BACCARA: It's all an Illusion

Paris

Savannah stirred awake, the lingering warmth of a long, restful sleep still cocooning her. She stretched languidly, her limbs extending across the plush bed. Instinctively, she reached out to the other side but paused, her hand brushing against cold, empty sheets. Her brows furrowed as she blinked herself fully awake. Blaze wasn't there.

Since their arrival in Paris, there hadn't been a single morning where he wasn't beside her, his steady presence a comforting rhythm. This sudden absence gnawed at her, filling her with unease.

Still half-dazed, she rose and padded to the tall, arched window on her left. Pulling back the heavy drapes, sunlight streamed in, painting the room in hues of gold. The gentle warmth kissed her face, momentarily soothing her worry. She smiled faintly, savoring the bright Parisian day, before turning back into the room to prepare for the morning.

In the ensuite bathroom, Savannah let the warm water from the shower wash over her, waking up her senses and easing her confusion—if only for a moment.

An hour later, feeling refreshed and ready, she picked out a floral maxi dress that matched her summery mood. The puff sleeves, sweetheart neckline, and thigh-high slit made it feel soft and feminine, and the pink open-toe sandals finished off the look. It was both comfy and elegant, perfect for the warm day ahead.

Descending the grand spiral staircase, Savannah marveled at the mansion's luxurious design. The shiny floors gleamed under her feet, and the metallic inlays sparkled in the sunlight coming through the huge windows. Gold accents stood out against the black-and-white color scheme, softened by some lush green plants. The mansion's modern elegance was a big change from their home back in the States, but it had its own special charm.

Walking into the living area, Savannah looked around frantically for Blaze. The guards nearby were all serious and didn't seem to care much about anything. They just added to the calm but strict vibe of the mansion.

"Where's Blaze?" Savannah finally asked one of the guards.

"Boss is out on business." the guy said, not showing any sort of expression or emotions at all.

Savannah got even more confused. She quickly grabbed her phone and called Blaze. The phone rang, but there was no answer. She tried again—still nothing. Frowning, she sat down on one of the soft couches, her mind full of questions. Where had he gone? Why wasn't he answering her calls?

Before she could think more about it, a staff member came over and put a breakfast tray in front of her. Savannah looked up, and the staff member nodded politely before leaving. She hadn't realized how hungry she was until she smelled the fresh eggs and brewed coffee.

As she grabbed a piece of fruit, her phone chimed. A message from Blaze popped up:

-Finish your breakfast, Ana.-

She opened her mouth to type a long reply, but then just sent a simple question instead:

-Where are you?-

He answered right away:

-Have your breakfast, Ana. I'll be back there soon.-

His short message calmed her down a bit. But Savannah still had trouble focusing on her breakfast. Her mind was all over the place. She had this uneasy feeling, and she knew the next few hours would show her what was going on.

But she again got a text from him and this made her feel a little confused.

-Someone named Luca will contact you, Ana. Make sure you go there, I'll be waiting.-

While finishing her breakfast, her thoughts kept drifting. Blaze's message didn't really help. It felt strange for him to be gone since he usually never left her side. She tried to enjoy the her eggs and the coffee, but the questions kept nagging at her.

She put down her coffee cup, got up, and walked to the big living room. Her steps made soft sounds on the shiny floor. She stopped by the fireplace, looking at the fancy mantelpiece with its gold frames and tiny porcelain figures. Her fingers touched one of the frames—a picture of her and Blaze from a past trip. He had his arm around her, smiling just like the sunny day they spent by the Seine.

Where did that Blaze go? she wondered.

Her phone buzzed again. Her heart jumped as she quickly unlocked it, only to see a message from an unknown number, not Blaze.

"Good morning, Savannah. I hope you're enjoying Paris. Blaze said he'd be busy today. Maybe we could meet instead? - L"

Her breath caught. The message seemed polite, but it felt intrusive. She didn't know who , until she remembers that Blaze hsd informed her about this Luca "L" seems to be him only.

Savannah paused, her fingers hovering over the screen, before she decided to reply.

"Who is this?"

She typed to be more sure about the person if she really got the real luca.

The answer came right away:

"A friend of Blaze's. Let's meet at Café Lumière in an hour. You'll find answers there."

Savannah stared at the message, feeling uneasy. She thought about not going there but quickly changed her mind. Blaze had told her about him so she trusts him and his judgements of other , and she didn't think they'd spill any beans he hadn't okayed.

After a moment, she typed back:

"I'll be there."

An hour later, all dressed up and ready, Savannah stepped out onto the Parisian streets. The city was buzzing with life—a mix of laughter, car horns, and leaves rustling in the breeze. Her floral dress swayed with her steps as she headed to the café, the name stuck in her head like a jigsaw piece she just had to figure out.

Café Lumière was on a cobblestone street with flowering vines and old-fashioned lanterns. The outdoor seating looked nice, but the busy vibe made it seem less welcoming. Savannah looked around, trying to spot someone.

In the far corner, a guy caught her eye. He was dressed sharp in a navy suit, his face partly hidden behind dark shades. He had this commanding presence, like he was in charge but kept it low-key.

As Savannah walked over, the guy got up and gave a polite smile. "Savannah, I'm glad you came."

"You?" she asked, keeping her voice even though her heart was racing.

"You can call me Luca." he said, motioning for her to sit. "Blaze trusts me, and by the end of our talk, I hope you will too."

The café was alive with chatter, but Savannah couldn't take her eyes off the guy sitting in front of her. Luca seemed pretty young—maybe in his late twenties—with messy dark hair that caught the light.

He had a strong jaw and a boyish charm, which was kind of balanced out by the neat navy suit he had on, with a crisp white shirt and an open collar that gave him this effortlessly cool look. His energy was infectious, quite different from the serious vibe she usually got from Blaze.

"Sit down, Savannah." Luca said with a friendly smile, gesturing to the chair across from him. "Before we dive in, get yourself something to eat. You don't want to talk on an empty stomach."

Savannah raised an eyebrow, not buying his over-the-top cheerfulness. Blaze had warned her about Luca, sending her a photo and a quick note: "Watch out for him." When she was on her way.

She recognized him right away—same face, but his attitude was nothing like she expected. Instead of being scary, he was just annoyingly happy, like everything amused him.

Savannah reluctantly ordered a croissant and a cappuccino. But Luca went all out, getting a whole spread of pastries, coffee, and even a fruit platter. His excitement for food was pretty childish. As the food arrived, he dug in without holding back. Savannah watched, finding it amusing.

After a few minutes, she said, "You know, you're nothing like I thought you'd be."

Luca looked up, his mouth full, and swallowed quickly before answering. "Good! The best surprises are the ones you don't expect."

He chuckled, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "Relax, Savannah. You'll like me by the end of this, I promise."

She wasn't sure about that, but his easygoing attitude made it easier to put up with him—for now.

An hour later, her plate was empty, and Luca seemed even more energetic than when she first showed up.

Finally, he leaned back in his chair, reached into his bag, and pulled out a sleek black tablet. Without saying a word, he slid it across the table toward her. Savannah glanced at it, then at him, her eyes showing some doubt.

"What's this?" she asked, sounding unsure.

"Take a look." Luca said, leaning back with a big grin that seemed a bit too proud.

Savannah picked up the tablet hesitantly and started scrolling. The screen showed a bunch of papers, pictures, and drawings—none of which meant anything to her. She looked back at Luca, who was watching her with a chuckle.

"What are these?" she asked finally, putting the tablet down.

"That's exactly what you're seeing." Luca said, his grin getting even bigger.

"I don't get any of this." she said, rolling her eyes in frustration.

Luca leaned in, pretending to be shocked. "Wait—you can't read?"

Savannah sighed, fed up. "It's all in French."

"Ohhh!" Luca laughed, picking up the tablet. "You're right. My bad." He chuckled, tapping the screen. "I'm such a goof sometimes."

Savannah gave him a flat look, unimpressed. "Just tell me what it is."

He smirked, putting the tablet down. "Your preferences."

"Preferences?" she repeated, more confused than before. "Preferences for what?"

"Never mind." Luca said, waving his hand. "I already know what would suit you."

"What suits me? What are you talking about?" Savannah asked, her patience running out.

"You'll see when we get there."

"Get where?"

Luca didn't answer. Instead, he stood up and gestured for her to follow. Savannah stayed put, crossing her arms. "I'm not moving until you explain."

Luca let out a big sigh, pulled out his phone, and dialed a number.

"She doesn't want to come," he talked on the phone, putting on an exaggeratedly annoyed voice. After a short wait, he hung up and put his phone back in his pocket, giving a sly smile.

Savannah's phone buzzed. She looked at the screen and saw Blaze's name. Her heart skipped a beat as she answered.

"Go with him, Ana." Blaze said calmly and gently.

Savannah paused, looking over at Luca, who was sitting across from her with a triumphant grin. Now she got who he had called. With a sigh, she gave in.

"Fine." she said, getting up.

Luca's grin got even bigger as he motioned for her to go first. "That's the spirit, Ana."

The car ride was short but filled with tension. Luca hummed to himself like everything was normal. But when they arrived, Savannah caught her breath.

The boutique looked like a symbol of luxury—a shiny, glass-fronted building with fancy gold details.

Its name, Laurent Atelier, was written in fancy letters over the entrance. She knew it right away. This wasn't just any store; it was Laurent Atelier, the top spot for high-end fashion. She had seen famous people wearing those dresses at red-carpet events, a world so different from hers that it seemed unreachable.

"This... this is Laurent Atelier." she said softly, getting out of the car and staring at the building in wonder.

Luca, who was already holding the door open for her, smiled. "Surprise, Savannah."

As soon as they walked in, Savannah was blown away by how fancy everything was. The floors were a smooth white marble that reflected the sparkling chandeliers above.

As soon as they walked in, Savannah was blown away by how fancy the place looked. The floor was a big sheet of white marble that reflected the sparkling chandeliers above. Dresses, each one looking amazing, were displayed on shiny mannequins and behind clean glass cases. The air smelled like a mix of lavender and vanilla, adding to the magical feel of the boutique. Unlike the busy shops she usually went to, this place was super calm and felt almost exclusive, which made her a bit nervous.

"What are we doing here?" Savannah asked, her voice full of wonder and confusion.

Luca stopped in his tracks, turning to face her with a mischievous grin. "Getting you all dolled up, of course."

Her eyes went wide. "What? Why? I can't afford anything here, and I definitely won't let Blaze-"

"Calm down," Luca said, holding up his hand. "This isn't about Blaze. Let me give you one dress, just one."

Savannah snorted, her eyes scanning the fancy dresses. Each one looked fancier than the last, with all those fancy details that made the store famous. "Give me one? You think you own the place? Don't let anyone hear you-"

"Hello, Ms. Miller," Luca said smoothly, offering his hand. "I'm Lucario Laurent."

Savannah froze, her eyes going wide as she figured it out. "You… you're Laurent? The Lucario Laurent?"

Her voice was barely above a whisper, her mouth hanging open in surprise.

Luca-Lucario laughed, his boyish charm still there even though his identity was now known.

"You look silly when you're shocked." he teased, gesturing for her to close her mouth.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—"

"Enough with the small talk." he cut in again, his grin getting wider. "Let's get you all dressed up."

Before Savannah could say another word, a team of staff appeared out of nowhere. They led her deeper into the boutique and into a private fitting room. The place was just as fancy inside, with comfy seats, gold mirrors, and soft lights that made everything look good.

She looked back at Lucario, who was still by the entrance with a smug grin. "I still have no idea what's happening." she said, feeling frustrated.

"You don't need to." he answered. "Just trust me. And them."

The staff started showing her a bunch of dresses, each more stunning than the last. Her fingers touched the soft silks, velvets, and fancy fabrics. She was both confused and amazed.

"What's all this for?" she asked one of the staff as they helped her into the first dress.

They just gave her a polite smile. "You'll find out soon enough."

That smile quickly turned into an unsettling one as he dialed up his phone.

Author's Note :

Happy reading<3

Have a good day/night<3

Surprise awaits Savannah.