LETHAL

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟑𝟗

I took a bite of the pastry and moaned at the savoury taste, little dance incoming. This time my whole body moved since I was standing up and my bodyguards chuckled. This was just too good. 

"Here." Lucas opened the lid and passed me a cup of tea. I know it's tea because they know I don't really drink coffee. Sometimes I do, but only latte. "Just how you like it, no sugar."

"Thank you." I took the warm cup from his hand.

"Careful it's hot", Lucas told and I nodded. 

I blew the tea softly before taking a sip. "Wait, did guys have breakfast?", I asked the four.

"Don't worry we did", Antoine answered and I narrowed my eyes. 

"I can never be fooled", I said and started walking towards the bakery. 

"Where are you going?" Mesia quickly walked up to me and blocked my path. 

"Buying you four breakfast, and you can't stop me from doing so." I smiled and sidestep past him. I heard him sigh and chuckled. He then walked to walk beside me and Antoine on my other side. Lucas and Levi followed behind. 

"You really don't have to miss", Lucas said and I glanced at him over my shoulder. 

"I know. I want to." I smiled. 

15 minutes later

"Mademoiselle La Cartier (Miss La Cartier)", Aline called. She's the one who manages Sophia's boutique back here in Paris. 

"Bonjour. Vous devez être Cecillia. Enchanté (Hi. You must be Aline. Nice to meet you)", I smiled and shooked her hand. 

"Quel honneur de vous rencontrer enfin. Les tenues que vous avez aidé à concevoir sont superbes, vous êtes très talentueuse. (What an honour it is to finally meet you. The outfits you helped design are stunning, you're very talented.)" She smiled. 

"Vous êtes trop gentil. Sophia a de bien meilleures idées en matière de mode (You're too kind. Sophia has way better ideas when it comes to fashion)", I chuckled.

"lle a dit que vous étiez son usine à idées. Son inspiration. Elle vous admire beaucoup et n'arrête jamais de parler de vous (She did say that you are her idea factory. Her inspiration. She looks up to you a lot and never stops talking about you)", she said. 

I smiled. 

I look up to you more, Soph.

" Oh, je t'ai apporté ça. C'est une belle journée pour offrir des fleurs. (Oh, I brought this for you. It's a nice day to give flowers.)" I smiled and passed her the bouquet. 

"Ils sont beaux . . .Merci. Je vais les placer près du comptoir pour l'instant. (They're beautiful . . .Thank you. I'll place them by the counter for now.)" She placed the large bouquet of flowers behind the cashier counter. "Peut-être que plus tard je devrais les placer au centre du magasin. Ça aimerait bien, non? (Maybe later I should place them in the centre of the store. That would look nice, no?)"

"Ce serait. ( It would.)", I smiled. 

"Tu as appelé pour voir des robes pour un bal ? Correct? (You called to see dresses for a ball? Correct?)", she asked and I nodded. "Très bien. J'en ai sélectionné quelques-uns. Leur en haut, suivez-moi, s'il vous plaît. (Very well. I've picked out a few. Their upstairs, follow me, please.)"

She led me to the elevator and my bodyguards followed behind me in pursuit. Sophia's fashion house is huge. It has multiple floors. On the first and second floors was the boutique. The third floor was the studio. The fourth floor was the workplace. The fifth was the storage floor. 

Once the glass doors of the shaftless elevator opened, we stepped out and were now in the studio.

2 hours and 30 minutes later

It was now my turn to find a gown. Since they were Sophia's designs, she knows every single outfit in this studio. Sophia already called Aline and told her which dress she wanted, but a few alterations are needed, so the dress will be delivered to the academy when done. I've taken a few pictures of different gowns for Tamara, she picked one in particular and Aline will have it delivered with Sophia's gown. It's better to leave the gowns here since the ball is in about 1 month's time. 

Then, me.

"Celui-ci conviendra à votre teint. (This one will suit your skin tone)", Aline said while holding up a particular gown. 

"No", I said before bringing the cup of tea to my lips.

She nodded and started searching for another dress on the rack. In the studio, there were unreleased that of course weren't for sale. They were just for shows, events or publicity. Or for us. Me. My sisters. It was our extra closet. 

While she was doing that, I stood up and approached another rack of dresses. I started searching for myself. I sighed. Nothing really caught my interest. When it came to fashion, I was beyond picky. Sophia even more so. Tamara is chilled and layback, but she has her own sense of style.

"Little miss." I heard Levi call.

"Yes?"

"We thought .  . . .you might like this one", Lucas said and I turned around.

There Levi and Lucas stood, both holding each side of the hanger which held a simple and plain but elegant gown. My eyes analyzed the gown. It reminded me of a fairytale story, Cinderella. But instead of it being blue, it was a beautiful shade of cream. 

 I smiled in awe.

"J'avais oublié que nous avions celle-ci. (I forgot we had this one)", Aline said.

"Je ne l'ai jamais vue. (I've never seen this one)", I said while walking towards the gown. 

"Ce n'est jamais quitté le studio. Mademoiselle Lemieux dit qu'il manque quelque chose. C'est incomplet. (It's never left the studio. Miss Lemieux says there's something missing. It's not done)", Aline answered. " Ne pensez vous pas qu'elle soit trop simple? (Don't you think it's too simple?)"

I smiled while admiring the full-length gown. 

"Je pense que c'est parfait.(I think it's perfect.)"