Fragile Desires (18+) (GxG)

Twenty | Dinner At Nobu

I recall the time I had freshly turned six.

My mother had this walk-in closet, a magical place filled with what I called her grown-up things.

One rainy afternoon, when boredom gnawed at me like a persistent puppy, I came up with a plan.

With the stealth of one of our numerous palace guards, I tiptoed inside and swung open the double doors to her enormous closet.

Cloudy daylight streamed through the window, illuminating a beautiful treasure of clothes.

Dresses in every color imaginable hung in neat rows, their fabrics whispering secrets in the gentle breeze of air-conditioning.

My heart hammered with a mix of anticipation and forbidden joy.

Like a knight on a quest, I embarked on a mission to find the perfect royal attire.

Finally, in the far corner, I spotted it—a silky pink dress, unlike anything I'd ever seen.

It shimmered like a dream, catching the light like a thousand tiny diamonds.

It must have been from some grand ball years ago, judging by its elegant style and how it trailed down the hanger like a cascading waterfall.

Without a second thought, I wriggled out of my clothes and slipped into the dress.

It was ridiculously big, of course.

The bodice pooled around my chest, the skirt swallowed my legs whole, and the straps hung loosely off my shoulders.

But as I twirled around, the silky fabric bloomed out like a magical cloud, transforming the closet into a grand ballroom.

I was finally Queen, the center of my own imaginary court, waltzing to the rhythm of the pitter-patter of rain against the window.

My reign, however, was short-lived.

The doorknob rattled, and with a gasp, I froze.

My mother stood there, her brow furrowed in surprise, but not anger.

The spell was broken.

The Queen vanished, leaving behind a giggling little girl in an oversized dress.

There was a discussion, of course, about respecting other people's things.

But I never came to regret my decision, as usual, I only corrected my strategy.

- Azzy

♛Chapter Twenty: Dinner At Nobu♛

Fortress Enterprises was exactly how I left it.

It was still calm and everyone seemed to be so accommodating, even with my last-minute appearance.

To say it was hard to get here while actively trying to avoid the press would be an understatement.

"Right this way, Your Royal Highness," the woman spoke as she led me down the familiar hallway toward Elle's office.

And as soon as the woman knocked on the door, I could hear her familiar voice call out a brief Come in.