17. The Cinderella Moment
Chapter seventeen
The Cinderella Moment
Monique
Minutes later, I turned off the water, grabbed a plush hotel towel, dried off, and then wrapped the soft fabric snugly around my body.
Hmmm. This is truly living.
I stepped out.
My skin was flushed from the heat of the water.
Steam trailed behind me.
Peace flowed in my mind.
I’m glad I took a shower. That really helped.
I headed to the door, touched the knob, and paused. Lei would be on the other side, and I was half-naked.
Will things be weird after his peek into the bathroom?
I didn’t mind, but maybe he did.
No. It will be fine. Remember. This is Mr. Chasity Vow.
I shook my head and pushed those thoughts away, not wanting anything to ruin the peace I was experiencing.
We both are grown. Besides, he has a harem. It’s not like he has never seen a naked woman before.
Still, I nervously opened the door a little bit at a time and peeked.
Oh.
With the door a few inches ajar, I noticed Lei passed out on the bed.
Well that makes things easy.
I had to admit that I was a tiny bit disappointed. Dude had possibly saw me naked in the shower and instead of greeting me with a drooling mouth and a hard-on, he took his ass to sleep.
Guess he was not that impressed then.
Near the bed, a teacup was lying on its side as if he’d had his fill and passed out while placing the cup down.
See. This is what I mean about leaving his virgin ass alone so I don’t have to deal with rejection. Just relax and keep it healing and friendly.
Sighing, I fully opened the door and studied Lei. He slept on his back, one arm flung to the side with an open hand as if he were reaching out to some ethereal body in a dream. The other hand gripped the handcuffs like he was waiting to re-trap me.
The satin sheets were thrown carelessly aside, revealing his robust form.
Mmmhmm.
To my pleasure, he was shirtless.
Well. . .I was right about his having a nice body.
His bronzed, muscular torso was on full display as though he were a marble sculpture just carved by a master craftsman.
The sun was slowly setting.
Fading light seeped into the room and traced a gentle, glistening path over the curves and valleys of his toned physique. His broad shoulders tapered into strong, powerful arms. His chest served as a clear reminder of his strength and power. His abdomen presented sculpted segments that I had only seen in movies, definitely not in real life.
I bit my lip.
His rippling muscles shifted slightly with each slow, even breath he took.
Girl, stop ogling this man’s body.
I lifted my view back to Lei’s face.
The usual sharp focus of his eyes had been softened by his closed lids. A few strands of dark hair fell across his forehead.
Despite his unconscious state, raw and untamed energy pulsed beneath his skin.
Look at him, appearing all peaceful, yet being a killing machine.
The moment I met him flashed in my head—him whipping up in a blur and unintentionally exposing weapons under his coat.
I bet he could really kick somebody’s ass. Probably two guys at a time. Maybe. . .even three, if he was really pissed.
I should have been walking around the suite and looking for something to put on, but I couldn’t stop myself from gazing at this intimate portrait of Lei.
You should stop.
Granted, he had caught a look of me in the shower. . .it was only fair.
Plus, standing next to his sleeping, muscular form was what I imagined being near a dormant volcano felt like. A fine line between overwhelming beauty and veiled danger.
Just a few more seconds of ogling.
I knew I shouldn’t, but I did anyway. I slipped my gaze back over his chest, down his abs, and to his crotch.
Oh. . .well. . .there it is.
Lei actually did have a hard on, and it was not a sight for the weak. This big bulge pushed the material up, announcing its presence for all to see.
A deep groan left him.
I blinked.
Was it some erotic dream that brought that sound and the erection?
Or had it been the sight of me in the shower?
He parted his lips and moaned again. And that sound was everything. It washed over my body like a wave, piercing every molecule with desire. My veins hummed. My nipples stiffened.
Damn.
I was so tempted to get on that bed and slip my fingers over his cock.
Girl. . .we just had this talk in the shower.
Thank God, someone knocked at the door, before I ended up being stupid.
Meanwhile, Lei was too deep in sleep to notice.
Cool.
I cleared my throat and headed that way.
Maybe, this will be someone that can get me clothes.
I didn’t want to bother anyone, but I also could not put that pajama top back on. Plus, Lei and Duck had discussed my wearing a gown for dinner this evening.
Someone’s probably bringing in the dresses right now.
I walked across the room, my bare feet sinking into the plush carpet.
When I opened the door, Duck greeted me.
Oh.
Shock hit his face. He blinked and then lowered his gaze to my towel.
I blushed.
Speechless, he did too.
A woman spoke behind him, “Would you move? You do not need to guard her from me.”
Duck groaned in annoyance and stepped to the side. “Sorry, Monique, but my Aunt Suzi—”
“Why are you apologizing?” A beautiful, yet very short Asian woman stepped into my view. She had this long, silky gray and black hair and wore a breathtaking blue gown with sparkling embroidery.
Smiling, she ran her gaze over my face, then to the towel, and down to my feet. “Very different than what I expected, but this will do just as well. In fact, I am utterly pleased.”
“Umm.” I stepped back. “Excuse me?”
“And your face will be a wonderful canvas to paint on.”
“Paint on?”
“Come.” She held out her hand. “I am Aunt Suzi. You are family now.”
Say what?
On the side, Duck shook his head. “I tried to tell my aunt that Lei and you—”
“Lei is sleeping.” Aunt Suzi frowned. “This allows me time to—
“We don’t know if he is sleeping.” Duck tried to step in.
Aunt Suzi stopped him. “Lei is sleeping. Let him.”
Duck tilted his head to the side. “Did you drug his tea?”
Aunt Suzi widened her eyes. “Why ever would you ask me that?”
A skeptical expression fell onto Duck’s face. “Anyway, Lei would want me to bring the gowns I found to Monique. He would not want you and Aunt Min—”
“Those things that you found in the store were not gowns.” Aunt Suzi twisted her face in disgust. “They were rags to cover sleeping homeless people in the park. It would give them a warmer night. In fact, go do that. It would be a kind gesture.”
Duck rolled his eyes. “They were nice gowns.”
“What do you know of pretty things. I see the type of women you sneak into your room.” She wagged her finger at him and began speaking in Chinese.
Duck frowned. “That is enough, Auntie.”
“It is not enough, but we will talk more about that later. For now, one mission at a time.” Then, Aunt Suzi turned my way and beamed with pride. “Lucky for you, Monique, my sister and I stepped in and garnered the best gowns that one could ever find. We won.”
“It was not a competition, Aunt Suzi.” Duck shrugged. “And I did find some great—”
“No. No. Throw those dresses in the garbage and set them on fire.” Aunt Suzi pointed at me. “If she is to be the one, then she must dazzle. She must shine.”
The one?
Duck shook his head. “She is not the one. She is just Lei’s. . .captive.”
Aunt Suzi waved him away and winked at me. “Never let Ducky Poo pick your attire. No matter how charming he is—”
“Just Duck.” He frowned. “That is it. Not the added words—”
“You have always been Ducky Poo to me and no matter how much taller you get you will remain Ducky Poo.” She took my hand and guided me out into the hallway. “Let’s go, Monique.”
“Umm. Hold on. I should get my slippers or—”
“Not necessary. Our suite is just down the hall.” She pulled me forward and it was in that moment that I realized she had a good grip on me—the sort of hold that told me I could not get out of it. Ever. While she might have been a short, older woman, there was nothing fragile or timid about her.
I checked out her arms and spotted nicely toned biceps.
Alright, Aunt Suzi. I need to sign up with your trainer.
Duck followed us. “I am telling you that Lei won’t like this.”
Aunt Suzi waved him away and marched us forward. “Since when does Lei like anything anymore? If I spent my days trying to please that brooding little boy, I would get wrinkles. Do you see your auntie’s face? It is smooth from not giving a damn.”
I grinned.
She sounds like mom.
We made it to her suite in no time.
Aunt Suzi stopped us at the door and wagged her finger at Duck. “Leave. I taught you better, Ducky Poo.”
He leaned his head to the side. “What do you mean? I can’t leave. I have to watch over her and make sure—”
“She will be changing in and out of gowns. You must leave.” Aunt Suzi waved. “Good day.”
Duck remained where he was. “Lei would want me to stay with her.”
“Like I said before, Lei is asleep.” Aunt Suzi placed her hand on her hip. “And get dressed. I want to see a nice suit on my Ducky Poo with a little bowtie.”
“I don’t wear bowties anymore—”
“Tonight, you will.” Aunt Suzi narrowed her eyes at me. “Isn’t that right?”
“Yes.” He let out a long breath and headed away.
Well. . .now we see who is really in charge around here.
Aunt Suzi smiled at him. “He is such a good boy.”
Good boy? He had a gun pushed into my side at an altar in a church, and then he talked about corkscrew penises.
Smirking, I chose not to say anything about that.
She opened the door.
Classical piano music danced in the air.
Immediately, my eyes were drawn to the spectacle before me.
Whoa.
It was a grand production laid out in the center of a luxurious suite. Tons and tons of breathtaking blue gowns. Racks of them. Each one possessing exquisite craftsmanship. Some shimmered. Others glowed. Many of their silhouettes told tales of painstaking beadwork and intricate embroideries.
Every hue of blue imaginable had been represented—from the softest powder blue to the deepest sapphire, from the brilliance of turquoise to the elegance of cobalt. Azure and cerulean. Indigo and periwinkle.
On a plush couch in the center of the room, another elegant Asian woman sat sipping tea. She had short gray wavy hair. Her brown eyes sparkled. “Quite a surprise.”
Aunt Suzi shut the door and bobbed her head. “I know. Lei never stops blowing my mind.”
“He was always a little rebel.” The woman placed her tea on the table in front of her and rose. “I am very excited to meet you, Monique. I am Aunt Min. We are family now.”
“O-kay.” I waved, feeling very out of place in my towel. “Nice to meet you.”
“As I said before, you are family. However. . .” Aunt Min beckoned me towards the gowns. “We will not just become your aunts today. In addition, we will be your fairy godmothers.”
I chuckled. “Okay.”
Aunt Suzi walked on my side. “Every woman must have a Cinderella moment once a month.”
“Oh really?” I eyed them.
Aunt Min nodded. “So tell us, Monique. Have you already had your Cinderella moment for this month?”
“Oh no. I haven’t checked that off on this month’s to-do list.” I tried to keep the sarcasm off my tongue. “Maybe, next week.”
“Perfect. Consider tonight as your Cinderella moment.” Aunt Min gracefully gestured to the magnificent array of blues. “Shall we get started?”
Aunt Suzi clapped several times.
Another door opened on the side.
Four women in dark blue uniforms rushed out of whatever room that was.
Next, two men in blue suits carried out this captivating divider, placed it on one side of the room, and then rushed away.
This is pretty cool.
I couldn’t keep my gaze off the divider. It was a four-paneled screen, adorned with hand painted scenes of two lovers among nature.
The man wore a rich, royal blue robe, accentuated with patterns of golden dragons. His hair was styled in a topknot and secured with a jade hairpin, a mark of nobility.
Beside him, a woman stood in this cream-colored gown-like robe. Pink peonies were embroidered along the bottom. Her raven-black hair was gathered up and adorned with a hairpin shaped like a phoenix.
I stared at the divider, checking out the story of these two lovers.
So beautiful.
On the first panel, the lovers were molded into a romantic embrace under a cherry blossom tree in full bloom.
For the next panel, they made love on the majestic peak of a mountain. Carefree and passionate, their bodies were intertwined in pure ecstasy.
My heart warmed as I moved my view to the third panel.
There, a serene pond lay between them—separating the two lovers from each other. Bamboo leaves rustled in the wind. The man longingly gazed at the woman as if trying to lure her back over. Meanwhile, the woman gazed up at the dark storm brewing above them.
Tension gathered in my shoulders.
In the final panel, the lovers sat together in the center of a captivating garden, basking in the warm sunshine. Whatever had separated them in the third panel, had clearly resolved itself.
Aunt Min disrupted my viewing. “Are you ready, Monique?”
I dragged my gaze away from the divider. “Yes.”
“Perfect.” Aunt Suzi carried over several gowns. “Our ladles will help you dress—”
“Oh no. I don’t need their help.”
“You must.” Aunt Suzi called them over. “Before the ball, did Cinderella put on her own gowns? No. Magic did it.”
Aunt Min chuckled. “Pretend our ladies are magical gusts of sparkling dust wrapping the fabric around you.”
“Yes.” Aunt Suzi gestured to the divider and handed the gowns to the women.
Aunt Min perused me. “Rich brown skin. Seducing eyes. A very nice figure. Good hips. This will work.”
“Yes indeed.” Aunt Suzi nodded.
Alrighty. . .they are creeping me out a little bit.
I headed off with the women. As soon as we got behind the divider, one was taking off my towel while another was slipping a gown over my head.
Oh shit. This is really going down.
With my sisters and that small apartment, I was used to being naked around other women, but I didn’t know them.
“Enjoy, Monique.” Aunt Min called on the other side of the divider. “You are an empress for a day.”
Aunt Suzi whispered, “With our luck, it will be empress for an eternity .”
Huh?
I blinked.
Another woman zipped the gown up in the back.
On the other side of the divider, one of the aunts clapped and chuckled.
“Calm down,” Aunt Min whispered. “Do not get too excited just yet.”
“Fall is almost over,” Aunt Suzi proclaimed. “Next, we have winter.”
“Darling, I know the cycles of the seasons—”
“It could be a Spring wedding. Then, a huge gender reveal for the baby by summer.”
I widened my eyes. “What did she say?”
The women dressing me giggled.
“Baby reveal? Suzi, do not get too excited,” Aunt Min whispered, “As you know it is Lei’s job to damper our hopes time and time again.”
“Little feet will be running around the palace—”
“Suzi, stop!”
Yes, Suzi. Please stop.
Horrified, I gazed at the woman in front of me and kept my voice low. “What are they. . . trying to say? Lei and me? Kids?”
The woman gave me a sad smile and adjusted the gown on my shoulders.
Meanwhile, the aunts continued whispering.
“I was thoroughly shocked by the bald head.”
“Me too,” Aunt Min muttered. “But with that face, who needs hair.”
“Once the East sees her, the harem will all be bald by the end of the month.”
“Can you imagine?” Aunt Min laughed.
They really don’t understand Lei and how much he loves Chanel. No wonder he always wants to be alone.
The women finished putting the gown on me and stepped to the side.
One guided me out from the divider.
Now, Aunt Suzi and Aunt Min sat in their seats, holding teacups.
Steam rose from each one.
The two men from earlier held a long mirror in their hands.
As soon as I gazed at my reflection, my jaw dropped.
Well. . .
I did look like a real-life princess. The gown was a stunning shade of cobalt blue, off-the-shoulder with intricate beading along my chevage. The fabric flowed effortlessly from my waist down to the ground, pooling around my feet like a waterfall.
I woke up in dingy pajamas and now. . .
My eyes watered.
Now. . .I don’t even know what is going on. This day is. . .
“Aww.” Aunt Suzi sighed. “Of course you look amazing.”
“Hmmm.” Aunt Min nodded. “It is amazing, but we must still try on other gowns.”
“But she is absolutely stunning in this one.”
Aunt Min grabbed a flask from her side and poured a dark liquid into her tea-cup. “Of course she is stunning in this one. She is stunning. We need her to be jaw-dropping extraordinarily exquisite tonight.”
“You do have a point, sister.” Aunt Suzi nodded in agreement and then looked at me. “But what do you think, Monique?”
I glanced back at my reflection. “I forgot how much I like trying on pretty things. It’s been. . .forever.”
“Good.” Aunt Min passed the flask to her sister. “You are enjoying this?”
“I am.”
Aunt Suzi poured liquid into her cup. “Then, let’s have fun. Try on dresses and clear your mind.”
“Yeah. Let’s do that.” I headed back to the divider where my assistants waited.
Aunt Min yelled out. “Someone get the jewelry. One cannot wear an incredible gown without the proper dazzling accessories.”
One of the women rushed away.