not as the illegitimate bastard my father never wanted.
The homeless druggie’s kid that she was too much of a coward to face.
Or someone simply to be bought and sold.
Not the convenient girlfriend and wife, not even a one night stand.
I’ll take my rightful place. Sit in the seat that I want to sit in.
And that’s on my throne, running my own damn empire.