to his butt, and it's so soft." Satoshi sighed contently.
"That is so gay on so many levels," Takumijo teased.
Cristal nodded in agreement. "I can't wait to meet him."
"I'll tell him that tonight when I see him," Satoshi replied.
"After we have lunch and I take you shopping for some decent underwear." He rose from the chair and helped her out of hers.
"What about Takumijo?"
"What about him?" Satoshi asked, smiling at his best friend.
"Isn't he joining us for lunch?"
"Can't," Takumijo replied. "I have a date with my hairstylist."
"You guys are so vain," Cristal stated as Satoshi dragged her out of the conference room. "Men aren't supposed to be so pretty."
The limousine arriving at the mansion precisely at seven that evening scored major brownie points for Yi-jun Lee. He stepped out dressed in a formal black tuxedo with his hair slicked back like a gangster, and showing off his impressive brow and masculine features. She was so glad that she had listened to Satoshi and splurged on her new dress and shoes that showed off her legs.
Yi-jun looked her over from head to toe. "Perfect. I like a lady who wears dresses. How did you know that red is my favorite color?" He turned her around to get the full view. "We have just enough time to make it to the airport," he said as he helped her into the limousine and got in beside her.
"Why are we going to the airport?" Cristal asked as she fastened her seat belt.
"To catch a plane," he told her as the driver pulled away from the curb.
"A plane? Where are we going?"
"Paris," he announced.
"I can't go to Paris. What about my job? And I didn't pack anything?"
"I have arranged everything with Mr. Niigata. He said for you to use your company card to purchase everything you need once you get to Paris."
"What? When did you speak to Mr. Niigata?" Cristal asked.
"This morning. He said to take your time and do a good interview for KiNii. Oh yeah, he said enjoy Paris."
Cristal moved around in her seat. She could not believe they were speaking of the same man. The Mr. Niigata she knew wasn't that nice.
"Relax. I thought you wanted to see spring fashions, which by the way you're supposed to do a story on while you're there for a week."
She knew it. That was the Mr. Niigata she knew. He expected her to work. "Why does he assume that I can be gone for a week? I do have a life." Well, not really, but she wasn't going to admit it to him.
"Relax. You're going to love Paris. The food is great, the people are quaint and the nightlife is spectacular."
Nightlife? What is that?
The limousine rolled through the streets at an alarming rate. The next thing she knew they had arrived at the airport and were on the landing strip.
Yi-jun grabbed her hand and helped her out of the car, and then literally dragged her across the field to the waiting jet that had his name embossed on its side.
An American stewardess greeted them. "You're right on time, Mr. Lee. The pilot is ready to take off."
"Thanks, Becky. I had to make a little stop first."
The blonde-haired, blue-eyed stewardess looked her over.
"Very nice. Killer legs."
"So I've noticed," Yi-jun said, pulling her past Becky and depositing her into a seat next to the window. He scooted in next to her. "Buckle up." He fastened his seat belt.
The wheels of the plane began to roll, and then it took off.
The nerves in the pit of her stomach clenched.
"You're not afraid to fly, are you?" he asked, casting a glance her way.
"It's a fine time to ask," Cristal said sarcastically. Lucky for him she wasn't.
"Good evening," the pilot said through the intercom system. "We should be arriving in Paris tomorrow. Please enjoy your ride, and please don't do anything I wouldn't do."
"What does he mean by that?" Cristal asked, undoing her seat belt and getting comfortable.
"That is Frederick. He has a weird sense of humor."
"And you trust him to fly us to Paris. What does he think we'll be doing back here?"
Becky wheeled out a cart bearing champagne, caviar, fluted glasses and an assortment of food, including chocolate- dipped strawberries.
"Anything we desire," Yi-jun replied. "We are the only passengers, and the sky is the limit."
Okay, maybe she shouldn't have drunk so much champagne, Cristal thought after returning from the restroom. She found Yi-jun busy on a laptop computer. "What are you doing?"
"Arranging lunch for us tomorrow before we attend