"I'm sorry, what?!"
Elia heard what he said, she just found it unbelievable, not only that. To her, his request was bizarre. He seemed unsettled by her bewilderment and became a little flustered as he began to try and explain himself.
"I mean, I'm looking to have it filmed at a small club in London." He began. "In your area to be exact, not only that but you're ideal for it." He paused to try and gather himself before going on.
"I need a dancer first and foremost." He told her.
"Yeah but why me?" She interrupted. "You can more than likely have the pick of any dancer, anyone, at any time from anywhere, why ask me?"
"Because you embody much of what I'm looking for." He explained, then paused to let out an awkward sigh. "The song more or less talks about a dancer, one who's maybe like a gipsy, wild, free and yet out of reach." He paused yet again and glancing back at the cathedral he let out a slight smirk. "I suppose you could say she's almost like an Esmeralda like figure." Slightly amused by the reference Elia waited for him to finish
"It's mentioned that she has dark eyes and long black untamed hair, the song is called 'Danse pour moi' which means 'Dance for me. Its song is basically about a guy who watches a girl dancing and is wishing for her and dreaming of her yet is just invisible to her and can only imagine what she is dancing for him alone. Also, the song does have a reggae influence and even a slight South American feel to it and would suit you. And, well I feel you'd be right for it and would just really like you to be the one to do it! Would you?" Elia stood thoughtfully for a few moments as he anxiously waited for a response.
"Reggae" She repeated. He nodded.
"The beat," He told her bashfully. "the guitar, gives it a bit of a reggae sound."
"And South American?"
"It features has some accordion, I know just as in France, there is much music in South America that features the accordion, like some the songs you were dancing to at the Barbecue." Elia couldn't help but smile, she loved the accordion.
"I want to hear it before I come to any decision." She told him.
"Of course! I have it a copy on my phone, I can play it to you whenever you want."
"Let me hear it now then." He looked at her in surprise and for a moment appeared slightly flustered by her unexpected request.
"Yes!" He exclaimed, as he pulled his rucksack off his shoulder and began rummaging through. A few moments later he pulled out his phone and a small set of earphones, then, plugging them in as he set about searching his phone then handed the earphones to Elia.
"Are you ready?" He asked apprehensively as she put them on.
"Yup"
The music started playing and Elia immediately heard the reggae influence in the guitar, there were also bongo drums too. She had to admit, It was a nice sound. She was also impressed with his voice, it wasn't what she expected but he could certainly sing. He sounded unique and a bit soulful. She heard the accordion once the song had kicked into full swing, it was very subtle though and didn't overwhelm the overall sound. She also detected a husky tone in some of his vocalizations towards the end, when the song was over she handed the earphones back to Alexandre who had anxiously been watching her reaction throughout.
"I like it!" She declared. "It's good, I liked the mix of sounds. And your voice too. You're good."
"Thank you." He responded modestly.
"I've never done a video before." She confessed. "I'm afraid I won't know what's expected of me, and I do work full time as it is."
"The details will be clarified very soon, it will probably take a day or two, but you might be able to fit it around your shows if we plan it right."
"I see." She responded with a nod.
"I'll give you more time to think it over, maybe let me know before you leave for home?"
Elia nodded in agreement. Her mind was reeling though. She was used to working hard to get noticed in London's competitive scene, it had taken a lot of time and effort to get as far as she had and she was still quite low down on the ladder. Elia had on many occasions had to turn to modelling to make ends meet. That in itself was hard enough in an industry which still favoured a more waif-like figure than that of Beyoncé, which more resembled Elia. Now a job opportunity had just fallen into her lap, it almost seemed too good to be true. She also still felt unsure about him, the way he'd appeared so offish and arrogant not even that long ago, it puzzled her she wasn't certain if trusting him would be a good idea, but, a job was a job right? What position was she in to turn down something like this?
Their conversation died down into silence and she continued photographing, using walls and railings to compensate for her lack of tripod which was back at the apartment. Eventually, escorted by Alexandre she made her way back there, satisfied with what she'd taken.
The next day Carlos took them to Versailles. With Christina and Alexandre absent and Elia felt at ease, enjoying her surroundings she was surprised at being allowed to take photos while touring the palace and once again keep herself busy with her camera taking several candids of Jazmin and Carlos together. Then when they left inside, she left them to it while she wandered the gardens alone.
"We'll all have to go dancing tonight!" Carlos exclaimed when they met up to stop for lunch. "Jaz and I were just talking about it before you arrived, There's this really nice Latin club I think we'd all enjoy. What do you think?"
"You think I'd say no?!" Joked Elia. "Of course, count me in."
"With that decided the trio carried on with their fun-filled day, they headed back quite early though so as to get ready for the evening.
"Was this your idea?" Christina asked Elia when she joined them after their evening meal.
"No, actually it wasn't." She replied slightly indignant at the accusatory tone in Christina's voice.
"Carlos suggested it." Jazmin chimed in. "He thought it would be something we'd all enjoy."
"Hmm" was Christina's only reply as she turned her attention to her phone before addressing Carlos and Jazmin in French
"Alexandre will be meeting there." She explained to Elia in English afterwards. Elia just shrugged, she didn't doubt Christina had invited him, but it really made no difference to her.
"Did you know he and his family own houses in London, Paris, the Riviera and Switzerland?"
Elia shook her head.
"The Riviera is what you could call their main home, it's where Catherine spends most of her time at that house. It's simply breathtaking, it's in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, one of the most affluent towns in the area. Perhaps you've heard of it?"
"Nope." Elia replied, resisting the urge to smirk.
"It sounds nice Christina." Jazmin told her earnestly
"Oh, it is!" Christina gushed. "It's on its own private road has three floors, both upper floors have balconies that look out onto the sea, well the overall view is stunning anyway! It's so luxurious with nine bedrooms, the most amazing staircase you've seen in your life it has beautiful grounds with pools, tennis courts and even a guest house used for staff accommodation. But then she has so many rooms to spare for guests the extra house wasn't needed so it's much more practical for her to use for her assistant"
"Oh!" Exclaimed Jazmin. "Do you mean Billy?"
"Is that his name?" Christina commented nonchalantly. "I don't know, he's British, looks like he's biracial."
"Yes," Confirmed Jazmin" That's him."
"Anyway!" Christina continued. "The house is to die for! Alexandre, however, has his own house not far away from Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat."
"And what's his house like?" Asked Jazmin.
"Gorgeous!" Came the enthusiastic answer. "Not quite as grand as Catherine's and much more private and secluded." Carlos interrupted the conversation, speaking to Christina and Jazmin in French.
"Ah Catherine and Alexandre's homes!" He exclaimed in Spanish for Elia's benefit. "Alex's house is very Provencial! He lives in Mandelieu-la Napoule, up in the hills overlooking the coastline." Elia nodded and smiled politely.
"And then their house in Switzerland!" Christina continued with gusto. "It's nothing short of heavenly, I forget the name of the place where it is but it's right on a lake with mountains close by and next to the Italian border!" She turned to Carlos and conferred with him in French.
"Morcote!" She declared. "That's the name of the place!" Elia couldn't help by pay attention at the mention of mountains, lakes, and Italy. Just one of those things alone was enough to spike her interest, yet all three?
She longed to visit Italy. She hoped that during her European trip she'd be able to see, at least, some of it. She wished so much to hike the Italian Alps. There was nothing more amazing and beautiful in nature than a lake surrounded by pines and mountains! She'd seen even more beautiful pictures of the scenery in Canada, that however was way out of her reach.
Christina carried on gushing about Alexandre and his family, Elia heard how his father's side of the family had "made millions or possibly even billions" from the owning a number of hotels and casinos in Monte Carlo and how his younger sister was blossoming into a beautiful and talented ballerina. Elia glanced at Jazmin, she didn't know how much more she could take of this and her patience was already beginning to wear thin.
"Catherine is wealthy in her own right too" Christina went on. "She own's a record company, numerous studio's and has made several successful artists! Carlos's career will be in good hands. I expect he'll soon be owning houses that'll be almost as gorgeous as hers!"
"Time's getting on." Elia started, stifling a sigh. "I should start getting ready." With that, she left the room to freshen up and change.
An hour later they all headed to the place Carlos has suggested, the plan, according to Christina was that Alexandre was

going to meet them there. On arrival, Elia was taken by it immediately. It looked like a good place to have a good time, the decor was lively and modern mixed in with some old world charm including a Titanic-style staircase. Christina addressed them in French and pointed out Alexandre who was already there. Seated upstairs and eating a meal, following her lead they all made their way up to join him. He greeted them talking in French before repeating in English for Elia's benefit.
"Sorry" He explained. "I hadn't had the chance to eat earlier."
Carlos cheekily swiped a nacho from his side plate while Alexandre just smirked and motioned to the rest of the group to help themselves also. Elia's attention turned to the lower level, there were already some people dancing. Carlos tapped her shoulder.
"Let's have this dance!"He insisted, before turning to address Jazmin. "You're next!"
He wasn't bad at salsa and Elia enjoyed herself and even carried on alone when Carlos dragged Jazmin down for the next song. A tall red-headed guy began dancing with her, he didn't appear to be a strong dancer but she didn't mind and even guided him a little, it soon got too much for him though and Elia once again continued on her own. Another hand tapped her on the shoulder and she turned to see it was Alexandre who stood behind her.
"Can you show me a few moves?" He asked, talking into her ear over the loud music. "I've never danced salsa before" Elia nodded and slowed down to take him through some of the basics.
"Alexandre?" She began. He smiled at her and shook his head
"Alex" He corrected her.
"I've been thinking about the music video." She told him coyly. "I would like to do it." He looked surprised and delighted and, slightly clumsily lifted up her arm to spin her around. Elia laughed heartily and showed him how to do it properly. copying her instruction he tried it again, with much better results.
"Eso!" She declared. "Or as you might say, voila!" They both chuckled as she continued to help him. He followed along but after a short while his attention suddenly seemed to be focused elsewhere.
"I have to go!" He announced and with that, he turned and abruptly left the club leaving Elia staring at him in bewilderment as he walked out the door.