Lennon walked back into the event room and saw Suzanne. She was wearing knee-high, white plastic heeled boots and a brown, long-sleeved, turtle-necked sixties style dress which had a patterned resembling old-fashioned curtain. The dress was also so short that she'd inadvertently flash her bright orange underwear if she bent. Her hair was dyed black and was long and centrally parted.
She stood in the centre of the room dancing in a weird hippie way, freely waving her arms around to the music as her long hair flowed here and there.
Lennon walked up behind her and grabbed one of her hands, startling her as she turned around, even more so when she saw how Lennon was dressed.
He raised his arm so that she could playfully twirl a few times under the ark of his arm. "How are you, my queen?" Lennon asked.
"Wonda, you're as charming as ever! Yet, the jury's out on the look." Suzanne said, loving the clinking sound his necklace made every time he made the slightest movement.
"You don't like it?" he asked as he ran his hand through his bright blonde hair.
"Well, it's not really you, is it?" Suzanne asked.
Lennon shrugged and then smiled.
"I like your usual clothes, not all the designer stuff. I like what you arrived in. The authentic, wholesome, guy next door, you." Suzanne said.
"Who's he? All those clothes went straight In the trash until Chéri fished them all out." Lennon said.
"Good for him! That boy finally has good taste. He likes the wholesome authentic guy next door you too." Suzanne said.
"Sometimes more than others."Lennon answered.
"So, this is the 'shocking' you. Where is 'truckDriver' you? The shy man with naturally blonde hair. Is he probably still out there, somewhere, on a motorway in England?" Suzanne asked.
Lennon looked thoughtful a second. "He died, on a highway in England."
"Oh?" Suzanne smiled. "When's his funeral? I want to go and pay my final respects."
"It's been and gone. His ashes were blown off Chéri's hand and into space." Lennon said.
"Well, I know that story is not true! Catholics are buried!" Suzanne said.
"True. I even have a grave already. Back home we have a family plot in the warm soil of home." Lennon said.
Suzanne looked down. "It's weird, sometimes we all end up so far from the piece of earth we call home. Even though I want to live here."
"Well, this is why we bring our culture with us." Lennon said.
"But it gets lost. Look at you! Polish blood flows through your veins, yet you are a stranger to the country, its language and culture." Suzanne said.
"Because we've been Americans for a few generations. There's more American brand blood in me personally than anything else darlin'." Lennon smiled. "On a lighter note, I love your retro dress. The jury's in and delivered a fast verdict on that."
"Thank you! I didn't think anyone would like this." Suzanne said.
"You kidding? I love this style of sixties fashion, and it suits you so well. The hair and makeup are perfect too. I really love that you've gone raven-haired. Black hair on a girl is so mysterious." Lennon said.
"So many compliments from you! I don't know what to say!" Suzanne said.
"Just say thank you. That's enough for me!" Suzanne said, "By the way, where's Chéri?" Suzanne asked.
"He's still getting ready." Lennon said.
"Wow. He always looks amazing. It would be funny if he went as you." Suzanne answered.
"Nah it wouldn't! I like how elegant he always is. His clothes, hair and makeup, I love it all." Lennon said.
"Do you like it when he dresses like a girl?" Suzanne asked.
"Not specifically. I appreciate his being crossdressed underneath far more than what he wears on the outside." Lennon said.
"That's so interesting. You're drawn to everything female, except what actually makes someone female." Suzanne pondered.
"That's a bit philosophical for an evening like this." Lennon said.
"Maybe, but what is the distinction between a sexual preference and a fetish? So, do you just have a fetish for his wearing female clothes or are you drawn to Feminine traits? I wonder when it started or when you realised?" Suzanne asked.
Lennon looked a little put out. "I certainly do not have any fetish! I've never stopped to think about it. I'm not in the habit of analysing myself." he said as loudly as he dared, for her to hear him over the music, as he poured himself another drink.
Suzanne poured herself another drink. "Let's step onto the balcony, the view is lovely and we can hear each other." she said over the loud music.
They stepped out onto the large balcony, overlooking the gardens and security teams scurrying about.
"What a beautiful night." Suzanne said as she looked up at the night's sky. "All these stars, putting on a show for us. They were born billions of years before us and will be here billions of years after... In the void of space."
Lennon walked to the rail. "Well, Some may already be dead. But we see their light still, as a silent visual echo, In the millions or billions of year's it took for their light to reach us," Lennon said as he looked up. "We, as humans, we're gone In the blink of an eye. We burn bright and we burn out, in only a handful of year's in relative terms."
Suzanne put her hand on the rail and they looked up to the heavens together.
"Did you know... -" Lennon paused a moment, "That every molecule of carbon in your body came from only one place - the heart of a dying star. I used to tell my students that when I taught chemistry and science."
"Really, Lenn?" Suzanne asked.
"Yes. It's a pretty spectacular death, and in its final exquisite throes, it gives so much life back. After burning so beautifully for so long, it gives one final gift back to the universe and creates a massive nursery for planets and stars."
"Wow, why are we even here? It all seems so pointless." Suzanne said.
Lennon gazed upwards. "I wish I knew. But, the moment I find out, I won't be about to tell anyone, because it will be all over for me. Each one of us is dead far longer than we were ever alive. Life is so finite, so fleeting."
"Which is why we have to live in the moment. Enjoy immortality through our children." Suzanne said.
Lennon nodded.
"Wonda, if you were teaching class back when I was In school, then maybe I would have listened." Suzanne said.
"Nah, cause when you were in school, I was too! I ain't that much older than you." Lennon smiled.
They looked at each other and smiled before giggling. Lennon put his glass down. "You know my queen, this bubbly drink is goin straight to my head. I better go find where my beloved has got to."
"Okay, my king." Suzanne said before she waved to him and looked back at the sky.
The voice over the speaker read out. "The Bordello is proud to introduce, from Paris, France. Madam Dolores' youngest son and heir apparent to the Bordello, Chéri."
Chéri made his entrance with other family members. He was dressed as some kind of cyber Geisha. He wore a beautifully hand patterned, silk Geisha robe covered in cherry blossoms over a black plastic catsuit. Every time he lifted his arms, the robe would fall to his elbows exposing the tight black plastic sleeves.
Chéri's grey-blonde hair was parted off centre and a hairpin of freshly cut cherry blossom flowers were clipped to the side of his head. He whited his face and had two striking red vertical streaks running down from his forehead, through the centre of his eye and down his cheek. Lennon saw Chéri and couldn't believe how beautiful he was. He could feel his heart rate elevate.
Chéri hugged his mother and was holding her hand until he saw Lennon, so he then hurried over to him.
"Lenny!" Chéri said with an open-mouthed look of surprise on his face.
"Oh my God, Chéri! You look gorgeous." Lennon said as he hugged Chéri tightly, "God! Just look at you!" he added as he looked all about Chéri.
"Lenny, how the fuck are you dressed like that!?" Chéri exclaimed.
"I thought it would be a laugh. What do you think?" Lennon asked.
Chéri looked indecisive. "Well, you really have the thighs for hold-ups. But really, no. It's not appealing. I'd fuck you dressed like that for the freak factor but it ain't right. I mean, if I got a buzz cut and wore combat fatigues would it turn you on?" Chéri asked.
"Ahh, certainly not. I mean, it would be interesting but not sexy." Lennon said.
Chéri smiled, showing his cute braces. "That's exactly what I think about you in drag. Especially as you're so scrummy in what you usually wear." Chéri said as he stood on his tiptoes and wrapped his arms around Lennon's neck.
Lennon ran his hands up and down Chéri's sides as he hugged him. "You're totally, unbelievably sexy. You know that?"
"I'm sexy?! Lenny, I saw that phone footage you sent me, and I nearly died of shock! You in the bath, naked, looking so casual." Chéri said.
Lennon smiled widely down upon him before asking quietly. "Did you get aroused over it?"
"Ha! I've already had a wank over it." Chéri smiled. "You know, it'll wreck my makeup but... do you want to go upstairs with me for a little fun?"
"You must be turned on if you're willing to sacrifice your makeup. Yeah, I really, really fancy some fun with you right now." Lennon said as he held Chéri's hand.
"Oh! What are you planning on, as you're such a big and strong lady at present." Chéri said.
Lennon leant over to Chéri's ear. "I'm plannin' on everything. I have no fucking limits, none. I think we need to stop wastin' time here and go off and do some freaky shit."
Chéri looked up at Lennon and giggled as he grabbed his hand and yanked him away towards the door.
As they were both hurrying out, madam Dolores called out to them.
They stopped and Lennon looked at Chéri and rolled his eyes while smiling."Let's try and make this quick so we can get upstairs!"
They walked towards her and Lennon leant down to hug her, but he noticed Marcel standing close by with Serena.
Dolores smiled. "Lennon, you're packing to go to America with Chéri, for two weeks, yes?"
"Yes, momma. I have to leave Spain and re-enter with a visa. It's a good opportunity to wrap up my life over there and apply for residency here." Lennon said.
Dolores looked at Chéri, then back to Lennon. "May I speak to you alone Lennon?"
"Yes, of course." He said as he followed her.
"You don't have to apply for residency if my baby marries you. He is a triple national, born French, with British and Spanish citizenship." Dolores said.
"Yes but, I want to take my time asking him, and I've devised a little time and place I was going to. But I'm also going to get him a ring because he said he wanted to be asked." Lennon said.
Dolores looked so excited. She hugged Lennon, whom she completely accepted as her son in law.
"When can I meet your parents Lennon?" Dolores asked.
"Hmm, well. I have yet to tell them about my personal life. I'll be honest. They don't know I'm gay. I'll out myself on social media to my friends, and then speak to my parents when I get home. I also have to tell them I'm immigrating." Lennon said.
Dolores looked confused," But, love is love. Being gay is to be celebrated! I love my baby Chéri, exactly how God created. You see Chéri's soul, and I love that. You will love my baby to your final breath, I know this. This is why it is only you who can marry Chéri, because only you can accept my baby. "
"Yes, Momma. I promise to be the best husband I can be for him. Loyal and dedicated. I love you momma and your family. You've all made me feel so welcome. This is the life I want. Assisting you in the Bordello and having Chéri as my husband."
Next Chapter: Mr Nakamura Is Buying One Of Our Luxury Yacht Installations...