DESIGN FOR LOVE

by Murray, Bryan

  “I know, and it scares me to death!”

  He grinned. “Yeah, me too, now this is one nervous breakdown I’m really looking forward to!”

  “Yeah, right!”

  As the limo pulled into the lush forecourt of Hotel Du Nord, the sun was setting in a golden haze, silhouetting the lush palm trees in its aura.

  The Bellman showed Francine and Vince to their rooms after Francine had checked that the accommodations for her models were confirmed. They both had a large room with a balcony overlooking the sea and when Francine finally tipped the Bellman, she settled into the luxury of the room. It was only then that she realized that the beautiful floral arrangement on the table by the window had a card attached.

  Her first thoughts were that it was sweet of Roger to think of her. However, when she read the card, her mouth sagged open. It read. ‘Good luck with the show, kindest regards, Gerard!’

  She had to admit, the man was full of surprises. His timing was impeccable, judging by the way he always seemed to turn up at the right moment. The fact that he was still looking out for her at this very moment felt good. It felt very good.

  She picked up the phone and asked to be connected with Gerard’s room. The operator politely corrected her that it was a suite not a room. Why was she not surprised?

  He answered the phone on the first ring. “Gerard Cinclare?”

  “Hi, Gerard, this is Francine,” she began. “I wanted to thank you for your help at the airport and also for the flowers and the card. They’re lovely, but you didn’t have to do that.”

  “Think nothing of it,” that warmth was back in his voice. “You see, I’m not such a bad guy, after all.”

  ‘You could say that again!’ she was tempted to reply, but settled for. “I’m beginning to realize that. In fact, you’re doing such a good job, I’m tempted to find other dragons for you to slay.”

  He laughed encouragingly. “Bring them on, but only one at a time please,” he paused a moment before adding. “By the way, do you and your companion have plans for tonight?”

  Once again her heart rate was picking up speed like a Titan rocket. “I don’t think so, but I’ll need to check with Vince. Why?”

  “There’s a welcome cocktail reception for the designers and potential customers, perhaps you can both make it later?”

  Francine felt totally remiss at not knowing the plans for the show, so engrossed had she been in getting everything ready on time. She sounded apologetic. “Look, I know I’m supposed to know where and when for this get together, but to be honest I’ve been too busy to check.”

  He laughed again and even on the phone there was something so relaxing about that incredible voice. “Perhaps you should put me on your payroll, that way I can make sure you make it to all the right functions.”

  She smiled at his humor. ‘Are you kidding, I’d just settle for having you in my Customer Data Base!’ she mused before replying.

  “So, are you going to tell me where this cocktail session takes place?”

  “Of course, right here in the ballroom at 7.30. See you there, goodbye, Francine.”

  “Goodbye, Gerard, Oh, and before you go, I have a question?”

  “Fire away?”

  “Are we flirting again?”

  He laughed. “Of course, see you later.” he put the phone down and Francine caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. As she looked at her reflection, she heaved a sensuous sigh. ‘Oh boy!’

  was all she said.

  In the event, Vince needed no second asking to attend any event that involved free booze and hopefully some good looking European guys and so he and Francine agreed to go down around 7.45 later that evening.

  CHAPTER 26

  After carefully unpacking, Francine debated what to wear.

  Once again, distractions were starting to filter into her mindset.

  Was she dressing as one of the so-called designers, with the world fashion press paying close scrutiny to every stitch, or was she dressing in something that would catch the eye of a certain prospective customer?

  After much deliberation and holding a variety of outfits in front of her before a full length mirror, she came up with a solution. Why not kill two birds with one stone? Consequently, she decided to have her hair shoulder length and to show a little style and cleavage at the same time.

  She chose a full length black dress, hugging her hips and waist sexily with an interesting hint of cleavage. With her body, a hint was all it took to give the image of all that lay beneath, or at least that was what she was hoping that Gerard would notice.

  If it was any consolation to her, the words from the first man to see her, albeit although it was only Vince, were more than encouraging.

  When she opened the door when he called by at 7.45, he took one look at her and just one word involuntarily popped out of his mouth. “Jeez!” was all he said.

  She looked alarmed. “Is something wrong?”

  He smiled. “Are you kidding! I gotta get me a stick, girl!”

  “A stick?”

  “Yeah, somebody’s got to beat these Europeans off with it, big time!” he grinned. “But perhaps Mr. Wonderful will oblige.”

  When he saw the look in her eye, he quickly held up his hands in surrender. “I know, I know!”

  “Good!” she answered. “Now we won’t need to mention it again.”

  It was possibly the most elegant cocktail reception that Francine had ever attended. When she looked at her neck and wrists she felt positively naked when she compared herself to the other women who were there, everyone dripping in diamonds.

  All the big fashion names and some of the World’s top models were there, surrounded by the usual photographers and paparazzi.

  A strolling waiter offered her and Vince a glass of champagne and almost before Francine had the chance to take a sip, a voice behind her caused her to turn around.

  “So, you made it to the big one, kid?”

  Chris Matlin, looking just as bored as he had seemed in New York, managed a tired smile as he looked at Francine. She smiled radiantly and shook hands.

  “Hello, Chris, nice to see you and many thanks for your kind words back in New York.”

  He shrugged. “Hey, that’s okay, but this is the big one, Miss Dubois. Did you follow my advice?”

  She continued to smile. “You mean about the big finish, knock ‘em dead in the aisles, I think you said?”

  “That’s it.”

  “I hope so, let me know what you think?”

  He managed a rueful smile. “That you can count on, kid! Good luck!”

  “Thanks.”

  As soon as Chris moved on, Francine was besieged by a number of reporters, many of whom didn’t speak English which made it difficult to communicate. One handsome Frenchman with dark, Gallic good looks, was watching her appraisingly. He waited until she was alone and moved in, smooth as silk, ivory teeth flashing.

  “Allow me to introduce myself, Miss Dubois, I am Phillipe Mitterrand of La Vie de Paris.”

  Francine smiled and shook hands. “Nice to meet you, Phillipe.”

  Before she could ask the unspoken question in her eyes, he quickly interrupted with a grin. “And no, unfortunately, I am not related to Francois!”

  “Been asked before, I’m sure?” she added.

  “Yes, many times, I’m afraid. And so, this is your first visit to Monte Carlo, yes?”

  She always wondered why Europeans always seemed to ask a question and answer it for you at the same time. “Yes, it is.”

  “And you have something special to show?” he asked.

  ‘You’d better believe it!’ she almost replied to the arrogant Frenchman. “But of course! Everything is special for every designer, Monsieur!”

  “Yes, yes of course. Ah, perhaps we could meet for a drink later and you can explain it to me?” he replied.

  ‘Here it comes,’ she mused. ‘Took you all of thirty seconds to start the come-on!’ she put on her best innocent smile. �
�But Phillipe, we’re already having a drink, yes?” she waved Vince over. “If you’ll excuse me, I see someone I must talk to. Goodbye, Phillipe!”

  “Miss Dubois.” he bowed slightly before heading off in search of further conquests.

  Vince was smiling. “What did I tell you about the big stick. It’s not just the dress, Princess, it’s what’s in it!”

  She punched him gently on the arm. “What would I do without you, Rainbow Man?”

  He smiled. “I don’t know, but don’t you try, okay?”

  “Don’t worry, I won’t”

  It was almost a sixth sense that made her look to her left to see Gerard standing there watching her from across the room, that 100 watt smile on his face. He looked totally elegant in a white tuxedo and he was already surrounded by three pushy women, two of them looked like models.

  He raised his glass in salute and Francine smiled back, suddenly feeling the pangs of jealousy when she saw him confronted by three sets of more than ample cleavage.

  Before she had the chance to think about it, yet another obnoxious Frenchman had zeroed in on her asking more stupid questions. So, this was Europe!

  It was an hour or so later that Francine had finally had enough of the idle chatter. The other fashion designers had already left and she felt as though she had paid her dues to the fashion press, at least before they started to have their say after seeing her work.

  As she made her way towards the balcony for a breath of fresh air, she caught a glimpse of a number of fashion magazines on a table to one side. It was not the fashions that caught her eye, all of which she recognized from the show in New York. One of the magazines had been left open at the page with all the pictures taken of the prominent attendees.

  There, right in the middle of the page was a picture of Gerard with a big smile on his face and his arm around a smiling, clinging Jeri. Right next to it was a picture of the two women she had met with Roger in the restaurant in New York. But what upset her the most was that slap bang between them, squeezing them sexily, with a lusty look in his eye, was Roger himself!

  She could only imagine that one of the two women had slipped a few bucks to the photographer to get the photo included, since all three of them had no real connections with the fashion world whatsoever.

  So, what else had the wandering Roger been up to in New York? It was bad enough when Steve used to do it, but now, could it also be Roger’s little hobby?

  It was almost eerie the way her very next thought was interrupted by a familiar voice.

  “So, there you are!”

  In open-mouthed surprise, she whirled round to see a smiling Roger standing there.

  “Oh, it’s you!” was all she could manage.

  He looked taken aback. “Is that all? Oh it’s you? What’s up?”

  She was calming down a little. “Oh, nothing, except that I just happened to pick up a copy of a US fashion magazine.”

  “And?”

  “And there was a picture of you, squeezing the life out of those two bimbos!”

  “Oh, that one.”

  “So, you’ve already seen it?”

  He looked suddenly very sheepish. “Well, yes, they sent me a copy.”

  Now she was really upset. “I don’t want to talk about it, okay?”

  He put his hands up defensively. “Okay.”

  She couldn’t believe she was so mad, but if she had really thought about it, she couldn’t have cared less. Perhaps it was her sub-conscious deliberately trying to pick a fight with Roger, but for what reason? The guy had flown all the way to Europe to join her, the least she could do was be sociable.

  “Let’s have a drink?” she added.

  “Good idea,” he lifted two glasses of champagne skillfully off a passing tray and gave one to her. “Are you free later?” he asked with that devilish grin on his face.

  Francine suddenly didn’t feel like spending time alone later with her philandering boyfriend and she was desperately looking for an excuse. "I'm going to have to take a raincheck, Roger,” she replied. “I’ve still got a lot of final modifications to make and I’m about bushed. This jet lag is killing me. Let’s do something tomorrow, okay?”

  Roger was clearly not happy. “Man, I came all this way to see my girl and she’s too tired!”

  “I know, I’m a pain, but we’ve still got tomorrow, okay?”

  “I guess.” he replied sulkily

  After Francine and Roger had walked back inside, not ten feet from where they had been standing, Gerard, who had been sitting out of sight on a bench, speaking on his cell phone, stood up and followed them inside. He had a thoughtful look in his eye.

  CHAPTER 27

  After saying a polite goodnight to Roger, Francine, dressed later in just a flimsy robe, stood quietly on her balcony, staring at the deep blue, star-studded Mediterranean night sky. All around were the fresh, sweet-scented aromas of a myriad of exotic flowers, all part of a setting so romantic that it should have given her goose bumps. All it did, however, was make her mind wander back to the earlier part of the evening.

  She felt relieved that she had been able to avoid the continuing advances of Roger, particularly after his lack of remorse at being seen in the clutches of the two bimbos in Dallas. She was also strangely concerned at the way that Roger suddenly didn’t seem to fit into any scenario where Gerard was involved. Although Gerard had annoyed her intensely at their first meeting, his friendly, chivalrous attitude since then had made him so much more enjoyable to be around than the wayward Roger had ever been.

  She wondered what had happened to Gerard since she hadn’t seen him for a while. Had he seen her with Roger and simply backed off? It seemed as though he was always in her thoughts these days.

  ‘What’s wrong with you, girl?’ she asked herself again before going back inside. She slid out of her robe, inspected her sleek, naked body in the full length mirror in the moonlight before climbing into bed.

  It was a long while before she fell into a fitful sleep, visions of those warm, green, smiling eyes interminably clouding her senses.

  * * * *

  Just after lunch the following day, after a busy morning and once the ever-present Roger had gone to check in with his office, Francine placed a call to Dallas. She was delighted when Mrs.‘T’ answered the phone to report that all was well.

  “How’s it going, my dear?” the older lady asked.

  Francine tried to sound upbeat. “Pretty good, we have the rehearsal later today and then it’s the big show the day after tomorrow. I’ll call you again, sometime tomorrow, okay?”

  “That’ll be fine, dear. Bye.”

  “Bye.”

  Francine quickly grabbed all her papers and went to find Vince who was still lounging by the pool. She had to smile because in addition to being gay, he still had a neat body that could turn most women’s heads. In fact a couple of topless local women by the side of the pool were already giving him the eye. Boy, were they in for a surprise!

  He looked up as she approached. “Hi, Princess, boy do you look ready for work!” he chided.

  She smiled. “Well, I figure one of us has to try and concentrate on the job at hand. I’m not the one attracting covetous looks from the locals!”

  He grinned. “You noticed, huh? Just one problem, wrong sex, girl!”

  He put on his robe and grabbed his towel. “Okay, I get the picture, see you in the lobby in 15 minutes. Are the girls all primed?”

  “You bet. I arranged a limo for them at 2.00 p.m. See you later.” as Francine walked back inside, she bumped into Gerard once again. This time he was heading for the pool in just a pair of beach shorts with a towel around his shoulders.

  She couldn’t help but stare at his semi-naked body, not an ounce of fat anywhere, a nice golden tan and muscles that showed that he had really been working out. He looked disappointed to see her leaving.

  “Hi, Francine, time for a swim?”

  Her whole body ached to say yes, but using self-control sh
e didn’t even know she possessed, she replied. “I’d love to, Gerard, but I’ve got the rehearsals in an hour.”

  She was having great difficulty in taking her eyes off his body and before she could stop herself, she found herself asking. “Where did you get to last night?”

  He smiled and again her knees were hanging on grimly. “I kind of got caught up in conversation and then I saw your fiancée from Dallas arrive.”

  Once again, she found herself replying a little too quickly. “He’s just a friend, not my fiancée, but you’re right, after he surprised me by flying in, it was the least I could do.”

  ‘Liar, liar, pants on fire!’ she told herself.

  “Exactly,” he was being really charming. “When does he go back?”

  ‘On the next plane if I can manage it!’ she was thinking. “I’m not sure. He works for a TV station in Dallas and he’s checking in with them now.”

  “I see. Well, perhaps we can have a drink later,” and he added quickly. “All three of us.”

  “That would be nice,” she smiled. “I’ve got to go. Bye.”

  ‘Bye, Francine,” he grinned. “Don’t forget, all work and no play…”

  She waved her hand in a friendly dismissive gesture as she left. As she stood outside the lobby, waiting for Vince and after herding the Models into their limo, Francine took a deep breath. Although every fiber in her being was telling her that the Show was everything, that it demanded her undivided attention, why was her inner self wishing that she were frolicking in the pool with a certain gorgeous hunk? Just the kind of distraction she didn’t need.

  She was jolted out of her daydream by a quick hug from behind. It was Roger.

  “Hi, there.” he chirped.

  “So, how did it go,” she replied. “Gotham City need Clark Kent to return?”

  He grinned. “I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or a dig. Anyway, they want me out of here tonight, back via Paris. Apparently some top Texas politicos are on a junket and they want me to see what I can dig up.”

  “Sounds more like the ‘National Snoop’ to me!” she couldn’t resist it.

  “So, what do we do until then?” he looked ready to hit the sack at the drop of a hat. The man was insatiable, she thought.