by Mia Ford
“I have clothes and things that I need to take care off. I’m not a kid anymore. Stop treating me like one.” I move away from her, temptation settles in for Daniel to take me back to Gretchen and I regret leaving in the first place. If this is what the week’s going to be like then it really wasn’t a good idea for me to come here in the first place. I punish myself every day, by looking in the mirror and reminding myself that I’ve given out my heart and let someone tread all over me.
“That’s good!”
She starts to laugh hysterically.
“For a moment I was thinking that you’ll turn out like your mom and none of the Young spirit’s inside of you. Don’t make anyone make you feel that you’re not worth or you don’t know your own mind. We all make mistakes dear. That’s the beauty of life. We just have to live and move on from them.”
She was tricking me, testing to see if I would stand up to her. I wasn’t scared of her, just myself at the moment. I’ve been so vulnerable for far too long. For years I’ve lost myself, I’ve been living in the shadows of another who didn’t respect let alone love me.
“Now, I’m going… you take care you hear.”
I stand like a lost child, nothing about the house looks familiar anymore. I stop and look at the Mahogany Tischler windows and doors that allow the light to beam into the hallway. It's as if the hallway has doubled in size. Maybe it hasn't and it's just the reconstructive changes that she's made to the place. The once wooden stair rails have been replaced with a dark iron metal spiral pattern which leads upstairs. I wonder if my room's still the same. The walls have been replaced with a white ceramic pattern with pictures of our family hanging on the walls. I feel like Alice in Wonderland as I grab a hold of the rail and start to tread slowly on the light brown carpet which covers only the center of the staircase. The exposes the natural dark mahogany which lies underneath. Everything about this house has been changed, I can tell as I look up at the high ceiling and see unfamiliar chandeliers and a mosaic pattern which surrounds it.
Daniel heads back down, “It’s all been reconstructed, you’ll see when you get upstairs. She’s redone every inch of this place. I left your luggage in your room.”
“Is that still in the same place?”
He smiles as he gently pats my hand, which is firmly on the rail.
“Yes, but you’ll love it. She had builders in here restoring every part of the house. She said that she wanted something new. Something to make it feel as if she’s going through a new chapter.”
That feels a bit deep and I wonder if at last Daniel and Aunt Betty are going to admit that they have more than a working relationship.
It’s as if he controls his thoughts as he blurts out, “Anyway, I’m sure about that. I’ll see you later then.”
I want to stop him as he brushes past me and then heads down the stairs. This place used to be my comfort zone even more than my own family house. Now, I feel like a stranger in a hotel. Unclear where to go next, but as I walk up the stairs and approach my room. I don’t even feel like going back to Gretchen as I see the pictures on my walls.
Paintings that I used to do when I was here during the summer some of them neatly hanging up and others in some kind of artist pattern up and down the walls. She turned my room into an impersonal one and made my room into a home. That’s what it used to be when I was a kid. Dad would frown at the idea that I wanted to be an artist, and mom would just about agree with everything that my dad said.
Aunt Betty said she never had to, because she was her mom’s younger sister. She had the authority to put him in his place. He is a bully, which is why he hated Sam. Looking back at my relationship now, I can see that Sam was a carbon copy of my dad. Not one that lead me and looked out for me, but just controlled me. The same way that dad does with mom.
I notice that on the gold throw sitting on top of the bed, there’s a pink dress. I hold it up and admire its beauty with the lace backless top and the chiffon skirt that flows to the bottom of my feet. I laugh at the idea that Aunt Betty went shopping and happened to get a dress which is exactly the right size and as I lift up my arms and discard my existing tight, black number. I put on the pink dress and somehow in the midst of all this anxiety. I feel like Cinderella as I spin around in it. I have on a black bra and realize that there’s a matching bra and panties set to go with it. It’s as if she thought of everything, I should be mad at her, but as I look at my painting from my first summer here as a teen.
I realize that I can’t be mad at her. She cares, so much so that she wanted me to feel at home. She just wants to take care of me. I should appreciate her. Rather than try and act as if I don’t need it right now.
I look at the time remembering that she said I had an hour left. Right now, I have forty-five minutes and counting. Cinderella’s going to a ball, and she’s certainly going to shine.
Chapter Four
Joshua
As the valet takes my car, I think about this being the first time that I’ve ever been the ‘Youngs mansion’, that’s it’s nickname in town. It has a sign calling it a residence. From what I hear it could house a few families. I wouldn’t exactly call that a residence. Especially, because only one person’s taking up so much space.
I step out and my four-bedroom house feels like a drop in the ocean compared to this place. A young woman dressed in black takes my arm.
“Good evening sir, I’ll direct you to the back of the house.”
I didn’t even notice her pretty dark hair and matching eyes until she was standing by my side.
I nod my head and then she loops my arm and smiles, “Welcome to the Young Residence. The aim of tonight is to raise money for the schools in Africa.” “The whole of Africa or a particular part.”
She stops and faces me. I feel uneasy as she says sternly, “Mr. Moore, have you been to Africa?”
I shake my head because I feel as if I’m in some kind of conspiracy.
“How did you know my name?”
“Your plates say Moore and besides Ms. Young gave a clear description of you when she told me to wait for your arrival.”
“I see, so you must be the notorious Cathy Winters her assistant.”
She seems taken aback that I know her name and the fact that Ms. Young made a point of keeping the identity of the woman that as far as I was concerned even knew all of Ms. Young’s businesses and personal affairs. She had enough information on the woman to even disclose what color underwear she was wearing on a particular day. Sometimes, I hate fucking rumors, but sometimes especially in my business, they end up being necessary to secure a business deal.
I didn’t know why Ms. Young felt the need to hide the true identity of the woman that she considered to be her right-hand woman. But she did and no one knew who she was. No one but me.
“It seems as if I’m not the only one that did their homework tonight.”
She raises an eyebrow and if this fucking deal wasn’t centered around Ms. Young’s niece then I wouldn’t hesitate in taking Cathy Winters and showing her how far I’ll take my research. I take her hand and this time, I’m the one that’s looping it into my arm.
“You see in my line of work,” I confidently walk and I can feel that Cathy’s shaking. Good!
“It’s necessary to be one step ahead of the game. So, yes, I do know that you exist, but up until tonight I never imagined that you would have luscious lips that I could imagine sucking my cock all night long. Or even a voluptuous body that could ride my cock all night long and let's not even talk about that round ass of yours. It's definitely your best feature and I have a paddle at home. I'm sure that both of you would just get on like a house on fire.”
I stop as I can see guests and posters of Africa and schools, I assume that this is the ball. The one that she’s supposed to direct me to. Her lips are quivering, but I don't stop there. She's wearing a stripy shirt and pencil skirt that leaves nothing to the imagination when it comes to her curves. They're all perfectly outlined especiall
y her tits which keep bouncing up and down like a tennis ball in a court before our walk came to a dramatic halt.
“I could easily serve and score with you. I'll have a point or two and depending on how you scream. I may let you get one too.”
Her legs give way and then like a knight in shining armor I bend down to catch her.
“Careful. Careful. You may fall and my dick may accidentally land inside of you.”
“Out here?”
She whispers and I smirk, “You’ll be screaming so loud. You won’t even notice the crowd.“
Someone walks past us and that seems to waken her up. Make her realize that we’re out here and not in my bedroom. As she moves from my side the only thing on my mind is that now I know what she looks like. It’s going to be hard to get her out of my mind.
I shake my head as I think about the real reason that I’m here. This niece, Scarlett better be hot. Because Cathy Winters is a tough act to beat. She’s not just hot. She’s fucking steaming hot and I just made her wet. I could smell it on her and it just made me crave her even more.
As soon as I see Ms. Young, I don’t hesitate in moving towards her, I want to see this Scarlett. The one that I
“Mr. Moore, you made it.”
She says and then we politely kiss each other as if we’re old friends. I must admit, that maybe the rumors are true and she does take some youth pills. The woman looks no older than forty and I’m sure that she was in town before my mom was alive. She would be fifty-five if she was alive now. Ms. Young must be a lot older than that.
“You look absolutely stunning,” I announce as I’m thinking about her niece and if she looks anything then her aunt then I won’t have any trouble ‘making her feel better’.
“Why thank you. You really are a charmer.”
I cut to the chase, “Where is she?”
I scan the crowd and notice that there’s no one around or even heading towards her.
“Scarlett. Don’t worry she’s just getting changed. I popped up to see her and she’ll be here before the auction starts.”
I nod my head, I’m horny and it started the moment I met her assistant.
“I met Cathy Winters.”
The look on Ms. Young’s face and I can tell that she’s taken aback by it. “She introduced herself.”
I nod proudly as she frowns and then starts to look flustered.
“She never does that.”
“Well, she did it with me.”
Then a waitress stops by and offers us a glass of champagne. I take it as my throat starts to feel dry and even just talking about Cathy is making my dick go out of control.
“I must say that you really do have a way with the ladies,” she moves closer to me. “I try and keep Cathy’s identity a secret for personal reasons.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, with my wealth and lines of businesses. There’s always someone that’s trying to short change me. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Not really, but I nod trying to save face in front of her.
“If everyone knew what Cathy looked like, then when she befriends a certain gentleman or even a married woman at times. Then her cover would be blown and I only trust one person with my businesses.”
“Cathy?”
“I think you know what I’m saying. So, if you could do me one favor?”
“I thought that fucking your niece was the favor.”
She smiles, I was crude and I did it on purpose. I don’t like to be messed around and the idea of this niece not showing her face makes me nervous. It scares the crap out of me. My dick’s telling me to keep an eye out for Scarlett. I bet Cathy’s here. I’m not even thinking about the deal anymore as I’m focused on spanking Cathy one minute and then having her suck my dick the next.
“Mr. Moore if you don’t want to go ahead with the deal then all you have to do is say the word?”
I wouldn’t be surprised if she knows the state of my affairs. If she realizes that I need the money so fucking bad that if I don’t get it then I may as well start looking for a job.
I shake my head, What the fuck am I thinking? My eyes stop focusing on the crowd, but as Ms. Young points ahead and says, “There’s Scarlett.”
I look in the direction of a blue-eyed beauty that makes my dick fucking rumble. Ms. Young whispers, “I’m sure that you’ll now get Cathy of your mind.”
She’s right about that. Because right now, I don’t even remember what she looks like.
Chapter Five
Scarlett
I walk up to Aunt Betty slowly. She’s talking to some guy, God he’s so hot. Chiseled face, piercing green eyes and dark hair. I wonder what they’re talking about? Then again, he’s the type that I’d see in a club and would never look my way. I blink because for a brief second I thought that he was licking his lips. I’m trying to focus on not tripping in these damn heels, but it’s so fucking hard because they keep slipping off whenever I try and walk too fast.
As I approach her, he’s gone. I feel disappointed wondering if he left as a result of me. It’s as if he disappeared, because I keep expecting him to see him near us, but I don’t.
“Oh my God child, you look like an angel.”
I beam forgetting why I nearly killed myself to get here. It was the man. The God of man that was near her.
I hug her, “Aunt Betty I loved it. It fits like a glove. How did you know my size and everything?”
She taps her nose and says, “Well, you know your Aunt. She’s always looking out for her niece.”
Then she winks at me and there’s an awkward silence because I want to ask the one thing that’s really bugging me, “Aunt Betty who was that?”
She doesn’t even pretend that she doesn’t know who I was talking about as she smiles and says, “You’ll see.”
I should be nervous about the way she just said it, but I can’t help but feel excited about being introduced to him. Maybe Gretchen’s right and I should have fun.
“The announcements are going to be made soon and the auction.”
“Auction?”
She ignores my question and asks, “So, you do like the dress, don’t you?” “What’s not to like. It’s more about love. I love this dress.”
“You pinned your hair back and left a few lose strands. And as for the necklace, it makes the gold pieces on the dress shine. I don’t know what I’m more excited about, the dress or the night?”
That’s a strange comparison and I wonder if Aunt Betty has something up her sleeves. Then again, she always has something up her sleeves.
I’m about to ask her if there’s something that I should know, but I don’t get the chance as others greet her and before I know it we’re at a table.
She declares, “This seat is for you.”
Then one of the waiter’s takes out my chair and I sit down. She air kisses me and says, “I need to go and make a speech. You’re on the best table. Mingle my dear.”
I feel as if all eyes are on me as I stretch out my hand and I’m smiling but really, I want to scream out to her, ‘Don’t leave me!’
She didn’t even introduce me and the man on the right is acting as if he wants to eat me. His wife notices because she taps him on the side and then introduces herself.
“I’m Wendy Hart. I’ve been coming to the ball for nearly ten years. I gather that you’re Scarlett.”
I nod, “Yes, Aunt Betty often talks about you. She says that you’re one of her dearest friends.”
“Oh, does she?” her double chin swings as she starts to chuckle. I flatter her because Aunt Betty has never mentioned her, but she’s seated at her table and she’s been coming here for ten years. By the way she tapped the grey-haired man next to her, I can only assume that’s her husband. The one that wants to eat me. He’s speechless and he’s still staring at my chest, but not as obviously as he was a few minutes ago.
My eyes dart to the woman seated next to me. I’m just about to introduce myself to her, when Aunt Bet
ty asks for everyone to be quiet.
“Welcome friends, newcomers and everyone that’s seated tonight.”
Everyone starts to clap and I follow suit as we sit in the marquee. Aunt Betty may be doing this for charity, but I must admit that I’m impressed with the ball. There’s entertainment for absolutely everyone from the chocolate to the champagne fountain. There were dancers and the acrobats outside. They were subtly performing by everyone so they did not have to stop and watch them. Even the synchronized swimmers distracted me for a while as I was looking for Aunt Betty. Part of me wonders if this is really for charity or just an excuse for a lot of middle-aged, or maybe more like retired people to meet up. Apart from the guy. The one who’s hand that she’s now holding on stage. Before I was distracted looking around the room and admiring everyone here for showing up tonight.
Now, both of my eyes are on him. The stranger that she gave me the impression she would introduce later is on stage with her and they’re smiling together as if they’re old friends.
“Some of you may know Joshua Moore.”
A few ladies clap and one of them even winks at him. I wonder how exactly they know Joshua Moore, but I can’t get over the fact that even his name is sexy.
If I was slimmer, feeling better and all that jazz. I wouldn’t hesitate in getting my aunt to introduce us. He could be exactly the type of distraction that I need to get me out of this hole. Depression. Sadness or whatever it is, I just wish it’ll go away and I must admit that I haven’t really felt that sad since I’ve been here which is the first time in weeks that I’ve gone more than an hour without feeling that way. Maybe this is exactly what I needed and I smile as Aunt Betty sits next to me. It’s as if he’s got me under a spell or something, because I don’t know what he’s doing center stage right now, but I can sit here and stare at him all night long.
“Now for the fun to begin,” she laughs and Wendy claps with her.
“This is a fantastic idea!” Wendy screeches and then I feel as if I’m the only one that doesn’t know what the hell is going on. My eyes are on Joshua and if I’d been paying attention, I would have kept my eye on Aunt Betty.