Filed to story: Watch Out, I’m The Lady Boss (Eleanor & Sebastian) Book PDF Free
“Not a good idea.”
“I know. He seemed busy.”
“That’s not what I meant.” Sebastian’s clean-shaven jaw looked sharper than usual. Also, maybe the light or angle made his eyes seem darker.
“I know what you meant, and you’d be crazy to believe he’s interested in me like that.” I pulled a face at my new fianc?.
“He’s rich, handsome, single, and let’s not forget the French accent that makes most women swoon. He can have anyone he wants. He doesn’t need to chase an engaged woman.”
“He’s a man. I’m a man. I know how men like him think He didn’t have to pick you up himself. He’s a boss.
He has chauffeurs.”
“He’s just being nice. I’m new to the city, after all.”
“If I had a new employee coming for work, I’d send a chauffeur.”
“Fine, fine.” I surrendered. There was no winning against him.
“How about this? If he ever tries anything, I promise I’ll smash a skillet over his head.”
“Deal. Make sure you hit hard enough to knock him out. Don’t worry about hospital fees.”I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.
Had the shift from fake husband to real fianc? made him feel insecure?
I changed the subject, Sebastian tried to steer it back, I deflected with questions about his day, and cut the call when he demanded something that would get me banned from all the PG-rated sites on the internet.
The next morning, I fixed myself a quick breakfast and went downstairs.
Fabrizio was already outside, leaning against another glossy black car.
I slid into the passenger seat.
“Morning,” I said.
“I checked the route, you know. I could have managed on my own. You didn’t have to go out of your way to pick me up.”
“My place is on the way,” Fabrizio replied, easing the car into the stream of Paris traffic.
I unlocked my phone.
There was a small avalanche of texts from Sebastian.
Sebastian: [Morning.]
Sebastian: [Had breakfast yet? Don’t be late for work on your first day.]
Sebastian: [I’ve got connections in the city. Let me know if you need anything-bodyguard, chauffeur, assistant, whatever.]
Sebastian: [LGH doesn’t have a hotel in Paris. If you’d rather not stay at Fabrizio’s, check into Le Meurice. There’s a suite under my name, all yours.]
I sent a quick reply: [Just heading to work now.]
As Fabrizio took a sharp turn, I snapped a photo of the Parisian street flickering past, then fired it off to Sebastian.
He responded in seconds.
Sebastian: [Nice view out there.]
Sebastian: [That window’s tinted. Looks aftermarket. That’s not a taxi. Whose car are you in?]
Me: [Fabrizio’s. He’s giving me a lift to Valmont’s headquarters.]
Sebastian: [Stay away from him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The barrage of exclamation marks made my eyes twitch.
Me: [He’s just giving me a ride. Stop freaking out.]
Sebastian: [If he were just a colleague, he wouldn’t be chauffeuring you around.]
Me: [He said it was on his way. Chill.]
The car lurched to a stop at a red light.
Fabrizio glanced across.
“Who’s got you grinning at your phone?”I touched my face, surprised to realise I’d been smiling.
“I was texting Sebastian. He’s not exactly thrilled about me coming to France by myself.”
“Ah.” Fabrizio’s mouth curved in a lopsided smile.
“Yound Mr Laurent seem close. When we met in Sunset City, you weren’t anything like the gossip online made you out to be.”I shrugged.
“People talk nonsense. I just ignore it.”The traffic light flicked green, but we immediately slowed again at the next junction.
If Paris traffic kept up like this, I could have beaten the car on foot.
“I’ve worked non-stop since I was twenty,” Fabrizio said suddenly.
“Now I’m thirty-six and I’ve never had a real relationship. Seeing you and Sebastian together makes me wonder what I missed.”I glanced over.
Where had this sudden honesty come from?
He noticed my surprise and gave a short, self-deprecating laugh. It wasn’t easy, building all this. I put everything into work. Maybe it this launch goes well, “tinally get a breather.”
‘ll go well,” I said, hoping my voice sounded reassuring He shot me a half-smile With your help, I’m sure of it,
You flatter me It’s not flattery, it’s fact. I’ve seen your entries for The Aureate Awards.”
I winced reflexively That competition was a double-edged sword-it brought me tame and more orders than ever wanted, but also no end of troversy.
I still didn’t know who’d paid Dr Ali?nor Dubois to try and sink me Your designs are truly unique and unforgettable, Fabrizio pressed on. Your studio might be the new kid on the block, but you’re making waves. I wondered it we could join forces.”Join forces how?” My mind snapped back from old injuries.
You’ve got talent. I’ve got history and reach. If we combined them, this new line could smash the market.
“By “combine”, do you mean…?”
A joint venture. Both of us with a stake.
That stopped me.
I’d boarded a plane expecting freelance gig work, maybe a one-off collab-not to be discussing equity and a proper company, with both our names on the door.
“I’ll need to think about it,” I said slowly.
He gave a shrug that said he wasn’t disappointed. Take your time. Just an idea.
Through the rear-view mirror, I caught the glimmer of his perfect smile.
If he hadn’t just admitted his age, I’d never have guessed he was thirty-six.
“We’re here,” he announced.
The car glided into a private lot outside Valmont & Cie’s headquarters.
I stepped out and stared like a tourist.
Pale stone, razor-sharp lines, the whole edifice towering so high it made my neck ache just to look up.
Bloody hell,” I muttered.
I’d flipped through plenty of glossy magazines, seen the professional photos.
Chste 243 Age Sox Terplotion Only standing right under it did I finally get it.
My first day at Valmont & Cie tore by so fast, I barely registered the hour.
After dinner with new colleagues-one of those lively, three-hour affairs-1 tried to wave Fabrizio off, but he insisted on driving me back to the house.
He was every inch the perfect gentleman-effortlessly charming, immaculately dressed, fluent in five subjects before dessert.
When I mentioned this to Yvaine over video call, she tsk tsked.
Watch your back when he turns up the charm,” she deadpanned.
What does that mean?” I asked.
“Don’t forget, four pillars of the classic Frenchman: well dressed, smooth-talker, sharp business sense, and expert seducer,”Please. Did Sebastian put you up to that? When did you two get so chummy?”
He didn’t. And we haven’t. But great minds think alike, yeah?”
Right on cue, Sebastian’s video call flashed onto my screen Speak of the devil. The other great mind’s calling, Night”Yvaine signed ott.
I settled against the headboard, towel-dried hair falling around my ears.
Sebastian was in his study, jacket tossed on the chair, tie loose, sleeves pushed back.
“It’s past midnight over there,” I said.
“Shouldn’t you be asleep?”
“I was waiting for you. How was dinner?”
“Good. Very French, very long.” I hovered on the edge of telling him about Fabrizio’s proposal.
In the end, I kept quiet.
Sebastian already hated this trip.
If I mentioned a months-long partnership, he’d be on the next flight in a heartbeat.
“Move the camera closer. Let me actually see you.”