Time flew right by. As the days counted down towards the full moon, and the end of November, Liche and Joan both kept in contact. They asked simple questions, and I answered what I could. Taking the chance, I referred them to Diana and the others, just in case they met them during the event.

  All too soon, the day of the party arrived. The dress Leo bought for me had been delivered the day before, and with it, the accessories.

  I wasn’t sure what to think when I first saw the dress. It was rather classy, a dark blue dress. It came with sapphire earrings, and a necklace. Heels too… What was worrying, was how Leo knew my sizes. The dress fit perfectly, and even though I had never worn heels before, after some practice I was doing well enough.

  Getting ready was a bit of a chore, but necessary if I wanted to make a good impression, though… Having to do it in the apartment’s bathroom wasn’t exactly great. Simple makeup, some lipstick, eyeliner, just a bit. My own hair, which had grown over the months, had some generous curls that I worked into the overall look.

  Looking at myself in the mirror, as I put the final touches on, I couldn’t help but stare. The little touches here and there really added up. Had I still been a man, and saw a woman like me, perhaps I would have noted her. Though, that could just be my growing hubris speaking.

  What really bothered me was…

  The bathroom door swung open. A woman stepped in, paper in hand. Her hair was a mess, and she was wearing obvious pajamas. She gave me a long look, both of us just awkwardly stared at each other for a moment. The first to move was the woman, she walked to the furthest stall and shut the door with a clack and tick.

  Well, anyway, I was just about done. I just needed to make a few last adjustments and…

  A loud noise broke me out of my thoughts. Followed by a stifled groan. What followed was the smell…

  Fuck… The whole bathroom stank before, but this? With a scowl I finished up and scurried out. Deodorizer helped to mask the smell, along with a spritz of perfume, but no matter how I tried, under it all, I could smell the faint smell of urine and… ugh…

  I didn’t have time for a quick wash, and the clock was ticking closer to the predestined time. I double checked my attire, the items I was bringing. A small purse, another gift from Leo sat in my hands, inside my phone and a few emergency supplies. On my wrist, the watch Mr. Torres gave me. A watch with its own mysteries.

  Assured I was as ready as ever, I made my way down to the lobby. It wasn’t yet late enough for the front doors to be barred, but the landlady was at the reception desk as usual.

  “All gussied up, aren’t ya?” She called out. “Got a date?”

  “You could call it that…” I answered back, though, I wasn’t sure what to call this. More like, it felt like an exercise in humiliation.

  “Either way, good luck and be back before dark!”

  “I’ll be sure to do just that.” I pause a moment. “And thank you for your concern.”

  “No problem dearie! Have a good night!”

  “I’ll try and again, thank you.”

  Not much later, Leo arrived. The car he drove in was surprisingly normal. I expected a luxury car, or something outlandish, not… normal. It wasn’t like my own junk heap, making it an upper end average car, nothing like a fancy muscle car or sports car.

  He opened the passenger door for me and even offered a hand for me to take. A hand I didn’t take as I descended into my seat. Unbothered, he closes the door and heads back to the driver’s seat and spoke.

  “You look beautiful Prima.”

  “Thank you, but… I’m afraid I smell a bit.”

  At my words, he leans in. “Let me give that a check.” He states. The sudden close contact flusters me briefly, especially when he really presses in, nearly pushing me against the door. I see his nose twitch. His closed eyes, flicked open, locking with mine in close proximity.

  “You smell great Prima.” He flashed me a smile, forcing me to look into his steel grey eyes. My face and ears burn. My heart thumps.

  “You’re just saying that.” I reply as cooly as I could.

  “I’m being serious, really, if I didn’t know any better, I would think you were overthinking it.”

  I wasn’t, I just think he wasn’t thinking enough, but… whatever.

  “Where is the party anyway?” I ask, mostly to distract myself.

  “A mansion in the upper quarter, it won’t take long to arrive, so feel free to sit back and relax.”

  I do just that, looking out towards the city as it passes by just outside the car window. Inevitably, my eyes turn to Leo. He cleaned up nice. He wore a suit normally at work, but it was clear he had taken extra effort to look nice.

  Though… even with extra care taken, he looked a bit like a slob. His collar wasn’t quite right, cuffs were a bit off. His hair too, looked styled, but badly. And the smell, he clearly used an expensive cologne of some sort, but not in moderation. The scent filled the car, overpowering my own by a fair margin.

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  Well, at least he tried… And… if I’m lucky, nobody will smell what I could under all this.

  He was humming as he drove, and he flashed me a look and a smile.

  “Something on your mind?” He asks, his eyes back on the road.

  “Yes, I was curious how you got my size.”

  “A mutual friend, the tailor I believe.”

  That man? Would explain the fit and coloration. He was a real miracle worker.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Just reminded that you don’t have any taste.” I reply calmly.

  “That’s rude, you know, I helped pick out the dress.”

  “Yeah, with the tailor’s help. He probably kept you away from the riskier options.”

  He kept his eyes on the road, not commenting on my allegations. He may as well have admitted guilt.

  “Still, it is a nice dress, and I suppose you paid for it, so I’ll give you that.” Though, I’d much rather not be wearing a dress, or even being here, but that wouldn’t be productive. Might as well tease out why he wants me here, and what it is he has planned. Better to keep enemies close, or whatever that saying was.

  He accepts my compliment with an infuriating grin. “Glad you like it, it does look good on you.”

  This time, it was my turn to remain silent.

  Eventually, the road shifted and turned, going past a large, gilded gate.

  “We should be in the upper quarter now.” Leo informed me, though, he almost didn’t have too. The ornate mansions and large lawns should have been a sign. As we went further in, some of the mansions grew larger, even having their own separate gates or fountains near the front.

  About halfway through the district, or so it felt, we arrived at our destination. Lights were on, people were slowly pouring into an older styled mansion with plenty of arches and towers. A small road circled a fountain, where valets waited to take keys and park cars. Leo got in line behind expensive sports cars and older luxury cars. None of them were brands I recognized and yet, would that even be possible here?

  Neither of us spoke as we slowly worked up the line and eventually were ushered out. Leo handed the keys over to the man, before joining me on the main path up to the mansion. Nobody gave Leo a second look, if anything, the looks he garnered were an interesting flavor of disdain. Most of those gazes inevitably fell on me, only to shift to confused curiosity.

  I was clinging to Leo, not necessarily out of choice. My arms wrapped around his one arm, leaning on him as I struggled to keep my feet under me. My own enhanced talent for dance showed its true value here, letting me adjust my body and the flow of my steps, but even then, it was a learning process.

  Thankfully, Leo had some sense and kept his pace nice and slow, easily enough for me to keep up. Small mercies…

  We were led in, wine was handed to us on entering. Immediately, I was flashed with the warm interior, an old brass chandelier hung from the ceiling of the foyer. Older lights let out a nice warm glow, that cast everything in a soothing shade. The plush carpet under my heels further upset my balance, forcing me to press further into Leo.

  Even if he didn’t look at me, I could see the small smirk on his face. Seeing that my ears burned, but with a pulse of ice in my veins, ice that was almost entirely contained with my body by now, thanks to éclair’s lessons. With a few inhales and exhales, I centered myself.

  I kept my eyes open and wide. Looking from group to group. Leo seemed uncaring for networking. Instead, he took me on a brief tour of the mansion’s main floors before stopping at the ballroom, where the majority of the party goers were staying. The back of the ballroom had large windows that led into a large open garden, with a small hedge maze. Just looking outside, I could make out the tip of a rather large fountain sitting at the center of the maze.

  I sipped at my wine, being careful not to overindulge, whereas, Leo seemed to have his fill of showing me off.

  “I’m going to go and see if I can find my old man. Don’t go wandering.”

  Before I could respond, he slipped away, depositing me at a corner of the party. Even if I wanted to chase him, which I couldn’t, he vanished into the crowds like a minnow joining its school. Just the thought of trying to find him in this crowd was daunting.

  Resigned, I took another sip of the wine. It was good. I took a moment to just enjoy the smell. Let it hang in the back of my throat. A full flavor, full of warmth.

  “Oh, seems you have quite the appreciation for a fine vintage.”

  I blinked and saw an unfamiliar face.

  “How could I not?” I say, confidently. After all, cozying up with the rich was just a part of running a company. “It’s a wonderful vintage, aged to perfection.” I continue, explaining the small intricacies in the wine.

  Though… I highly doubt the man across from me fully understood what I was saying, and that was fine. The rich so loved to pretend they know things, same as businessmen. My old boss was much the same. He could wine and dine, but he had no taste.

  “You really do have good taste!” He says somewhat excitedly. “I had thought you were just another of Leo’s little tantrums, but… Mm, you have potential.” He said, all the while giving me a not too pleasant examination.

  “Tantrum’s you say? I must admit, I half expected him to bring some floozy, but he just insisted on bringing me along.” I say back.

  We shared in a bit of lighthearted laughter. I could see more heads turning towards us, some women, some men, all slowly congregating over. Slowly, ever so slowly, like molasses out of a jar. Ears perked listening as we spoke at length.

  “Indeed, tantrums, that boy has quite the temper. Always at odds with his father that one. Doesn’t know what’s right for him.”

  “I can imagine, though, perhaps all he needed was a swift kick to his rear.” He snickers at my words.

  “Oh, would I love to be the one to do that! Ah, but recently, word is that Leo has had a change in attitude. You wouldn’t happen to have something to do with it, would you?”

  “I was unhappy with the state of things, so I showed him the right way to do it.”

  “Ha, of course, of course.” A hint of derision in his tone. “And what is your position exactly? What do you do?”

  Ah… “I’m more or less his secretary at this point.” And I could see the interest flicker out. Like a flame blown out by the wind.

  “Secretary eh?” And with that tone, I knew I was being underestimated. No, not just that, but being looked down on. His eyes, once respectful, took on a leering gaze that would have goosebumps making themselves known all over my body, had it not been for the ice just under my skin.

  Seeing me not shrink away from his gaze, I could see a flicker of recognition come back, but only just a flicker.

  “Well, it was a pleasure to meet you, miss?” He asks, not even giving his name.

  “Prima, Prima Belle.” I offer up, regardless.

  “Of course, a pleasure to meet you Miss Belle, but I must be away.” And like that, he left.

  With a sigh, I took a larger sip of wine, larger than I meant to. I could see the once interested parties slowly dispersing. A few still stuck around, but even then, it looked like many of them had already sorted me away as someone unworthy of their time.

  So… While I stewed, taking sips of my wine, I made sure to remember each and every face. Especially the face of the man who first approached me. A smile made itself known, as I imagined what I would do when the tables inevitably turned.

  Just the thought had my body burn, though… maybe that was just the alcohol… I glanced down, the wine glass empty. Perhaps I should slow down a bit…