Blossom in Winter (Blossom in Winter #1)(112)

Someone knocks on the door.

“Yes?”

The door opens timidly. It’s Clarissa, the lady’s maid.

“Good evening, Ms. Van Gatt,” she greets. “May I?”

“Sure. Good evening, Clarissa. What can I do for you?”

Clarissa raises an eyebrow. “Um, I’m here to help you to dress in your nightwear, Miss.”

“Oh, sure.” I realize I’m again following his orders, but I’m too curious to see what he’s brought for me. Plus, I already promised to wear it.

Clarissa goes to his dressing room and takes the package from a drawer. As she opens it, I see that the content is enveloped in black tissue paper.

“Could you kindly undress, Miss?” I obey and remove my dress, my black bra, and my black lace thigh highs.

She opens the tissue paper. I glance over to see a red corset—Christmas red. I can’t help but smile. Clarissa takes the lingerie and lays it on the bed. I take the red lace thong with a bow on the back and put it on, then pull on the new pair of black lace thigh highs. Clarissa takes the red corset, wraps it around my bust, and starts to close the clasps on the front one by one.

“Miss, could you please brace yourself on the back of this chair, so I can tighten the back?”

I push the chair, turning it to face the wall that displays his awards—as I definitely can’t stand to look at my figure in the mirror—and hold myself against it. Clarissa starts to tighten up the red laces from behind. I’ve never worn a corset before, but I feel Clarissa compressing my waist and chest a bit too much. Breathing feels difficult as she continues to push even further. “I’m sorry, Miss. But it has to be tightened well.”

I let out a sigh, the nerves boiling under my skin. I know Clarissa is just following his orders… And so am I. Damn it. I look again at the wall in front of me with all his “dressage” awards and the framed photos of him holding his trophies, him riding his horse, him mastering the poor animal. Fuck, I’m not his pet to be domesticated, for God’s sake! And I have the firm intention of reminding him of that.





Chapter 28





Alexander Van Dieren





“I’m so happy to have met her, Alexander. She’s such a wonderful enigma,” states my mother, sitting beside me on the sofa.

I smile, quite flattered. I knew she would like her. “I’m very glad to hear that.”

“You know… God works in very mysterious ways.” I raise an eyebrow, although not surprised—Mother has always been quite religious.

“What do you mean?”

“Her father was telling me about that incident when she was seven. Isn’t it incredible? This young lady loved you even before knowing what love is. And despite all the efforts from her family to remove you from her memory, no one managed to remove you from her heart. And do you know why?”

I’m perplexed, knowing Roy has shared such a secret. “No, I don’t.”

“Because she gave it to you, Alexander.” Her lips twitch into a sly smile. “While stealing yours.”

She then opens her jewelry vault, standing on the low table, and hands me a small midnight-blue velvet box.

“What is it?” I ask, opening it. “Mother! It’s your engagement ring.”

“Not really…” She has that twinkle in her eye. “It belonged to me, to your grandmother, and to your great-grandmother. It dates back to 1870 when Mr. Van Dieren found the finest and purest sapphire of his time in Sri Lanka. He took it to a jeweler, who polished it and created this unique piece that has been worn in our family ever since. If you take a closer look, you’ll see our family name has been engraved inside. We only pass down this ring if we truly believe our oldest son will get engaged to the right woman, with the right heart and the right mind. It’s hers now.”

I gasp, speechless. And just when I think I know every single custom and tradition in my family, my mother still manages to surprise me. I look down and try to find the right words, but they aren’t coming. “I don’t know what to say… I… Thank you, Mother.” I hug her tight. “How did you even know about my intentions to propose to her so soon?”

She smiles at me, caressing my jawline. “Oh, Alexander, I’m a very resourceful woman.” But I remain staring at her, confused. “Well, Roy spoke to me about it. After all, that’s what best friends do.”

“Indeed. Roy will never stop surprising me. Just like my future wife.”





I’m still quite emotional as I head back to my bedroom, the velvet box held steadfastly in the inner pocket of my jacket. I wonder where I can take her for the proposal. After all, it has to be somewhere as special and magical as her.

I also wonder if she’s still mad at me. C’mon, Petra, just because of some rough sex? Really? I have to talk to her, but as I step into my bedroom, I gasp and my heart skips a beat. “Oh, dear Lord…” My cock grows hard at the sight of her. Petra’s sitting on the edge of my bed, her lips red, her wavy hair styled like a fifties diva, the red corset I gave her wrapped very tight around her body to accent her delicious waist and chest. She’s also wearing her new black lace thigh-high stockings and stilettos. She smiles, waiting for me quietly and silently. Just like I’d imagined. She’s so hot. Fuck, my Christmas present is right here, waiting for me to possess her again. I smile with pride. She’s so perfect, docile, and obedient, just as I wanted.