Maid for Me (15 page)

During the past few days, Mina had spent most of her time shooting pool with Chef when she didn’t have to accompany Jaiden outside the manse. At night, she practiced Mina-Jitsu in the gardens. Whenever Jaiden left the manse, he went to the D.L.P. building as a summer intern for his father. When they didn’t go to the D.L.P. building, he took Mina to West Uptown to play Space-Tennis, skate-bowling, and all other types of innovative sports, like underwater golf. Spending all this time with Jaiden helped Mina forget about Kit.

But not in a romantic way. It’s just because I have to protect Jaiden and stuff. And for a spoiled Rich Kid, he’s not half that bad.

Mina pursed her lips, studying Magic who dressed crazily enough—no offense to M.J.—to possibly be a secret stalker. "What are you doing here?" Bra-less in her PJs, Mina covered her arms over her airplane runway chest. "Just because you’re gay doesn’t mean you can come into my bedroom like this." She narrowed her eyes at Magic.
Yes,
even Magic could be a suspect.

Magic’s eyes studied Mina from head to toe. "I appreciate beautiful people and things-you my friend," he said, snapping his fingers from left to right, "have nothing to worry about." He wrinkled his cute, button nose. "But, after Magic works his magic on you-all the boys will be drooling."

He winked and pulled Mina out of the bedroom.

"What’s happening? Why are you working your
magic on me
?" Mina dug her heels into the carpet and refused to budge further in the hallway.

"You have a party to attend tonight, as my lovely Jaiden’s partner. He told me to make you the belle of the ball. Which will require some sort of a miracle, but I’m confident in myself." Magic patted his solid chest, perfect pecs formed from daily dedicated visits at the gym. "I am your fairy godmother today, dear and your godmother won’t lie to you. I just can’t believe Jaiden would fall for someone like you-it boggles my noggin!"

Mina yawned. Insults about her mundane looks no longer fazed her. If people weren’t superficial, then supermodels and beautiful actresses would all be unemployed.

"Oh right, that charity party.
Fun.
Go ahead, work your magic on me."
Either way, I have no choice but to attend the party
.
Might as well look good for the night.

After enduring hours of hair straightening and then re-curling, makeup application, and the endless critiquing from Magic, Mina couldn’t recognize her own reflection when Magic said, “Viola! C’est finit. Magnifique!”

Magic had pinned up her hair with elegant diamond barrettes. The airbrush makeup on her face made her skin flawless and her pores invisible. Her cheeks glowed, her fuller lips shone, and her eyes looked larger and anime-ish.

Never in her life had she felt this pretty or imagined she could look this good. Dangling diamond earrings hung on her earlobes. She wore a simple but elegant, coral cocktail dress with a diamond studded waist sash. Magic had painted her nails and toes a similar shade of coral. She wore white heels and had a matching white clutch.

That evening, walking down the spiraling staircase, Mina felt amazing, at least until she tripped on the last step and flew straight into Jaiden’s arms.

“That’s it, I’m wearing sneakers to the ball,” Mina said, removing herself from Jaiden and standing straight.

“You okay?” he asked. For someone skilled in a weird style of martial arts, Mina was surprisingly klutzy.

Mina nodded and took a quick glance at her always-stylish boss. Jaiden, wore a custom tailored black tuxedo, minus a bow tie with the shirt collar unbuttoned. A small diamond stud shone in his left earlobe. The earring did not detract from Jaiden’s masculinity—in fact, it gave him an air of mystery and
bad-assery
.

Guys should not look this good. It’s just not fair.

Mina looked away before Jaiden thought she was admiring him.

Which I wasn’t doing!

He gave Mina a good look and shook his head.

“Something’s missing.”

For some reason, Mina felt disappointed—she had secretly expected a compliment from Jaiden.
Not for my sake, but for poor Magic’s sake—he had put his heart and soul in my look for tonight
.

Jaiden disappeared upstairs and returned with a black velvet box in his hands. He opened the box, revealing a heart-shaped pink diamond pendant necklace on a white gold chain. Smaller pure white diamonds framed the pink heart. Jaiden dangled the necklace in front of Mina’s eyes.

“Perfect,” he said after adorning Mina’s neck with the sparkling piece of jewelry. The necklace was Emma Daniels’s favorite piece. Storming away from her family and the manse, she had forgotten it and never returned to claim it back.

Mina touched the pendant.
If I sell this thing, I can probably buy ten South Uptown houses or more
. “This must cost a fortune—I can’t wear it. What if I lose it tonight?”

“Unless someone yanks it off your neck, it’ll stay in place. Besides, after tonight, I’m donating the piece to the charity.” Jaiden studied Mina again.

“I’m impressed—you actually look presentable.” Presentable wasn’t the first word that came to mind when Mina fell into Jaiden’s arms earlier. Something funny happened inside of him—as if the butterflies in his stomach had exploded from excitement.

Must have been that tofu taco I ate in the afternoon
, Jaiden thought.
Though indigestion wouldn’t feel like a happy, fuzzy, and warm feeling
.

“Thanks, though I bet any one could look good when her stylist is Magic and she’s wearing a thousand dollar dress.” Mina shrugged her bare shoulders.

Magic made a spectacular entrance, using Mina’s mentioning of his name as cue, and moon-walked toward Jaiden.

“It was a tough job, but I think I did it. I guess I can finally see why you like her,” Magic teased when Mina turned away to admire her reflection in a hallway mirror.

At this rate, I’ll turn into Narcissist
, Mina thought.

Jaiden prodded Magic in the ribs.

“Hey, that’s the thanks I get for taking an impossible job?” Magic pouted and spun around, raising his chin. “That’ll be eight-thousand dollars and you’re taking me out to dinner, honey.” He crossed his arms and tapped his foot.

“It’s a deal.” Jaiden patted Magic on the shoulder and added with a whisper, “I don’t like her.”

“Sure you don’t, just like how Darcy doesn’t like Elizabeth,” Magic said, his eyes sparkling. “Have fun tonight, kids! Magic’s outta here!” Magic passed Mina in the hallway on his way out of the manse. “Told you all the boys would drool,” he mumbled and winked. Mina wrinkled her brow and continued to stare at her reflection, wondering if Kit would choose her instead of Alyssa if he saw her now.

Who am I kidding anyway?

The day Alyssa had slapped her, Mina already had a makeover. Kit didn’t even look at her new hairstyle.

Deep in her unhappy thoughts, Mina didn’t notice Jaiden staring at her with intrigue and wonder in his spellbinding eyes.

*TWELVE*

Thirty-three minutes later, Driver parked the Daniels’s silver-white limo in front of Chateau LaPierre, a palace hotel in the upper part of West Uptown complete with its own helipad on the rooftop. Chateau LaPierre was one of the most expensive luxury hotels in the world, receiving six-stars from hospitality industry members throughout the globe. Staying in the grand suites cost ten thousand dollars a night. Renting out the grand ballroom cost well over a hundred grand. Mina often took the train to West Uptown to sketch the Chateau. The exterior of the hotel resembled a large Elizabethan structure, complete with a maze garden, a pool fountain, and live peacocks roaming the vicinity.

The charity ball held in the Chateau raised money for underprivileged citizens of third world countries suffering from summer natural disasters—typhoons, hurricanes, and earthquakes. Everyone who mattered in the Uptown attended the ball through an invitation from the Mayor. Everyone else (especially those who thought they mattered but really didn’t) had to purchase tickets for a thousand dollars a pop to join the fun.

Jaiden exited the limo and opened the door for Mina. Stepping out of the limo, Mina felt like a princess, especially when flashing camera lights from paparazzi surrounding the Chateau blinded her. Jaiden signaled for Mina to hook her arm around his as he led her up the stone steps in through the golden doors of the hotel. She obliged.

Marble floors lined almost every square-feet of the eight-hundred thousand square-foot interior. Large crystal chandeliers hung from the mirror-ceilings. Lush Italian carpeting pampered the soles of everyone’s shoes.

Two white tuxedo-clad men stood at the doorway of the main ballroom. A lady in an elegant shimmering aqua dress sat at the reception desk. She recognized Jaiden as she nodded to the men, signaling them to allow Jaiden and his guest entry. They pushed open the doors.

Mina pinched herself and realized this wasn't a dream.  Hundreds of gold and white clothed tables lined the floors, surrounding a dance area young ladies from the Regency period would be proud of. The chairs, draped in snow white cloth, had gold bows around them. Waitresses and waiters in white suits and black suits navigated the tables with skill.

Jaiden led Mina to the largest table in to the center of the ballroom. Mina recognized a few of the people occupying the table. Michael Helwick looked like the king of penguins in his black tux, white bowtie, and white gloves. Over his bald head, he wore a black top-hat. To his left sat his daughter, Madison in a stunning red gown. To his right sat Jameson, Clark Gable-minus the mustache-handsome, in a well-fitted, midnight-blue tux. An air of awkwardness hit Mina in the face. Everyone stared at her, especially Madison who looked like she was ready to commit Carrie-styled homicide.

Jaiden pulled out a chair for Mina to sit right next to Madison. Mina looked down on the seat to make sure Madison hadn’t quickly put a vertical-standing needle there.
The last thing I need is a needle in my butt.

“Everyone, this is Mina, my date for the evening,” Jaiden said. “Mina, this is Mayor Helwick. You’ve met my father and Madison.”

Mina smiled at each of them. “Hi,” she said.

Madison sneered and stood from her seat. “Excuse me, Jameson, Father. I need a breath of fresh air.” She turned to Mina, her nostrils flared. “I guess the Chateau lets just about anyone in these days. Even une grosse vache comme tu.” With that, she flipped her long bangs back, and walked away from the table.

Mina didn’t need an interpreter to tell her Madison had just insulted her in French.

“I apologize for that, Mina. Madison is still suffering from jetlag and she had looked forward to attending this ball as a certain someone’s date.” Michael focused his eyes on Jaiden. Then he smiled at Mina. “Are you of age to vote yet, my dear?”

Mina shook her head. The smile on Michael’s face disappeared. “Excuse me, I have to go mingle with some guests. Any one who can cast a ballot is a friend of Michael Helwick’s. I can only say the same for but a few who can’t.” Michael winked at Jameson and walked toward a group of VIPs.

Jameson folded his hands atop the table and shook his head. “Don’t play with fire, Jaiden. This is enough to discourage Madison and Michael.” He gave Mina a quick glance and smiled a charming politician’s smile. “You look beautiful, tonight.

The compliment brought a blush to Mina’s cheeks. “Thank you, Mr. Daniels.”

“But don’t get used to looking like this or living the life of a socialite. As soon as Madison is back in Paris, this charade is over. Understand?” The sudden sternness on Jameson’s face didn’t surprise Mina. Even if she were dressed like a princess, she didn’t belong to the Daniels’s world.

“I know. To me, this is just a job.” Mina smacked her chest like a man full of pride. “Besides, my true purpose here is to protect Jaiden. Just because the Stalker has been quiet, doesn’t mean he or she isn’t around.”