Upon landing, Mina’s jaw practically dropped. Even the airport had a level of sophistication that felt surreal. She took in the elegant design, the polished floors, the artwork scattered along the walls. It was as if every corner whispered the allure of Paris, and she soaked it all up with a wide-eyed smile.
“Welcome to Paris,” Leo said, noticing her awe as they exited the terminal.
“I can’t believe I’m really here,” she breathed, still in a bit of a daze.
Outside, a sleek black car waited, complete with a driver in a polished suit. As they settled in, the city unfolded before her, landmark after landmark filling the windows like scenes from a movie.
“Look! The Eiffel Tower!” she exclaimed, pressing her face to the glass.
Leo chuckled. “You act like we’re here for sightseeing.”
“Well, excuse me if I’m not immune to the charms of Paris like a certain someone,” she quipped, eyes sparkling as she continued to stare out the window.
Their car stopped in front of an elegant hotel overlooking the Seine. As they entered the grand lobby, Mina’s eyes widened even more. Chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, the floor glistened, and the plush furniture looked fit for royalty.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Salvatore. We have everything prepared for you,” the concierge greeted them in flawless English with a hint of that classic Parisian accent.
“Merci, Antoine,” Leo replied, nodding. He then gestured toward Mina. “My assistant will be joining me. Make sure she has everything she needs.”
The concierge turned to Mina with a polite smile. “Bienvenue, mademoiselle.”
“Thank you,” she replied, still looking around in awe. “This is… incredible.”
Leo smirked, pulling her along. “Don’t get too comfortable. You’ll need your focus soon enough.”
She shot him a questioning look but didn’t have a chance to ask as they headed up to their rooms. Mina barely had time to unpack when one of Leo’s team members, Marco, called with an urgent update.
“Boss, we’ve got a situation at the project site,” he informed Leo as they stepped into the hallway.
Leo turned to her. “Looks like work calls.”
Mina’s face fell slightly, but she composed herself, nodding. “Lead the way.”
During the drive to the project site, Mina sifted through files, her eyes skimming over budgets, timelines, and notes on the hotel’s design. Her mind raced, wanting to make a solid impression on this first task.
“Prepared, Ms. Assistant?” Leo asked, amused at her focus.
“I’ll be fine,” she replied, eyes still on the documents. “Just make sure you don’t mess up and embarrass me.”
Leo raised a brow, smirking. “Good to see you’re taking this seriously.”
As they arrived, however, her confidence faltered. A crowd of protesters blocked the entrance, holding signs and chanting. Mina blinked in surprise, reading the signs: *Preserve Paris, No New Hotels!* and *Our Heritage, Not Your Profit!*
“What… is this?” Mina asked, slightly overwhelmed.
Leo sighed, stepping out. “A regular part of doing business here, apparently.”
One of the project managers hurried over, worry etched on his face. “Mr. Salvatore, they’re demanding we stop construction, claiming it’ll destroy the cultural heritage of the area.”
Leo frowned, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. “Has anyone tried speaking to them?”
“We have, but they’re very... passionate,” the manager replied.
Mina’s curiosity got the best of her. “What exactly are they protesting?”
“It’s not uncommon,” Leo replied, sounding almost bored. “They’re concerned our hotel will disrupt the neighborhood’s historical charm.”
Mina looked over at the crowd again, noting the fire in their eyes. One of the protesters, a young woman with a beret and fierce expression, was speaking to a few reporters.
“Seems like they’re serious,” she muttered.
Leo shrugged. “They always are. But that doesn’t mean they’re right.”
The young woman noticed them and approached, her tone sharp. “So, you’re the ones trying to ruin this city’s history?”
Mina opened her mouth, but Leo answered first, calm and collected. “We’re here to bring new life to this area while respecting its heritage. Perhaps if you understood our plans, you wouldn’t be so quick to judge.”
The woman crossed her arms. “That’s what they all say. But all you see is profit.”
Leo’s tone stayed smooth, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Look, we’re not tearing anything down. Our design incorporates the existing structures and works with the historical layout. Have you even looked at the blueprints?”
The woman huffed, looking away. Mina took a step forward, surprising herself with her boldness. “Maybe if you hear us out, you’ll see we’re trying to do something good here.”
The woman looked Mina up and down, her expression softening slightly. “Fine. I’ll listen. But only because you seem sincere.”
Leo raised an eyebrow at Mina, clearly impressed. She shot him a glance that seemed to say, *See? I know what I’m doing.*
After a few moments of tense discussion, the protest leader relaxed a bit, nodding as Mina explained the hotel’s community-centered vision.
“We’re hoping to create something that blends in, that celebrates Paris rather than disrupts it,” Mina said earnestly.
The woman considered this, sighing. “I’ll need to see proof, but… maybe I was too quick to assume.”
Leo flashed Mina a subtle smile as the protesters began to disperse. “Nicely done, Ms. Assistant.”
She shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. “Guess I just have the magic touch.”
“Or maybe I chose the right person for the job,” he replied, smirking as they returned to the car.
In the car, Mina leaned back, finally letting out a relieved sigh. “I can’t believe that worked.”
“Neither can I,” Leo admitted, though his tone was teasing. “Looks like you might have some actual skill under all that sarcasm.”
“Oh, please,” she shot back, rolling her eyes. “You’re just lucky I’m here to save your project.”
He laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind next time you’re struggling with motion sickness.”
Mina crossed her arms, pouting. “I wouldn’t have had that problem if someone had just let us fly commercial.”
Leo chuckled, shaking his head. “I’ll never hear the end of that, will I?”
“Not a chance,” Mina grinned, gazing out at the Paris streets as the city lights began to glow around them, casting a golden hue over the bustling sidewalks and iconic architecture.