hollywood billionaire

Chapter 267 48 hours with Bettencourt

"Yeesh, going on vacation alone?"

"I had no choice. It was impossible to cancel the trip. After all, I still had work to do. My friend... no friend could arrange time within six hours to travel with me. Not then, not now. The most important thing is , the hotel you booked cannot be refunded at all.”

"This kind of accident that happens just before the end can affect people's emotions the most."

"You have no idea... In Saint-Tropez, my air pressure was terribly low, and I remember the photographer asked me, half jokingly, half reminder, if I had just broken up with my boyfriend. He asked me to smile more, because Vogue The Russian editorial department booked me because of the energy I showed in other photos.”

"Don't bring any personal emotions to work, that's right."

"I know, but I am a person whose emotions will be written on my face when something happens. I can't even pretend to smile. And... those few days, you know, I was very uncomfortable. Fortunately, I was indoors that day. There are a lot of parts to shoot, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to stick to it.”

"Anyway, I forced myself to cheer up and complete the shooting as Eric asked...Eric was the photographer that day, Eric Mellet. It started late, and the shooting ended in the afternoon It was six o'clock, and I originally wanted to go back to the hotel and take a nap before going out to eat something, but my body was too exhausted, so when I lay down, I actually slept until five o'clock in the morning the next day."

"This shows that the body has really reached the critical point."

Han Yi, who became more and more excited as he listened, simply found a street shop, ordered a glass of iced cappuccino, and motioned for Feiyamu to sit down as well.

"During your time... no, you should also have regular check-ups now. In your line of work, you work out every day, exercise a lot, and don't eat enough. It's easy to have problems."

"It's okay now. The catwalk task is not that heavy, and everyone inside and outside the circle now knows that I am a size eight model, and anyone who is willing to work with me is mentally prepared." Barbara's voice became softer inexplicably. , "But in 2010... it was really cruel. The agency set a diet for me and stipulated how much weight I had to lose in a number of days, otherwise I would stop working because they couldn't explain to the brand why they had to The model looks so fat."

"I'm glad that time is behind us... almost behind us."

"Is it soon? Maybe, but some things in this industry will never change." Barbara stroked the ponytail tied behind her head, "For example, depression, for an optimistic person like me, that day When I got up and saw that it was already the next day, I cried for a long time."

"Because you've wasted a quarter of your precious four days' vacation, right?"

"Yes. So after wiping away my tears, I vowed to make up for the missing experience on the first day the next day, but..."

"Do you know how boring it is to stay alone for 5000 hours in a town with a population of 24 people when the peak season is basically over?"

"I can imagine."

Although he has never visited a small town in Europe, he had a similar experience in the United States.Carmel by the Sea is full of charm because Xiao Ru is by his side. If you take away the treasure island girl from that story, what will be left?
A commercial street that falls into dead silence at seven o'clock, or a residential area where you can't even see where you are?

"I am mentally strong enough now. Not to mention eating out alone, I have done it many times even watching movies alone... But six years ago, I felt that eating alone in a resort like this would be too much. It’s so pitiful and sad.”

"In my impression, you should have been fearless since childhood."

"I'm really not afraid. You want me to live alone in Saint-Tropez for a few years. In fact, if you drop me into any city, I can live very well regardless of whether I speak English or not. This is what I am very fond of." I have confidence. But life and vacation are two different things. I don’t want to be looked at in a strange way while I’m having a rest. If I go out to eat alone, people will definitely look at me secretly for a long time. It’s not narcissism, it’s because I’m inherently Don’t eat too much.”

"Think about it, a little girl who looks obviously underage goes to a restaurant to eat alone and orders a mini salad and a glass of ice water..."

"Then there's really no need to go to the restaurant. It doesn't matter whether it's embarrassing or not."

"Hmm, so half of the fun of traveling is lost." Barbara spread her hands, "As for the other half, there are only a few things you can do in Saint-Tropez. Eat and shop. , go to the beach club and lie down. I don’t like buying luxury goods at all, but in the end I bought two pairs of shoes at Dior in Saint-Tropez... Otherwise, there is really nothing else to do.”

"Beach club?"

"The beaches there are particularly disappointing, much worse than those in Nice, and...at the beginning of October, after most of the normal tourists left, those who stayed in Saint-Tropez were basically those who were unlearned and unskilled. Trust fund baby who doesn't need to work. I just sat in Byblos for half an hour, not even reading or sleeping, because there are always all kinds of fuck boys trying to talk to you."

"So... I can't eat, and I can't rest well."

"Isn't it? In the end, I could only go back to the hotel, have a... super expensive spa, and then lay by the pool for a while. The second day of the vacation in South France ended in such a haphazard way. If only I was 70 years old Oh, how can a 17-year-old girl go on vacation at this pace?"

"My sympathy for you is through the roof, Barbie."

"Oh, no, believe me, this is not the worst." In the second half of the sentence, Barbara emphasized her tone, "The worst is that I got up at 08:30 the next morning and sat down for 10 It took 15 minutes to take a taxi to the train station in Saint-Raphaël, and another hour to take the high-speed train to Nice... After arriving at the destination, I waited for [-] minutes for a taxi - there was no such thing as Uber at that time. Stuff - after getting on the bus, the first thing the driver said to me in broken English with a strong accent was, 'Girl, you came at the wrong time, there is a thunderstorm this afternoon.'"

"Aha——" Han Yi almost laughed out loud at the little unlucky guy's experience.He covered his mouth, cast an apologetic look at Barbara, and quoted a line from a movie that Barbara had never seen, translated in English, "I'm sorry, I suddenly remembered something happy..." please continue."

"Laugh, it doesn't matter, I want to laugh too." Barbara waved her hand, looking quite generous, "Add those two pairs of shoes together, I spent... one and a half months' rent money to go on vacation and come to The French Riviera, which is famous for its sunny weather, turned out not to even see the sun.”

"You can imagine how heartbroken I am when I stand at the entrance of Negresco Hotel... Are you already at the entrance of Negresco Hotel?"

"Well, it's on my...right side." Han Yi turned the camera and turned ninety degrees to the right. The Negresco Hotel was right across the street from the small shop where he was sitting.

"Yes, it's this place, this street in front of you. Six years ago, it was here that I got out of the car with a depressed look on my face..."

……

"I'm sorry, Barbie. I wanted to buy a plane ticket to accompany you yesterday, but..."

"It's okay, honey, work must be more important."

Barbara held the phone between her head and neck, took the luggage from the driver, smiled at the doorman who came to greet her, and softly comforted her friend Marlos Horst on the other end of the phone.

Maros is a model from the Netherlands. Like Barbara, he signed a contract with IMG's modeling department. He is one of the Hungarian girl's roommates in the model apartment and is also her closest friend in Paris.

At least it was in 2010.

"Is it really okay for you to be alone?" Malos asked worriedly through the receiver, "My cousin has a friend over there. I can ask him to help look after you."

"Care? My dear, I'm not a child anymore." She silently thanked the doorman who helped her carry her luggage up the steps. Barbara continued to prove to Marlos that she was safe and sound, "I'm in Saint Trop I had a great time, and even bought two pairs of...shoes..."

"my shoes!"

Suddenly realizing that she had put two Dior shopping bags in the back seat, Barbara Pavin, who had forgotten to take them out, screamed in surprise. Without bothering to hang up the phone, she stuffed the phone back into her pocket and turned around to catch up with her just now. Start the taxi.

Unfortunately, when she turned around, she bumped into an old woman who was similar in stature to her, even slightly taller.

How can you tell in a flash that the other person is an elderly person?

From her voice that was a bit surprised, a bit painful, dark and hoarse.

"Regardez devant vous!"

Before she could apologize, Barbara felt herself being pushed by a huge force and staggered back several steps.When she looked up, she saw two iron towers standing between her and the old man.One supported the latter, and the other kept vigil in front of her.

"Ne sois pas si malpoli, Jerome."

The old lady who stood still raised her palms and shouted in a low voice to stop the retinue.She adjusted the slightly scattered orange scarf around her neck, then raised her eyes and cast a concerned look at Barbara.

She didn't know what she saw, but Barbara clearly felt a glimmer of light flashing in the eyes of the old man in front of her, who had deliberately dyed his hair black and couldn't hide his signs of age. However, this moment of light was fleeting and quickly disappeared. of silence. "Tout va bien pour vous, mademoiselle?"

Barbara didn't speak French, but after all she had stayed in Paris for almost a year, she could still understand "bien" and "mademoiselle", so she licked her lips and eagerly searched in her mind for everything she could send. Useful French words: "Oui, moi, moi... my shoes, my shoes are in the car."

Unfortunately, it wouldn't happen. Barbara could only give up midway, pointed at the taxi that was about to turn away on the Esplanade, and switched back to English.

"Shoes, oh."

It was obvious that the old woman understood English, or at least some simple words. She raised her hand and instructed the bodyguard supporting her: "Michel, chassez le taxi et obtenez les chaussures pour la fille, s'il vous plat."

"Oui, madame Bettencourt."

After confirming that the bodyguard had stopped the taxi and opened the door and took out two Dior shopping bags, the old woman turned to look at Barbara and showed a reserved smile.

"Don't worry, girl."

"Thank you very much...ma'am!" Barbara followed the title given to her by her subordinates and bowed to express her gratitude.The only drawback was that she couldn't repeat the complicated and ambiguous French surname, so she had to use the word "Madame" instead.

"Where...are you from?" The old lady looked up at the sky and slowly spoke out four English words, as if she was a little unfamiliar with the use of this language.Barbara's guess can also be confirmed from the slightly surprised look in the eyes of the middle-aged man following her.

"Budapest." Barbara originally wanted to answer Paris, but realized that the old man meant her hometown, so she changed her answer at the last moment.

"Budapest. Very, very good." The old lady's English word reserve was obviously insufficient. She raised her hands upward and waved twice, "With dad or mom?"

"Did you say come here?" Barbara could only make a vague guess, "Come to Nice...I am alone."

"One? You?" The old lady was obviously a little surprised. After showing her index finger and getting confirmation from Barbara again, she frowned slightly, "How old are you?"

"Seventeen." In order to prevent the old lady from not understanding, Barbara also showed the number with her hands this time.

"Seventeen." The old man exchanged a look with the middle-aged man beside him and whispered a few instructions to the latter.

"Hello, madam, I am Mrs. Bettencourt's assistant. You can call me Alan." The middle-aged man spoke in fluent and accentless English. "Madam wants to know if you have a quarrel with your parents." , ran out secretly by yourself?"

"No." Barbara looked at the bodyguard who had already carried the shopping bag and walked back to the old man, and quickly shook her head in denial, "I... please tell Madam, although I am only 17 years old, I am already working. in Paris."

"The madam asked, what are you doing in Paris?" Alan acted as the translator between the two. "The madam asked me to apologize to you on her behalf. She is just worried about your safety here."

"I am a model, taking photos and walking shows...Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week." Although there was a translator present, Barbara's eyes were still on the old woman, and she danced and gestured to her and said, "Please... Please don’t worry, ma’am, I’ve been working alone since I was 13, so there will be no problem here.”

Barbara's explanation obviously had the opposite effect on the old man.She could even hear "Mrs. Bettencourt" gasping after Alan translated for her.

"You...are here?" Mrs. Bettencourt pointed to Barbara and then to the Negresco Hotel on the right.

"Stay two days." Barbara nodded and responded, "I'll go back to Paris the morning after tomorrow."

"Elle a dit qu'elle..."

"J ai compris." Barbara's answer was simple enough that Mrs. Betancourt could understand it without translation.She pondered for a moment, waved her hand, and gave some instructions to her followers.Immediately, the bodyguard holding Barbara's shopping bag walked towards the interior of the hotel, while the other bodyguard took the luggage from the stunned doorman and pushed the two large boxes directly into the lobby.

"I, this is..." Barbara was slightly startled, pointed at the two bodyguards, and was speechless for a moment.

"The madam asked us to help you check in, miss." Alan bowed to Barbara, "Also, if you are willing to have afternoon tea with the madam on the first floor in 10 minutes, she will be very honored. "

"I should be...feeling honored." Barbara pressed her right hand on her chest, looked at Mrs. Betancourt, who was always looking at her with a smile, and murmured.

"If it is convenient, Miss, what should I call you?"

"Barbara..." Barbara Pavin stretched out her hand to Mrs. Bettencourt, "Barbara Pavin, nice to meet you!"

"Barbara." Mrs. Bettencourt repeated, then held her hand, and the smile lines at the corners of her eyes opened up a few more arcs, "Lillian Bettencourt."

"Then we'll see you in 10 minutes, okay, Miss Parvin? If you need anything, Michelle and Jerome will assist you."

After saying that, Alan supported Mrs. Bettencourt and carefully stepped onto the steps of the Negresco Hotel.

"Okay, Alan...Lillian, see you later!" Barbara waved to Mrs. Bettencourt to say goodbye. She felt that since men asked her to call him Alan, it was logical that she should also call him by his first name instead of Alan. Mrs. Bettencourt was called by her surname to show her closeness.

Hearing Barbara's "Lillian", Mrs. Bettencourt's back visibly paused. After a few seconds, she turned her head and smiled at Barbara, finally showing her teeth, and with a slightly restrained smile. He looked at Alan with a smile and continued to walk slowly indoors.

What a... What an elegant, curious old lady.

Mrs. Betancourt...

We just met and treated ourselves to afternoon tea?

What's going on here?

Barbara, whose brain was working rapidly and trying to digest this strange situation, stood there for a long time before she noticed the vibrating cell phone in her jacket pocket.

Turning on the screen, what Barbara saw was a series of text messages from Malos Horst.

"MADAME BETTENCOURT?"

"MADAME BETTENCOURT?!!"

"Do you know who this is, Barbie?!"

"Lillian—Bettencourt!"

"Major shareholder of L'Oréal Group!"

"The richest woman in the world..."

"...Did I hear you correctly? Did you really call her 'Lillian'?"

"She wants to treat you to afternoon tea?!!!"

"WHAT THE FUCK?!"

　The reason why it took so long to write Barbara's original story must be closely related to Han Yi's next actions and his psychological construction in consumption, and also has a lot to do with the development of the emotional line between her and the protagonist. It's a big deal, it's not just about writing casually. You can rest assured that this book has everything, except for the low word count.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)