A sting on Isabelle's bottom woke her up with a yelp. She turned around to see Jean-Marie standing next to her bed, his arms folded across his chest.
'Good morning ms. Anderson.' he said. 'You wouldn't wake up when I called you.'
The haze of sleep ebbed away and the sensation on her bottom told her what he had done to wake her up. No one had dared to spank her since she'd been a little girl and she glared at him for the brutality.
Before she could scold him he spoke again. 'Despite looking very fine, freshen up and get ready for work. I expect you down in the kitchen for breakfast.' he said with a little smirk and left.
It was then that she realised she wore nothing but her panties and stockings and grabbed her pillow to cover her perky breasts. 'Damned!' she said, feeling foolish for her late reaction.
A refreshing shower lightened her mood but she was still angry at his barbaric behaviour when she stepped into the kitchen downstairs. The scents of fresh baked bread, tea, coffee, cheese, fried eggs and bacon triggered her stomach and she forgot most of her anger.
'Tea or coffee?' he asked while he finished frying the eggs and bacon.
'Coffee, please.' she said, surprised at seeing him at the stove.
He turned off the stove, poured her a mug of coffee and saw her expression as he set it down for her on the high table. 'What?'
'Ah, I expected you had people making you breakfast.'
'I like to do it myself.' he said, serving the eggs and bacon. 'Then I can eat what I feel like having.'
She inhaled the scent of her coffee and thought it was the best she had ever smelled before.
He placed the rest of the breakfast on the table and sat down. 'Eat. You'll need the energy.'
'Thanks.' she said and enjoyed one of the best breakfasts she had, even if it was simple in comparison to some hotels she'd been before.
'Keep two hours free on your and my schedule at the end of this afternoon.'
She nodded. 'What can I put in it?'
'Just set it to out of office.' he said and continued eating.
She would have preferred to know what they were going to do, but let it slide for now. It was probably another visit.
When they were done he covered what was left.
'Don't you need to put it away?' she asked.
'Rosanna, the housekeeper will be coming soon. She always has breakfast here because she loves my kitchen and cooking in the morning.'
Isabelle could understand it, it having the same Mediterranean holiday feeling as the rest of the building, and thought it was very kind of him to leave breakfast for her.
Down in the garage she took out her car keys, but Jean-Marie held another set in front of her and nodded at the small black convertible.
'What's this?' she asked, recognising only the Honda badge.
'A little car which has only been released in Japan, but I found it fun to drive. I think it suits you better as the company car.'
She looked back at him, making sure he wasn't joking at her expense. He took her hand, placed the keys in it and pushed her gently towards the car. With a little hesitation she sat into the driver's seat when he opened the door for her.
'I'll see you at the office.' he said and closed the door to go to his own car.
She looked around at the interior to find the usual controls, started the car and adjusted her seat, feeling giddier by the minute. She saw him look at her and the smugness on his face just before he drove off and cursed herself for letting him see her happy to be given this car.
***
Jean-Marie waited for Isabelle at the office garage and she tried to keep a straight face as she got out after a fun ride.
She couldn't stand his air of superiority and the still smug look as he leaned back against his car, arms folded in front of his chest. 'Well, satisfied?'
'It's okay.' she said.
'If that's all I'll just take it back.'
'No!' she said, louder than she wanted to. 'I am satisfied.' she muttered, looking away.
'And what do you say then?' he said, raising one eyebrow.
She wanted to snap for being treated like a kid, but held back. 'Thank you.'
'Good girl.' he said and gave her an unexpected warm smile. 'Let's get to work now.'
During the ride upstairs in the elevator she had to admit he looked good when he smiled, but his personality needed a lot of work.
***
It was once again a busy day, arranging meetings and organising office matters, fetching information and building presentations. During lunch she had asked Colette and Samantha if Jean-Marie always scolded people when something went wrong or they made a mistake.
They confirmed it, but also said he does give honest praise. Isabelle pondered about it for a while, being scolded several times, then found his warm smile and praise when she corrected her mistake. She should be angry with him, yet somehow receiving his praise felt rather good. When her father praised her it felt good, and if someone complimented her it felt good, but in a way his praise felt more sincere.
By the time the reminder for the two hour reservation of the day came, she still had no idea what they were going to do. Knowing well now he didn't like to wait, she quickly finished her current tasks and was ready when he came out of the office.
'Come.' he said, the warm tone of his voice making it sounds less like an order and more like a request and she withheld the sarcasm she would usually show when ordered around. 'Yes, Mr. Bête.'
He took her down to the garage and they drove away in his car without a further word from him. She saw the serious look on his face and thought it best not to ask where they were going. She would find out eventually when they got there.
***
When they arrived at an older part of downtown Jean-Marie parked his car in front of a chic clothing store. He held open the door for her to get out of the car and she glanced at the clothing in the store's window. Recognising those were high quality she wished for a moment she could afford one ensemble like that.
'Come.' he said again and led her unexpectedly into the store.
A greying man and lady appeared a moment later, smiling brightly at Jean-Marie. 'Jean-Marie! How good to see you again.' the man said.
'Hilda, Franz. How are you doing?' Jean-Marie said as the elder couple gave him a hug.
Isabelle thought she could have guessed their names with the light but obvious German accent.
'Good, even at our age.' Hilda said with a wink.
Franz chuckled and wrapped his arm around Hilda's shoulder. 'Don't listen to her. She's still the young flower I married years ago.'
Isabelle had to smile at the affection the couple showed and Jean-Marie introduced her. 'Hilda, Franz, meet Isabelle, my new personal assistant. Isabelle, meet Hilda and Franz, friends and the best tailors I know.'
Franz shook her hand but Hilda gave her a hug, and she returned it, feeling the honest care from Hilda.
'So, what can we do for you?' asked Franz.
'I need several new sets of clothes.' Jean-Marie said.
Isabelle looked at the fine suits and shirts on display and thought they would look very good on him. She could see why he came here and once again the wish to own just one suit made her stomach clench. She could make such a good impression on clients with it and she told herself she'd use her savings to come back here to have them make her one.
She returned her attention to the others and noticed a smile on the couple's faces. 'Sorry, I was just admiring your work.'
'Thank you.' said Hilda. 'But they will admire you more when you wear them.'
'Ah.' said Isabelle, blushing. 'I'm afraid I can't afford to buy something yet, although I am planning to now.'
The couple looked at Jean-Marie and she looked puzzled at him while he looked seriously at her.
'I can't have you walk around in what you wear now.' he said.
'But..'
'Hilda, Franz, make her look like she owns the holding.' he said, the corner of his mouth making its usual way up when he felt amused at her expense.
'Come, my dear.' said Hilda, leading Isabelle to the back. 'I'm going to have to measure you and I will not have the menfolk gawk at your beauty.'
Isabelle felt overwhelmed and let Hilda take her into a large dressing room and help her undress to her underwear.
'I'll tell him to take you to Francesca's.' said Hilda while she measured Isabelle's sizes. 'You need lingerie to fit with your new ensembles. You'll make him admire you for sure.'
'Eh? Who?' Isabelle said, unsure of what she meant.
'Jean-Marie.' Hilda said with a devious smile. 'The right lingerie will make any man worship you. I still make Franz drool with it.'
It took a moment to register, then Isabelle felt her face grow hot with her blush at the image of him seeing her in lingerie. The one time he saw her in her plain panties was bad enough. 'I can't show that to him!' she said. 'I mean, we aren't even like that. I'm just working for him. Temporary even.'
Hilda let out a little sigh while she measured Isabelle's chest. 'Such a shame. I'm sure he would appreciate your figure.'
