JeanLuc Dubois was genuinely astonished. He had worked with countless supermodels throughout his career, but none of them possessed Shayera's innate ability to connect with the camera. There was a raw, unfiltered authenticity to her expressions that transcended mere posing. It was as if she were channeling a lifetime of experiences and emotions into each shot.
"Magnifique! Absolutely magnifique!" he exclaimed, snapping away with his camera.
"You are a natural, Madame! A true artist!"
Grace, who was observing the shoot from a discreet distance, beamed with pride. She had known Shayera possessed hidden depths, but witnessing her transform before her eyes was truly remarkable.
As the shoot progressed, Shayera felt a strange sense of liberation wash over her. For years, she had carefully guarded her emotions, concealing herself behind a facade of composure and control.
After four hours of the photo shoot.
Shayera grabbed her phone and saw a call from the preschool that little ones went to. She picked up the phone.
"Hello?" Shayera said as she sat down and took hair pins out of her hair.
The voice on the other end was frantic, laced with a palpable sense of urgency.
"Ms. Lafayette, thank you for answering," the preschool director, Madame Dubois (no relation to the photographer), began breathlessly. "We have a bit of a situation with Aella and Zephyr."
Shayera's heart sank. Just when she thought the day couldn't get any more eventful, here came another wave of chaos.
"What's happened?" she asked, her voice tight with apprehension.
"Well," Madame Dubois hesitated.
"It appears they… they may have released a flock of butterflies into the school cafeteria during lunchtime."
Shayera closed her eyes for a moment, fighting back a groan. Butterflies? Of course it would be butterflies.
"Are they okay?" Shayera asked quickly, her concern overriding any frustration she felt.
"But they was a fight between your son and someone else son please here," Madame Dubois said.
"But they was a fight between your son and someone else's son, please hurry," Madame Dubois continued, her voice laced with a hint of pleading.
"It's quite a scene, Ms. Lafayette. Food is everywhere, children are crying, and there are butterflies fluttering about. It's… chaotic."
Shayera sighed, the remnants of her newfound liberation evaporating into thin air. The glamorous photoshoot suddenly seemed a world away.
"I'm on my way," she said, already mentally preparing herself for the aftermath.
"Please try to keep them contained until I arrive."
She hung up the phone and turned to Grace, who was watching her with a mixture of amusement and concern.
"Butterflies in the cafeteria," Shayera said dryly, rubbing her temples.
"Apparently, that's my legacy now."
Grace chuckled sympathetically.
"I need to go back to LA there is a show I am auditioning for I left gifts for my godchildren, your money will be sent you on PayPal," Grace and Shayera nodded her head and waved bye to Grace as she also walked away.
The twins, Aella and Zephyr, attend École Internationale Bilingue, often referred to as "L'École," nestled in the affluent 16th arrondissement of Paris. It's widely considered one of the most exclusive and expensive preschools in the city—and arguably, in the world.
Here's a breakdown of what makes L'École so prestigious (and pricey):
Tuition: Annual tuition alone is upwards of €45,000 (approximately $48,000 USD) for preschool. This doesn't include extracurricular activities, uniforms, or other associated costs.
Bilingual Curriculum: The school offers a rigorous bilingual (French and English) curriculum from the earliest age, with a focus on language immersion and cultural understanding.
Small class sizes (around 1215 students) ensure personalized attention and a nurturing learning environment.
Exceptional Faculty: L'École boasts a team of highly qualified and experienced educators, many with advanced degrees in early childhood education. They emphasize playbased learning and individualized instruction.
Luxurious Facilities: The school occupies a stunning historic building with beautifully landscaped gardens, stateoftheart classrooms, art studios, music rooms, and even a dedicated science lab for young learners.
Elite Network: L'École is known for its strong alumni network, which includes children of diplomats, CEOs, artists, and other prominent figures. It's seen as a stepping stone to some of the most prestigious schools in France and internationally.
Extracurricular activities are abundant and designed to cater to a wide range of interests. These include:
Music Lessons: Private music instruction in various instruments, as well as participation in the school orchestra and choir.
Art & Drama: Dedicated art studios and drama workshops led by experienced instructors.
Sports: A variety of sports programs, including soccer, tennis, swimming, and horseback riding (at nearby stables).
Foreign Languages: Opportunities to learn additional languages beyond French and English, such as Mandarin Chinese or Spanish.
Cultural Excursions: Regular field trips to museums, theaters, and historical landmarks throughout Paris and beyond.
Overall Cost: Considering tuition, extracurriculars, uniforms, and occasional special events, parents of students at L'École can easily expect to spend upwards of €60,000 €80,000 (approximately $64,000 $85,000 USD) annually per child. For Shayera, with her considerable wealth, it's a negligible expense—a small price to pay for providing her children with the best possible start in life. However, the chaos she was now rushing towards suggested that even the most exclusive education couldn't entirely tame the spirited nature of Aella and Zephyr. The butterflies in the cafeteria were just the latest chapter in their ongoing saga of delightful mischief.
The car sped through the Parisian streets, Shayera's mind racing as she envisioned the scene awaiting her at L'École. She pictured a whirlwind of fluttering wings, scattered food, and a chorus of distressed cries. It was a far cry from the elegant photoshoot she had just left behind.
As the car pulled up to the school's wroughtiron gates, Shayera braced herself for the inevitable chaos. She took a deep breath, reminding herself that beneath all the mischief and mayhem, Aella and Zephyr were still just children—full of boundless energy, unbridled curiosity, and an undeniable love for their mother.
She stepped out of the car, ready to face whatever awaited her—butterflies, food fights, and all.
The scene in the school's reception area was exactly as Shayera had anticipated—a miniature disaster zone. Aella and Zephyr stood amidst a scattering of crumbs, napkins, and brightly colored butterfly confetti. Several other children were visibly upset, some with food smeared on their faces and tears welling up in their eyes.
Aella and Zephyr, despite the chaos surrounding them, seemed relatively unfazed. Their reddishbrown hair was slightly disheveled, but their eyes—a mesmerizing blend of dark blue ocean and emerald green—sparkled with a mischievous glint. Those eyes, so reminiscent of their unknown father, were a constant reminder of the mystery she had long since abandoned to pursue her greater purpose.
Sophia Moreau, impeccably dressed in a designer suit and clutching her own cherubic son, JeanLuc (named after the photographer), stood stiffly opposite Shayera.