Page 47 of My French Love Affair

Before we can analyse how much of this house is purely decorative, Leah is already moving on, leading us intoanother room.

“This is the formal dining room,” she declares, gesturing dramatically.

I swear I hearechoesin this place.

The table is long enough to seat at least twenty people, with extravagant floral arrangements in the center and gleaming lights hanging above.

“Fuckme,” Jas mutters as she walks down the length of the table. “You could land a plane on this thing.”

Emma runs a hand along one of the ridiculously ornate chairs. “I feel like this table has never actually been used for eating.”

“Probably just for signing suspicious business deals,” I nod.

Leah gasps, delighted. “Ooooh, maybe Jacques has a dark and mysterious past.”

“Leah, the man is a real estate tycoon,” Jas sighs. “His entireexistenceis probably suspicious.”

Leah chooses to ignore this and sweeps out of the dining room, leading us toward an elaborately carved door.

“Andthis-” she throws it open with a flourish “ - is the private cinema.”

We all stop short.

He has a fuckingcinema?!

The room is dimly lit, lined with plush reclining seats, a huge screen at the front and a popcorn machine in the corner that quite frankly feels insulting at this point.

Emma stares at the room with a slack jaw. “I hate him.”

“Same,” Jas nods.

“Why do I feel poor?” I exhale. “I need a reality check. I’mnotpoor.”

“No, but you’re Monaco poor,” Emma sighs. “We all are.”

“What can I say? I told you this place was incredible,” Leah beams.

“Leah. You met this manyesterday,” I remind her.

“And now I know where I’ll be spending my summers,” she says breezily.

Emma groans. “Bloodyhell.”

Before we can properly process the actual insanity of this house, Leah claps her hands.

“Come on, there’s still the art gallery and the library,” she announces.

“You’re kidding,” Jas says dryly.

Leah blinks. “No?”

“Ofcoursethere’s an art gallery,” Emma half-laughs, shaking her head.

As the others start following her deeper into Jacques’ obscene palace, I hesitate.

I need a moment.

This is genuinely kind of weird and overwhelming, and I’m finding myself growing more uncomfortable and on edge by the minute. Ireallyneed a bathroom and at least sixty seconds of peace to process the chaos of this evening.

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