Page 8 of Kaid's Empire

“I know that look, that is a look that only a man can cause,” a voice next to me states. I turn my head and see an older woman sat next to me with her hair in rollers and her face covered in a dark green face mask. She attempts to smile at me through her mask.

I smile in return. “No man, I'm single.”

“Ha, likely story. I didn’t say you were in a relationship, I said that distant stare was caused by a man. Believe me, dear, I know.” She leans in closer. “I'm on husband number three,” she whispers.

I try not to look shocked. “Well, in that case, maybe you should part with your wisdom.” I smile.

She laughs and snatches her hand from the beautician that is trying to give her a manicure and clicks her fingers. “Champagne and two glasses.” I am surprised to see them scurry off to get it. “I'm Allegra, and you are?” she asks, holding out her hand.

“I'm Theia.” I smile, shaking her hand.

“What a wonderful name. Now, Theia, let’s enjoy this champagne and you can tell me what delicious man made you like that.” She winks, snatching the champagne and starts pouring.

It turns out Allegra is over fifty, but she is stunning with olive skin, dark hair and looks more like she is in her early forties. She holidays here regularly with her husband. I'm guessing that whatever it is her husband does––and from the size of her ring on her finger––he is extremely wealthy.

She talks me into getting a traditional Russian treatment in a sauna. We lay down, face first. I'm already sweating from the high temperature. It smells lovely––a herbal fragrance. “Hmm, smells lovely.” I sigh.

“That’s the banya hot stones, they pour herbal infusions on it,” Allegra informs me. “Now comes the Parenie, they use venik, which is a bundle of birch, oak or eucalyptus and releases essential oils,” she adds.

I lay in wait of this lovely sounding treatment, I am then surprised that I am being hit with this Parenie. “What the hell?” I gasp as I am basically whipped with a bush.

“Just lie there and relax, it helps with circulation, relieves tension, and it really helps your stress levels,” she states. She turns on her side to face me. “

So, you're telling me that you don’t know who he is? Not even his name? You’ve never actually spoken to each other, and yet he made you feel all that?” Allegra asks, downing her champagne.

I nod. “I know, right? It is messed up,” I state, feeling a little fuzzy headed from the champagne and sauna. “I know one thing though, he is dangerous.”

Our conversation is cut sort when we are ushered into a room with little separate pools. “Robe off and in you get,” Allegra orders. She strips off and gets in, so I follow her and do the same.

“Jesus fucking Christ!” I screech.

“It’s an ice-cold plunge pool, closes your pores and helps tone our newly rejuvenated skin.” Allegra smirks, trying her best to hold in her laughter as I hiss and bitch about the freezing cold water.

“Hooo… haaa, shit, bugger,” I complain as I sit down. “Christ, I think my vagina has just clamped shut forever and my nipples have inverted in on themselves.”

Allegra throws her head back and laughs. “You English girls make me laugh, so blunt and brazen. How did you find the sauna?” she asks.

I look to her and its probably the champagne making me have a loose tongue. “Honestly, I don’t get you Russians, the treatment felt like I was being massaged by that marvel tree character Groot––or whatever his name is. And now, now I feel like I'm going to lose a toe or a nipple to frost bite,” I answer honestly.

Allegra laughs loudly. She stands and proceeds to get out of her tub, and I quickly follow suit, not wanting to be in there a second longer. I shake, shivering, my skin feeling like it’s got a thousand needles sticking in it. Whereas Allegra looks like she's just stepped out of a nice warm bath. Jesus, the Russians are hard as fuck.

Allegra pauses for a moment, watching me. “You know, my husband and I are having a little party tomorrow night on our little boat. Nothing too fancy, just a few our friends, dinner, drinks and canapés, that sort of thing. You should come.”

“Oh, I couldn’t.” I shake my head.

“Why on earth not? Do you have plans?” she asks.

“Well, no, I––”

“That’s settled then, you shall come tomorrow night. Be ready for seven p.m., I shall send a car to come and collect you,” she adds, looking at her very expensive looking watch.

“Er, what should I wear?” I ask.

She looks down at me and smiles. “Something pretty.” She clicks her fingers for the beautician to follow her and she leaves, waving over her shoulder.

I sit back, finishing the last of my champagne, feeling like Allegra is a force to be reckoned with.

Six

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