Threads of a Dream

John pulled Aria into the room and closed the door behind them.

“Wh.... What are you doing John?” she whispered, her back brushing the wall. Heat rushed to her face. “We can’t. I’m engaged, and—”

She inhaled sharply as his lips traced her neck. “I don’t care,” John said quietly with a low voice. “I want you.” Aria’s heart raced at those words. Every instinct told her this was wrong yet her body refused to pull away. The warmth of him felt dangerously comforting to her.

The world narrowed to the space between them. His hand brushed her waist and her resolve wavered. When their mouths parted, the kiss was slow, hesitant at first, then unguarded. A quiet sound hummed between them, more breath than voice. Then their kiss deepened, breaths mingling as a quiet sound escaped them. A low, breathy “mmh” vibrated between their lips.

He then lifted her up with ease, setting her down on the bed.

“We can't do this, John… Ryo’s in the next room,” she murmured.

“Then don’t make any sound,” he whispered near her ear, a teasing edge in his voice. He winked, smirking as he shifted his head.

“Oh... GOD... John.” Aria said, her heartbeat thundered.

A low “mm” slipped from her as she was biting her fingers.

“Ah…” The sound came out before she could stop it.

Her breath stuttered and….

Aria jolted awake.

She sat upright in bed, chest heaving, heart racing as reality crashed back into place. The blanket was tangled around her legs.

“Oh… shit,” she whispered, pressing a hand to her chest. She dropped back onto the bed, and pulled the pillow over her face. “I really shouldn’t have watched the Forbidden Passion after that heavy dinner…”

"John of all people…" Her face burned as she turned onto her side, pulling the blanket closer. "It’s just stress," she told herself. "He’s always there for me and he’s safe. That’s all it is. Get it together, Aria, he's your bodyguard."

Still, the thought of it made her groan softly into the pillow.

*****

“Right there, John—over the corner,” Aria said while averting John’s eyes. “Yep. The Silk Road Fashion.”

They parked the car and stepped out.

Aria continued, “Madam Kinu is one of the best designers on this planet. She designs for whoever she chooses, and not the other way around. She has made all kinds of clothes over the years, from award shows, festivals, even wedding dresses. She has designed for European royalty too. The coronation dress she made for the late queen is kept in a museum in Paris.”

John nodded. “I knew of her, but not in this much detail. Color me impressed. One of my actor clients once complained about her short fuse.”

Aria shrugged. “Well, you know how people get when they’re old. She’s no different—if anything, she’s calmed down a bit. Every time there’s news about her, people still bring up the incident where she cut a client’s ear with scissors for messing with her design.”

“How lovely,” John said dryly.

Aria chuckled. “Just don’t say anything, John. I really like her as a designer, and I don’t want her cutting me off. Be on your best behavior.”

John sighed. “I’ll try.”

As they pulled open the shop door, a small bell chimed. Inside, an elderly woman sat near a low table, a wool scarf draped around her shoulders. Behind the counter stood a young boy, quietly sorting fabric swatches. The space felt more like a tea shop than a tailor’s—warm, cluttered, and alive.

The moment Aria stepped inside, the old woman rose sharply. “My dear Aria!” She crossed the room in quick steps and wrapped Aria in a tight hug.

“Hello, Madam,” Aria said warmly. “It’s so good to see you again.”

Madam Kinu pulled back, hands still holding Aria’s arms. “I saw the news,” she said, her voice softening. “I’m so glad you’re safe.” She pressed a kiss to Aria’s forehead, then turned her sharp eyes toward John.

“My, my,” she said slowly. “And who is this handsome devil?”

She circled him once, inspecting openly. “Tall. Solid frame. Hmm... he's a sample size. Scars too.” She reached up, briefly touching his jaw. “Without them, you’d be far too perfect. It’s the imperfections that make people interesting. Otherwise, everyone would look the same.”

She figured out my size just by looking at me with my clothes on. Either she’s really that good or she bluffs exceptionally well. Given her reputation, my money’s on the former.

“He’s my bodyguard,” Aria said quickly.

Madam Kinu stepped back with a knowing smile. “I know. I saw the Rogue cover.” She waved a hand dismissively. “If it were me, I’d hire him as a bodyguard for the bedroom too.”

Aria froze—then flushed bright red, biting her lip.

Madam Kinu laughed and turned toward the back of the shop. “Come, Aria. I have new pieces I want you to try.”

They followed her through the back door of the shop, which opened into a much wider space. Mannequins stood scattered around the room, draped in half-finished dresses and rolls of fabric. Sewing machines lined one wall, mirrors another. There was even a Peruvian room tucked into the far corner.

“Here they are—my babies,” Madam Kinu said proudly. “I made these three with you in mind. Take off what you’re wearing and try them on.”

Aria glanced shyly at John. He immediately turned around, facing the other way.

Where’s this bad temperament everyone talks about? She’s like a grandma handing out candy to children.

“Wait,” Madam Kinu said suddenly, her tone shifting. “My dear… did you gain weight?” Aria froze. “N-no…” she replied quietly.

“You’d better not have,” Madam Kinu said, smiling—though her voice turned cold. “You know I don’t resize my pieces. If you have, I’ll simply cut you open with my scissors, remove the fat, then sew you back up.” She said it sweetly. Almost lovingly.

There it is. The candy was just bait. She lured us in her house before showing her true self—just like the fairy tales.

“Try them in the Peruvian,” Madam Kinu added, handing Aria two dresses and leaving one aside. As she turned to leave, she brushed her hand across John’s back and shoulders. “Sample size indeed. Still got it.” She murmured, disappearing through the doorway.

*****

Aria was trying on the dresses. “I don’t like this colour,” she muttered, studying her reflection, “but this one’s perfect for the interview. The black, mixed with the Greek-goddess style… it looks amazing.”

Her gaze drifted to the third dress hanging outside the changing area. Then her eyes caught John, as the morning dream crept back into her thoughts. “Ehm…. John?” she said lightly. “Are you and—umm—what was her name? Oh, Mei Lee. Are you two a thing?”

“No,” John replied without hesitation. “We’re not.”

Aria tilted her head. “Really? I thought you were. So… what’s your type, then?”

“I don’t want to talk about it,” John said, his tone cold.

“Why not?” she teased. “Don’t tell me you’re a virgin, John. I mean, that’s okay. I won’t judge, just make fun of you a little.” She grinned. “Were you one of those men who thought they’d become a wizard at thirty if they never did it?”

John let out a short chuckle. “I’m not a virgin, Aria.”

“Oh, so there was someone. What did they look like? What was—”

“Aria.” John raised his hand, stopping her. “I don’t want to open up about my private life to others, especially not with someone who has a fiancé.” She hesitated. “If I wasn’t—” She stopped herself. “Never mind. Could you hand me the red dress?”

John shifted his head slightly, giving it a side glance. “I’m not here to shop. Come pick it up yourself.”

“But I’m wearing little to nothing right now,” she protested.

“Your clothes are there with you,” he replied calmly. “Put some on and grab it.”

“Fine then.” Instead, she stepped out as she was and stood behind him, hands on her waist. John stiffened. “What are you doing?”

“Next time, help me, or I’ll act like this. Or worse.” She said sweetly. She grabbed the dress and slipped back inside.

“For someone in her mid-twenties,” John muttered, shaking his head, “you act like a child.”

“And for someone in his thirties,” she shot back from inside, “you act like a grandad.”

John shook his head again.

A moment later, Aria peeked out. “Hmm… I like this one too. I’ll take the black and the red.”

After changing back into her clothes, she stepped out holding the dresses. “Let’s go, John. I want to get home early so I can work out. I think I got a little chubby around the stomach. Stress eating is the worst.” She lowered her voice. “Don’t say anything to Madam, though.”

“Okay,” John said with a smile.

At the counter, Aria placed the dresses down. “These two spoke to me, Madam. I’ll take them.”

“Good, good,” Madam Kinu replied. “Take good care of them, and yourself my dear.”

As Aria swiped her card, Madam added, “Next time you come, I’ll prepare something for your bodyguard too. He should look stylish while protecting you.”

“Wow, thank you, Madam,” Aria said, then glanced at John. “Looks like she picked another customer.” John inclined his head. “Thank you, Madam Kinu. I appreciate it.”

She nodded once and disappeared into the back room.

*****

Inside the car, Aria sighed. “I have a couple of days to lose this fat. I really don’t want to know what she’d do if she saw me like this in her dress for the interview.”

“I know a way,” John said.

Her eyes lit up. “You do? Does it work?”

“You’ll be sweating from head to toe when I’m done with you,” he said, a smirk tugging at his lips.

That smirk made her face and ears burn—it was exactly like the one from her dream.

“What’s wrong?” he asked when he noticed.

“Nothing,” she said quickly, turning toward the window.