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Date Posted: 16:10:56 01/07/08 Mon
Author: Hannah
Author Host/IP: port149.dialup.bfree.on.ca / 66.207.116.149
Subject: Northern Woods, Chapter 134
In reply to: Hannah 's message, "Northern Woods" on 05:18:11 12/22/07 Sat

Chapter 134

Moments later the white limousine pulled up to an imposing grey stone structure that soared high above them. Willie got out of the front seat of the luxury vehicle and put on his sunglasses as he sedately walked around the luxury vehicle and graciously handed the two ladies out, shutting the door behind them. Then, he bent down to the driver’s window to inform Michael’s chauffeur Pierre that he would call him on his cell when the ladies were done shopping.

Pierre Bouchard nodded, and then drove off into traffic and the towards the nearest café, while Willie followed the two lovely ladies into the stone edifice.

During the drive to their destination, Willie and Pierre had been secluded in the front of the limousine and the glass partition between the front and the back of the luxury vehicle had effectively cut off the women’s conversation.

Willie knew Michael’s driver spoke English, but the man was completely silent and Willie who was normally a good conversationalist, couldn’t think of a single topic to try out.

Instead, he spent the duration of the drive puzzling out why both women… and Michael were upset with him. If Pierre was bothered by his lapse in manners, he never let on.

The women’s conversation had helped to calm both Nikita and Lakeisha. Nikita hugged the knowledge of Michael’s tender request to her heart; while Lakeisha resolutely determined that she was going steel hers against any further upsets. In order for her to do that, she realized, she would have to ignore her budding emotions and focus solely on getting through this party for Nikita and Michael’s sake.
~~~~~~~
‘If Nikita are Michael angry at me too,’ Willie reasoned as he rounded the limousine to let the two women exit, ‘then I must have done something. But what? Maybe I should talk to one of them.’

Willie usually didn’t bother to examine his past actions, but the continuing silence from two women he’d always found to be exuberant was troublesome. He missed their usual good natured banter and he knew that he needed to examine the past few days.
~~~~~~~~~
Mick Schtoppel waited impatiently for his next appointment. He already had the fabric and the style of dress set aside for the elegant ‘bridal’ style dress that Michel Samuelle had chosen for his new wife. She was coming here in a few minutes to select yet another gown and then the seamstresses would take her measurements.

The seamstresses had been upset with him yesterday when he’d informed them that two dresses were required for Saturday for the new Madame, but when he’d informed them a few minutes ago that they would now be required to make a third for Madame’s friend, that ire had escalated to livid.

‘Women!’ he huffed. ‘Such unreasonable creatures! They just don’t understand that I couldn’t refuse Monsieur Samuelle!’

The doorbell had rung five minutes ago and his assistant Miranda had rushed to answer it. Mick had remained in his office. He knew he was deliberately delaying this meeting, but he was nervous.

‘I wonder what the new Madame Samuelle will be like?’ he thought as he squirmed in his office chair like a small boy, nervously awaiting a new teacher. ‘Blimey, I hope she’s not a witch like the last one!’

Finally, he knew he couldn’t postpone the inevitable without being rude. That was unthinkable given how close Monsieur Samuelle was with his boss, so with a sigh, he left his office to greet the new Madame Samuelle.

The women’s footsteps drew nearer to the business’ foyer where Mick stood; mentally reviewing his options. He could have refused this interview, he supposed, but Monsieur Sung would have been furious at the loss of business and the snub to his old friend when he finally found out.

‘Yes, I’m better off career-wise to take this interview personally.’ Mick wisely decided. ‘Miranda will serve as my witness to all that will transpire too. If nothing else, I know she can be trusted not to aggravate the situation.’

Mick sighed, shifting from one foot to the other, in a posture that, had anyone been there to witness it, was endearingly childlike. Inwardly he admitted to himself and that he was intimidated by Monsieur Samuelle’s wealth and both men’s demands on him. However, after dealing with the demanding Elena Samuelle, Mick hadn’t been sorry when he’d heard that Michel and Elena had divorced. If he’d felt anything at all it had been relief that he wouldn’t have to deal with the woman anymore.

Now that he’d steeled himself to face this meeting, all he felt was curiousity. He’d always liked Michel. The man was reasonable and personable and he hadn’t deserved a woman like Elena. Mick hoped that his new bride was better tempered, both for Michel’s sake and his.

‘After all,’ he huffed inwardly, remembering more than a few of his disagreements with the East Indian woman, ‘I couldn’t very well allow her free reign to alter Sung’s designs! Even if her husband knew Monsieur Sung, I could never have gotten away with that! Why couldn’t she understand?’

Mick held his breath as the door opened; wondering anew what sort of woman the new Madame Samuelle was.

‘Chriky! I hope this meeting goes well!’ he thought, holding his breath in anxiety.

Every day he dealt with beautiful women, and although he wasn’t attracted to them in the least, some of them had become his friends. The rest of them were tolerated for business reasons.

The footsteps drew closer and halted and Mick looked up; and was stunned to see not one, but two angels enter. One was fair and the other her opposite and Mick was instantly smitten.

‘The blonde,’ he decided, as relief flooded through him, ‘must be her. She’s enchanting! A Nordic goddess! Such a pity that she isn’t one of our models! I simply must show her the raspberry satin! It will look simply divine on her!’

“Bonjour Madame Samuelle.” He boomed out, stepping forward eager now to greet the lovely blonde.

It was irrational, but the lovely lady before him had a pleasant face, and his instincts told him she was nothing like the harridan that had proceeded her. Mick hoped his instincts were on tract. He was well aware of Michel’s warnings that his wife did not speak French, so he carefully continued, speaking in English.

“So very lovely to meet you, my dear. And you too Mademoiselle.”

Mick’s hopes transmitted to his actions and he enthusiastically hugged both women, kissing the air by their cheeks.

At first Nikita was startled by the flamboyant Englishman’s actions, but then Madeleine’s comment, “Mick’s harmless” came back to her.

‘He’s gay!’ she realized as Madeleine’s comment finally registered.

“Good day, Mr. Schtoppel.” She said demurely. “I’m Nikita Samuelle and I’m very pleased to meet you. May I present my friend Lakeisha Brooks?”

“Charmed.” Mick said as he grasped Lakeisha’s hand and kissed the air above it.

Lakeisha smirked and replied, “Hello.” It had taken her about two seconds to come to the same conclusion about the man in front of them.

“My assistant Miranda.” Mick said in a sweeping gesture towards the girl who had seen them in.

The girl he airily indicated was classically beautiful in an understated way and she was dressed simply in a navy blue conservative ladies’ suit. Nikita had noticed her as soon as they’d entered the imposing structure that housed Alfred Sung’s Montreal studio. Her long brown hair was tied back in a classic French braid and she had pleasant features, set in a flawless complexion. Nikita’s sharp eyes had also immediately noted the harried look on the lovely brunette’s pale face and now that she’d met the flamboyant Mick, she could understand the wariness that was apparent there.

“Ladies….” The girl said, pleasantly repeating the greeting she’d hailed them with at the door…. “Bienvenue.” Then Miranda hospitably expanded on her comment by inquiring if she could take their coats.

Nikita and Lakeisha nodded and both handed their coats over to Mick’s brunette assistant thanking her warmly as they watched her disappear through a door that they assumed must be Mick’s office.

Mick soon verified their earlier thoughts as he began making demand after demand.

“Now that you've hung their coats in my office, why don't you get these charming ladies some coffee Miranda darling, be a luv, won’t you?” Mick cooed when the girl reappeared, wanting to make a good impression on this wealthy and beautiful client. After all, there was repeat business to consider.

“No coffee for me, thank you.” Nikita responded politely, smiling politely.

“Me either.” Lakeisha echoed.

“You’re sure Madame?” Miranda inquired politely, smiling slightly in apology for her employer’s brash manner. “It’s no trouble, I assure you.”

“Quite sure, thank you Miranda.” Nikita replied. “I don’t drink much coffee and when I do, it’s usually only a cup a day. I don’t care for it that much.”

“Nor do I.” Lakeisha echoed.

“Tea then?” Miranda inquired politely, “or perhaps a soft drink, juice or cold water?”

“No, no thank you.” Nikita replied. “I just had lunch.”

“Mademoiselle?” Miranda inquired, nodding her acceptance of Nikita’s decision, but still seeing if her friend required anything. “May I get you something?”

“Thank you, no.” Lakeisha replied.

Miranda nodded, and then looked inquiringly at Mick once more.

“No? Very well then, this way to the viewing room ladies.” Mick said.

Before he turned to leave the room however, Mick noticed that a third person had entered the foyer with the ladies. A handsome black man dressed entirely in black and wearing dark sunglasses.

‘A bodyguard?’

“Who is this with you ladies?” he said in a dramatic undertone. “An undercover policeman?”

“Oh!” the blonde replied, trying to suppress a smile. Mick’s assessment was closer than he knew. “This is Willie, my bodyguard. I’m afraid my husband insisted that he accompany us.”

“Isn’t he delicious!” Mick murmured, much to the two women’s amusement.

“He’s also straight.” Lakeisha whispered back, while trying not to giggle.

“Pity.” sighed Mick. “It is, however, a wise precaution, to have him here. One never knows, does one?”

‘No, ‘one’ doesn’t.’ Lakeisha thought with a suppressed smirk. ‘Thank goodness Willie isn’t within earshot right now… I have no idea how he’d react!’

“Never mind ladies, we’ll begin right away. I’m sure Willie will be totally bored during your little shopping expedition. Miranda, my sweet, get the poor man a comfortable chair, and some coffee and magazines. He’s going to be here a while.”
~~~~~
The ‘viewing room’ turned out to be a small refurbished Victorian theatre complete with a stage. It was evident that the room had seen grander days, and Nikita could make out intricate faded frescos on the walls and ceilings. Soon both women were ensconced on comfortable chairs while model after lovely model floated past in beautiful gowns in various jewel-tones.

Willie gratefully accepted a carafe of coffee that Miranda set on a small table to his right next to the large cup he was now sipping from. He was quite comfortable at the moment, although he ignored the magazines she’d brought to him for his amusement while Nikita and Lakeisha were shopping. He’d insisted that his ‘comfortable’ chair and coffee be brought into this room as well. He couldn’t protect Nikita at a distance, and although there didn’t appear to be any danger at present, he knew that Michael wanted him close by at all times. As he sat there sipping his coffee, he stared appreciatively at all the beautiful women in their elegant gowns, but after a while he became bored with the novelty of staring at these beautiful strangers. Both of his charges were still ignoring his presence but he soon found that he’d begun to watch Lakeisha instead.

‘I wish she’d tell me why she’s mad at me.’ He thought as he watched her fascination with the colourful progression of clothing that passed before her.

As time progressed, it began to bother him that both of them were ignoring him.

‘And why would it bother you?’ a small inner voice chided him. ‘After all, isn’t that how you treated her that night you asked her out?’

With a start, he realized what he’d done and why both women were mad at him.

‘Willie… you’re an idiot!’ he thought with a shudder, as he abruptly set down his coffee cup. ‘No wonder they’re mad! I invite her out for dinner, and then ignore her! And for what? For some over dressed, overly made up society woman I don’t even know? Fool! You ask out the prettiest woman you’ve ever dated and then you treat her that way? Mom would kick your butt if she were here! Now I understand the look Michael gave me earlier! He was disgusted with me! I’m disgusted with myself!’

With a great deal of effort, Willie pulled himself out of his quiet misery and focused on his two charges once more.

‘I have to find a way to make it up to her!’ Willie thought desperately. ‘I hope she’ll let me!’

The two women, of course, were oblivious to either Willie’s angst or his sudden epiphany. Quietly, both continued to view the show Mick had arranged for their benefit, as they gasped in delight.

Nikita stared at the elegant gowns in amazement while Lakeisha let her nervousness lead her to giggle and make whispered comments.

Mick, in the meantime, hovered close by like a concerned mother hen, clucking over this gown and that, and making comments and suggestions.

The two women ignored most of his comments, when finally Nikita spotted the style of gown she knew was perfect.

‘That one.” She said with certainty. It was a gorgeous creation, made out of pale blue satin. It had tapering, curved shoulder straps, a pleated bodice and a princess waistline. The dress also sported jewelled trim on the facing underneath the bust and a flowing skirt that rustled as the model walked.

“Oh Nikita.” Lakeisha exclaimed, grinning lop-sidedly. “Good choice. It looks like something out of the forties era in Hollywood.”

“Precisely Mademoiselle.” Mick said in amused agreement. “Monsieur Sung loves that era…. So very feminine and romantic!”

“May I try it on?” Nikita said quietly as she cocked her head and look at Mick.

“Madame… that’s not how it’s done.” Mick said firmly while trying not to show his entertainment at her charming display of naiveté. “It is a stunning dress and I know you’ll look simply ravishing in it. However, we’ll make you one of your own.”

“But…” Nikita began.

“I would recommend, however that we make it up for you in raspberry satin, not the blue.” Mick continued insistently; gently overriding her objections. “With your colouring ‘luv’, you’ll look magnificent!”

Without further comment, Mick made a commanding gesture and beckoned a hovering assistant to bring over the fabric that he’d known would be his choice for the stunning blonde the moment he’d seen her.

“Nikita… he’s right.” An awed Lakeisha proclaimed, as the assistant draped the fabric over her shoulder and steered her in front of a mirror. “The blue would be too pale for you. This fabric makes you glow. You have colour in your cheeks too.”

“All right.” Nikita agreed in a quiet voice as she gingerly stroked the lush, shimmering fabric. It was beautiful, it just wasn’t what she’d envisioned as a ‘wedding dress’.

‘Then again,’ she reminded herself, ‘I’m already married. And I’m pregnant. I also told Michael that it didn’t matter to me if I had a wedding dress.’

She also knew that her friend wouldn’t lie to her about something for such an important occasion.

‘It doesn’t matter. What’s important,’ Nikita told herself, ‘is that I look good for Michael. I don’t want to embarrass him in front of his friends.’

“Make my dress up in this, would you please Mr. Mick?” she said resolutely.

“No mister, luv, just Mick.” Mick proclaimed, delighted at her agreement and her manner. ‘ “Please?” Oh heavens! This girl is so darling…. Where in the world did Monsieur Samuelle find her? It’s going to be a pleasure dealing with her!’

“Then it’s settled.” A completely charmed Mick said, as he motioned for the awaiting seamstress to measure the attractive blonde.

When the woman was done, he whispered conspiratorially in her ear; “Get those measurements to Yvonne and Micheline right away. Madame Samuelle has decided on the raspberry satin, and the jewelled ‘forties’ gown. Don’t let them forget that they have two dresses to make for Madame Samuelle though. The first fitting for this dress is two days from now. The one Monsieur ordered is the backless model in the pale cream lace and it has to be done without any fittings, so it needs to be perfect.”

“Madame will need to come back here in two days for her first fitting.” Mick said kindly as he took in the blonde’s slightly dishevelled hair as her friend assisted her in putting on her jacket once again.

“And you Mademoiselle?” Mick asked, turning towards the black beauty who stood before him. “Did you see anything you liked?”

“Yes, I did.” Lakeisha said decisively. “The gown that redhead wore was very elegant. I believe it was done in blue, but I would prefer it in black velvet.”

“Quaint.” Mick said dismissively as he rolled his eyes disdainfully. “Everyone wears black these days. I would suggest the emerald green satin instead. You would shine in it, luv.”

Again, Mick waived over his assistant and the woman draped Lakeisha with a glittering green satin that had an shimmer to it. The glistening fabric made her skin and eyes glow radiantly.

“Oh Lakeisha!” Nikita exclaimed. “That looks beautiful on you! It’s just what you need for the party.”

“It is nice.” Lakeisha admitted. “It’s just that black is classic, not quaint, and it will never go out of style.”

“True.” Mick admitted. “However, a Sung is a classic all on it’s own.

“Lakeisha, you have a black dress already, don’t you?” Nikita inquired. “Are you sure you won’t go with the green?”

“All right. Let’s make it the green.” Lakeisha agreed. It would be silly to have more than one black dress and the man had a point.

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