Page 38 of Once Upon a Prince

“You must come back, sir. She is not ready,” he said from the doorway.

“Why isn’t she?” I asked and stood up a little bit taller to try and see around him but he saw what I did and quickly stepped out into the hallway and closed the door.

“Perfection takes time, sir. You cannot rush these things. She will be worth the wait, as I am sure you already know.” Pablo gave me a knowing look.

“Fine,” I said impatiently. “How much longer?”

“No more than an hour,” he said.

“An hour? That’s too long. That isn’t going to work. I need to be there,” I looked down at my watch and shook my head, “Now.”

“It is not a problem, sir. Go ahead and go. I will make sure she makes it to the event as soon as she is ready. This is Buenos Aires. No one is on time, at least no one who wants to be seen. Believe me, she is a woman who needs and should be seen by everyone.”

“I don’t mind waiting. Can you hurry things along?” I asked.

“No. We will not. You may go. I will get her to you in good time.” He didn’t wait for my answer but opened the door and quickly closed it in my face.

“Okay then,” I said and left to go to the charity event.

I had wanted to arrive with Ella on my arm. There were a few clients I had been meeting with all week who were going to be at the charity event. Ella had gotten along well with many of them and I knew they were looking forward to seeing her as much as I was having her with me. I didn’t like going alone but I also didn’t want to keep my clients waiting.

The ballroom of the nearby hotel had been made to look like Venice and their masquerade balls during Carnivale. Soft twinkling lights lined the ceilings with fabric draped at different angles with giant masks hanging from above. The tables were covered in black cloth and the chairs were painted a vibrant gold color. Along the sides were gondolas that looked like they were just waiting for people to take them down the canal. A jazz band played softly in the background with a small dance floor in the front that was near where the silent auction was being held.

It had been years since I had been to a masquerade ball and enjoyed the ability to be a bit anonymous. As I worked around the room, I kept my eyes to the door, wanting to know the moment that Ella walked in. I was able to find a few of my clients and chat with them briefly, but my mind and body weren't on them.

Almost as if I could sense her, I knew the minute that Ella came in. It was as if my body knew to find her and turned toward the door. I don’t remember ending the conversation and barely felt the hand patting my shoulder as my client walked away. All I could see; all I could think about was Ella.

The heart shaped strapless dress hugged her body in all the right ways. The sequin of gold, black, and blue was done in a way that made her look like a beautiful peacock. The sequin moved so she looked like she was floating. The deep blue of the dress cascaded down her body and as she walked into the ballroom, the slit that went almost up to her hip was clearly visible. The mask she wore covered her eyes and the feathers that matched her dress perfectly went off to the side.

She was a vision and the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. As if in a trance, I walked toward her. As I did, I could see her nervousness as she looked around to try and find me. I had the pleasure of seeing her relax when she saw me approach.

“My lady,” I said and dipped down into a bow. “You look absolutely ravishing tonight. You will be the bell of the ball by far.”

“Dax, you look so handsome. Like a true prince,” she said.

“I am nothing compared to you and your beauty. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more stunning in my life. Would you be so kind as to allow me the pleasure of a dance?”

Ella bowed slightly and put her hand out for me to take it. “It would be my honor, sir.”

I took her hand in mine and whisked her onto the dance floor. The music was soft and seductive and perfect for what I wanted to do, hold Ella in my arms. We moved to the center of the dance floor and I kept my right hand in hers and put my left hand on her hip. She put her hand on my arm as we swayed to the music.

It was hard to see her expression in the dark lighting and with the mask on but I could see her smile and feel her body relax in my arms. I pulled her toward me, wanting to get as close as I could while in public. Her soft scent of lilacs and honey filled my head.

“How were you able to find me?” she asked after a moment.

I laughed softly. “Ella, don’t you know by now, I would find you anywhere. I would know you anywhere. No darkened room, no mask, no one could keep me from finding you if I wanted to.”

“And you wanted to?” she teased.

“Yes. Most definitely. I have wanted to hold you like this for weeks now. I have wanted to do so much more.”

“Dax,” Ella sighed.

“You only increase that need when you say my name like that. I love working with you. I love having you to talk to. This trip, this week, everything that we have accomplished went incredibly well and you’re a huge part of that. I couldn’t have done everything that I did without you being here.

“It was important to finalize these contracts, to make these connections. You knew what was at stake for me and for my company and you came through. I want you to know I see that, I see you. I appreciate all that you have done.”

Ella leaned back and tilted her head as she looked at me, “But?” she asked.