Maxine's is the most exclusive furrier in the world. With salons in every major city around the globe it is the place where the wealthy and elite buy their furs. For the top one percent however, there is the option to have a private appointment at the headquarters in Chateau de Michel de Montaigne located 60 kilometers east of Bordeaux France. Scott Ankers was easily able to get one of these appointments as his father made a fortune developing MP3 files as well as owning the largest thoroughbred stud farm in the United States. After college Scott continued the family legacy as well when he developed several successful video and photo sharing mobile apps, the most advanced led to Instagram.
Scott met Katie in college, and though he originally went out with Sophia who was Katie's roommate but when he was introduced to Katie everything just clicked. Katie worked her way through college as a model and now has made a career of it. She also has built a decent social media following as a social influencer. She is but what Scott loves the most about her is that even though she is stunningly beautiful, Katie is still the sweetest person in the world. She is just as kind and caring to the richest person in the world as she is to the guy down on his luck asking for a handout.
The couple arrived in Maxine's private car to the French countryside. A Mercedes-Maybach S650. The seats had been upholstered with the finest sheared mink which had the slightest hint of the furrier's signature scent just to get the passengers in the mood. Katie wore a fitted silk dress and heels and Scott long pants and a button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up. The couple could not help but caress the plush seats as the traveled with the fur touching their exposed skin, the warmth and softness as well as the scent with hints of rose, vanilla, and lilac giving then the most relaxing ride they have ever had. Along the way they enjoyed champagne and hors d'oeuvres. As they turned up the drive Katie looked up and gasped, it was a classic French castle. She pulled in close to Scott and kissed him. The car pulled up to the door and the driver got out to open the door for the couple. It was a beautiful October morning, the leaves were just turning vibrant colors of orange, yellow and red. They paused and admired the vast grounds of the chateau. Katie took a quick selfie and posted it to her feed and then they entered the building.
Scott and Katie walked to the entrance and the doorman opened the door, the entrance was very lavish, with marble floors and mahogany trim. The walls were lined with classic French art depicting models in beautiful furs and there were several pedestals with vases full of roses. "Welcome to Chateau de Michel de Montaigne headquarters of Maxine's" the couple heard as they explored the room. They turned to see a tall stunning blonde in a lynx fur coat. The thick collar of the coat framed her face and highlighted her piercing blue eyes.
"My name is Francesca, and I am the head sales consultant on these grounds." She looked more like a model than salesperson. She glided over to the couple and shook their hands. The soft, large thick cuffs of her fur engulfing their hands as she shook them. "You must be Katie; I understand you have a big day coming up, when is the wedding?"
"The third weekend in March so it is right around the corner. Invitations will go out later this month."
"Well, I am so excited to dress you today and Scott a pleasure to meet you as well, thank you for entrusting us with your fiancΓ©. Is this a wedding present then?"
"Yes, it is." Said Scott.
"Wonderful then let's get started, now the way we do a private showing is that we will take you into the showroom and our models will present various coats to you so that you can get a feel for what style and fur may suit you. Once we have a better understanding of what you prefer, we can have you try on the coats you like so that we can see what is more preferable to you. Some may like a coat that is more fitted with one type of fur but an oversized look with another, sound good?"
"Oh yes, this is so exciting." Katie replied.
"I am here only as an observer, but whatever my bride to be wants." Scott looked lovingly into Katie's eyes.
"Very good then please follow me to the showroom and we can start your journey." With that Francesca opened the double doors to the showroom and the couple followed.
Walking into the showroom the couple surveyed the layout. The outer edge of the room was lined with furs of every shape style and color. There were areas on each side of the room with large mirrors to allow the customer to see how well the coat looks on them. On the far wall was a curtain leading to a runway that ran into the center of the room with steps at the end of it. They led down to a long crescent shaped couch at the end of the runway was placed so that customers could view the show. Fox and chinchilla blankets were draped over the top of the couch to make it warm and comfy. Standing at the end of the runway in huge oversized fox fur coats were a pair of models. Both Asian with fair skin and long jet-black hair. One in black and the other white, almost like yin and yang.
"Welcome to Maxine's" they said in unison.
"Katie, Scott, may I present Fay and May. They will oversee your viewing session." Francesca had now placed herself between the couple and put her arms around their waists.
"They are so beautiful, are they twins?"
"Oh yes they are, and they are the only models that are permanent employees here. The other models you see are hired from an agency, so they are the most knowledgeable about the coats you will see today." She turned to Katie and took her hands. "Now Katie, did you have any ideas on what type of fur you would like to see today?" the oversized cuffs flowing over Katie's wrists as she said this.
"I had not given it much thought, whatever you think would look good on me I suppose. I don't know a lot about fur"
Francesca leaned in close and whispered. "MMmmm, a fur virgin, I promise I will be as gentle as possible then." As she leaned back, Francesca's perfume lingered with Katie. It smelled just like the scent in the car they were brought in but more powerful and left Katie a little weak in the knees.
"However, before we get started, please allow me to present Maxine." With that the curtains opened, and Maxine entered the runway. She wore a long sable coat which opened as she walked showing her gold dress and thigh high boots beneath. She carried a large black fox fur muff and wore a matching fox hat as well. She had perfect long brown hair and smoky hazel eyes. As she reached the end of the runway, she descended the stairs and greeted the couple.
"Katie, Scott welcome to my salon." She wrapped her arms around the young woman and engulfed her in the rich sable fur and embraced her tight. She worn the same scent as the other women, it must be a signature scent Katie thought. This time however with the rush of the scent and the soft fur wrapping around her, Katie felt a little aroused. If the fur with this perfume had such an effect on her, perhaps she would find a similar use for Scott when they were married. Maxine released the young woman and looked her over. "It will be a pleasure to have such a beautiful woman as yourself wear our furs." She had a slight Russian accent and projected the type of confidence that a highly successful businessperson. "Scott a pleasure to meet you as well." She shook Scotts hand and motioned both to the couch. Come sit, Katie her and Scott here. She had placed them on the couch so that Katie sat between Maxine and Francesca and Scott sat on the other side of Maxine. "Katie if you have any questions please feel free to ask Francesca or myself, and Scott, once we have gotten the show started you and I can go into my office and discuss business, sound good?"
"Yes" The couple responded in unison.
"Excellent" Maxine placed the fur muff on Scott's lap and smiled. "Something to keep you occupied while we choose a fur or two for your bride to be ok?"
"Thanks" Scott could only smile and nod.
"Ladies you can begin your showing." With that Maxine turned the show over to her salespeople.
Francesca now motioned to the stage and leaned into Katie. "Katie you will love this, we have about 20 models today and they will come down the runway as I describe the coats to you, beginning with the twins. They are wearing our full-length fox furs." The twins walked over and allowed Katie to inspect the furs. Both making sure that they allowed the customer to run her fingers along the thick rich sleeves. As they walked away towards the back to change, Katie saw the rest of the models walking down the runway, each wearing a similar coat in a different color.
"As you can see, we can have this coat made in any color that you like. Fox is a very versatile skin; you can wear it for day or evening and the pelts are very durable." A rainbow of fur strutted down the runway towards her, Francesca entwined her arm with Katie's, pulling her close. "Aren't they striking?" Francesca asked.
"They are all so beautiful, I don't know how I am going to be able to choose."
"I like this girl Scott. I think you will become a repeat customer." Maxine gave a sly smile, and Scott could feel his wallet get lighter and lighter. As the last model left the stage and returned to the dressing room, the twins emerged again. This time Fay was wearing a fox Jacket and May a fox vest. The models that followed again wore similar items with differing colors. The repetition continued with Lynx fur, then mink and chinchilla. Each time a new fur type was presented Francesca made sure to give a synopsis of the fur, the durability and whether it was better suited for day, evening, or both. The first model made sure to come up to Katie to allow her to feel the softness of that type of fur.
"Do we have a favorite yet?" Francesca asked. Katie had to snap out of a slight daze.
"I like the styling of the fox furs, and the versatility of the mink, but the feel of the chinchilla is my favorite so far."