Chapter 28
"Please, cheri…do be comfortable, hmm?" Naomi suggested, smiling as Maria sat herself in one of the chairs before her desk. "Merci," she then added, then rested her elbows on the desk, then her chin upon the backs of her elegant hands. "Maria? May I ask just how long it now been since Madame gave both you and Svetlana your jobs?"
"Hmm, allow me to think," Maria answered, her eyes narrowing as she thought about that. "If my calculations are correct, Naomi…we both have been employees of Madame's for just over four months now," she proclaimed. "Why do you ask, my friend?"
Naomi nodded her head, her long silky platinum hair swaying. "Four months now? Why…isn't that quite extraordinary!" Naomi then twisted in her seat and pulled a couple of manila folders from her leather valise. "Now, these are your and Svetlana's files, you see," Naomi continued, opening the first one, which happened to be Maria's, and briefly read the front page through. "According to Madame's notes…your work has resulted in a most beneficial savings in expenses, cheri. And, as such…well, Madame and I…well, we think that a promotion is in order for you…for your exemplary work, you understand."
Maria blinked, obviously suprised. "A promotion? For me? But, Naomi…I was simply doing my job! As has my Svetlana, da?"
Naomi held up a slender hand to forestall any further protests. "Nonetheless, cheri…it is Madame---and my---opinion that such a promotion is warranted," Naomi explained.
"I am pleased…of course," Maria answered, her mind still awhirl. "But, come Naomi, what sort of position could I take? I am good with numbers, that I will freely admit. What am I to become…chief accountant? Ha! I am already that, tovarisch!"
Naomi chuckled. "You have more skills than you think, cheri," she pointed out then, "I have seen you, my friend…I know just how good you are with textures as well as colors, nes pas?" Naomi insisted.
Maria blushed softly, but gave Naomi a weak grin. "Da, perhaps," Maria reluctantly admitted, not willing to meet Naomi's pretty amber eyes just then.
"Perhaps?" Naomi questioned, then shook her head. "Do refresh my memory, eh cheri? Who was it that suggested Madame to put that chocolate brown blouse with that turquoise skirt upp for sale, hmm?"
Maria's pointed ears swiveled flat to her head. "I did," she begrudgingly admitted, but protested, "but that was only because---!"
"And, Maria," Naomi persisted, grinning now. "Who was it again that thought to have put that moleskin jacket together with a pair of silk pants…both in that dreamy periwinkle you love so? Hmm, who might that of been, eh cheri?"
Maria gaped a moment, then closed her big blue eyes, and sighed. She then smiled and held up her hands in surrender. "You know it was I, my friend," Maria answered. "Very well, I can no longer protest. What do you wish of me, Naomi? What job do you wish me to fill?"
"I would of thought it obvious by now, cheri!" Naomi answered, her amber eyes twinkling in her happiness. "My former position, of course!"
Maria's blue eyes went wide, and her jaw dropped, shocked beyond words. "Nyet! Naomi, I could not possibly---!" she protested.
Naomi again held up a hand, effectively silencing Maria...though, not for very long, it seemed...
"But, Naomi…why me, tovarisch? I am sure that many others are more fit for that job than I. Desiree, for example. Or even Antoinette, da?" Maria countered, feeling less than suited for that exalted position.
"Desiree?" Naomi questioned, quirking up one eyebrow. "Hmm, perhaps…but, she is so young, and a bit too innocent, I think." Naomi then paused, adding, "And…I do not think Antoinette would take the job…even if I were inclined to offer it to her…which I am not."
Maria was even more confused now. "But, Naomi…whyever not?"
Naomi shook her head fondly. "Think, cheri! You know what my job used to entail, nes pas? Remember, C'est Sing is famous around the world, oui? And, as such, there are so-called 'journalists' arriving here every single day…for a variety of reasons: some try to get a sneak peek at some of Madame's next designs, while others simply wish to interview Madame herself, while still others hope to come upon some tidbit of information so as to have their names on the front page of tomorrow's newspapers!"
"Da, what you say is true, Naomi," Maria agreed, then added, "But---!"
Naomi acted as if she hadn't heard a single word Maria had said. "Come, Maria…I love our Desiree too, no? She is an attractive, kind-spirited young woman…but, really…could you see our Desiree being able to send a group of annoying and troublesome paparazzi packing?" Naomi stated truthfully. She then sighed. "And, you know our Antoinette wouldn't be able to manage it either, oui?"
Maria thought a moment, then reluctantly shrugged. "Da, you are right…I think not," she agreed.
"Merci, cheri," Naomi returned, smiling softly. "Ah now…but you, on the other hand, Maria…this would be a breeze for one of your experience, no? I do not think even the hardiest of paparazzi could endure long under the steely gaze of an ex-Russian mobster." Naomi grinned to take the sting out of her statement, realizing that Maria might still be sensitive about her shaded past.
Maria laughed softly, taking no offense. "Da, I know how to handle their kind easily enough," Maria admitted, grinning. "One look from me, and they would wither like leaves in autumn."
"Exactly as I was thinking, cheri," Naomi replied, clapping her hands softly together once.
"Very well, my friend," Maria acquiesced, but then frowned. "But, Naomi… what of our Svetlana, da?"
Naomi smiled, anticipating that question. "Oh, do not worry, Maria…our Svetlana shall get her reward as well. Madame and I have another far different option waiting for her." Naomi then frowned slightly, then grinned and shrugged in a very French manner. "Mmm, of course, it may take us some time to convince her to accept this opportunity, though I will admit…"
"Opportunity? Doing what, may I ask?" Maria inquired, curious.
"Curious, eh cheri?" Naomi stated, smiling. "Well, I will tell you what…but, only if you promise not to tell our Svetlana ahead of time. Agreed?"
"Da, very well, I promise," Maria answered quickly. "Now, what do Madame and you have in mind for my friend?"
Naomi thought a moment, then simply plunged ahead. "Well, cheri…you are undoubtedly aware of how many top companies seem use the same person's visage over and over again to promote their image, oui?"
Maria frowned, confused yet, but nodded…more to get Naomi to continue than anything. "Da, I have seen this," Maria replied, nodding her head. "But…what does this have to---?"
Naomi cut Maria off. "Ah, well, you see, Maria…one of Yuri's models has quite suddenly announced that she will retire this December. We are all overjoyed for her and her family, of course…but, er, that unfortunately does leave us a bit of a lurch…as our latest advertisement campaign begins next month. Do you see yet, cheri?"
Maria frowned, thinking. "Hmm, da, I do…I think," Maria responded, nodding. "But, Naomi…I regret to tell you that you will never be able to convince Svetlana to do this thing." Maria shook her head, frowning. "No, nyet…never."
"Oh? Why, cheri?" Naomi questioned, concerned.
"I have tried---many times---to convince my Svetlana," Maria tried to explain, shrugging at first, "as to just how beautiful she is, da? You have seen this, da, Naomi?"
"Da," Naomi answered cleverly, grinning…but motioning Maria to continue on.
"Oh, you!" Maria laughed…but then sobered quickly. "Be that as it may, she simply refuses to believe what I say. She is convinced she is nothing too much out of the ordinary," Maria added, then snorted at the absurdity of that! "As if anyone who ever saw her could ever think to imagine, nyet?"
"Hmm, an unforeseen obstacle, nes pas?" Naomi related, after nodding her agreement to Maria. "But, not too worry, cheri…we will convince our lovely friend, the four of us shall…just you wait," Naomi explained, smiling and arching a conspiratorial eyebrow.
"Excuse please…perhaps I did not hear you correctly…but four?" Maria asked, blinking in her confusion.
"But of course, cheri!" Naomi said, reaching over to squeeze Maria's smaller hand. "Yuri would be one, myself two, you would be three, and…" Naomi explained, then grinned cleverly, finishing, "…Svetlana´s new gentleman friend, Sean, would be four."
"Da," Maria agreed, with a smile of her own. "Da, if we can convince our Mr. Mallory to join our conspiracy…then, da, your devious plan may very well yet succeed."
Naomi bowed her head a moment, thanking Maria. Then she grinned. "A most formidable team we shall be, eh, Maria?" she asked.
"Da, most formidable indeed," Maria replied, then shook her head. "Poor Svetlana…"
"Poor Svetlana?" Naomi asked then, curious.
"Da," Maria told her. "She will not like this…oh, we will be able to convince her, da…but…well, she is not comfortable with all the attention, you understand."
"I see," Naomi replied, idly stroking her chin, thinking. "Do not worry, I will speak to Yuri, Maria. We shall see, my friend…we shall see."
Maria nodded. "Now, tovarisch…as for the promotion I am so qualified for. Who---other than you and Madame, of course---might think I am even remotely qualified to even try to fill your shoes, Naomi?"
Naomi smiled, nodding her head. "Don't think I can, hmm? Ha, but you are wrong there, cheri! Now, as you said…Yuri thinks you capable. In fact, Madame asked for you by name. Then, you know that I think you are up for the challenge, cheri…I have already told you so, nes pas?"
"Da, that's two," Maria concurred.
"Hmm," Naomi continued after a moment. "I spoke with our Desiree," she told the Arctic vixen, who gasped, "and she clapped her hands and nearly squealed in her joy for you, cheri! I think that definitely puts her in your court as well, no?"
"I suppose," Maria ventured, blushing, thinking that she would take Desiree to lunch some time next week as a most deserved thank you.
"Svetlana, of course," Naomi added then, grinning. "She thought you a natural for the job…which, Madame and I most thoroughly agreed."
"Spasiba, my Svetlana," Maria said softly, smiling and thanking her little friend, who she loved even more just then for Svetlana's pride in her.
"And, lastly…" Naomi said mysteriously.
"Da?" Maria asked, just a bit anxiously.
"We asked an impartial source what they thought of your most timely promotion," Naomi continued…still most mysteriously.
"Da? And what did they say?"
Naomi shrugged, then answered. "Exactly what you already know, cheri," she told her. "Your Jack...he thought…how did he put that again, hmm? Ah, yes, now I remember! He said, and I quote, 'Too right! About bloody time, I say! That girl's goin' places, I jus' know it!'"
"Oh, Vanya," Maria sighed, then flushed pinkly at her cheeks. "That is…um, I mean…"
Naomi chuckled softly, just a bit naughtily. "Ah, I see that was the deciding vote, nes pas?" Naomi teased.
Maria drew her chin up, and got to her feet, her cheeks still a little pink. "Er, well then, Naomi…I suppose I must start learning my new position's responsibilities, da?" Maria explained, grinning.
"Oui, of course you should, cheri," Naomi replied calmly, matter of factly.
"Well, dasfindanya, tovarisch," Maria called out then darted from the room, her tail barely slipping free of the door before it snicked closed.
A moment later, the phone rang, and Naomi---almost as if she were expecting the call---answered it. "Oui? Ah, Madame," Naomi responded, grinning. "Oh, oui…she accepted. What's this? Oh, of course, Madame. Did your and my confidence convince her? Oh, of course not. But…tell the girl that her new boyfriend thinks she's up for it, and lo! Her protesting…it stopped almost at once!" Naomi listened to Yuri a moment longer. "Well, Yuri…I must go, I am afraid," Naomi said with a weary sigh. "It is time for me to do own soon-to-be job, Madame…"
Back at Interpol's Paris Headquarters, the very same time…
"…all right, you…fer the last time, darlin'…I want some answers! Do you follow me, lassie?" Trish growled, leaning over to stare stone-faced at the slight leopardess seated before her. This woman was stubborn…with a capital 'S' it seemed!
"Ms…Connelly, is it?" Keiko Zuikawa asked, canting her lovely head just so, and oh-so-artfully. "As I have said before…I have told you all I intend to."
"Faith!" Trish exploded then, slapping both palms down hard on the wooden table top. "Don't yeh understand, girl? I'm tryin' to make things easier on yeh, so I am. But, lass…if you don´t give me somethin' to provide me superiors with, then there's naught much I can do for you…"
"Ah! I see," Keiko mused aloud. "You wish to help me. Is that it, neh? Well…Ms. Connelly, do allow me to explain something to you."
"It's yer time, lass…go ahead," Trish replied, taking a seat.
"Perhaps you do not know, I think, what fate awaits me, hmm?" Keiko told her, her face intent now. "When your Chief---that is the proper term, neh?---informs my dear father just what I have managed to do, he will ensure that I am released from custody."
"I wouldna be so sure about that, darlin'," Trish countered.
"Oh, he will," Keiko assured Trish. "You do not realize what Senji Zuikawa is capable of getting done…once he sets his mind to it. Trust me, before tomorrow, he will of secured my release…and I shall be on my way back to Japan…where, I will be forced into marriage. One that he will of so artfully arranged…all without my consent, I should mention. And, in no more than a month, I shall find myself married to some horrid associate of my fathers, nothing more than yet another broodmare in his stables---so to speak, yet another daughter to produce heirs for the proud Zuikawa line."
"He can't be doin' such a thing, lass," Trish protested. "Not in this day an' age, so I say!"
Keiko laughed softly, mirthlessly. "You are naïve, Ms. Connelly," Keiko told her. "He shall, and I will have no other choice than to comply with his wishes."
"The hell you say," Trish grumbled…for the first time feeling some pity for this woman.
"So, in other words, Ms. Connelly…I much prefer to rot in one of your secure jailcells in France, than to be set free," Keiko pointed out to the unsettled Interpol Captain. "So, please understand why I am so vehemently denying your helpful advice, neh? You see…helping you, no matter how noble that might be, will only ensure my future will be as my father wills it…all that much sooner."
Keiko folded her hands within her stained kimono's wide sleeves, and softly shook her head. "So…no thank you, Captain."
Trish sighed, tapping her fingers on the table in her agitation. She eyed the eerily calm Keiko a moment longer, then turned to the waiting constable who was guarding Keiko. "Dombrowski…take her back to her cell, would yeh, lad?" Trish ordered.
"Very good, Captain," Constable Dombrowski replied, touching Keiko's shoulder softly. "Come along, Miss…" Keiko bowed her head, got slowly to her feet, and allowed the big Polish constable to escort her out of the room.
Trish waited a moment, then got to her feet, and strode outside, where she saw her superior standing outside the two-way mirror, his arms crossed before his chest. "Sorry I am, Chief…I couldna get a thing outta the girl," Trish apologized.
"I know. I saw you try, Connelly," Chief Rob told her, nodding. "We'll try again later…see if some time in her cell loosens her tongue. But, go on, Captain…get. Go get something to eat…it'll help. Trust me."
"Aye, Chief," Trish said woodenly, nodding her thanks her boss' way. She then collected her jacket and slipped it back on, making her way toward the headquarter's cafeteria. She needed some coffee now…and rather badly just this moment!