“Nikki? Are you alright?” Astrid Stood up from their hotel room bed. Michael peaked around from inside the bathroom. Currently tying his bowtie with a raised eye brow. Astrid let go of a held breath and nodded. “Okay, that’s good... oh umm bye?” pulling the phone from her ear with a look of confession matching Michael’s.
“Is everything alright with Nicolette?”
“I think? That or she just got ran over and didn’t want to tell me.” The lovers looked at one another and shrugged. Nikki being jumpy or clumsy wasn’t something new. Probably tripped on her own shoelaces. Michael returned to getting ready for the meeting set today with the French publisher that Richard knew. “You sure I can’t just go with you to meet this dude? I’m going to be left alone in the city of love... Without my fucking boyfriend! How sad is that?”
“Its only for a couple of hours dear. Maybe do some sightseeing or use the credit card Richard gave us to treat yourself. We can have a night out on the town when I’m back.” exiting from the bathroom finally, and he twirled around. “Well, how do I look?”
“Like a nerd...” Astrid smirked approaching the taller male. Taking ahold of his collar pulling him down to kiss his cheek. “But a cute nerd. You got this babe.” fixing the now slightly roughed up piece of cloth. she looked up and smiled a soft grin. “I’ll be fine and I’m sure I’ll find some trouble to get into. I got the credit card like you said, so I’ll have bail.” All this earning an eye roll from Michael.
“If we can get away with murder, I think you can get away with not getting arrested in another country.” Astrid brought up her hand flat and tilted it back and forth.
“Maybe.... no promises mike. My track record is so and so..”
“Astrid my dear... I’ve seen you both torture a woman, yet also yell at me for jaywalking. Your record is beyond so and so...” The women was now making a duck mouth with her hand. Mimicking Michael as he talked. “Anyway smart alec~ you’ll find something to occupy yourself with.” a Knock rung at the door, making both of them turn their attention to the rectangular piece of wood.
“Michael my boy, time to mosey! The sooner we get there the better for appearances.” Michael turned back to Astrid planting a kiss on her forehead.
“Looks like I’m off dear. Do please try and have some fun while I'm gone.” With a huff and a sigh, she nodded.
“Fine~ But I expect a fancy dinner tonight.”
“Deal” Ruffling her hair, which in turn made her slap his hand away. Her other hand resting on the top of her head.
“Hey watch it bub!” Michael chuckled and headed out the door, closing it behind him.
“Sorry about that Richard. Just saying goodbye to Astrid.”
“Think nothing of it Michael. Its good to see she didn’t try her hardest to get you out like my wife and Kat did. Now lets hurry, the driver should be waiting downstairs. Will need to get you a bit of background of who we’re meeting today.” Patting the younger man on the back. They both started walking and mostly Richard did some talking.
“Okay, what do I really need to know? I’ve dealt with plenty of these kind of folks. I give a smile, put on the charm, and bam done.” The writer was surprised to receive a sigh from Richard.
“Maybe the normal types of chumps we deal with. But the head of this company is a real ball buster. Sniffing out any signs of weakness, then tearing you down from the insides.” He continued once they entered the Car parked out front waiting for them. “When talking to their assistant a few days ago. They compared them to some French myth. Now what was it?” thinking to himself as he lit a cigar. “It was like the Beast of Jelly doughnut, or some hell.”
“The Beast of Gevaudan?”
“Yes that thing, whatever the bloody hell that is.” Taking a deep drag off his cigar, cracking a window.
“Its an old tale from a providence out in the country. Said to resembling a large wolf. Single handily being the cause of over a hundred murders. So if that is his nickname, and is how they act. Then I guess they go for the neck. Sense that was the primarily cause of death with every victim.” Richard put his hand against his neck.
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“Well then, we will have our work cut out for us. Now I know you can be a bit of a smart ass. So let me do the talking, and I’m sure we will be fine.” The rest of the ride being spent in silence. Ideas of what this man could possibly be like. It could of easily of just been bluffing from the assistant. Working for a person and Possible being a partner are two separate things. Either way, he’d have to be on his best behavior. Pulling up to a large glass structure, the car slowed. The driver exiting and making his way around to let the two men out. As they exited a woman standing at about 5’5, with short black hair bobbed, and dark wine-red dress ending just above her ankles. She held a clipboard to her chest and wore a small smile.
“Bonjour Monsieur Woodlins et Monsieur Maplewood. It’s a pleasure to meet you both. Please come, come inside.” The foreigners looked to one another before nodding. Following the short female into the building. Inside being just as pristine as the outside. Nice black leather chairs and couches. Glass, and ceramic vases everywhere. The company’s logo In large stone lettering attached to the wall above a desk. Another women wearing a similar dress to the previous spoke on the phone. She seemed to be speaking fluent Japanese from what Michael could gather. She looked up smiling at the trio, before going back to her call.
“Seems like quite an elegant dress code you have here.”
“But of course. The director is very particular about looking the part.” The women heels clicked in a slight rhythm as they proceeded to the elevator. Climbing several stories before opening to an open space. Opposite side of the room was a black desk, a black chair behind it, and two leather chairs. They were same as in the lobby that were in front of it. They stepped out barely before both men jumped back into the steel box. Looking down as they could see straight to the street below. The Women moved past them without even a second thought. Her Heels once again clicking across what was now known to be a floor made completely of glass. “It is okay Messieurs. Yes the floor is glass, but about 2 feet solid and most refined glass France has to offer. The director feels there is no need to hide from the world behind concrete and metal. We are a book publisher, not some evil corporation. It is safe and the director will be with you both momentarily.” Finally exiting the elevator, they crossed the clear flooring. Slowly taking their seats opposite of what could be assumed to be the director’s desk and chair. The desk was bare and only consisted of a computer, a copy of Michael’s book, and a phone.
“Well I don’t think I’ve ever felt so exposed to the world.” Richard looked down then towards The ding of the elevator's closing doors. “They sure do things differently here don’t they? This Boss of theirs must be one strange chap.”
“You’ve never met him?” Michael asked with a questioning look.
“No, I've only had correspondence with the assistant. Though I don’t believe that tiny thing was her. The voice was different, a bit deeper I'd say.” They both sat in silence once again as about ten minutes passed. The ring of the elevator sounding again getting their attention. The same short women was back again. Though now wearing a Black and red pinstriped pants suit. The same Heel clicking filling the glass box. “Is everything alright? I know we are a bit early. But if your director is busy, we could come Back.”
“Oh no need Messieurs. The Director... Or should I say. I didn’t mean to keep you waiting.” The men looked at one another, then back to her. She crossed the room and circled the desk. Sitting down, her hands resting on it, and scooted in. “You see I’m very” Pausing for a moment looking for the word. “Cautious and particular, on who I do business with.” Smiling while pulling out a drawer from the desk. She reached in and grabbed a pair of small Libarian glasses. Resting them on the edge of her nose. “This can be quite the cutthroat business. No?” The flash of this women’s nickname crossed both Richard and Michael’s minds.
“Oh very much.” Richard was cut off almost as soon as he started talking.
“Monsieur Maplewood, I’ve been quite excited to finally meet you. I am how you say... a fan of your books.”
“Oh? Is that so? I’m happy to hear my sorry excuse for a story can appeal to the Beast of Gevaudan herself.” Richard went wide eye looking to Michael before turning back to the director.
“Please excuse him!” Silenced once again but this time by laughter.
“No no it is fine. That silly name has followed me sense I started my firm. Don’t take merde from some fat wigs here and there. And soon they all want to compare you to a creature of myth.” leaning back now in her chair, Richard did the same chuckling.
“Yes of course! You’re quite right. Some can’t handle criticism from others.” Michael leaned forward fingers crossed
“Specially a women of your size I bet.” That comment almost earning a slap on the back of the head from Richard. Luckily a small giggle and sigh came from the women in the room.
“Oui, indeed it is hard to do so. Even now adays with more and more female leadership coming about.” sitting up, she looked over the two of them. “That's why sometimes you got to have a bigger bite then a bigger bark.” Richard was already exhausted from all this. If it wasn’t the possible heart attacks Michael kept giving him every time he opened his mouth. It was the almost too strong sense of fear he got from this women. She was certainly a beast by all standards. He knew this energy all too well. For his wife and daughter was no different sometime. He jumped suddenly as the short women stood up. More from the fear this floor would give out from under them if not carful. “Well Messieurs! I do believe it is time to properly introduce myself. My name is Antoinette Petit, and oui I see how ironic that is of a last name. But! Never the less. I wish to and will make “Your Love Will be the Death of Me” known far and wide across all of France!”