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"Hey there, Lil' Red Riding Hood, you sure are looking good. You're everything a big bad wolf would want." Sam the Sham and the pharaohs

Chapter 3

"Je peux traduire. I can translate." Gillians' soft and warm voice shocked the room as she effortlessly spoke in French.

Cal, Zoe, and Ria were all looking at each other in shock and slight confusion as her words filled the room. She can speak French! I didn't know she could speak French. I didn't think she could sound even sexier, but French Gillian,... wonders will never cease. Cal thought curiously.

Gillian walked in slowly, taking in the group before her. Her eyes landed on Perry, who locked eyes with her the second she spoke. She was wearing an off-shoulder long sleeve deep red dress. Hugging her body perfectly, showing her perfect curves. It was shorter than her usual attire, hitting above the knee. showing off her gorgeously long legs, complimented by a pair of black stiletto Louboutin heels. Her hair hung in loose curls, falling at her collar bone. Black cat eyeliner complimenting her blue eyes, making them more piercing and feline-like. Cal's mouth went dry at the sight of his "business partner."

Holy shit!That's what she wore to dinner with those wankers? She looks mouth-wateringly good. She brought out the big guns. Probably why the lawyer signed a year-long contract... Probably also why that plonker tried to ask her out on a date, he thought jealously.

Perry was staring intently at Gillian. Taking in her appearance with a hunger in his eyes, Quickly standing up, he walked over and approached Gillian. Sticking his hand out, he gathered her own small hand in his for a chaste kiss.

"That…." He released her mouth from his lips, letting her hand fall down lower but still grasped in his. "...is a phenomenal dress you are wearing..." He spoke, taking her entire body in with his eyes. Looking at her appreciatively as if he where taking in a piece of fine art.

Cal walked over to where Gillian and Perry stood. He could read pride, happiness, is that…that cant be. ..desire and arousal? He's not gay? A straight male designer? What are the odds of that? If he keeps staring at Gillian like that, hes going to have something else to be sorry for besides his missing money. He thought bitterly. Looking back to Gillian, he took in her warm smile as she spoke to Perry.

"Well, thank you. "It's one of my favorites," Gillian informed him.

Cal looked at her, trying his best to see anything that might give her away her perception of meeting Perry, but he could not read a thing. Damn blind spot, he thought annoyingly.

"One of? It's not your favorite?" Perry took a step closer, looking down at Gillian and smiling wolfishly. His strong, tall body towered above Gillians petite frame. Cal thought they looked something akin to Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf. Noting Perry smiling bigger than he has seen him since entering his office. Gillian looked up, almost craning her neck to take in his large form before her. A smile was forming on her lips.

"Well, it is by my favorite designer; the whole collection was so fantastic that it's honestly hard to pick a true favorite," she says matter-of-factly. Smoothing her hands down the sides and back of her dress in a self comforting gesture. Looking at Perry as the words came out of her mouth, she could see the pure pride and joy showing on his features. A small hint of a blush formed on his cheeks as he tried to find the words to say.

"I …i… I hope it's not too much to say," he said, regaining his composure and confidence after stuttering slightly in front of the gorgeous woman who expressed such praise for his collection... "But you look remarkable in "my" dress."

Trying to keep the utter shock and surprise from her face, Gillians' eyes widen in realization.

"Your Perry Lavigne of Lavi?" she asked in astonishment and excitement. He gave her a curt nod.

"I'm in love with your clothing. Your collection last spring was exceptional," she said, smiling with adoration.

"You love my designs?" Gillian nodded as Perry continued. "And you speak French?"

"Ce que je fais"— that I do Gillian nodded, looking at him with a shy smile of her own. Answering both questions with one answer smoothly.

"Est-ce que quelqu'un t'a concu pour moi?" Did someone design you for me? Perry let out a nervous chuckle, his cheeks slightly flushing at his own silly flirting. Gillians' cheeks flushed listening to him; looking down, she was about to speak.

"How about you two start speaking English for the rest of the class?" Lightman interrupts with a little more venom and malice in his tone than he intended. Looking between Perry and Gillian Gillian looked at Lightman with a slight annoyance. Her smile gone, now replaced with her "mask," which Cal had grown accustomed to as of late. closing herself off to him. You idiot , you really have a way with words. Just because you cant have her doesn't mean you have to be such a prick.

Tilting her head and looking back at Perry. "I'm Doctor Foster, and it's lovely to meet you," she says as she introduces herself smoothly and professionally. She takes a step back from Perry and his gaze, trying not to think too much about what he just said and the way he was looking at her.

"Are you in need of our services, Mr. Lavigne?" she asks smoothly, ever the professional. Looking between the tall, striking man before her and Lightman, she hoped to catch up on what she had clearly missed since entering the office.

"Yes, I am thinking so, Doctor Foster." Perry spoke, dropping his flirting tone and replacing it with one of professionalism. "I am in an unfortunate situation. Ms. Landau can fill you in on the details and anything else you need to know. But I need to know who has been lying to me—who has betrayed me. I demand absolute trust and loyalty in my business and life. It means everything"—contempt and sadness seeping into his last words.

"I'm terribly sorry, Mr. Lavigne. I can see how much this has affected you. I hope you can find some peace and absolution once you get the answers you are searching for." saying the words with such care and warmth. Gillian watched as he listened to her words, taking a deep breath and showing a small smile of appreciation.

Ever the one to care more for the person's feelings than the case. It's always been one of the things I love about her. She's always so good. To good. To good for me. Cal thought of Gillian with love and appreciation. watching how she spoke with Perry with such care.

"What do you think, Dr. Lightman? Are you willing to take on my case?" Perry asked.

"Well, with the complicated nature of this case, it's not just my expertise you will be requiring. It's Docta Fosta here with her expertise in vocal analysis and fluency in French." Turning to look at Gillian adding "no idea you could speak French luv. Keeping secrets, are we?" Smiling at Gillian with his flirty line, he could not help himself. She smiled back at him tightly, trying to hide it so as not to show the effect he had on her.

"We will need to discuss this together before we agree to take your case, Mr. Lavigne." Cal looked to Perry, who nodded, and glanced at Zoe, who looked annoyed at Cal for not immediately agreeing to the case.

"Completely understandable, Doctor Lightman. Please discuss this with your "partner." Perry stated watching Gillian again with desire as he spoke the word 'partner.'

"I can collect your information and walk you and Zoe out, Mr. Lavigne." Ria chimed in, trying to be pf some use offering her assistance. walking Zoe and Perry close to the door. Perry turned back around.

"Thank you. I do hope you two dont take too long to reach a decision; I am under a bit of a time constraint. Money is no concern; I will pay, let's say, seven figures?"

"bloody hell"

"That's way too much," Gillian interjected with disbelief.

"Money is no concern." Perry gave a wolfish grin and a slight chuckle. "Before I leave... Doctor Foster. Doctor Lightman and myself reminisced about and incidence in my past and was curious about your take. When I was a child, my family had a nanny. We loved her as if she were one of us. We spent holidays with her. My family helped take care of her. She was loyal to my family for 15 years. When I was 17, my father caught her stealing 10 euros from his nightstand. She was like family." Perry stared at her intently as he asked the same question he asked Lightman. "Tell me, Doctor Foster, what do you do?"

Looking down at the ground then back at Perry. Gillian, spoke steadfastly "Fire her."

With curiosity, Perry asked, "And why is that?"

"Because it wasn't the first time she stole," Gillian said firmly.

"What was it, Gillian?" using her first name for the first time, causing a warmth to spread through her.

"It was the first time she was caught," she stated conclusively.

Perry could not contain the pure amazement and bewilderment he had for her in his features. He smiled mischievously while watching her.

"I'm thinking that was the correct answer, Perry?" using his first name, in response to him using hers.

"That …it was." His pupils where dilated showing extreme arousal and desire."Please let me know what your decision is on taking my case. I will be patiently waiting for your answer. Doctor Lightman, Doctor Foster, it has been a real pleasure." Perry nodded and walked out the door with Torres.

"ill see you when you come home tonight?" Zoe asked with a head tilt and a definite flirt.

"We will talk later." Saying flatly. Cal looked at Gillian, seeing the recognition on her face followed by disappointment. Shit shit shit, she saw that. Of course she saw that. She's disappointed in me, I'm disappointed in me….

Zoe walked out of his office, leaving Cal and Gillian the last ones standing in the now barren office.