Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 112567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 563(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 563(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
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.”