Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 164263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 821(@200wpm)___ 657(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 821(@200wpm)___ 657(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
“This armoire has been in the one family for many generations and is in perfect condition.” I open the doors and drawers. “The lock has both solid brass keys still working.” Helene walks around the armoire as she films it. I wave to the camera with a smile. “Have a beautiful day everyone, au revoir.”
“And that’s a wrap.” Helene begins to rewatch our video on the phone and posts it. “It’s up, now we can open.”
I turn the sign on the glass door.
OUVERT — OPEN
Jonty flicks on our playlist and jazz music begins to play, loud and boisterous. “You’re feeling energized this morning,” I call, we usually start the day off with a calming piano orchestra.
“Let’s pretend it’s five o clock already.”
“First comment.” Helene reads from the work phone. “What cardigan are you wearing, Alora?”
I roll my eyes. “Why the hell do they always obsess about what I wear?”
“Because you have great taste, that’s why.”
The kettle sings and I make us all a cup of coffee and weave through the furnishings to deliver Jonty’s. “Merci,” he replies as he takes a sip. “Did you give any more thought to the auction?”
“I did and no, I didn’t come up with anything.” I sigh as I turn on my computer.
“Well…what cardigan are you wearing?” Helene calls. “Everyone is asking.”
“Umm.” I frown as I think. “It’s vintage Chanel, I think it’s seventies from the spring collection.”
“You know what will be the next question,” she calls.
“I got it at a flea market in Paris,” I call back as I try to focus on what I’m doing.
“Did you have any thoughts on the auction, Helene?”
“Honestly, what on earth can we donate as a learning scholarship?” she says as she dusts. “What exactly even is a learning scholarship?”
Leaning against the doorjamb, Jonty’s forehead creases as he thinks. “I read it as they want something educational to auction off.”
“About antiques, though?” I screw up my face. “This is ridiculous. I’m self-taught, what can I possibly donate to an auction that will teach someone what we do?”
“I don’t know.” He twists his lips.
“Maybe like a book on antiques or something.” Helene shrugs.
“This is supposed to be a main auction, a book just isn’t going to cut it.” I throw my hands up in disgust. “How did we even get roped into this?”
“It’s your boyfriend’s fault, why don’t you ask him?” Helene huffs. “It’s like he’s setting us up to look stupid.”
“I’m going to kill him.” I hit the computer keys with force.
Pascal Deschanel is on my hit list, and as wonderful as he is, this time he has gone too far.
“He put us forward for this big fancy charity auction in Monaco and said it would be a win-win situation that would bring a wave of new customers to our store. But now that we have to think of a prize to donate I think it’s a terrible idea,” I huff.
“It has to be good or we’re going to be the laughingstock of the auction.” Helene rolls her eyes. “This is just so Pascal.”
I smirk, Helene doesn’t really like my boyfriend. She thinks he’s smug and any chance she gets to blame him for something, she will.
“Why don’t you call him and try and find out what the other prizes are so we can get an idea of what to offer?” Jonty suggests.
“Good thinking.”
The bell rings over the door, notifying us of our first customer. Jonty disappears out the front. “Bonjour,” I hear him greet them.
“Bonjour.”
I dial Pascal’s office number. “Bonjour, Pascal Deschanel’s office,” Aila his PA answers.
“Hi, Aila,” I reply.
“Good morning, Alora. He’s in a meeting, I’ll get him to call you as soon as he’s finished.”
“Merci. Have a nice day.”
“You too.”
Pascal and I met at a party two years ago and we started out as friends but one thing led to another and we’ve now been dating for twelve months. We’re on opposite ends of the spectrum, I’m easygoing, calm and grounded in small business and live my life surrounded by art and antiques. He’s structured and highly strung, on the board of directors for the National Council of Monaco and has two PAs who run his hectic life. While he’s making monumental decisions about the future of Monaco, my biggest decision is where can I search for my next vintage treasure and if I like a lamp enough to put into my store.
I open my emails and physically get to work but in the background my mind wanders aimlessly.
Prize, prize…. I need a prize.
PHILIPPE
The silver McLaren turns into the Monte Carlo Polo Club fields and we pull in after it.
He parks, grabs his things from the trunk before making his way over as his strappers unload his horses from the trailer.
We park the Bentley and take our time; polo is a relatively safe outing where guards usually outnumber the players.