Paris From Scratch

Chapter Two

Paris, finally, Marina was overjoyed, her dream was actualising before her own eyes. She alighted the plane with her head on cloud nine taking everything in as she picked up her luggage just a small suitcase and walked out of the airport, just as she was about to hail for a cab a citroen ds4 stopped infront of her,, she stood still and could not stop herself from gawking until the driver lowered the car's window and shouted 'Azimut tu es en retard, was the pilot very slow,' and he started laughing. Marina looked behind her and there was his plane seat mate walking hurriedly towards her. The driver stopped laughing when Azimut did not bother answering him back his attention seeming elsewhere and that when he noticed her, 'ma belle! let me give you a lift, where are you headed.' he said as he stepped out of the car to open the front door, but Azimut who had reached the car closed it and opened the back left door before saying, 'come on Marina let us drop you off at your hotel.' The driver who was still perplexed by Azimut's actions then jumped in, 'which one are you staying in, I own several.' Marina who had not made any movement just enjoying the free show, burst out laughing at them before she asked Azimut, 'are you going to introduce me or you are afraid I might get to stay free in one of his hotels and miss a chance to spend your money.' And then it was the driver's chance to burst out laughing. ' I like her, no, I love her.'

Azimut smirked before saying, 'Cheri meet Kharfis, he is my meilleur ami, and yes you can stay at one of his hotels, for free, he never paid me enough for helping in designing them, actually Kharfis tell me which one has the top pent houses unoccupied because I'm also too tired to go to my condo and Marina will need a guide for a few days.' Kharfis got into his car shaking his head, as Azimut took their luggage to put in the boot and gestured for Marina to get in too before he went around to get in the back too. Kharfis was Azimut's best friend, he was more of a brother than any of his brothers, they had attended engineering school together but whereas Azimut choose to join the military civil works programme Kharfis had joined his family hotel business and once he had learnt the ins and outs of the hotel business he had bought several using his family resources in and out of Paris and with the help of Azimut constructed a few becoming one of the youngest hotel magnates billionnaires in France. Once they were settled inside the car Kharfis took off, muttering to himself that he would let her even stay in his house if only his friend was not blocking him. Marina heard him and was smiling but Azimut who was busy staring at Marina did not catch the words and just asked him to shut up and drive, Kharfis replied, I'm not your chauffer, but hey Marina can I be your, chauffer, butler or even watchman.' both Marina and Azimut smiled at that.'

Kharfis pulled up outside one of his biggest hotel, The Kharfi, Marina's mind was blown. ' it's really yours and it's huge.' Kharfis did not miss the chance, 'Yes ma belle, it's mine and you can be too, with a bonus, I am huge too with an Italian touch.' Azimut grunted and pushed him aside as he muttered, she is not something you can own sucker, let's get you to the penthouse cheri before you drop down because of taking in too much garbage from this one.' Marina followed Azimut leaving Kharfis confused. Marina had been to many hotels but The Kharfi was the most breath taking, it looked more like a castle in the heart of Paris, all white surrounded by various gardens with flowers, trees and grass with spaces for people to lounge on and an extension of the underground parking. The inside was even more beautiful, before reaching the reception desk the manager was already approaching, 'I will take you to your Penthouse Monsieur Azimut and mademoissle?.' 'Marina.' Azimut offered. ' Please follow me to the private elevator, your luggage is already on the way, Monsieur Kharfis has instructed to assist you mademoissle like we would assist him.' Azimut burst out laughing lowly as they got into the elevator and the manager quickly offered, 'and you too monsieur.' Marina cleared her throat as the elevator pinged in the second top most floor. The manager gestured Azimut to the right and directed Marina to the left.

Marina's penthouse was more of a house than a hotel suite, with a balcony showing not only most of the hotel gardens but as far of Paris as the eye could see. It had an open floor plan with a spaceous space with a dining room and a master bedroom. Marina's luggage was set near the master bedroom with a pink rose attached to a bottle of champagne, with a note. 'picked this myself, welcome to The Kharfi, I would not mind if you made it your home, check the top floor after you've had your beauty sleep.' regards, the owner, she smiled sheeplishly as she whispered, 'silly.' The manager was trying to peep at the note and that is when Marina realised she was not alone. she quickly told him she was okay and he was free to leave, and he said, 'okay girl looks like France is really taking to you, do not waste time, my advice, take his money mama, I wish he would look my way.' Marina looked up excitedly saying ' you look nothing like anything you just said, but again this is my first time in Paris. 'Welcome to Paris mama, I am Sebastian, do not let the suit fool you, see you later, should I send dinner later or you will be dining with the hotie that is my boss.' Marina amusedly answered she had no clue, she just needed to freshen up and get some sleep before anything ele she would ring incase she needed anything, she gestured to the room's telephone and the manager took that as his cue to leave as he thought to himself Paris was about to get more interesting and it would begin at the Kharfi and he would be damned if he missed any of it, not when it involved two of the hottest men he knew, his boss was a playboy and he liked the new girl but maybe she could change him and he would never get on his way anyway, Azimut on the other hand was a mystery he had wanted to unravel for a long time, his heart sank a little when he remembered the looks he kept throwing at Marina, this was going to be good.