Hopelessly Devoted {ManxMan} [Book II]

Chapter 1

Picture of Basile above :)

Z A C H A R Y

I had arrived in France about a week or two ago and I had managed to get a job at a local coffee shop so that I could have enough money to keep my small studio apartment.

As I walked in the café the strong smell of coffee hit me. I smiled in delight as I walked behind the counter smiling at Margret as she tossed me my apron.

Margret was from America and she spoke French and English. Thankfully she tought me the basics of French so I could at least have a decent conversation if I needed to.

I tied my apron on and got to work, taking peoples orders and making light conversation with the few that ordered in English.

About half way through the early morning rush I saw a dressed up buisness man walk in. He wore a blank expression on his breath taking face.

I almost didn't hear his order as I took in the features of his face. He had defined cheek bones and a defined jaw but the thing that really got my attention were his shocking pale blue eyes that had shown no emotion.

I nodded at his order and started making it.

Once I came back I smiled, "What's your name?" I asked.

He paid for the coffee and looked at me like I was weird or like I should know who he is.

"I'm Basile, Basile La Boussière." And before I could ask anymore questions he was already out of the door with the coffee in his hands.

I turned and saw Margret with her eyes wide and mouth open, "What, did I do something?" I asked.

"That was Basile La Boussière." She smiled, I wasn't understanding where this was going.

"I know, he just told me." I said.

"No, Zach, he owns La Boussière Inc., here in France, one of the most successful businesses in the world. His brother, Jean La Boussière, moved to the U.S. to expand their company." She explained.

Suddently the name La Boussière became very familiar. I remembered seeing his grand opening all over the news. Jean's boyfriend, Grayson, gave an amazing speach and truely was the main attraction of that whole thing.

"Oh," was all I said because I was too busy trying to figure out how we would meet again. I had a feeling that his stops at the café weren't regular considering this was the first time I had seen him in a week.

I decided to think about it later after I finished working.

B A S I L E

Today, I decided to walk to work. I hadn't done it in a while and I found it quite relaxing sometimes.

I decided to stop at the café and get my coffee, instead of making my assistant get it.

The person behind the counter never quit smiling. I had to admit, he was kind of cute but, like all the other hot men and women I have seen, I'm never going to be in a relationship. It would be unfair to my lover, all I do is work, there would be no time for them.

I shook my head to get rid of my unimportant thoughts as I walked to the elevator in the building to head up to my office.

My assistant, Archer, was goving me a run down of my schedule as we rode up the elevator, I spaced out until I heard him say one thing that almost brought a smile to my face, "Your brother, Jean would also like to speak to you sometime today."

I nodded, "Thank you." I said as the doors opened and I headed straight to my office and got to work.

At about five pm I was able to make the call to my brother, it would be around eight in the morning for them and I was hoping he wouldn't be busy. I was actually happy to finally talk to him again. It had been almost a year since I saw him last, at Christmas. And about three months since I talked to him last.

I called him and he picked up with a happy voice, "Basile?"

"Yes." I answered.

"Hey, how's everything going with the business?" He asked, sounding busy with Kaleb, I could hear the little boy's giggles in the background.

"Good," I answered plainly, "How's everything with the La Boussière Inc. in LA?"

"Great actually," I could hear the smile in his voice.

"And how are Grayson and the kids?" I asked, a smiled threatening to show. I might not be a big fan of emotions and happiness but I couldn't help but smile at the thought of Quinn and Kaleb.

"Jean!" I heard Grayson's voice in the background, "You better not have let Kaleb have that cookie before breakfast!"

I heard more giggles and Jean chuckled, "Calm down Grayson, I'm on the phone with Basile."

I heard a short muffled conversation and then Jean was back on the line, "Grayson is good and he also says hi and Kaleb and Quinn are great. Kaleb's a little hyper though, as expected from a four year old."

The corner of my lip turned up, "Glad to hear." Just then there was a knock on my door then my assistant walked in. I held up my finger to silence him before he even spoke, "Listen, I got to go, I'll talk to you later."

"Alright, bye." He hung up and I looked at Archer.

"Your five thirty is hear to speak with you."

I nodded, "Bring them up."

He nodded and was out of the door.

As I straightened up my desk I couldn't help but think back to the guy at the Café, Zachary, I believe that is what his name tag said.

His bright smile and innocent eyes were hard to get off my mind and I had no idea why.

So, that's the first chapter of Hopelessly Devoted :)

I hope you liked it :)

~Beatrice