"Kyaaa!" Elise poked her head out of the car's window.
"Oye! Settle down! I said we will have fun but nothing dangerous!" Samuel dragged her back to his lap. He noticed that the girl was not properly taken care of, maybe because Mayra had recently brought her home, but she needed a makeover for sure!
Samuel had gotten accustomed to maintaining a prime appearance over the years. It was sort of like a habit which was flaring since he saw her unkempt hair.
"Humph!" Elise settled down but openly showed her dissatisfaction.
"Kid, you have to behave and stay by my side. I don't want you to be lost and taken in by strangers." Samuel tried to set some ground rules.
She pouted in reply and started making trouble.
"If you have something to say, say it!" Samuel urged. She calmed down as soon as he said it, which Samuel found strange.
"If not let me make some arrangements. You want have a fun day right?" He patted her head, to which she meekly nodded again. He honestly couldn't get a clear read on her; with all the interaction that he had till now, she behaved more like a dog?
Samuel dialled a particular number which was immediately picked up.
"Sir, It's been a long time since you called."
"Yeah, I don't have much time to chat. Find me the best place for hairdressing, tell them I am coming and make all the preparation." Samuel called his exclusive agent from American Express. He had already seen their impressive reach when he needed anything done, and it was faster if he used his personal connections.
"Right away sir, can you tell me your location?" She asked over the phone.
"Paris, send me the address to this number. Oh, tell them the customer is a four year old girl."
"Yes sir! Please give me few minutes." They hashed out the specifics while the operator made arrangements.
And right as she said, she immediately made an urgent booking with a renowned Salon, and with the location in hand, Samuel swiftly drove to the address.
...
...
...
"Sir! Here!" As soon as Samuel reached the destination, someone was already there to receive him. She didn't look like the store employee, but he drove toward her regardless.
"You are?"
" I am Lucie Beaufoy. I have been dispatched by the headquarters to tend to your needs in person! It's so great to meet you, sir!" She said energetically. Not many new people that Samuel met were that enthusiastic about meeting him.
Some were bashful, others outright scared out of their mind thinking if they made any mistake, Samuel would have their head on the pike! It was mostly because Samuel didn't interact in public much, and his image was based on his few appearance or word of mouth.
What's surprising was that this girl was really young and cheerful; Samuel confirmed it, and she didn't have any ill will toward him too? It was too coincidental!
"Is that so? I will be in your care today. Is everything ready?" Samuel said while looking for a parking spot. It was a narrow street with a signature design if one ever visited Paris. It's believed that many great stores are tucked away in these types of streets, and if one didn't have prior knowledge, they might not get to experience the true magic of the City of Light!
"Yes sir, everything is ready. Please head inside while I take care of this." She opened the door, signalling she would park it himself.
Samuel was hesitant not because his Ferrari cost a fortune but the time it would take to repair this beauty if something were to happen. But he trusted that American Express wouldn't send him a novice after the enormous yearly fees that he paid them.
"Alright, Elise are you ready?" Samuel reached out his hand, but she didn't take it.
"What's wrong little lady?" Lucie asked with a smile, but she shrunk back, avoiding eye contact.
"Is she scared?" Samuel thought and picked her up in his arms. She was still hiding his face while hugging his arms, but it calmed her; at least, Samuel hoped it did.
"She is shy. I will head inside first." Samuel didn't linger long and walked inside the store. From the outside, it didn't look anything special, just a large two-sided wooden door with a simple signboard, but as soon as he entered the place, all he could see was white.
L'atelier Blanc is a store renowned for its hypnotically peaceful environment. In this tiny, whitewashed studio, the store owner, Fran?oise Mennetrier, operated on top models, actresses and stylists during Paris Fashion Week.
It was a strictly private space where she tended to a loyal following of fashion- and film-industry professionals exclusively, but Samuel didn't know about it. She didn't care as long as they could transform Elise into a real-life princess for a day!
"Do you like it, Elise?" Samuel asked, seeing the cheerful smile returned to her face. He was walking in the narrow hallway, which was completely decorated with a white theme. Only the floor was wooden brown making the contrast even more prominent.
As soon as Samuel entered the small hall area, everyone present turned their heads toward him. He was not wearing anything special, a simple summer T-shirt and comfortable pants, but even then, he looked better than models.
"Woah! Who is the hottie?"
"I don't know. Never seen him before."
"Is that natural white hair or he just making a play on the store's theme?"
"Who cares as long as it makes him look that good!"
"Probably a new signed model, where do they even find such handsome man?"
People began to gossip unnecessarily, making Elise more uncomfortable under their gazes. She returned to her previous position burying her face in his neck. Samuel intensified his stare looking around these troublesome people; his plan to make her talk was fleeting by their overly friendly gazes!
And for some reason, wherever he looked, people blushed when he made eye contact with them. Couldn't they get the message?
"Sir, are you perhaps Samuel Ro-" a lady stepped forward and asked him, but he cut her off from revealing his surname. He didn't want more attention.
"Yes, I am." He proclaimed.
"Woah, even his voice... oh my god!"
"It's so dreamy!"
"Somehow his commanding tone was even more sexy!"
The models were especially loud, seemingly trying to make him hear their gossip. But thankfully, the lady said something which immediately made the bystanders depressed.
"Master is waiting for you inside. I will guide you in one of our private rooms."
"Alright, lead the way." Samuel with her.
After he left, the gossip resumed; most of these models didn't even know this salon had private rooms. It was so tiny where was the space to offer such services, and they would often share the same room during makeup. The privacy they would get would be a blind separating the space. Even then, people came here because of the owner's reputation.
"This way, master is waiting inside. Please go in." the lady stopped in front of the door, which looked like an impromptu office. Samuel nodded and went inside to find a woman waiting for him.
"My my, I didn't know I would witness such a killer combo today!" The woman began circling the two like she was inspecting some object. She kept nodding and muttering to herself without saying anything out loud.
"Umm... what are you doing?" Samuel asked, which broke her trance.
"Ah, pardon me, I get lost whenever I see a beautiful specimen!" She cheerfully replied. What's up with today him finding strange people wherever he goes? Or was it because of a different city?
"It's fine, but she is afraid if strangers stare at her." Samuel rubbed her back as Elise didn't want to show her face.
"I know but I can't do my thing if I can't even look at her properly. Little lady? Can't you let me see your face?" She got closer, trying to get a proper look.
"Elise, didn't we agree that you will become a princess today? this lady.. I am sorry, we haven't even introduced each other. I am Samuel and this little girl is Elise." Samuel bowed slightly.
"Fran?oise, just call me Fran. Now lay her down so I can get a look." She seemed completely disinterested, knowing Samuel's background, which was a good sign in his eyes.
"Elise-" Samuel tried, but she held on to his shirt, refusing to let go.
"I am right here. As you professional butler, I will never leave your side!" He tried to convince her.
"Na", She struggled.
"Don't you trust me? I will be here so you don't have to be afraid. I promise." He caressed her small face while looking at her teary eyes. It showed that she only listened to him and feared separation.
Seeing his sincere pleading, she reluctantly reduced her grip. It was not perfect, but Samuel seemed to finally take one step in the right direction.
"I will hold you hand alright. And if you ever need me just call for my name, Sami. Do you understand." Samuel tried to get anything out of her, but in reply, she only nodded, giving a positive answer.
"Alright, I thought it would go on for hours but since it's resolved please place her on this seat. I will call someone over that would take care of you."
"Me too?"
"Didn't you make an appointment for two people?"
Samuel was hesitant, but seeing Elise's expectant eyes, he agreed to get a touch-up. His hair was not messy, but he was ready to do it if it made Elise more comfortable.
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