Read Online The Billionaire Banker by Georgia le Carre - Free Book Online Page B

recognize and head for Fleur immediately.
    ‘Cupboard love,’ Fleur dismisses, as they flutter around her with accommodating smiles. ‘I am often here helping the wives of our high profile Middle Eastern clients spend their money.’ Fleur seems very sure of exactly what will look good on Lana. They buy a cream and gold suit, a red cocktail dress; a backless, sequined, black evening gown, and a sleeveless signature dress from Pucci, and of course shoes to match. Fleur decides that Lana will need a black pair of court shoes for the trousers, dainty diamond-studded stilettos, two tone sandals, tall brown boots, and multi-colored, ultra fashionable platforms.
    ‘Right, we are almost running out of time, but first a quick trip to Versace. Versace can be too gaudy and whorish, but this season they have something that I think will suit you perfectly.’ That something turns out to be an electric blue shirt that is almost the same color as Lana’s eyes and skin-tight black leather trousers. ‘Exactly as I thought—fantastic,’ she says, pleased with herself.
    Fleur looks at her wristwatch. ‘Perfect timing. Let’s have some tea.’ Once again Peter comes to collect the packages, and they find themselves a table in a French patisserie full of women. They order cream tea. Lana bites into a buttered cream and jam filled scone ravenously.
    ‘It is wonderful that you can eat so much and still be so slim. I have to be careful,’ Fleur says, sipping lemon tea and breaking off small crumbs of her croissant.
    ‘Missed lunch,’ Lana says, swallowing.
    Once Lana catches Fleur looking at her with an unreadable expression.
    ‘Do you have to do this often for Blake?’
    ‘To be perfectly honest, I have never done this before or heard of Mr. Barrington asking anyone else to do something similar, and though I was flattered to be asked, I was also dreading it. I thought you would be a brash gold-digger, but you are an unassuming breath of fresh air. I am glad to have taken you around.’
    After tea, Lana and Fleur climb into the Bentley and Peter takes them to a hairdressing salon that belongs to one of the top hairstylists in the country. They go in and a young girl with bright red hair comes to greet and lead them into a private area. Two glasses of champagne arrive on a tray.
    ‘Go ahead,’ Fleur encourages. ‘You’ll be grateful for it when you are at your next appointment.’
    ‘Why? What’s next?’
    Fleur smiles cheekily. ‘Full body wax.’
    Lana’s jaw drops when the celebrity stylist himself appears. He noisily air-kisses Fleur on both cheeks and does the same with her. Then he stands back to look at Lana thoughtfully. Tipping his head to the side he reaches for her hair.
    ‘Oooo,’ he says, rubbing it in his fingers. ‘Virgin hair.
    You have never bleached or permed it, have you?’
    Lana shakes her head.
    ‘Beautiful. It is a sin to cut such hair. Come, come,’ he says leading her to a single chair in front of a mirror and waiting while she sits. ‘We will leave the length, but we will do something wonderful for this heart-shaped face.
    We will give it a fringe.’
    He picks up his comb and scissors. When he is finished Lana can hardly believe what a difference a fringe has made. Her eyes are suddenly enormous and her little chin now looks delicate and cat-like.
    ‘Beautiful,’ declares the stylist flamboyantly.
    ‘Very beautiful, indeed,’ agrees a delighted Fleur.
    While Fleur is paying, Lana stares at herself in the mirror. She looks so different she almost doesn’t recognize herself.
    ‘This is where I say goodbye,’ Fleur says from behind her. Lana turns around to face her. ‘Peter will take you to the beauty salon where you have your last appointment.
    That over with, he will take you to the apartment where you will soak in a lovely bath and then you will dress in your new clothes. I believe you have a hot date at nine.’
    ‘Thank you, Fleur.’
    ‘The pleasure was all mine.’
    ‘I don’t