I use my day off from Affair to get back to my business and thus remember who I am, what I am doing here, and what the real plan is. While I wait for my allies, I reread Luigi's letter, and the question he asked again torments me, "What's the matter Francisca? "
The truth is, it's more trouble than I expected to find after meeting CEO Adam Arnault. He plays on a side of the field that I am not used to venturing. With Jean or any man it was always much easier to deal with, because it's just satisfying the simple human being: attraction, hard-on, and most importantly an instant need for pleasure.
Adam Arnault doesn't. It is not just attraction or horniness that he desires. It is a race, where the way is much more important than the finish. He is in no hurry, though he doesn't fail to show his intense interest. He puts me on
The door opens and I can feel the blond man's breath coming closer, also in search of the switch.However, when our hands meet, I give up having the electricity when I can have the fire that reeks on his skin. Instinctively my fingers travel down his arms, the ones I have imagined so many times pressing against my body until I make this dream real and we are indeed embedded in each other, it being inevitable that his breath doesn't search my neck like a vampire thirsty for my scent.“ Chloé…”,he moans my name close to my ear. It is the first time I hear him pronounce my name like that and it feels so good, coming from his mouth.“Monsieur Arnault, surprised to see me?”“Seeing is
“ Monsieur Arnault, you have come…”,I wanted to take him by surprise as he closed his car, but his body turned just in time for our gazes to meet and our smiles to open in perfect harmony.“ You're very surprised for someone who said he was sure I would come”,he replies, never able to let go of his teasing.Although your teasing doesn't compare to mine. Who tells me this, are his eyes that stick to my almost half-naked body in this unusual outfit. And even though I tried to hide the pom-poms in a bag so as not to give away at face value what I came here to do, his analytical gaze didn't miss their colorful and extravagant appearance.“ Are you cheering for something tonight?”,he asks curiously.
It was another hour of pure suspense until a light appeared at the end of the road. It was a car with its high beam headlight on, making it impossible for all the curious to see who was the winner of the night.As it approached, the vehicle appeared to be black in color, identical to CEO Adam Arnault's sports car. But, I didn't want to give my heart false hope, so the best thing was to wait for the lucky guy until the finish line.When the car stops and the lights go out, there is no more doubt, it is the CEO in one piece and more beautiful than ever with that smile of victory stamped on his face. I smile too, infected by his victory, while everyone is stumped by the unexpected winner of the evening.Strangely, he doesn't get out of the car until the other competitors arrive
With no security guards or cameras, it wasn't too difficult to get into Adam Arnault's residence. The wall is not high and the trees next to the house were a huge help.I went inwards, helping myself to the inner garden of the residence, because being in the living room, there is a huge risk of Adam or Amelia peeking out.I tried to calculate the kitchen window that was open, a full demonstration of confidence in the sense of security and order that living in such a neighborhood offers its inhabitants. And even crime feels afraid to act, because one is aware that whoever is caught, the tolerance will be zero. Therefore, I move like a cat when jumping into the window.Wearing gloves, I am not afraid to touch the flawless black marble surfaces. They glisten like a precious sto
Salvatore, Italy 15 days laterAs Ms. Marise confided in me, the Blue Del Rey Hotel was chosen for CEO Adam Arnault's entourage. And even though we arrived here three days in advance, the suites and rooms were almost all occupied. Good thing I know the manager and he guaranteed me a reservation in Francisca's name. Because if the truth about my life in Paris is the only card left to Amelia, I make a point of getting it out of her and using it to my advantage while laughing at the danger that at any moment Anthony might walk through that door to confront me.But for now, I discard those thoughts, grab my glasses and my sun hat with the urgency of one who needs to be ready for CEO Adam Arnault's big arrival.In the corridors there is no talk of anything else but this spr
“ No, I weakened!”, I answer without leaving my pride that should accompany a man until he dies.“ I won't let you ruin your life like that for a man who must die”, Luigi holds the gun firmly and with the slightest click, it will fire, “I warned you that you would end up in love with him and you couldn't fulfill your father's request. I won't let you fall into dishonor Francisca!”“ Then shoot! Shoot Luigi. Because I won't kill him. It's not just because I'm in love with him, I'm simply tired of living up to the ideals my father created to escape the pain of having lost my mother. I never promised him to kill Adam Arnault, but I gave my word to you, so you can collect it. But, don't forget that first of all, his first wish was for Adam to become part of our family and to fulfill the pro
“The show has already started!”, Luigi warns me, looking at his watch and realizing how late we are.“I know. But I can't just go. I need a plan”,I keep walking back and forth to dispel the cloud of chaos that is gradually forming over my head.I know that there is always a way out, but in this case it's a little impossible to find. Because it is certain that Adam will want to introduce me to his best friend and I can't just play dumb. And the first second Jean hears my voice, he will recognize me, and then it will all be over.“ I've never seen you so eager, Francisca. Not even on your first opening night as your father's future successor”, he comments.“ Yes, but it's diff
Before I entered the big hall, I tried to peek through the door and everyone was focused on the show that is undoubtedly a success. That "summer in the middle of spring" is told in the bright colors and light fabrics that make up the clothes of each of the models that walk on the catwalk and are greeted by petals falling from the sky. This no doubt inflames my ego for having my idea of the surprise I made for the CEO copied by him.And although the audience has its back turned to me, I am sure that Adam is not sitting in it, nor is Amelia, much less Jean.“The Lawyer didn't come. He really doesn't like shows and cameras”, I say to Luigi who is beside me waiting for me to show him the man marked for death, “ He has saved us a scandal for tonight. ““ I see, well, in that case I'll enjoy it. Aren't you coming?”“ No, it's not time yet, I'll try to sneak a peek into the dressing room. I feel that Amelia is up to something”, I say goodbye and discreetly enter through the hall's entrance d
I burst out laughing at the scene. She barely knows how to hold a gun. “ Don't be stupid, Larissa. I'm sure your only mission here is to cause me the displeasure of your company during my return to my home. A home that doesn't belong to Anthony, and certainly not to you. You are a mere pawn in this game that Anthony revels in thinking he can strike me. Now put that fucking gun away that you don't even know how to use and let's get out of here.”, I retrace my steps to meet my luggage. “ Don't move, Chloe! Or I'll shoot.”, she threatens, “You won't come home. You won't see your daughter. I know that if you come back you will convince Anthony to forgive you and everything will be fine for you as always.” I stop, not because I owe her obedience. But, because I need to watch how far she is willing to go: “Hum and what do you intend to do? Murder me?” “Yes, I will murder you. Tell me how it feels to be about to die by the hand of stupid Lari?”, she wants to match a crazy woman in some m
It wasn't long before my aunt's suspicions were confirmed to be idiotic, so dismissed by my happiness when not even nausea could stop me from feeling so willing, at least emotionally.The CEO revealed himself to have a hidden joking side or just could not see himself missing the opportunity for the first time to be in charge of a situation that in no way would I know how to handle myself. The dispute would only end with both of us accepting rewards, me with his blazer and him holding me in his arms. The silence joined the night that came and we stopped to look at the sky and would have taken our time if it weren't for an icy breeze irritating my skin.“ I'm staying with him!”, I wrap myself even tighter in his blazer.“ Of course you can take it!”, he grants not only the garment but also a kiss.“ I'll be right back!”, he walks away, no need to ask why. I see land in sight, and soon we are on what resembles a beanstalk. I soon find that my vision has betrayed me, and it is only 15
The CEO bet even though he knew the game was a farce, he preferred fun to lucidity, the turmoil of the losers, and the vanity of him being the first even though, deep down, it wasn't true. Wouldn't it be the same with our relationship? Are we both lying, I to him and he to himself even though the signs are clear? And that before long, he will reveal that from the beginning it was a game, he knows who I am and he loves my demons just as I love his ocean eyes. No matter how crooked the path to this point has been, but he is willing to take all the risks. Not like a prince saving his beloved, but like a true mobster, a learning that is not born in a week, let alone a day. A day that confuses me with seconds as I watch Adam dress in his usual black, rejecting the simplicity of the disguise we agreed to have here. He easily sets himself up as a target, and running away is definitely not an option. That's what we did by coming here, but distance is only an obstacle for those who need an e
California, dawn“Am I still welcome in your house and in your life?”, It's Luigi, who has sneaked in. It's not a surprise to me. In fact, I've been waiting for you since I left the casino and came home. Me, sitting on the porch and him beside me, the dawn spreads in the sky right in front of us and the sea hardly imitates a sound so as not to break the peace that surrounds us all. Luigi, also surrendered, decides to sit down, waiting for me to give him his final sentence. However, my internal judgment is lengthy. My senses do not wish to miss a detail of the spectacle. It is sublime and unbelievably, there is nothing that nature asks in return to give it to us.“ If you fear that I am going to throw you out of my life, should I consider that you have done something wrong?”, my eyes are satisfied and my attention is offered to the man next to me.“ No, you know I haven't. I just don't know to what extent what we have matters more than how you feel about Adam.”“ I recognize how much
“Don't you ever lose the habit of asking questions you know the answer to?”, I close the door behind me so tightly that it is enough to hide the rapid beating of my heart. My nostrils need air on behalf of my lungs desperate to bail out, my mind one step away from hitching its anxiety.“Our argument hasn't even started, and already reason has gone your way”, he smiles cynically, keeping the gun pointed at Adam's head, opting for circular motions on his leather to test my lucidity, “ You were raised to have it all, to own it all. The Great Frances! I thought that by taking everything away from you, you would come back to me. But no! You found it!”, he pulls the gun away from the CEO and sits down next to Adam's body lying on a couch, “Is he the one stopping you from loving me, Francisca? The son-in-law of your father's dreams who should be dead?”Anthony again positions the gun in his direction, and I know that his life depends on my answer. It's logical that I need to remain indiff
“ I have never seen such a sexy and sophisticated manager.... “, Adam is dazzled, I can see him through his reflection in the mirror, which reminds me of Anthony's presence in scenes like this, although their looks and gestures are incomparable.“ My job is a bit peculiar. I won't be there to serve, just pretend I'm a stupid, silly, rich girl they can pass off as. Then they will be attracted to spend money. A sort of camouflaged manager”, I shrug, swiping my lipstick.“ That's dishonest”, he assesses. “And entering a casino expecting honesty is naïve, Monsieur Arnault…”, I do the final touches, making sure there is not a grain of sand left on my scalp. It was an endless struggle to get rid of them. A sacrifice that left no regrets when it was two hours well spent of the purest pleasure. And I would love to continue it through these white walls and huge glass windows that bring the sea closer even though it is a hundred meters away. The house in no way resembles Arnault's residence
California, presentEvery day millions of people travel. For many, just another ordinary day of time saved by one of the greatest inventions of all time; for others, the airplane is not just a machine. It is our genie in the lamp, where we lean back, close our eyes and imagine the dreams we yearn to come true. And if distance is the only obstacle, the dream is one step away from our hands as soon as the plane touches the runway to our point of arrival. But when distance is not the obstacle, how can that lamp help us if the problem lives in us and we simply cannot run away from who we are?“There will be a car waiting for us.”, Adam says, bringing me back to the present.We are waiting to choose our bags among so many others.“ Hopefully without a driver, I'll love to spend some time alone with you…”, my voice is sly, accompanied by a mischievous smile.“ You are so complicated, Chloé! “, he looks at me like I'm a riddle, “ One minute you wish I had security guards and chauffeurs, the
One day laterToday the Desiré noire did not open. The tables are empty and the silence is frightening for those who are used to seeing a full house. It is clear that I will lose a lot of money by having the doors closed. But our reunion could not be in a place other than one of CEO Adam Arnault's favorite spots. The atmosphere would stir up memories for him, and to erase the bad ones, you need an extra dose of what makes you feel at home. So tonight, no more pubs or wandering the streets like two inconsequential teenagers.It will be drinking from the best in the bar and loving like the first time.Yet, with every passing minute, it gives me anxiety not to see him walk through that door. I can't believe that Adam would be so proud as to not accept an invitation from me. After all it has been a long time since our fight. And before anyone accuses me that 24 hours is not much time, in my defense, I will say that an eternity can happen in seconds. So there is no point in waiting for hi
“ You were really serious about hurting him. That can't have been pretty…”, appreciates Luigi as he finds me picking up the shards of glass from the floor and throwing them into a bag.He arrived ten minutes after Adam left. That was the time for me to put on some clothes, wipe my tears and drink a cup of pure coffee that would make anyone awake from the feeling of still being sleepy.“ I always do what has to be done, Luigi. You gave Anthony your word, I wouldn't make you break it a second time. I have a lot to thank you for, my friend.”, I say it sincerely and I just can't stand up to hug you because our time is short.“ You will always have my loyalty and so will your descendants.”“ What descendants? I have decided to live as if my daughter doesn't exist, and a second child is not in the plans.”, I continue to pick up the shrapnel while trying to keep my attention on her reasoning.“ Francisca, that day Anthony said that having you back is a priority not just out of spite, he nee