The Fancy Pants Club

POV: Daniella

As the saying goes, "Take up the challenges of the present and leave the past behind." Yesterday was a past I would happily leave in the deep recesses of my brain. I won't allow it now to hunt me especially that today is my unveiling party. Still, Erik didn't mention about it last night, but when I checked on my phone the moment I woke up, his message told me the exact information I wanted, but with a different twist.

'Before you go to your ball at eleven, my Cinderella, clean my bathroom first. My bed needs some attention too so don't forget to change the linens and pillow cases. I'll be in the gym with Enrique doing kickboxing, so make sure when I arrive, I have a full-on protein breakfast ready.'

Tsk. Certainly I feel like I am in a cheap Cinderella movie where I am forced to become a maid to an evil soul. Only the difference is that this remake doesn't have a mad step-mother but a devil and that devil is in the form of my eager master, Erik Romano Fancii.

Before going in his room, I did my morning routine first. I showered, brushed, did my hair into a ponytail and wore light clothes of a simple tee and denim shorts.

I was intent on doing everything he wanted (although it was against my will), but then, when I stepped out of my room, Suri was already waiting for me outside wearing a cheeky grin. Behind her was Mr. Clyde, smiling kindly at me.

"Hi Suri! Good morning. Why are you—"

"Change of plans, " she then said and grabbed my wrist. "Come with me."

"What the— where are we going Suri?" I hurried to close the door.

"You are coming with me to a salon."

"Wait, why? And where exactly is that?" She continued to drag me out of the hallway; her butler following behind us.

"You'll see, " she gave me a wink. "We will beautify ourselves for the lunch party later."

Okay, now I feel that she is my fairy god mother. I guess I don't have to be alone in my plans anymore.

I paused suddenly and pulled my arm from her. "Wait Suri! My dress! I need to bring my dress!"

Yes, my special, sexy dress that I had brought to wear supposed to be in the wedding reception but then decided not to. It is a blue long-sleeved lace gown, with a plunging neckline and a low-cut back.

"You won't need it, Dani. The salon also has a boutique. We will pick a new gown there, " Suri informed.

She pulled me again, but this time she was smiling widely, all giddy with the prospect of playing doll together. "This is going to be great!" she exclaimed when we reached inside the private elevator.

Somehow, her giddiness clung to me. I smiled too and decided to just forget the worry that was lodged at the back of my head. Yes, the worry that I won't be able to do what Erik had ordered me this morning.

I guess, I will just have to face the consequences later.

POV: Erik

With what had happened between me and Daniella last night, I needed a good outlet to release my pent up tension... a good diversion and that diversion ended up beating Enrique in our kickboxing practice early this morning.

I feel kinda bad for him, but as the Head of the Club Security he should have defended himself better than this. He didn't even give me a scratch.

"Well... as expected of you Prez. You really are good with hand-to-hand combats, " he remarked as he stood up slowly from the rubber mat, holding his left shoulder.

That body part is probably sore right now after a roundhouse I gave him. Since he requested me not to mess his face up, I didn't have any choice but to target his limbs.

"We are done here, Enrique. Take care of your injury before the lunch party later."

"Oh, I will." He quickly gave me a wide smile as if he wasn't even wincing earlier. "I can't miss Daniella's party for anything. I can't wait to see her again!" he exclaimed with dreamy eyes. I eyed a small dumbbell on the floor and for some reason I wanted to throw this at him.

Shrugging off the thought, I took my towel from a table and strolled out of the basement Club gym towards the private elevator. Sweat trickled down my forehead, my neck and my bare chest, so I used the towel to wipe it off. Looking at the wall mirror, I smiled to myself. Huh. He doesn't even know that the woman he adored is in my bedroom right now probably preparing my breakfast.

Excited of the prospect, I reached my chamber quickly when the elevator opened in the fourth floor, but what greeted me in my room were silence and not a single sign of Daniella.

I checked on the bathroom, but she wasn't there. I checked on my walk-in closet and my private office, but it yielded the same result.

"Where is that woman?" I complained to myself, pulling out my Iphone from the bedside table.

Her number was on speed dial number one, so I pressed it. After two rings, she answered my call. I readied myself a string of questions to throw at her yet when I heard another female's voice, Suri's in fact, I fell silent.

'President, why are you calling Daniella?' I heard her say.

For this to happen unexpectedly, I didn't have a contingency plan, so I stammered when I answered her, "I'm—I'm just checking up on her to see if she's rea—" I coughed and cleared my throat, "ready with this noon's party."

'Oh, how cute of you. Well, she is in the washing room right now, a hairdresser is rinsing her hair.'

Hairdresser? I thought they are inside the room?

"Come again?" I managed to ask.

'I dragged her in Alec's Salon, President. We are here now pampering and beautifying ourselves for the party later.'

Oh. Alec. I should have known that Suri can't keep herself from dragging Daniella along there. With a second female now in the club, I understand her giddiness.

"I see." I strolled towards the bathroom and dropped my soaked towel in the laundry bin.

'Do you have any messages for her? I can relay it now if you want.'

I do have one and that is to tell her that she'll pay for being MIA as my personal maid, but then again, I don't want for Suri to berate me for that.

"No, it's okay. Just make sure you ladies come on time later, " I told her instead.

'Hmmm, we will. See you later in the Club Hall, President.'

"Yes."

I heard a group of women chuckling in the background before I ended the call.

"Suri..." I sighed.

Now my plan is ruined. I am supposed to escort my Cinderella later but it seems this woman has another plan in mind. With her headstrong attitude, it was no wonder Daniella was successfully dragged in that salon.

It would be interesting though, how Daniella would turn up later. I know that Alec has magical hands when it comes to make-up and hairdos. As a club member, he is what we call the Special Effects Expert. He is the master of prosthetics and disguise. Since I accepted this cover as the President of the Fancy Pants Club, I sought his expertise to cover up my neck tattoo — a medieval cross with a black spade in the center and four red spears on the sides — a sign of high rank on Iopata Bratva's circle.

I left myself naked before I stepped inside the shower. Nice. It seems my hand-to-hand combat with Enrique earlier yielded acceptable results. At least the burn in my body had now dissipated. I don't need to worry about pulling Daniella towards my bed and claiming her.

I guess I also needed to thank Suri for dragging her away. If she didn't and if I had found Daniella inside my room fixing my breakfast, I'm sure my kickboxing would have failed its purpose.

POV: Daniella

"You look gorgeous!" was Suri's declaration when I wore the gown she picked for me. Complete with my long hair in soft curls, the accessories that she had readied and the beige bedazzled stiletto that I bought in Alec's boutique, I stood in front of Suri's front like a soon-to-be-bride examined by her maid of honor.

I smiled shyly when I heard it. "Thanks, you look gorgeous too, Suri. I bet Amano would drool when he sees you."

She was wearing a black and silver lace backless gown, quite an opposite to mine which was a nude-beaded gown with a sweetheart neckline. It was backless too, but bolder than hers.

"Well, I think the Fancy Pants single men would when they see you."

She gestured to all of me and made a proud grin. If I'm correct, she was in fact very, very happy of her choice of gown.

"Especially the President, " she mumbled to herself but I heard it loud and clear.

Oh God, with such a wonderful bonding time with her, I actually forgot about Erik and his cleaning orders. Suri did inform me earlier that he called in my cellphone and that he sounded happy and expectant of us in the party. I found it unbelievable though and thought that it was just him acting his gentlemanly facade. Since I didn't do as he ordered, I probably should expect his angry face on me later.

"Where's Alec by the way? I have to thank him for a good job, " I asked, intentionally changing the subject.

"Oh, he'll be here a few moments from now." She sat on the sofa and fumbled on her cellphone. "He'll come with us as he will join your unveiling party too."

"Really?" I beamed a smile. "The party isn't exclusive anymore?"

"No, it is still exclusive to club members, Daniella. Alec can join because he is a member too." She awarded me an understanding smile.

Huh, I never expected this at all. I thought the Fancy Pants Club is only composed of high-statured men and a highborn lady, but it seems they have a unique-gendered member too.

The door going to the second floor which was Alec's living quarters opened and out he stepped wearing a dashing gray tuxedo. From being a tangled mess earlier, his long black hair was now cleanly secured at the back with a band. When I first saw him, he had a make-up on with a pink lipstick and a brown eyeshadow, but now, I don't see any traces of it. His face was smooth and white, like a pearl and he had a diamond cross earring in his left ear.

"Wow, " I heard him say the moment he laid eyes on me, "Suri was right when she said you are a Goddess in disguise."

Somehow, the tone of his voice changed from being high-pitched to low, like straight male low. He was supposed to be gay right? Why do I think that I'm looking at a true man instead?

"You flatter me with your words Alec. Thank you." I felt my cheeks blush. "But you should look at yourself. You sure surprised me of your unbelievable transformation. You look like a beautiful man."

He chuckled then. "I get that a lot, Sweetheart. But believe me, I am all things straight."

"Huh? What do you mean?" I asked, creasing my brows.

"He's pure male, Daniella, " Suri volunteered an answer. She stood up and gave me a smug smile.

"What?" In my surprise, I scanned him from head to foot. "I mean, really?"

She went behind him and rested a hand on his shoulder. "He loves to fool others into believing the things he wants them to believe. Heck, he can even make someone think he is a corpse back from the dead if he wants to, or an out-of-this world alien and easily get away with it."

I blinked in disbelief. "Wow. That's amazing."

"I have a talent on disguises Sweetheart. It is my passion." He approached me and took my hand to kiss the back of it like Vincent and Enrique does.

"I'm speechless, " I said as I watch his gentlemanly action. "I really do think you were a..."

He raised his head and looked at me with mischief. "I can always kiss you on the lips right now to prove it to you."

In my head, an alarm immediately sounded. 'That's not really necessary, ' I would have said that but then Suri stepped in and raised a hand to stop him.

"Uh, I'd probably tell you that that wouldn't be wise Alec, " she said.

He straightened and gave her a raised brow. "Why? She is single right?"

She crossed her arms to her chest. "If you want to die, then be my guest."

For some reason, they were looking at each other like they were talking telepathically.

"Ohhh... I see, " after a few seconds, he stated.

She nodded at him. "Yes, so yeah, watch where your hands go when we are in the chateau."

I frowned, still clueless of what she was saying.

Alec just smiled brightly and lifted his shoulders. "But that doesn't mean I don't get to have fun right?" He snaked an arm on my waist and pulled me closer to him.

"Why do I feel you guys are opting me out of the conversation?" I dove in, ready to interrogate them on their ambiguous statements. "What's this fun you are talking about Alec?"

He pinched a skin in my waist so suddenly that I had to squeak in my inner thoughts.

"Nothing, Sweetheart, " he winked. "Let's go now? I'll be your handsome escort for today."

The word made me smother a laugh. "You mean beautiful, " I voiced out.

Even though his gender identity was already sorted out, my brain still saw him as the ladyboy that he looked like who styled my hair and turned me into this stunning beauty. It would probably take me the whole ride back to the chateau to finally settle the facts in, but anyway, the ending was already clear and that was I have made a new friend in the club.

Amano, who was already waiting for us outside of the boutique, was leaning coolly in the hood of his metallic blue Audi car. He looked gorgeous donning a fashionably undone black tuxedo; quite a fitting color to go along with Suri's gown. He waved at us as we strolled out of the entrance door. Suri beamed a smile and quickly ran towards him, almost catching on the hem of her gown as she crossed the sidewalk. She clung on his elbow after sharing a quick kiss on the lips and then turned to me and Alec.

"Dani, you'll be riding with him to the chateau. I'll be with Amano. Is that okay with you?"

I nodded without complain. "Of course. There are no problems at all."

"Then come with me Sweetheart, " Alec spoke, gesturing a hand to show me a car that was parked right in front of Amano's Audi, a silver Maserati. "We will be riding this beauty."

Since the boutique was located in Rodeo Drive, we had to use a fit transportation to reach the chateau. I can see that these Fancy Pants Club men seem to have a surplus of these kinds of cars for their usage.

As I rode with Alec, never was a dull moment with him. When I asked about his disguises, he happily volunteered funny stories that went along with it. He also shared to me his many clients who needed prosthetics makeup in their Hollywood movies. I was listening to him attentively, nodding my head from time to time to show my fascination of his work.

"In the club however, I only got one customer, " told he when we were about to enter the chateau gate.

I raised a brow and looked at his way, "Oh? Who is it?"

"The president, " he answered.

"Really? Why does he need prosthetics makeup anyway?"

"He wanted me to cover a certain tattoo in his neck. He says it is too bothersome if people recognize it."

He released a sexy chuckle so much so that I blushed when I heard it.

"Thank you for the compliment Daniella. Mr. Svaneti sure is very lucky to have you."

"Mr. Svane—what? Who is that?" I shot him a look of curiosity, ready to string him my questions, but then he just shrugged his shoulders and smirked at me.

"No one Sweetheart. Forget about it."

He turned the ignition off, twisted his key out and said, "Let's go?"

How smooth of him to bring the name out to me only to dismiss it quickly. I found it odd, but since I have a present matter to attend to, thinking about it now would be unnecessary.

Shoving the name out of my thoughts, I nodded at him in response.

*

*

*

We entered the chateau's main foyer at eleven on the dot. Since my party will be held at a private club function hall in the fourth floor, we had to ride the club elevator. Our stroll towards it was met with venerated stares and open-mouth ogles from the guests and the staff of the chateau. I had to contain myself from rolling my eyes when I saw Alec waving at some maidens in his side of the path.

With this kind of behavior, it was a surprise I still didn't see him as a player. I actually thought of it as playful. Since I stayed in this place back when I was still managing the wedding reception, I knew already that the Fancy Pants Club has a wide fanbase. Alec, I assume, has his own share too, so it was only normal for him to show some attention to them.

When we arrived in the Club dining room, Amano and Alec were the ones who stepped inside first through thick double doors. Suri stopped me before I could follow them by holding an arm.

"Wait, " she said.

I gave her a confused brow. "Why? What's the matter?"

"Stay here and wait for my signal. Erik has to make a welcome speech first and I have to do the introductions for you."

"What?" Her informing me this while we were still in the boutique would have helped lessen my surprise, but she didn't, so I am truly at a loss right now. "I don't think that I warrant any grand entrance Suri. Why must you introduce me?" I asked, feeling suddenly nervous.

"Because that's just how we do things here, " she winked and gave me a positive smile before entering the room.

I failed to stop her, so I ultimately surrendered on this unexpected arrangement.