Chapter 6

Mia's POV

I had to admit, I didn't know what to expect from seeing Enzo's home, but I barely imagined it would become a scenario from a movie. An American girl moves to Paris and is way out of her depth, but it all works out in the end? I chuckled to myself, that was definitely only the soppy plot of a silly romcom.

As we pulled up to the gateway of the mansion, I peered out of the window in the back of the car I travelled in. Enzo had his driver pick me up, after a moving truck had taken my belongings from the apartment. I had wished Enzo had been there to help me himself, but I never received that personal touch from him. I was just told where to go and what to do by people I had never met, but I guess that was Enzo all round.

I felt out of my depth, and already knew I was far too normal to set foot into a property like this. This was a world I had never been part of before, and I was definitely feeling out of my depth.

"Pierre," I said, pushing the button the driver had requested I press to talk to him. I watched as the separator from the driver's seat to the back began to open. I didn't really like that I felt isolated from the driver, but I guess this was what he was used to. I imagined Enzo treated his staff this way, distanced himself from them and used them for their services, and that was it. A strict boss and employee relationship.

"Oui, Madame Hayes?" Pierre asked, his eyes watching me from the rear view mirror "Is there a problem?" Something about Pierre was the only person in this weird scenario who made me feel comfortable and at ease at the moment.

"Not really," I lied, the car rolling through the large gates after they opened automatically and up the vast, winding driveway "I guess I'm feeling a little out of my league," I said, not wanting to tell any fibs to Pierre.

Pierre chuckled, and I watched his eyes wrinkle more than usual as he laughed "I assume you're the American girl who has never been to France before?"

"You got me!" I said, a nervous laugh escaped me "Am I that obvious?"

"Pardon me saying so Madam, but your clothes don't really scream..." He paused, choosing his words wisely it seemed "French couture,"

My lips pouted, I glanced down at my cerise pink dress paired with a zebra print jacket "I'm just trying to set a new trend," I said, grinning as I made my comment "I'm going to show the French how to really dress to impress,"

Pierre laughed again, his eyes fixed on me once more "I like you Madam Hayes, you make me laugh,"

I smiled, a warm gesture toward the driver "Please, call me Mia. I don't like formality," I paused "I'm sure Enzo treats you like his staff, but I want to be great friends!"

Pierre nodded "I understand why you would feel that way," he said, his voice becoming more serious "And I would love to be friends with you, we all need friends," He paused as he pulled the car to a stop "We are here Mia. Do you need help with your bags?"

I shook my head, my eyes fixed on the exterior of the majestic house presented before me "I don't have any bags," I said, realising the moving van had taken everything with them.

I was so fixated on the vision of the house before me, that I didn't even notice Pierre leaving the car. As he opened my side of the car, the sound of the door opening shocked me.

"This is my new home?" I asked no one in particular, barely blinking as I found it unbelievable that this is where I would be living.

All of a sudden, as I left the car I watched the front door open. A grand sized deep mahogany door set beneath a pristine porchway, and there stood an older, refined looking woman.

"Is that Enzo's wife?" I asked, the words escaping me without even thinking. The woman stood in the doorway, wearing an elegant red dress. Her blonde hair pristine and styled into a short bob. While she appeared elegant, her face said otherwise. She had an expression of disdain on her face.

Pierre chuckled "Don't say that to her face, that's Master Enzo's mother,"

"Oh," I said, feeling the embarrassment rise inside me, my cheeks began to flush and heat my skin as I regretted asking Pierre that question.

I inhaled a deep breath, feeling nervous about meeting this woman. I wished that Enzo was the one to meet me at the doorway, he never mentioned his Mother living here with him. Perhaps he was keeping that secret from me for the time being.

"Hello," I said, giving the woman a sweet smile as I outstretched my hand to shake hers. The blonde woman looked at my hand and a sneer shaped on her lips. I had never seen someone look at me with such disgust before.

"And you are?" She asked, her voice sharp and disapproving as she spoke to me "Lost, I presume?"

Her words cut me. This woman treated me like I didn't belong here, she judged me on the first impression before she even knew who I was. I wondered if Enzo's Mother was aware that I was coming to reside in this home with them.

"I am...ummm," I said, with nerves in my voice as I tried to think how to introduce myself without getting anyone into trouble. "My name is Mia and I..."

"My date for the evening,"

Enzo said as he appeared behind his Mother. I felt my body freeze as I heard Enzo's words. Date? He was introducing me as his date?

"Her?" Enzo's Mother asked, her eyes studying me up and down as though I was a piece of dirt that had been dragged in "You are surely kidding me Enzo?" An obnoxious laugh escaped her cruel mouth.

"I am not jesting with you Mother," Enzo said, gently pushing himself past his Mother as he wrapped his arm around me "I guess this wasn't the way I wanted you to meet Mia, but yes, we are dating and I was going to introduce you both later at the party,"

"Party?" I asked out loud "Date?" My eyes shifted to Enzo, and I tried to read his eyes as he smiled down at me "Since when?"

Enzo laughed "Oh you're such a joker Mia!" he grinned "Let's head inside, I bought you a beautiful dress for this evening, I can't wait for you to see it,"

Enzo was acting so different to how he usually was with me. As though he felt affection for me, he was protective and attentive and I wasn't prepared for this. There had to be some explanation for his actions, and for now I decided to play his little game until I knew what was going on.