CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

TAMARA

I wanted to make the most of these two weeks in Paris before we went back to New York, because I knew I would be under a lot of stress to complete the smart house project before the deadline when I got back; I had lost a lot of time due to the wedding planning and the actual ceremony. With that aside, ever since we arrived in Paris, I have been providing Alex and Tommy with regular updates as per their request; it is bothersome but also kind of sweet of them to check up on me.
I was still thinking about my most recent run-in with Mr. Kingston. He thought it would be a good idea to give me his black card, but what in the world was he thinking? I was a grown, independent woman who could afford to buy things for herself, and even if I didn't have the money, I would rather swallow office pins than take or spend a single dime of his money.
Urgh I'm in Paris, the city of love and fashion, and I'm going to have fun. I wasn't going to let him ruin my mood.
Mr. Tony was already waiting for me at the door when I arrived at the reception after getting ready.
"Hello Mrs. Kingston, where would you like to go first? Mr. Tony smiled as he greeted.
I want to go to the Palais Galliera, Mr. Tony. And please call Tamara."
"Tamara, did you know the Palais Galliera is one of the top tourist destinations for fashionistas?" Mr Tony inquired, his eyes lightening up; judging by his deamour, he clearly enjoyed his job.
"Yes, Mr Tony, that's why I chose it in the first place, I've always wanted to design clothes and houses since I can remember," I replied truthfully as he led me to the car.
"That is wonderful Tamara, I hope you achieve your dreams one," Mr Tony said optimistically and I gave him a grateful smile. Once we were in the car, he told the driver where to go in French, and I could only understand a few words of what they were saying.
It took a few minutes before we arrived at our destination. When we got out of the car, the amazing architecture stunned me. The beauty of this place much exceeded my expectations; what I had seen on television did not do it justice. After showing the security officer our tickets and getting immediate access, Mr. Tony began the tour by giving me a quick overview of the Palais Galliera's past.
Before it became a fashion museum, the Palais Galliera was built by the Duchess Galliera to host her art collection. However, she ended up bequeathing it to the city of Genoa in Italy, and the Palace became an Industrial Art Museum, then a painting museum. In 1977, it finally became a fashion museum.
After leaving the Palais Galliera with a complimentary gift bag Mr Tony and I moved on to the Musée des Arts Décoratifs as Mr Tony described opened in 1864, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs owns the biggest exhibition space dedicated to fashion and textile in the world. Like the Palais Galliera, the collections of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs do not offer a permanent display, and so the fashion division of the museum only organizes temporary exhibitions. Two exhibitions a year are displayed on average. I was so lucky to have been in Paris when it was open to the public because I got to see a lot of wonderful exhibitions.
If you had told me a few years ago that I would be in Paris visiting places I loved, I would have laughed in your face because I couldn't afford to go on vacations and Thomas stopped giving me an allowance when he married my stepmother. Tamara, let's not think about bad memories, I sighed softly. After leaving the Musée des Arts Décoratifs We then moved onto the main and most famous landmark in Paris, the Eiffel Tower. It wasn't as beautiful in daylight as it was when it's dark and all the lights were on but it's still beautiful nonetheless and I got to take a lot of pictures alone and with Mr Tony even if he was adamant.
After our tour was done, Mr. Tony took me to Joséphine Chez Dumonet for lunch, where the food was absolutely delicious. However, Mr. Tony needed to attend some business at the hotel. I chose to stay instead of going back with him, so he gave me his phone number in case I needed a driver to bring me back to the hotel.
I located a bench to sit on after Mr. Tony and the driver had departed and pulled out my Sketchpad to jot down some ideas. I didn't realize someone was standing in front of me since I was so focused on what I was doing.
"You're quite talented, Tamara," a familiar male voice said, and I looked up to see Shane staring down at me with a huge smile on his face.
"Shane," I yelled as I leapt into his arms, engulfing him in a hug, "what are you doing here?" I asked, pulling away from our embrace.
"Work, I wasn't sure you were the one but I had to confirm, Alex told me you were in Paris for your supposed honeymoon, I thought we could meet up but I didn't expect to meet you right away"
"Wait, come to think of it, I'm not sure what you do for a living," I said, and his grin widened.
"I'm a chef, Tamara, and I own restaurants in Paris, New York, California, and London."
"Wow, Shane, that's incredible."
"Thank you; that's very kind of you." Shane said with a small smile his gaze was fixed on me.
"I'm sure you've received better compliments from others." I avoided his gaze; his eyes were expressive, which I found quite attractive, but I would never tell him; it would be quite embarrassing; he is one of my brother's best friends, so having a crush on him would be weird; and I'm kind of married, so nothing can ever happen between us even if I develop a crush on him in the future.
"They are not you, Tamara; I appreciate your opinions." Shane said as he took my sketchpad and ran his fingers over the drawing before returning his gaze to mine. "You're special to me, so your opinion is important," Shane said, making me blush slightly.
"I'm touched you think that way of me, Shane; I value our friendship as well," I said with a small smile. which he returned
"Where is that asshole anyway, is he somewhere around here?" Shane inquired, Alex and his friends refer to Damien as Asshole, so I immediately knew who he was referring to.
"Nah, he had some work to attend to as well," I replied.
"So he just let you wander around a place you've just been to?" Shane inquired, and I saw concern in his eyes.
"No, I was here with one of his employees but he had to leave because something came up at the hotel."
"I see, if you aren't too busy, would you like to accompany me to one of my restaurants?" Shane inquired as he rose to his feet to fix his clothes.
"I don't want to intrude, you look busy," I said as I scanned his full length, I wasn't paying attention at first to really take in his appearance because I was too excited to see him, he was dressed in a navy three piece suit and a pair of black dress shoes and he looked great,
"It would give me peace of mind if you came with me, Tamara, I can't leave you all alone here." Shane stated, his hopeful gaze fixed on me.
"OK, if you insist, I'll go with you." I gave in to his demands because who could say no to that face?
"Thank you, Tamara; I promise you won't be sorry, and I have something special in store for you after." Shane asked, with a huge grin, what does he have planned? And why am I so eager to find out what the surprise was?.