Allure // Harry Styles AU

Quatre

Paris was like a dream.

The drive from the airport to the city was longer than I expected, but I enjoyed the passing views from the windows. Adelaide explained to me that Grandfather's mansion was close to the heart of Paris, and had a grand view of the Eiffel Tower from some of the rooms. I could finally feel excitement growing in my chest when we reached the outskirts of the city of love, and it only grew when we entered it.

The streets were beautiful, cream colored buildings and apartments leading into shops with colorful signs and posters. People poured out from doors and crowds filled the sidewalks, all of them a conglomeration of tourists and native French residents. Restaurants were delivered produce from trucks with French writing on the side and people sitting at coffee shops and bakeries seemed to be without a care in the world as they watched the world go by. Cars, motorcycles, mopeds, all of them zoomed down Paris' busy streets.

My eyes had spotted popular Parisian tourist sights like Sacré-Cœur and plenty of museums including the Louvre as we drove over the Seine river and closer to the Eiffel Tower that lingered in the distance. My feet started tapping in anticipation as we got off main roads and drove around fancy mansions and grand houses. We were getting closer to the Chevalier mansion, and my heart was fluttering in my chest as I stared out the windows.

The limo turned onto a small street suddenly, my eyes widening as I saw a huge black wrought-iron gate approaching in the front windshield view. A cursive letter C was in the middle of the huge gate, and it split in two as the limo driver pressed a button on a small controller by the dashboard. My face was practically pressed against the window in awe as I watched the gate slide open and the limo continue on its way up the drive.

My hand had pressed up against my chest when I saw the beautiful gardens surrounding the glistening brick mansion-no, this wasn't a mansion. This was a freaking palace, it was so big.

The brick in the sun made it seem like the whole mansion was painted in a dusty rose color except for the very middle, which was white stone inlaid with white paned glass windows. Green ivy had crawled up the sides of the mansion and provided a nice contrast to the cream colored roof. Countless windows covered the beautiful mansion, more than I could count as we drove through the perfectly landscaped gardens and bushes to the garage.

The limo finally stopped at a huge garage to the side of the mansion, Adelaide and Maurice hurrying out of the car. Maurice went to the back of the limo to grab my bags while Adelaide checked something on her iPhone as she stepped out before helping me.

"Your grandfather is in an important meeting, so he will greet you later when he comes home." Adelaide informed me as she led me to the side door of the mansion, opening it for me. I stepped in and found I must have been in the kitchen, black and white tile laid in the floor as maids and butlers bustled around the huge room. Shining silver cooking pots and pans hung from a rack on the ceiling, and freshly cleaned stovetops and ovens gleamed in the afternoon light.

"Come on, I have so much to show you." Adelaide smiled at me as she took my hand and led me out of the busy kitchen. The kitchen led to a hallway with more doors, Adelaide informing me those were more functional rooms meant for laundry and storing cleaning supplies. I was tugged down the hall and around corners to the main lobby by the entrance, my wide eyes taking in the expensive décor all around me. A glittering crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling and fancy paintings and artwork hung from the walls. Couches and chairs probably worth more than my whole room put together back home were scattered around, and a huge marble staircase led to a second floor.

I hardly had time to take everything in before Adelaide had led me up the stairs. How on Earth was this where Grandfather lived? I mean, sure, I knew he was well off. I knew he was wealthy, but I wasn't expecting this. I was pretty sure he was a businessman, but did French businessmen and financial advisors live this well? Apparently so.