AllFreeNovel
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I take a step back, still stunned as she hands me the shoes I designed. “How?”
Blanca shrugs. “Emilio rushed the prototype to the top of the queue just for tonight, and he made them in your size.”
“Oh, my, god, I love you both!” I drop to the floor in a heap of material and slide my feet into the glorious shoes. “These are…” I look up. “Stunning.”
My best friend’s eyes are glassy and she nods. “You are stunning.”
Bennet’s expression is one of awe when he sees me. He’d get points for that, except I remember the kiss every time I look at him. Sometimes points add up to nothing when there’s a big fat minus.
“You look gorgeous, Cindi.” From behind his back he pulls out a corsage and I swallow. He’s trying too hard and it’s making me queasy.
“Thank you.” I smile, reaching out so he can put the white flowers on my wrist. “You’re not so bad yourself, Bennet.” I pat the lapel of his tux and he leans down to give me a peck on the cheek.
“Oh, I have something for you too,” I say, popping back into my condo for a moment. “Here.” I hand him his mask for the gala. It’s still in the box so I have no clue what it is. The gala coordinators sent everyone their masks. Mine’s snowy white, trimmed with fur, long lashes and a pink nose—a rabbit. His is… I watch wondering what he has as he opens the large box.
“Oh, hey, it’s an emperor penguin.” He laughs, trying it on. “What do you think?”
“It looks great.” And it does, matching his black and white tux, with just a pop of yellow to make it stand out.
“Do you know penguins mate for life?” He removes the mask.
“Do they?” I ask, grabbing my own mask from the leather bench at my door.
He hooks his arm, waiting for me to grab it. “Ready to go?”
Nodding, I loop my arm through his and pull my door closed, nowhere near ready for this night. And nowhere near ready for the symbolism of his mask—a strong, steady, loyal penguin.
The type of guy I should want to be with, and my parents would approve of.
The masks make the gala a lot more fun than I expected. My mother is an owl and my father a bald eagle—as if that wasn’t fixed. I’m introduced to dozens of people and chat with dozens more I’ve met through my father’s various functions. It’s not quiet with the music and the general chatter so I often strain to hear, but I take it all in stride, as does Bennet.
“Cindi, honey, there they are,” my father says, nudging me.
“Who, Dad?” I ask, as the orchestra music changes to a jaunty tune.
“Henrik and Bente, the King and Queen of Denmark.” He gives them a small wave and my father excuses us from our present company, Bennet included. He’s busy schmoozing my mother so he barely notices me leaving. When I catch my mother’s eye, she gives me a smile of approval and I groan inwardly because on one hand it’s good she approves but on the other… ugh, Bennet.
“Henrik! Bente! It’s a pleasure to see you again.” I stand back slightly as they greet each other. Henrik is wearing a lion mask and his wife an elephant. The king of the jungle and the matriarch.
“This is my daughter, Cindi,” he introduces me. I curtsy awkwardly, because how else do you greet royalty? A sarcastic snort comes from behind me as a man moves past my shoulder to stand next to the King and Queen. He’s tall and fit, with wide shoulders that fill out his perfectly tailored tux. His black panther mask obscures his face from the nose up like the rest of us, so I can only guess at his attractiveness, but I know in my gut the arrogant jerk is likely hot. His cleanly shaven jaw is strong and square and his lips are nicely shaped, or at least they would be if they weren’t curled into a snarl of sorts. I dislike him instantly.
“Hello,” I say politely over the music, ignoring who I can only assume is the prince.
“Hello darling, aren’t you lovely,” King Henrik says, taking my gloved hand and kissing it.
“That’s quite a dress, Cindi.” The queen looks me up and down. “And my god, those shoes! Where did you get them?”
“They’re one of a kind.” I smile, proudly. “For now anyway.” I explain a little bit of what they’re made of as my father and the king chat.
I catch the prince rolling his eyes and annoyance pokes at me. If we were anywhere else I’d tell him just how rude he’s being, but this is my father’s thing and I refuse to allow the privileged dick to ruin it.
Henrik, turns slightly waving the rude prince forward. “This is Danon, our son, and the future King of Denmark.”
He takes a step forward, his lips pressing firmly in what can only be seen as indignation.
“Cindi,” he says with a nod. Maybe I’m supposed to put out my hand for him to kiss like his father did, but I don’t move. I don’t want his lips anywhere near me.
The music which had been lively only seconds before turns soft and my father and Bente look at each other.
