dropped onto the bed, and she slowly opened the first box. Nestled in tissue paper was the most beautiful matching underwear and bra. Her face immediately flamed a bright red, and she refused to look at Stephanous.
“I think this is my cue to disappear, as you unwrap your gifts. I will be outside if you need anything.” Stephanous softly closed the door behind him.
Box after box was a different item of clothing: each one tasteful and very expensive, all more than suitable for the style of a sophisticated twenty-one-year-old and more importantly, for a guest at the Ritz Carlton. But she felt uncomfortable with the amount of gifts. Cassie was sure that Sakis was not the one who picked out the clothing, and she wondered, not for the first time, who he was and where this relationship was headed.
After a quick glance at the clock, Cassie guessed dinner would be much later and after taking stock of the luxurious bedroom and private bath, she hoped it was late enough for her to take a soak in the huge tub as she finished her champagne. Several hours later, Cassie stared at her reflection in the mirror and barely recognized herself. No longer was she a country mouse, but could easily pass as one of the socialites who graced the gossip section of the Boston Globe . Her hair, brushed to a high sheen, was held back by a crystal clip that had been among her many gifts. Soft tendrils fell on both sides of her perfectly made-up face. Cassie was proud at how well she managed the makeup and said a silent thank-you to Sean and his patience for teaching her how to apply it properly without being overdone.
Her sleeveless, loose silk shirt showed off the muscle definition of her arms from the daily push-ups she had been doing all summer. The shirt flowed over a pair of white pants that also moved easily around her. This would not have been an outfit that she would have chosen, but she had to admit, it suited her body perfectly. On her feet were sandals with Swarovski crystals on the straps. For Cassandra, they were perfection. She looked and felt sophisticated, and she couldn’t wait to get Stephanous’s first impression of the outcome before Sakis returned.
Opening the door that led to the main area of the suite, she stepped out onto the plush carpet. Stephanous was just in the process of raising his glass to his lips, but stopped midpoint. Sakis, catching Stephan’s look, turned to see what his friend stared at. Both rose slowly, stunned at the transformation. Finally remembering his manners, Sakis set his drink down on the coffee table. He strode over and kissed her softly on both cheeks. The fire in his eyes was enough for her to know that he approved of the outfit but she had to hear it.
“You like it then, Sakis?” she whispered.
“Very much. Cinderella has transformed herself into the princess I always knew she was.” As he took her hand, he pulled her closer towards Stephanous. “What do you think of our friend, Stephanous?”
For Stephan, there were no words to describe her transformation. She was absolutely stunning. For a brief second, he wished he were to be the one taking her to dinner.
“You, young lady, are a beautiful vision. Quite stunning actually, Cassie.” He glanced at his watch and turned to Sakis. “Reservations are at eight. I will have the car brought up.”
“Perfect.”
After a short ride to the restaurant, the driver drove up to the front door and both back passenger doors were opened simultaneously. The driver walked Cassie around to the side of the vehicle, and both were quickly ushered past waiting lines by Stephan. The maître d’ must have spotted them as they entered, because he quickly stood next to Sakis. Cassandra stifled a giggle as the tiny man did everything short of bowing. She looked up at Sakis’s face, which was unreadable, but after a quick glance at Stephanous, who rolled his eyes before he stared straight ahead, Cassie almost fainted. She had known him for only a week, but
“I think this is my cue to disappear, as you unwrap your gifts. I will be outside if you need anything.” Stephanous softly closed the door behind him.
Box after box was a different item of clothing: each one tasteful and very expensive, all more than suitable for the style of a sophisticated twenty-one-year-old and more importantly, for a guest at the Ritz Carlton. But she felt uncomfortable with the amount of gifts. Cassie was sure that Sakis was not the one who picked out the clothing, and she wondered, not for the first time, who he was and where this relationship was headed.
After a quick glance at the clock, Cassie guessed dinner would be much later and after taking stock of the luxurious bedroom and private bath, she hoped it was late enough for her to take a soak in the huge tub as she finished her champagne. Several hours later, Cassie stared at her reflection in the mirror and barely recognized herself. No longer was she a country mouse, but could easily pass as one of the socialites who graced the gossip section of the Boston Globe . Her hair, brushed to a high sheen, was held back by a crystal clip that had been among her many gifts. Soft tendrils fell on both sides of her perfectly made-up face. Cassie was proud at how well she managed the makeup and said a silent thank-you to Sean and his patience for teaching her how to apply it properly without being overdone.
Her sleeveless, loose silk shirt showed off the muscle definition of her arms from the daily push-ups she had been doing all summer. The shirt flowed over a pair of white pants that also moved easily around her. This would not have been an outfit that she would have chosen, but she had to admit, it suited her body perfectly. On her feet were sandals with Swarovski crystals on the straps. For Cassandra, they were perfection. She looked and felt sophisticated, and she couldn’t wait to get Stephanous’s first impression of the outcome before Sakis returned.
Opening the door that led to the main area of the suite, she stepped out onto the plush carpet. Stephanous was just in the process of raising his glass to his lips, but stopped midpoint. Sakis, catching Stephan’s look, turned to see what his friend stared at. Both rose slowly, stunned at the transformation. Finally remembering his manners, Sakis set his drink down on the coffee table. He strode over and kissed her softly on both cheeks. The fire in his eyes was enough for her to know that he approved of the outfit but she had to hear it.
“You like it then, Sakis?” she whispered.
“Very much. Cinderella has transformed herself into the princess I always knew she was.” As he took her hand, he pulled her closer towards Stephanous. “What do you think of our friend, Stephanous?”
For Stephan, there were no words to describe her transformation. She was absolutely stunning. For a brief second, he wished he were to be the one taking her to dinner.
“You, young lady, are a beautiful vision. Quite stunning actually, Cassie.” He glanced at his watch and turned to Sakis. “Reservations are at eight. I will have the car brought up.”
“Perfect.”
After a short ride to the restaurant, the driver drove up to the front door and both back passenger doors were opened simultaneously. The driver walked Cassie around to the side of the vehicle, and both were quickly ushered past waiting lines by Stephan. The maître d’ must have spotted them as they entered, because he quickly stood next to Sakis. Cassandra stifled a giggle as the tiny man did everything short of bowing. She looked up at Sakis’s face, which was unreadable, but after a quick glance at Stephanous, who rolled his eyes before he stared straight ahead, Cassie almost fainted. She had known him for only a week, but
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