Holiday Chapter 2 -- Leigh's Stories

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Date Posted: 09:38:34 09/13/01 Thu
Author: Leigh
Subject: Holiday Chapter 2
In reply to: Leigh 's message, "Holiday" on 22:56:37 09/12/01 Wed

Chapter 2.

From the first moment she met Michael Samuelle, Nikita felt an appreciation for his beauty. Reddish brown hair that was combed neatly back, piercing green eyes, strong cheek bones and chin, he was easily one of the most handsomest men she'd seen in a long time. She realized belatedly she was staring and, recovering quickly, she smiled brightly and extended her hand in greeting.

"Good morning, Mr. Samuelle. I hope you'll forgive my being late. The weather caused my flight to be delayed, otherwise I would have been here to greet you myself."

Michael Samuelle reached for her proffered hand. "Please," he said, "call me, Michael."

Nikita relaxed and withdrew her hand. Not only was he beautifuly, he had a great voice too. Sensual.

She pointed to the chair he'd been sitting in. "It�s a pleasure to meet you, Michael. I'm Nikita. Please, have a seat."

As Michael sat back down, Nikita made her way around to the other side of the desk. Bending she placed a kiss upon her mother's cheek. "Hello, Mother," she greeted her warmly, and placed her hand affectionately upon the older woman's shoulder.

They were a striking contrast in coloring, but equal in beauty. Madeline gazed up and placed her fingers gently over Nikita's and gave her hand a squeeze. "Welcome home, darling. How was your trip?"

Nikita circled around to the front of the desk and gracefully lowered herself into the chair next to Michael as she responded. "The business end was good, but the weather was awful." She turned her attention to the man sitting next to her and forced herself to ignore the way her heart was racing. Michael Samuelle wasn't the first attractive client she'd worked with, but he was a client she reminded herself. That meant, she thought with an inward sigh, he was off limits.

Michael noticed the momentary flicker in her eyes and, concerned, asked, "Is something wrong?"

Nikita shook her head, slightly embarrassed. "No," she assured him and tore her gaze away from the hypnotic effect of the Frenchman's eyes to focus instead on the file in her hands. "Please, tell me about your business, Michael," she urged. Perhaps if she got him talking she could ignore the odd sensations running through her. "Is this your first venture into the American market?"

"Yes, it is," he answered. Michael Samuelle was all business as he described his galleries, a family business he and his sister inherited from their parents. Monique, his sister, was an equal partner but preferred to leave all of the business decisions to him. With the success they'd had in Europe, Michael was now ready to expand the family business into the United States as well.

"My family," he said, his accented voice quietly explained, "chose to center our business in Europe. My parents felt it was more --" He paused for a moment, silently searching for the words to explain. "--in the mainstream?" He raised a questioning brow at Nikita and then Madeline.

"Yes," Madeline agreed. "Europe is much more in the mainstream of art and fashion than the United States."

"And what has changed your mind about expanding to the US?" Nikita asked.

"Necessity," Michael answered. "With the internet, the marketplace is now global. I intend to keep our headquarters in Europe but I also think it would be a mistake if we ignore the potential for growth that the Galleries have here in the US. I'm hoping that Section One will be able to help us with this move."

"We would be honored to," Nikita responded. "Are there any preferences that you have concerning the promotion? The clientele you want to target? Are you looking at television, print, both?" She paused to allow him to respond.

Michael clasped his fingers loosely in his lap and glanced from one woman to the other. "I'm not entirely sure what I want," he confessed. "Or what would work best for us here in the American market."

Nikita found her gaze lingering once again on his lips and she quickly lowered her lashes and stood. Michael followed suit, his movements long and graceful.

"I'll tell you what," Nikita explained as she gave him a reassuring look. "Why don't I take you on a tour of our departments and you can look at some of the samples of the types of services we can offer you. Then we can go to my office and discuss the approach that would be most beneficial to you. Is that all right?"

"Yes," Michael answered, smiling. "I would like that very much."

Turning to her mother, Nikita asked, "Mother, would you care to join us?"

Madeline smiled affectionately at her daughter as she rose and came around to the other side of the desk. "I'd love to, but I have a previous engagement in just a few minutes," she explained as she extended her hand to Michael. "How long will you be in town?"

"I'm scheduled to leave January 3rd," he answered.

"January 3rd?" Madeline repeated in a shocked voice. "You won't be going home for the holidays?"

Michael smiled. "No, I need to meet with our contractors and the architect and attend to a few other details while I am here. These next three weeks are the only time I have open for several months so I will try and finish everything while I am here."

"But that�s awful," Madeline replied as she linked her arm through Michael's. "What about your family. Do you have a wife and children?"

Nikita, though silent, paid close attention.

"No. It is one of the reasons why I am able to spend this time here," he explained. "Monique, my sister, is married and has her own family. That leaves me free to tend to business as I want."

"So you are a confirmed bachelor?" Nikita asked, a smile tugging at her lips.

Michael smiled back. "The Galleries keep me busy," he said, and Nikita nodded in understanding.

"Youth," Madeline sighed, relinquishing her hold on his arm as they reached the door. "Nikita is the same way. I fear I shall die of old age and still not see her married, let alone carry a grandchild in my arms."

"Mo-ther!" Nikita blushed as Michael's smile widened slightly.

""But then who will run the business?" Michael asked, his eyes alight with amusement.

"Exactly," Nikita agreed, laughing. She decided she was going to enjoy working with Michael Samuelle.

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Holiday Chapter 3 -- Leigh, 15:17:51 09/13/01 Thu