Excerpt Five

“To love oneself, is the beginning of a lifelong romance” ~ Oscar Wilde

Arriving through the entrance of the Louis Roederer Mansion was definitely a top experience for me. A top experience… possibly of my entire life. I was entranced into a slice of heaven on earth. White marble walls and floors, with elegant angel statues adorning every slant of the room.  As I looked up I was certain the ceilings could have reached the sky. Rich deep navy blue velvet curtains created a border around the floor to ceiling windows, which looked out onto the lush garden landscapes of flowers and greenery. Rose-gold satin ties held the navy curtains gracefully apart. There was a wood-burning fireplace with elegant and intrinsic moldings and design that was topped with massive mirrors making the formal living room seem colossal. The fire logs burned and created a heavenly cherry wood and cinnamon popery that permeated throughout the entry and living space. A large seashell-white Grand piano punctuated the entryway.  This was all captivating my senses and then my coat was taken by one of the three butlers that appeared in front of me. Another butler, dressed in a tuxedo, came around the other side of my body and greeted me with a glass of Champagne. “A glass of Cristal Vintage 2006 Madame.” Then another person came up and addressed me with a smile, led me through the foyer and directed me to take a seat on the plush, perfect cream sofa with fur pillows and sheepskin blankets. All of the sudden Pearl and I looked at each other as the sliced smoked salmon and gingerbread stuffed with foie gras was making its way around on platters. Was this real? We both confirmed this was actual reality with a glance and exchanged wide-eyed smile. The only sentence I could use to describe this moment was to say that I was absolutely convinced I was royalty. This was the treatment of someone with great power and standing. I had never experienced anything like it.