Shane smiled when Marie told him to not worry about what people thought. She was such a kind woman. Although he was sure she was the only person who hadn't minded the way he had been dressed. He paused a moment before he said.<br/><br/>"It might seem silly but...Could I take you to dinner and talk to you about my...umm...situation with that girl?"<br/><br/>He needed to talk to someone about what to do about Diane and he felt Marie could give him unbiased and honest advice. Of course, he did realize she might not give a shit about his problems and added.<br/><br/>"If you don't, it's okay. It's just...You're the...you're the closest thing to a friend I have here."<br/><br/>Shane wondered how pathetic she thought he was hearing that.<br/><br/>-----------------------------<br/><br/>Paul didn't realize it but by coming back into the hallway he was going to end up being the translator. Perhaps once the trip was over and he could go his separate way from Martin and Diane, he should look into that as his next occupation. He was pretty good at it. Paul did not believe Diane was anymore fine then the chambermaid did.<br/><br/>~"Yes, I know. She did not deserve that and..."~<br/><br/>Well, he didn't know what to say about Martin. The stuff Martin had done to him was still pretty raw. He thought he had known the other man and now he was starting to see that he never had. Paul shook his head at the chambermaid.<br/><br/>~"No, it is not generally accepted."~<br/><br/>Paul thought very little of a man who hit his wife or children. He thought any man who raised their hand to someone who was physically weaker then them wasn't much of a man at all. Paul could see the frown on Diane's face. She knew they were talking about her but she couldn't understand what was being said. It was very frustrating to the American woman.<br/><br/>"She's worried about you."<br/><br/>Paul told Diane in English, who replied.<br/><br/>"Tell her she doesn't have to be. It was just an-"<br/><br/>"It doesn't matter what it was, Diane. It shouldn't have happened."<br/><br/>Paul told her sternly. He hated that she was defending Martin for smacking her around. Diane didn't know what to say and Paul added.<br/><br/>"She said for you to please call security if it happens again."<br/><br/>"I...You know I can't do that."<br/><br/>Diane replied. Calling security, getting more people involved, it would be the worst thing she could do. Paul knew that was true. Anything to destroy the perfect image that Martin and Rich had crafted would not go over well for Diane or her parents. Diane said.<br/><br/>"Please, tell her thank you for the concern, but I'll be okay."<br/><br/>Paul nodded his head and translated what Diane said into French for the maid.<br/><br/>-----------------------------<br/><br/>"Isn't that the truth."<br/><br/>Martin replied with a sigh. Women were so complicated at times. Before he realized what he truly was, he had only had one girlfriend. A girl he had dated in high school. The only woman he had tried to be with. She would have been a good wife. She was smart and beautiful. Too bad he couldn't get aroused by her. As sad as it was, she had thankfully died in car accident just after they graduated high school. A tragic event but Nora never could tell anyone that Martin Hayes wasn't the ladies' man he pretended to be. And he had been able to use her death as an excuse why he had stayed single. He had still be grieving Nora until he met Diane and she 'won' his heart.<br/><br/>Here, though, Martin felt he could drop the mask. Pierre seemed to be like him, wearing a mask as well. Not that Martin could fully drop his own. No one, not Rich, not Diane, or even Paul truly knew who he was. Martin spent so much time pretending to be someone he wasn't, if he was truly honest with himself, he'd have to admit he didn't know who he was.<br/><br/>Martin nodded his head in understanding.<br/><br/>"So...What do you like then?"<br/><br/>Martin asked quietly. Wondering if Pierre would tell him what he thought it was.<br/><br/>-----------------------------<br/><br/>Rich was the king of his own personal world. The Lady knew how to appeal to a man like him. Stroking his ego, along with other things, was an excellent idea.<br/><br/>"Oh, I know."<br/><br/>He murmured happily. His smile turned into a giant grin when she said she'd beg. He definitely planned to make her beg, a lot, tonight. He kissed her lips and then started to work his way down her body.