It was {a photograph} of them sitting shut collectively within the sales space at Chez Jean, their fingers nearly touching. The caption below the {photograph} learn, In style artist Leo Rémy dines out along with his new English girlfriend, Maeve Eden.

Swearing, he seized the telephone and skim the remainder of the scurrilous report. ‘Pictured collectively at well-liked metropolis bar Chez Jean… The couple loved an intimate dinner earlier than returning to Château Rémy, the place Mademoiselle Eden is staying whereas in Paris.’

He tossed the telephone again to her and stalked to the window, obtrusive out throughout the rooftops of Paris. ‘I’m going to strangle Jean,’ he stated thickly. ‘I noticed him take that {photograph}. He swore he hadn’t however clearly he lied. And that is the outcome.’ Fury rocked him. ‘How may he do that to me? My very own cousin. Nicely, he can kiss goodbye to his job. Chez Jean isn’t any extra. It may be Chez Alphonse, for all I care.’ He gave a hoarse crow of laughter. ‘Or Chez Bernadette. Sure, my sister would possibly do an excellent job.’

‘Jean will need to have been determined for money, that’s all I can suppose. Or determined for publicity.’

Leo sucked in a breath, remembering that night on the bar. Had he introduced this case on himself by not being delicate sufficient to his cousin’s issues?

‘I’m taking place there to see him.’ He ushered her out of his studio and shut the door behind them. ‘I can’t merely let this go. I must have this out with Jean straight away.’

‘Let me go along with you,’ Liselle stated, following him alongside the hall.

‘No.’

‘I’m your supervisor, Leo. Keep in mind? This sort of publicity… It’s good for you in some methods.’ She ignored his livid protest, talking over him. ‘Look, I agree Jean ought to by no means have taken that {photograph} or launched it to the press. But when this drums up public curiosity within the exhibition –’

He spun on his heel. ‘Did you place him as much as it?’

‘No, God, no. However I do want to search out out who else he’s spoken to about you and Maeve, if anybody. So we will be forewarned.’

He wasn’t certain he believed her. She liked publicity and he wouldn’t have put it previous her to coax Jean into sneaking a shot of him with Maeve… However he had no proof of that. Apart from, as she’d identified, she was nonetheless his supervisor, so this enterprise involved her too.

‘Wonderful, then come alongside,’ he stated reluctantly.

Chez Jean was half full. He discovered his duplicitous cousin laughing and chatting with prospects as he served them dinner. Leo stood just a few ft away, obtrusive at him, arms folded, till Jean caught sight of him and straightened, his look nervous.

‘I need a phrase with you,’ Leo stated grimly.

Wishing the shoppers, ‘Bon appétit!’ Jean hurried in direction of the kitchen, pushing by the double swing doorways simply as Leo strode after him, catching his arm.

‘I… I can’t speak now,’ Jean insisted, attempting to drag free. ‘We’re too busy. We’re short-staffed right this moment.’

‘I don’t care should you’re working this place by yourself,’ Leo informed him bluntly, ‘you’re going to sit down down and speak to me proper now.’ He propelled him again in direction of an empty desk and pressed his cousin right into a seat. ‘Wait there.’

Flagging down a passing waiter, he ordered three cognacs.

As he turned again, he discovered Liselle already seated beside Jean, whispering in his ear. Taking the seat reverse them, Leo tried to suppress his mood. What was she saying to him? Had she secretly organized that photograph discovering its approach to the press?

He leant ahead so he may maintain his personal voice discreetly low too. ‘Liselle confirmed me the {photograph} you took. She says it’s throughout social media. Why did you do it, Jean?’ His cousin flinched, glancing at Liselle. ‘I perceive your resentment in direction of me. That’s at all times been apparent. However Maeve? She’s a sufferer in all this. She’s been stranded in Paris with no passport, no cash, not even any garments. I took out to dinner to make her really feel higher. And also you’ve constructed that up into be some grand romantic gesture.’ He shook his head. ‘She’s our visitor. How may you behave so badly in direction of her?’

‘I by no means stated you and her had been collectively… I offered the {photograph} to a web-based journal, sure. And perhaps just a few different locations too.’

‘What?’ Liselle exclaimed, trying irritated.

‘However I solely gave them her identify,’ Jean completed hurriedly, seeing Leo’s face harden. ‘I didn’t counsel that you simply and Maeve had been an merchandise. That’s simply the spin they placed on it.’

‘You’re fortunate I don’t beat you to a pulp,’ stated Leo.

‘Do it,’ Liselle muttered.

‘What, and provides him one other photograph alternative? He’s buying and selling on this case, on my identify, so as to promote himself. And why? Pure jealousy.’

‘Me? Jealous of you?’ Jean gave a bark of laughter, shaking his head. However there was a glint of mood in his eyes. ‘You’re speaking garbage, Leo. As ordinary.’

‘Is that so?’ Leo had himself again below management. He surveyed his cousin coolly. ‘You suppose you’re higher than this place, don’t you? You suppose you need to be working the wine-tasting on the winery, not a nook bar in Paris. That’s what that is all about.’

Jean didn’t reply at first, however pulled a face, trying away. His earring caught the sunshine. Then he exploded, ‘All proper, you’re not mistaken. I do suppose I’m higher than supervisor of a café. I’ve taken Chez Jean so far as it may well go. Is that this it for me now? Am I going to be right here for the remainder of my life?’ He slammed a hand down on the desk, his lips drawn again to reveal his tooth. Leo thought his cousin regarded nearly feral. ‘You might have all the pieces, Leo. You might have energy and cash and affect. However me? I’ve just a few waiters to boss round, some kitchen employees to maintain in line. It’s not sufficient. I’ve bought a lot potential. You should belief me extra. Give me work that matches my talents.’

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