All About Yves by Ryan Field Read Free Book Online Page B

a bag of expensive coffee beans and started measuring them into the top of the coffee machine. “I think that's just ridiculous,” she said. “You're a young man. You need nutrition. But what do I know?” She never understood why these young people starved themselves to death. She was about twenty pounds heavier than she was told she should have been, and she felt wonderful. She didn't like this starving business. Marco had never dieted a day in his life. Marco had always been able to eat anything he'd wanted to eat without gaining a pound. “Will you at least have a cup of coffee?” she asked.
    He smiled. “Yes,” he said. “I'd love a cup of coffee, black."
    The next few weeks were interesting. Frazier was busy with the new project in Atlanta, so he spent most of his time down there. Marco was still busy with the TV show and he spent most of his time either at the studio or at home. In the beginning, Marco started giving Yves little projects to do. He'd ask him to work on correspondence and he'd send him on errands all over town. At first, Jane Francis didn't mind the arrangement at all. With Yves doing the little things she'd always done, she had more time to focus on details she normally would have put off because she didn't have the time. The leaky faucet in the kitchen sink was finally repaired; all the silk rugs were picked up and sent out to be cleaned. There was even time now for Jane to read a few pages in a book at night.
    But as the weeks passed, Jane Francis noticed Yves was taking on more and more responsibility. He started to organize Marco's social appointments and he went out of his way to have interesting meals from exotic restaurants delivered to the house. He was there at Marco's side to cater to Marco's every desire and whim. He did things for Marco Jane Francis would have refused to do based on principle. Marco, Jane knew, could be needy and spoiled, and if someone didn't bring him back to reality he tended to wallow in self indulgence. The more attention Yves gave Marco, the more Marco drifted into his fantasy quasi-royalty world. Jane Francis knew Marco couldn't help the way he was. He'd been accustomed to getting whatever he wanted all his life and he didn't know any better. Thankfully, he was also a decent man. And there had always been people like Jane Francis around to keep him in check.
    One afternoon, while Jane Francis was speaking on the phone with Marco's publicist, Yves practically yanked the phone out of her hand and took control. Jane just stood there with her mouth hanging open while Yves told the publicist Marco was too busy to come to the phone and he'd take the call next week when he had more time. Marco was in the room, lounging on the sofa and eating handmade bon-bons. It was Saturday and his calendar was blank. He just didn't feel like talking to the publicist, and he told Yves to take care of it for him.
    When Yves hung up, Jane Francis put her hands on her hips and said, “That was an important call about the project in Atlanta for Home Value. You could have spoken with him.” Her lips were pinched and she was frowning.
    "Nonsense,” Marco said and pouted. “It's the weekend and I don't feel like talking business today. I just want to eat my bon-bons and relax right here.” Then he pointed to an empty glass on the coffee table and said, “Yves, would you please get me something else to drink? This candy is making me thirsty."
    Yves ran up to the coffee table and reached for the glass. “I'll get you an ice-cold lemonade, Marco, with a straw. I bought straws yesterday because I thought it would easier for you to drink. I'll be right back."
    Jane watched him pick up the glass and leave the room. When he was gone, she folded her arms across her chest and said, “Why don't you see if he'll get down on his hands and knees and scrub the toilet with a toothbrush with his left hand while he gives you a foot massage with his right hand? He seems so willing to do anything you