The Great Pretender

When I arrived on the lobby, a tall girl with a wavy ombre hair color led me to a white limo. She introduced herself as Allegra, the over-all stylist and showed me drawings of my wardrobe. After around 11 minutes, we arrived on a tall building where we proceeded to the 17th floor.

Guiseppe was waiting outside the elevator and clasped his hands in delight when he saw me.

"I am very pleased to have you here milady, but really, for honesty's sake, this is not what I am expecting…" he said, kissing both my cheeks and leading me to the "make-over area"

"I'm really sorry, Guiseppe, but we really need this."

"I know. I've also been contacted by Konan-sama and Hotaru-sama, for heaven's sake! It scared me to death!"

"I will make sure that they won't hurt you…" I had to smile to that. God, both of them are scaring people around!

"So? Shall we start?" he clapped and pushed me on a chair. Four girls went to my side, taking each of my hands and feet, another started tapping on some make-up on my face, and while they're doing that, Guiseppe's throwing me questions and corrects them accordingly.

After almost two hours, I was staring at a blonde woman doing "bitch" waves on her hair. She wears leather culottes with a nude polo jumper and matching trench coat. There are animal printed accessories hanging on her neck and her eyes are gray behind a smoky eye make-up and nude lips.

"Why am I so pretty today?" I tested my accent and my "supposed usual expression".

Guiseppe smiled at me. "Brava!" he clapped his hands! "Now here's Mario," he said as a guy in a very neat clothing stood beside him and offered his hand. I extended my hand and he received it with a kiss. Damn, I'm getting better at this. "…and he's going to be your assistant. He'll handle most of the conversation unless you want to be rude to Joanne."

"Nice to meet you milady, and it's my honour to work with you today." Mario said. His voice bends on some parts, giving me the idea that he's gay.

I smiled at them and bowed. "Thank you… You guys don't know how much I appreciate your efforts!"

"Aww, you don't have to do that, Mikan-sama!" Allegra said.

I straightened up and composed myself. "Yes, why should I bow to you people?" and then I winked at them. Everyone laughed. "Ah! It's like I'm suffering from bipolar disorder here! Mario, let us go and get ourselves our party pass!" I added.

Guiseppe chuckled. "Yes, and don't you ever forget that you owe me a center-page interview with Natsume-sama.

"That!" I strike again with my Greer-like bossy tone. "That'll have to wait. I'll talk to you soon!" and then I gave them a smile and took Mario with me as I teleported to the airport where a black limo is waiting for "Greer Lensington". Guiseppe arranged all this to put on a show that I just arrived from Scotland.

"Ready?" Mario said as we joined ourselves with the rest of the arriving passengers. I nodded at him. "Once we're out on the open, one or two reporters will recognize you, so you'll have to take your usual pace."

"Okay." I replied. And not three minutes after, several people swarmed at us. They really thought that I was Greer. It did not last long though as the security around me became tighter until we were able to enter the limo.

"That was enough for your publication. Now let me just check my messages."

I kept my calm but sure as hell I'm very nervous. I've never negotiated before and I'm not even well-versed with businesses.

"Look at that!" Mario squealed in excitement, and then he placed his phone on the loudspeaker mode.

"Hey, Mario! This is Lola, I was just tipped that you're with Miss Lensington! Oh God, can you get us into her schedule!? Please! Joanne's freaking out, she wants her shop on the mall, and she's going to fire me if I fail here. I swear I'm going to blackmail you if you don't help me here. Calm me, A.S.A.P!"

"Mario, you are one naughty boy…" I remarked, Greer-style, smiling at him.

"So… for Lola's and my sake, you'll have to accommodate Joanne, Miss."

"Yeah. Let's meet her over some cups of espresso… And tell her to be quick and straight as I do not have so much time to spare for her."

Mario gave me the funny look, and I returned the stare. "Of course," then he tapped on his earpiece and gave directions to the driver. "Now you'll have to give her a bit of a hard time…" he said, smirking back at me. With his smirk, the thought of Reddie crossed my mind. It's funny how I can let him cross my mind amidst all this stress.

At last we arrived at L'Horizon Deck. A tall handsome guy gave his respects and ushered us inside while Mario did the arrangements. I stayed snobbish, chin-up and poised until I was finally seated on one of the most reclusive areas of the Terraza. I quickly checked my notes and Konan's messages to make sure that I got everything at hand. When I looked up, Joanne and a girl, that I suppose is Lola, is already in front of me. Joanne is a bit smaller than I am, but she was slim and has a bob black hair. Her eyes are round and brown, heavy mascara on her eyes and a dark pink pout. She's wearing a black top tucked in a floral skirt and she has a pointy shoulder blazer. Her pumps is a pair of neon pink and a black quilted purse, a usual Channel design. Lola's hair is a fresh view of a free-spirited soul with its curls and all. It was hard to tell if she bleached her dark hair blonde, but it was lovely to look at. She was much simpler than Joanne – she has a low slung crocheted bib necklace over a pop of bright blue blouse and a plain gray skirt. The mix of blue and orange was appealing to the eye, and Joanne and Lola are already beaming at me so it was an effort to not smile at them and wait 'til they greet me first.

Mario came up and confidently loosened the atmosphere.

"Glad we're all here now!" he started while I tilted my head and smiled a little, "Welcome, Ms. Joanne!" gave her a peck on both cheeks, and same with Lola, "oh Lola!"

"Mario, dear! Thank you for this!" Lola said.

"No worries," he replied and then immediately turned to Joanne. "Ms. Joanne, may I present you to our lovely Miss Lensington?" Mario gracefully cooed.

Joanne extended her pretty hands to me, "It's an honour to finally, meet you Miss Lensington." She smiled. It was apparent that she was excited to see me. "I'm flattered to learn that I was the only one favoured to be accommodated by yours truly…"

"Yes. You know you have a pretty persuasive assistant here and she reminds me of my early days." I said, narrowing my eyes at Lola who smiles and blushes at the compliment. "My head's still spinning so I also needed some air and coffee, and I heard that you have a proposal?" I started, doing the gestures with my hands.

"Let's all have a seat first, shall we?" Mario intercepted. He also gestured for the waiter to bring the coffee over.

"Yes…" Joanne started, nervously I should say. I want to be back to being Mikan for a minute and break the bluff because I'm just as nervous as she is, but, of course, I didn't. She handed me a folder, which Mario took on qui vive for me and scanned it for me. As Greer would do, I relaxed on the couch and brighten up when the coffee arrived. I immediately took my cup and sat back.

"Well then, let's hear it!" I said, softly.

Joanne started with her interest on "my kind" of fashion and her visions on the proposed partnership. Since Greer has her own blooming design business and tight connections with most of the famous fashion names which are still not in Monaco, Joanne was hoping that Greer would be interested in taking a place on the mall, put up her own design house and franchise the other shops. I lost track of the conversation when she started to talk about money, percentages and the sorts and was just glad that Mario is very skilled with this. He even covered the inclusions of the deal and the other benefits that the usual business person would include.

"So what are your thoughts?" Joanne asked, smiling her bright, excited smile.

I sighed. "Joanne, I am very well aware of the reputation of the mall and my gains if I invest. But that…" I said, pointing to the special brochure that Mario is holding, "is something between you and me, and not between me and the real owner."

Her smile already faded and she has the usual look of a person who's about to lose a deal. It's the same face I had when my teacher would announce that I failed my subjects again. I seemed to enjoy the feeling that my role is reversed today. Ha!

"What do you mean?" she straightened up.

"Well, for starters, you don't have the final say about the deals, financial factors and rules…"

"But I can sign papers and I have the position—"

"No Joanne," I cut her. Here goes the mean part, "I know you have the so-called position, and I have nothing against you. I really hope you do understand business language because I am very cunning when it comes to my line, and I hope you do, too, because that's what I want my partners to be. The more possessive they are, the more I can trust them.

Now let's face it. You are dispensable to Martin especially that you're not yet married. And as much as I trust you, your great vision and enthusiasm, I can't afford to invest on a revocable signature. I want a word with Martin or present me a legal document confirming your position and authority to Fountaneblue Holdings."

Lola and Joanne's mouths are hanging and it took some seconds for them to recover while I just can't believe that I delivered that silly threat without breaking the accent. Mario did not flinch or even gave me a meaningful look. He's even acting as if he's scared while looking at me. I stayed composed and sipped calmly on my cup. Truth to be told, I am breathing as heavy as I can to keep myself from shaking.

"I shall discuss this with Martin, Miss Lensington…" Joanne said.

"Oh I'd love to know just how that'll go but I have other appointments, love…" I said as I settled the cup on its porcelain saucer and reached out for her hand. "I am not turning you down… yet. But… just a word of advice, go get some tips from Anne Boleyn. Do not settle for less." And then I gestured to stand up. "I'll have Mario here to contact you if I remember this meeting."

Joanne was obviously on a frenzy, I really want to tell her to relax and just invite me to the party "Can I invite you to… dinner? Tonight?"

Geez, does she need more clues before she gives me the pass!? Ugh! Yeah, but I stayed class and sass. "I'm sorry love, but a girl needs to party, too. Dinner's too formal for a night in Monaco." I smiled at her.

"Wait!" Lola exclaimed, looking intently at me and then to her boss. Joanne seemed fazed so I turned my attention back to Lola. "Mr. Fountaneblue's hosting a party tonight at his Villa. Would you be interested in coming?"

Joanne's eyes lighted up, ass saved by Lola again. "Yes, I'll make sure that you and Martin can talk and you know, he never hosts a dull party." she chuckled nervously.

I turned to Mario to sneak a wink and make it seem like I am discussing it with him. As I do that, I can hear the two speaking.

"That was absolutely brilliant! Where did you get that!?" Joanne whispered.

"I just received a message from the boys that Mr. Martin just finished a race with Natsume Hyuuga. It was a tie and Mr. Martin was very happy about it as they had a good game, and they said, he was honored to be visited by his ex-fiancée's son."

"It was a nice timing. And you're a brilliant girl, you've just earned yourself a Paris vacation."

I turned to their direction just when Lola's thanking Joanne.

"Alright then," I said, smiling at each of the girls. "Just make sure that I will have a proper discussion with Martin… I am very pleased to be invited. I'll see you tonight." We gave them kisses on their cheeks and left.

"I don't know what dance I was just doing inside my head, but I'm going to dance it out later! I just successfully pulled this show through! Oh my God! This is it!" I exclaimed when Mario and I were in the limo.

"You were… fantastic! You're an actress! You're accent and the mood was so natural!" Martin was still smiling wide.

"I don't know how I did that!"

"I think you should go and make some movies, Lady Yukihara!"

"Oh please… just call me Mikan!" I chuckled.

"I'm literally blown away by that performance," He said, now tapping on his phone.

I sighed, feeling proud of myself. We're getting close to the alice stones. We're getting closer to the real thing.

"Hey, Allegra!" Mario finally spoke, "She did not disappoint us!" he said, smiling at me. "Yeah, she was soooo good, even the real Greer would believe that she said all that to Joanne." He paused and laughed.

"So did she get invited to the party?" I can hear Allegra's voice from the phone speakers.

"Hell, yes! Go get some hot outfits for our girl, because she's going to rock this party, baby!"