Chapter 3

I arrived at the airport in France along with one of our financial officers and his wife. Max Riley has been with the company as long as I have and we were good friends. I was the best man at his wedding to his wife Deanna. They made a wonderful couple. They also had two kids, both of whom were also now in college.

I remember asking Max if he wanted to go to France and audit a set of books. His wife's reaction made me laugh. "He's not going to Paris without me!" she said.

Actually I was the one that didn't need to go but Mom and Dad told me I would like Paris and it would be good for me to get away for a few days. We took the shuttle bus to our hotel, which was beautiful. Ray and Barb, the office managers, took great care of us in getting our reservations.

It was already evening when we arrived and after checking in to our rooms we dined in the beautiful restaurant. The atmosphere was great. I looked around and saw many couples out for dinner. I tried to figure out which couples might really be together and which were escorts or mistresses.

After dinner we went into the lounge and had a couple of drinks. Deanne looked around at all the French women and said, "Now you can see why Max wasn't coming alone." She had a good point; there were quite a few unattached beautiful women.

I really had to wonder if I might hook up with one of them in the next couple of days. I knew it wouldn't be tonight because I was quite tired from the flight over after a busy day of work.

We headed to our rooms. I figured I'd get a good night's sleep but I wasn't sure about Max and Deanne. I figured they would get a little less sleep than me. It was Paris, after all.

The phone rang the next morning. It was Ray and he asked if the accommodations were satisfactory. I told him they were and he said he would be by in an hour to pick us up to take us to the office. After I hung up I rang Max's room and passed on the information.

We met downstairs and had time for a French pastry and a cup of coffee. Ray arrived just as we were finishing. We all knew Ray well and said our hello's and headed to the office. Barb was there with open arms to greet us.

Barb showed us around and introduced us to their employees. I do have to say the women looked good. It would only take a half a day to review the books. Ray and Barb always did an excellent job of keeping the books correct. It was just a mandatory review, which we did once a year for everyone's protection.

As I said, it was usually Mom and Dad's vacation to come and see Ray and Barb. This time Max and I came. Barb mentioned that she would take Deanne shopping while us men went over the books. It got a worried look from Max but a laugh from Deanne.

Needless to say there were no problems with the books. At lunch Ray mentioned that he and Barb were going to take us all out tonight. There was to be a modeling fashion show in town. At first I couldn't picture myself at a fashion show but Ray assured us we would love it.

Ray gave us the address and we told him we would meet them in the lobby of the theatre. The three of us arrived by cab and Ray and Barb were waiting for us. This theatre was more luxurious than I had anticipated. There were hundreds of people, many dressed in tuxes and expensive evening wear.

Barb told us that this theatre served a dinner that was to die for and afterwards had a world famous fashion show with some top models. Barb mentioned that they got tickets because some of the models were their clients. Investments and brokerage were their main businesses and they did extremely well.

We were seated and again brought a wonderful meal. The theatre had a runway running down the center. It would be where the models would be showing the latest fashions.

I don't think I mentioned that after that night Max and Deanne said they would like to tour the city. They had bought a tour pass at the hotel, which would keep them more than busy for a couple of days. I hadn't thought about it. I would've liked to see some of the sights myself but I didn't want to be a third wheel.

The fashion show began and I couldn't believe how grand it was. The women were beautiful and the gowns and bathing suits were something else. They even had a few male models in suits and tuxes. All the attendees, like me, got a small order book in case they wanted to order anything.

Ray said the clothes are quite pricey but getting an original from Paris was something most women loved. I didn't have a woman to buy for but Max told Deanne she could purchase any one item. Damn! They made a nice couple. I actually wished I had someone to buy an outfit for.

Each model wore at least three outfits, one being a fancy bathing suit. The models were gorgeous but one in particular caught my eye. She just seemed special to me. I later learned her name was Victoria, and she was stunning, with very long dark brown or brunette hair that went half way down her back.

She also was the last model of the night and wore a wedding dress that made her look like an angel. Her long flowing hair over her shoulders made her look so beautiful. Needless to say, everyone stood up and applauded the fashion show and we retired into another room of the theatre, which was a huge lounge where music was played and drinks were served.

Barb said that it was a greeting room, where you could meet the models and the directors and producers of the show. We were sitting having a drink when the models and the other personnel came into the room. For some reason I was only looking for one model, Victoria.

Ray saw me looking at the models coming in and asked me if I was looking for anyone in particular. I told him not really, not wanting to show my emotions, but I did think the bride was very angelic.

"Oh! That was Victoria. She is one of our clients. Barb, would you mind inviting Victoria to meet our guests?" replied Ray.

I saw Victoria walk in. She had a gray dress on that showed her beautiful shape. I was sure she didn't have on a bra but her breasts stood straight out. They weren't overly big but most definitely in the right proportion to her body. Her long hair draped over her right shoulder.

Barb walked over to her and they looked in our direction. They both smiled and walked toward us. "Bud, this is our friend Victoria." She also introduced her to Max and Deanne.

I wasn't sure about French greeting except what I had seen at a few movies. I took her right hand in the two of mine and kissed the back of it. She smiled at me and said it was nice meeting a gentleman. Her English was good, and her accent was cute.

Ray asked her if she would like to join us. She looked straight at me with her beautiful green eyes. I don't know how I looked on the outside but inside my stomach was queasy. I couldn't believe that any woman could have that effect on me. I thought maybe I had drunk too much, but realized I was still on my first drink.

Victoria smiled and said, "Give me a moment. I need to talk to my friends. I'll be right back." I stared at her as she walked away.

"She's beautiful," said Max. Deanne slapped him playfully on the arm. When she came back we three men stood up and she picked a seat next to me. I slid in her seat, trying to be the perfect gentleman. I couldn't get over how nervous I felt. My God, I've been out with I don't know how many women.

We all talked about the fashion show and I kept repeating how beautiful she looked, especially in the bridal gown. "Do you have someone special in mind who would look good in the gown?" asked Victoria.

"No, I'm not married and besides, I don't think anyone would look as good in the gown as you do." She smiled while thanking me.

About that time they had a band playing music and Ray and Barb got up to dance as well as Max and Deanne. I asked Victoria and she said she would love to.

While we danced at least three slow dances in a row, Victoria told me a little about herself. First off, she told me her friends called her Vicky. I mentioned my friends called me Buddy.

I'll tell you what Vicky told me about herself, but some of it was while we were dancing and other things over time. She was an orphan. Her parents were killed when she was a very young age. She couldn't remember them. Her father was French and her mother was Irish. That explains the beautiful green eyes.

She was raised in foster homes and while a teenager was sent to a special school for models. She was raised there and even before finishing high school had become a model. She earned money and saved most of it but had to pay for her keep.

She was taught etiquette and the modeling world. She told me it was all she knew. She was now twenty-six and said she had a couple of good years left. After that, models were considered too old for the circuit and did side modeling jobs on their own.

I couldn't believe that a woman as beautiful as Vicky would ever be out of a job unless it would be by choice. Holding her in my arms and smelling her perfume I couldn't get over the feeling in my gut. When we went and sat back at the table I already missed not having her in my arms.

We all talked and drank Champagne. I loved to hear Vicky talk and she had this beautiful accent. I wish I could write the way her voice sounded. As we were all taking a man came up to me and asked if it was all right if he danced with Vicky. Without hesitation I told him "No". I think it shocked everyone, including me.

I quickly corrected what I said and told the man that we were just about to get up and dance. I took a surprised Vicky's hand and we went back to the dance floor.

"What was that all about?" asked Vicky. "Are you a very jealous man? In case you didn't know, I know that man."

"I'm sorry! I've never reacted like that before. It wasn't my place to say who you could or couldn't dance with." I was surprised when all I got from Vicky was a smile and she actually pulled me closer. I was having feelings that I never had before. Was it Paris or just my inner thoughts?

At the table we talked about us being from the US and would be in Paris for a couple of days. Deanne mentioned that they were taking a couple of days to tour the city. She told Vicky that her husband even bought her one of the dresses that the models were wearing.

"That's a beautiful dress you purchased," mentioned Vicky. "Everyone should own an outfit that they bought when visiting Paris. We are the fashion center of the world. Buddy, did you purchase anything from the show?" asked Vicky.