《灯火下的影子》小肥羊

1、Chaptre I It ha

　　It has been a tradition in France that they must consume all remaining liquid before the year end to welcome the new. On Year Year's Eve, as she walked down the busiest street the 5th Avenue located in downtown Paris, everyone is drinking everywhere. Sudden winds catch the delight chilling air, rooted the sudden shivers in Anna, who only wore her sin coat with bare legs. A drunk walked toward her (out of balance) and intended to lean on her back. Just in that (fraction of second), she quickened her pace, left the homeless fallen on the snow moaning for compassion.

　　Quickly turned into a small boutique, warmth caught her at last and the sentiment toward the falling snow was immediately appreciated. Percept number one: never stand on the wrong side of the window in the (breathtaking) winter. Still adjusting to the brilliantly shine light in this shop, the manager waiting behind the counter whined, "why can't you just come a few minutes earlier next time?You are always right on time, never late nor early. "

　　"I have other things to do." was all she replied, leaving her coat hang on a stand nearby and looked around for some work to do. This boutique sells collections of bears and winter scarfs in the winter, and all kinds of exotic items according to the seasons and trends. As the pragmatic monitor of this boutique, she is neither passionate of the business nor the (zealot) sales of the romantic French people.

　　In this boutique of less than half of a square perch (21.1m²), an arrangement of displays are neatly orchestrated to create the ideal harmony. The rash desire for handmade bears always overwhelmed the Parisians at this time of the year. From key chains to stationeries, from finger sized to six-feet giant, from professionally designed to personalized preference, this tiny shop has the widest range of bears than any other toy store. Best of all, every merchant sold is a limited edition of no more than 50 per type. This allows every customer to enjoy the predilection of uniqueness.

　　Although Anna is not the owner of this store, she receives 20% of sales every year, that is more than $1 million for sure. From this ponderous amount of dividend, half is donated toward orphanage or education system, the other part is saved for her to seek other profitable investment elsewhere.

　　After checking the sums of sales and the storage of products in that store, she is ready to leave everything to the newly promoted manager Elisa for the next few weeks.

　　"Where are you going for the next while?" Said Elisa handing a cup a rich mocha to her boss/companion.

　　"I have found a quite good art studio down the 16th avenue, that guy can't manage anything other than paint extraordinary paintings. I am planning to let him apprentice me in reward for a thriving business." Anna gave an epitome of her latest discovery, while tasting her favorite part of the mocha, the sweet puffy whip cream on the top. "I have visited that studio everyday for the past month, you know, going back and forth between here and there. Not many people actually in there when they are definite attracted to the displays out side the window. Ha, that is one of the rarest thing I have ever accounted. The room is more of a personal living room than a sales studio. Paintings and the supplies of painting are lying everywhere, it is hard to step in without press on some of his elegant devices. In there, he is fully concentrated on his painting. Actually several paintings at the same time because he always starts on one, moved to another one, and another and so on before finishing his first one."

　　"Welcome!" interrupted Elisa looking at the young man looking wild. "What can I get for you this evening, sir."

　　"He is the artist I was talking out just now, Elisa. You don't have to treat him like a customer because he definitely has not enough money to buy even the key chain in this store." Anna commented satirically, a little twisting smile climbed up the corner of her mouth.

　　"How petulant you are, miss, to say such things to your beloved customers such as myself." The man laughed while holding one of the bear on display.

　　"Wow!" was all Elisa can make out of this scene right now. To her as an ordinary observer, this man has the combination of youth and handsomeness. Without the introduction of Anna's speech, she would never thought this man as a painter, but of a member of the royal family perhaps. His figure was impeccable, only the (wild) disposition of the lack of care has enervated just a little on his side.

　　"Don't you think this pair will suit well on the display with my newly finished work? Anna." smirked this man,with the denial for refusal in his voice.

　　"What can I do other than give my consent Mr. Archer?" replied Anna with obscurity in her tone, ready to leave any minute to disappear in front of his sight.

　　"That is the 2008 New Year limited, and it costs 234.56 euros, sir." Said Elisa knowing not what to do in the presence of such a glamorous guy with no money.

　　"Charged it toward my account dear. What can I say." Anna left her last message and disappeared in the crowd.

　　"Thanks madam, do you know that lady who has just walked out?" slided toward the counter and leaned on it, Mr. Archer smiled dutifully and asked the beautiful young lady left to guard the store.

　　"I was her classmate in high school,she recommended this position and here I am. Never got too close a relationship with her though." conversed Elisa with a light disappointment of herself at neglecting such a intelligent person.

　　"Thank you for the bears, here is something I wish you could display in the shop to my compliment. From the bottom of my heart, I adore your boutique very much and hoping forward to come here again for another visit next year." Mr. Archer kissed lightly on Elisa's hand as a sign of courtesy and walked away with his reward for the trip.

　　"Sir, you have been mistaken. Anna is the organizer of this boutique, and Knightley Inc. is the investor. I am just the manager here who is in charge of everything from now on. " Explained Elisa while the door closed behind the man.

　　"What kind of person are you, to appear in front of my door after creating such a successful business here already." Murmured Mr. Archer or Jeff which is what he is commonly known. "I will be waiting for you."

作者有话说

　　Happy New Year everyone! wish you guys to have a better start than myself!