--- 13 ---
Paul came to pick her up at her house early in the morning. Reba had told him many times that she could go to the office on her own, but he made it a habit of picking her up. From her house and back to his condo was only a few blocks away. He had a whole floor converted to an office. Sometimes designers would come to his condo to show the designs or fabrics and he would approve them. But today, he had couple of people come to his condo to take orders.
"Paul, what are you doing?" Reba was embarrassed when Paul walked up to her with a measuring tape.
"Getting your measurements."
"Is this necessary?"
"Yep, it has to be perfect." His other employees were glancing at each other. Usually this was their job. Well at least he was professional about it. Paul called out the numbers and someone took notes. He collected the numbers and started to design the dress. It didn't take long to design because in the back of his head, he always knew what would look good on her. He made the seamstress to come in and work at his office so he could see the progress. He had ordered a treadmill to be put in his office. He made Reba walk on high heels.
"I'm glad you have this treadmill in your office, people would laugh at me wearing high heels on the treadmill. They usually wear running shoes you know."
"Yeah, but ironically, you're not wearing running shoes on the runway." Reba rolled her eyes. "Don't touch the handle" Paul slapped her hand gently when she was going to hold the handle of the treadmills. "Glide, slowly you have almost three minutes on the catwalk, take your time. Sway your hips a little more" He lowered the speed on the treadmill and made Reba walk graciously. He got a copy of the song they would be using, he played it and tried to get Reba used to the rhythm.
"What's this song mean?" Questioned Reba, walking on the treadmills trying to synchronize with the song.
"Le Temps De L'Amour, means time of love."
"Are we really going to have the fashion show in Paris?"
"Yes we are." Reba beamed, she wanted to go to Paris. She was thinking of her dream, they were standing at the top of the Eiffel tower when he shouted he loved her. Reba wasn't paying attention to the speed; Paul had increased the speed of the treadmill when he saw she was daydreaming. She almost fell off the treadmill, but Paul scooped her up just in time. He was laughing as Reba pounded his shoulder. The seamstresses exchanged glances and grins. They'd been working with Paul for a few years, but they had never seen this side of him before. "Can you speak French?" Asked Paul setting her down on her feet.
"I only know one sentence."
"Oh yeah? Which one?"
"Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir," said Reba and she turned red when she noticed his grin. "Not that I'm suggesting anything. I just know this sentence just in case some dirty old Frenchman decided to be funny." Paul laughed.
Reba also had to do some photo shoots too. They went to a beach one morning to do an outdoor photo shoot for posters that would be displayed in department stores. It was in late November and the temperature in the morning was cold for the summer outfit that Reba had to model.
"Ooohhh it's cold, look, I got goose bumps," told Reba to Paul casually before going to her trailer to change to a new outfit. The next thing she knew, Paul told everyone to pack up, since it was too cold. "What?"
"Paul said change the location or take the pictures at noon when it's warmer."
"Are you kidding me?" Reba went to talk to Paul and asked for an explanation.
"I'm gonna fire anyone who selected the beach in late autumn for summer outfits." Reba argued with Paul, telling him that they all had their schedules, and he shouldn't cancel just because she said it was cold. She just commented about the weather, she didn't complain. Paul told his people to get hot drinks and made sure the heater ran properly in her trailer. His employees once again exchanged glanced, since when did he ever care what the weather was like, and since when did he come to boss people around at the location? In studio photo shoot, outdoor locations, each practice Reba had to walk on the catwalk, he never missed a day.
"Paul, we kinda have problem. She can't pose sexy!" Complained the photographer.
"Who said I want her to pose sexy? She has her inner beauty that should be brought out. You'll see." Paul walked up to her and kept teasing her as the photographer was taking pictures, making her blush from time to time. The photographer was able to capture a load of pictures with her natural smile, and natural post. And it automatically brought out the sexiness in her. Some of those pictures would even make people to stare and wonder, what was on her mind? Some of those pictures could make a guy want to be the one that she was looking at. Some of those pictures could easily make people stop and stare. And she didn't even have to post provocatively. The result turned out to be great. Paul selected the pictures himself; which would be sent to department stores and magazines.
Paul heard the rumours that spread all over the place about him and Reba. He didn't care what they thought, but one day, he heard something disturbing.
"I bet she's great in bed," said some guy by the water cooler.
"Must be very flexible." The other guy said with a laugh.
"I wonder what kind of experience she has to get that job, being his personal assistant."
"She has three kids, must have quite an experience." And they both smirked, little did they know, Paul heard it all along.
"You both are fired. Go to HR and get your package, I don't want to see you back in this office ever again!" Paul fired them both out of anger. "And just for future reference, a man should never talk behind a woman that way." The news that Paul fired two employees just because they said bad thing about Reba spread, now they were so sure that there must be something going on between them, but they didn't dare saying it aloud for fear of getting fire.
One week before the show, Paul took her to Paris. They didn't travel alone this time. They went with a few people from the New York and LA office. Although those people were located at the front section, some executives were in the middle office. Paul allowed her to use the back section to rest knowing that she would get tired after a while. He sat with the rest of the crew. He didn't even go anywhere near the back section when she was resting for the chance of anyone badmouthing about her. When Paul was with other people, he tried to keep their distance and be a perfect gentleman, treating her with respect. He set a good example for others executives to treat her the same way. But when they were alone, he took off the hat of the president of the company and became himself: lively, fun and such a teaser.
His employees were to stay at a hotel, but Reba would be staying at his condo along with her family when they arrived in a few days. He took her sightseeing, making her feel a little relaxed before her big day. He took her to a big house just outside Paris. He introduced her to his mom.
"She's your mom? I would believe you if you said she's your younger sister. She gorgeous!" Complimented Reba in awe. Sylvie was in her early 70s and she looked great.
"I like you already." Sylvie laughed. "You must be Reba, my son talks about you all the time." She flashed her beautiful smile. "Come in, he said you would be his guest model. I must say, my son has great taste for his woman." She winked. Reba followed her into the living room. Paul took her jacket and hung it in the closet. Sylvie told Reba the stories about when Paul was young, especially embarrassing moments that made Reba giggle.
"I'm glad you two get along, but can we talk about something else please? Like maybe you can give Reba some guidance on the catwalk." Paul tried to steer the conversation elsewhere.
"Let me show you his baby pictures." However Sylvie didn't even listen to him. She left them in her living room and came back a while later with the family album. Reba flipped through them with a grin, he was so cute when he was young. "So how long have you two been dating?" Sylvie's question made both of them jumped.
"We're not dating." Reba denied. "He's my boss."
"She's my employee."
"Oh really?" Sylvie wasn't convinced. "I don't remember when was the last time you brought 'an employee' home, but whatever you say." Sylvie shook her head with a grin "Stubborn, pigheaded, tight-lipped" she mumbled.
"What are you saying, mom?"
"Going through my English vocabulary, your dad is not around to speak English with me anymore, so I don't know which word to use for two stubborn people who won't admit how they really feel."
"Really, we're just employer and employee," remarked Reba
"I'll go with tight-lipped." Sylvie determined. Reba and Paul exchanged awkward glances. They continued to have a conversation with his mom for a while before Paul excused themselves to go back to his condo. Reba needed plenty of rest for her big day tomorrow.
"Are you excited?" Paul handed her a glass of champagne sitting on the balcony watching the city lights and the Eiffel tower.
"More nervous than excited. I don't want to let you down."
"You wouldn't let me down, I have full confidence in you. And if you slip and fall on your butt, I'll be standing on the side laughing my butt off." Reba gave him her evil glared. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "You'll do fine." Reba nodded, feeling a little relax in his arm. She wiggled a little, Paul thought she tried to get away, but she only tried to get comfortable. She rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, treasuring their little quiet moments.
The day had arrived; Paul introduced her to Brett, a make-up artist. Brett would do her hair and make up for the event.
"Am I supposed to take her glamour away?" Joked Brett. "She's gorgeous." He commented. Paul agreed. He left Brett to do her hair and makeup and he went to check on other things to make sure it ran smoothly. He came back an hour later; Reba was already in the dress. Paul was stunned, dazzled. Sure he saw her wore the dress before, he was the one who created it, and was there every time she did the fitting. But after the make-up and hair-do, she looked marvellous. Took his breath away and almost knocked him off his feet.
"Paul, I'm so nervous."
"Don't be. You did great at the rehearsal yesterday." He held her torso and turned her to the mirror. "You're beautiful." Mindlessly, he kissed her on the crook of her neck, took in her sweet scent. Reba's heart skipped a beat. She turned around to face him. He cupped her face and caressing her cheekbones with his thumbs. They were staring into each other's eyes. Someone knocked on the door. Paul went and opened it. Reba took a deep breath. Paul received the bad news that they could not get the rights to the song 'Le temps de l'amour' that they wanted to use. They had to change to the new song quick. Reba was even more frightened when she found out that they would be using the different song.
"Remember, just glide slowly along the runway, do not rush, walk with the rhythm of the music. I'll be on the side cheering you on, and I'll join you on the stage at the last thirty seconds" Reba nodded nervously.
"I got butterflies," confessed Reba. But no time to freak out now, it was her turn to walk out. She took in a deep breath when the music started and they announced her name. The furry of flashes fired at her, people started to wonder who she was, they were expecting the famous movie star. Reba smiled, Paul said she had beautiful smile, and he told her to use her smile to bring down the house. She started her first step when the song began: Suddenly by Billy Ocean.
I used to think that love was just a fairy tale
Until that first hello until that first smile
Paul was standing at the side watching her, yes, that was the smile he remembered receiving from her when he went to look for houses. The smile she gave him, when they were having fun, enjoying each other's company.
But if I had to do it all again I wouldn't change a thing
Cause this love is everlasting
"Is that mom?" Cheyenne couldn't believe her eyes. Barbra Jean was shocked too. Brock's bottom jaw hit his knees. Kyra too was stunned. Van took care of the kids so he didn't come, or else he would said 'Mrs. Hhhhhooot.' Her family was invited to Paris, they all got tickets to fly first class. Despite the fact that Cheyenne just gave birth to her baby boy less than two months ago, she wanted to come and didn't even know her mom would be the highlight of the show.
Reba saw a thousand pair of eyes focused on her. She started to get nervous. She was looking for Paul; she needed a little bit of mental support. Her eyes met with his.
Suddenly life has new meaning to me
She flashed him a smile, nervously, she continued to glide.
There's beauty up above and things we never take notice of
She looked so gorgeous, she looked like a beautiful empress in the evening gown that he was specially design just for her: a beautiful gold silky long gown with hand-sew lace flower embroidery on the front. The top front is created like a butterfly shape lace with a bare back only being held together with just cross spaghetti strings. The shape of the dress showed off all the curves of Reba's body with a small glimpse of the side of her midriff. The skirt was straight down pleated layers sheer gold mesh that looks like the movement of the ocean ripple flickering with the reflection of the morning sunlight when she walk. She glided like she was floating, she smiled to the people from her left, and to the people from her right. Paul looked at her walking with confidence, he thought about when she first wore 4" high heels, she fell into his arms. How his heart pounded when her warm body fell into his embrace.
You wake up suddenly you're in love
"Mon Dieu... Oh no Reba, slow down..." The stage manager mumbled. Reba glided along the runway, faster than the rhythm. Well, the song they planned to use originally had faster rhythm, and shorter too, Reba did exactly what she rehearsed, although she walked a little faster because she was nervous and wanted to get over with. The manager almost had heart attacked when Reba finished her round in half the time she should have take. Before anyone had chance to react, Paul had already gone up the stage, one minute before he was cued.
Girl you're everything a man could want and more
Paul just realized, his home wasn't in Milan, nor Houston, nor Paris, but everywhere she was with him. Even in his office, as long as he looked up from his desk and saw her, he was right at home.
One thousand words are not enough to say what I feel inside
Love, could this one word capture it?
Holding hands as we walk along the shore
Paul took her hand. He kissed the back of her hand politely, and started to walk with her on the runway.
Never felt like this before now you're all I'm living for
He gave her a loving smile. Reba felt at ease seeing him on the stage with her.
Suddenly life has new meaning to me
There's beauty up above and things we never take notice of
You wake up suddenly you're in love
"Relax, I'll walk with you one more round, just follow me okay?" Paul whispered.
Each day I pray this love affair would last forever
Reba took his arm and walked on the runway with him again, repeating what she had just done at a slower pace. She smiled at him, she smiled with her eyes twinkled.
Suddenly life has new meaning to me
Paul led her to the stage left, spun her around a little to show off the back of the dress. He led her to the stage right and did the same.
There's beauty up above and things we never take notice of
They walked back to the center of the stage. Reba looked up at him, thanking him for rescuing her. Her smile was to revealing her heart, showing her true feelings before him. Paul was astonished by her smile. She was so beautiful. He mindlessly wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to his body. He cupped her face with his hand, looking lovingly into her big blue eyes.
You wake up suddenly you're in love
Their eyes locked in fiery passion as he lower his face closer to hers. At that moment, they forgot that they were on the stage, they forgot about the whole world, just him and her.
There's beauty up above and things you never take notice of
The crowd gasped when Paul pressed his lips on Reba and kissed her so passionately with all the intense feelings that they kept bottled up in side.
You wake and suddenly you're in love