The Bodyguard

Ch 14

Ciel's POV

Ciel then proceeded to look over business proposals until 4:30. She needed to go pick out a dress for diner tonight. She decided to go shopping. Sure she could just have dresses delivered to her home, and go from there but she needed some air. Ciel liked to keep a low profile so she didn't really go out much, but once in a while she liked to go out. She didn't like being associated with De Gianni. Ever since she could remember once people found out she's a Gianni she was treated differently. Perks of keeping a low profile is not many knew how Ciel De Gianni looked. She hasn't really made a public appearance since she was 8. She stayed away from the press and all that crap.

She drove off from the office, and headed to Paradizo. Well since I'm going there might as well do an inspection. She didn't notify anyone she was coming so it would be a surprise inspection. Once she arrived the valet opened her door and she walked inside. She walked around aimlessly window shopping, and seeing how her shopping mall was being ran at the same time.

Since she got here she didn't really have time to see the place. She just oversaw the revenues of this place. It's doing well, but not enough to satisfy her. Walking around she saw that there was a lot of people, but not enough personnel. We need to hire more people. Also, it feels like it's missing something ... She kept walking around until a boutique caught her eye. She walked inside. A sales associate greeted her. She bowed, "Welcome Señorina, my name is Mina. What can I help you with?" She then proceeded to offer her a glass of champagne.

The sales associate didn't know who this lady was but, she knew she was probably a heiress. She could tell by the jewelry, and bag she wore. Her purse alone cost more than a car. She should be wary not to upset her. This store was the most expensive boutique in all of Paradizo. The designer was one of the hottest designers in Italy, but not many could afford her pieces. She walked around and she closely followed. She then stood in front of a dress. "I want this one" she stated. "My miss you have a good eye. This piece is one of a kind ... unfortunately... it's not for sale ... it's for display ..."

Ciel turned around, "Not for sale? My what a shame. It's quite gorgeous. She really did a good job. Is Florentine  here? Tell her Ciel is here." "My apologies Miss. Yes I'll bring her right away". She then headed to the back where the designer worked. Does she know Ms. Florentine? "Ms. There's a client here that would like to speak with you." She looked up, "Didn't I tell you not to bother me?" She went back to sketching. "Sorry to disrupt you ... um ... she said her name was Ciel?" She suddenly looked up. "No fucking way!".

She quickly got up and Mina closely followed. Florentine then saw her. "No fucking way it's really you!" Ciel then turned around and saw her old friend. They hugged. "It's been a long time Flor. 4 years?". "Yes, but what are you doing here?". Flor and Ciel met at Harvard as freshman.

Eventually Flor dropped out her first year and transferred to Parsons, and decided to follow her dream of becoming a designer. "Shopping ? I saw the name of the boutique and I remembered you said when you opened your atelier you would name it 'Florentine'. I just had to come in, and see if it was you. Turns out it was".  She smiled.

Meanwhile, Mina was shocked watching this all unfold. So they were fiends? "No. I meant what you're doing here in Italy? I mean I know you're Italian but you're here in Milan?! Sorry it's just so much to take in right now. Come on let's go back to my studio and talk better - Mina run the front. Don't interrupt". Ciel & Flor walked back.

"Well I'm here because I live here now. I just came back 2 months ago". "So you're back home now? For what?" She asked. "I'm soon going to take over the family business. As soon as I graduated they sent for me". "Wow that's crazy. So what's your family business? Sorry you never really told me much about you ... you always just pushed it back, and said it was complicated...". She let out a sigh. Here we go again... Ciel then looked around.