Hello Treasure Read online

  Celia presented the shoe box. Lorelei held out her hands so Celia could rest the box on them and open the top, pulling out one of the shoes.

  "Oh, my. Oh, my,” she exclaimed with awe. “Celia, you realize these are real sapphires, right? One of a kind shoes?" Jackie exclaimed.

  "So beautiful," Lorelei murmured.

  "I know, it's crazy," Celia said as she carefully placed the shoe back in the box. She took a moment to touch the sapphires, awe flooding through her that she had been given something so special before making sure the tissue paper was carefully tucked back in place.

  Jackie's voice jolted Celia out of her wandering thoughts.

  "Well that will go perfectly with what he has planned. Your task here is to pick out a complete outfit. Dress and lingerie. And we'll make sure they go with those fabulous shoes. Lorelei, get the gem set, I'll go get some dresses. Celia, you are in here." Jackie pulled back the curtain revealing a pedestaled circular change room surrounded by mirrors and lit by a crystal chandelier. "Get undressed. Everything off. Don't be timid, it's just us girls today."

  Swallowing hard, Celia pushed down the rush of shyness. She was a confident woman and she took great care of her body. She could get naked in front of these women.

  Sucking in a breath, she stripped and stared at her nude body reflected back at her from all directions. Pulling in her stomach and thrusting out her breasts she did a little turn, admiring her body. Her careful diet and exercise definitely paid off. She wasn't curvy, never had been, but she was lean and muscular with small, perky breasts. She could use a tan though. Hours and hours spent in doors had left her beyond pasty and in the the blindingly white stage. Oh well, one day she would take a vacation and catch some sun.

  "Not bad for forty," she muttered to herself as she pulled her hair clip out, letting her hair tumble softly around her shoulders. She did a little shimmy to the music that was playing throughout the store, it was an old 80’s anthem she hadn't heard in years and it made her feel young again.

  "Ready?" Lorelei's voice called from the other side of the curtain.

  "Bare as the day I was born!" Celia called back, a little thrill in her stomach at her boldness.

  Lorelei's face appeared between the curtains. "Perfect, you’re going to love this!"

  And she did, Celia thought as she stared at her body a few moments later. Now cinched and lifted into a stunning indigo blue bustier with garters, a silk thong and sheer hose with cute little black vines going up the back of her legs. On the vines were little crystal flowers. The crystal flowers also edged the top of the bustier setting off the bit of cleavage it had miraculously given her.

  Jackie appeared with a rack full of dresses but Celia knew her dress the moment she saw it.

  Spinning in front of the mirror she watched as the spiderweb-like black lace dress swirled around her thighs, providing a provocative glimpse of her garters. The waist was cinched in with leather strips wrapped into a web-like corset that went from just below her bust to her hips. It made her waist look itty-bitty. The top was a simple scoop leaving her toned arms bare.

  She spun in front of the mirrors, flipping her hair and smoothing her hands over her waist. Her face was hurting from smiling so much. She had never felt so amazing. So beautiful.

  "You look stunning. Wait!" Lorelei spun away, returning moments later with the shoes. Kneeling down she helped Celia slide her feet into the buttery soft leather. They fit perfectly.

  Celia gasped as they stepped back. She was hot. No, she was sizzling on a griddle hot. She didn't think it was possible for her to look this good.

  "You look ready for the most amazing night of your life. Oh, which reminds me. You need this." Jackie presented Celia with another red envelope.

  Giggling as she fumbled with the paper, Celia grabbed the edge and ripped it open, pulling out the note. She read it out loud for Jackie and Lorelei.

  Hello Treasure,

  Do you love the gems and dress?

  Know who I am? What's your guess?

  More clues await at your next stop,

  Staying at the very top.

  I hope the room does not lack.

  Make haste, no need to pack.

  Head to the place of fairy lights.

  Laid out below are all the sites.

  Celia read it again silently, trying to sort out the clue when Lorelei started jumping up and down.

  "Oh, oh, I know where that is! It’s that really posh boutique hotel, The Devonian. They have that beautiful rooftop terrace with millions of little fairy lights everywhere. It's like the place to go for romantic evenings. You can see the whole city from up there and the most beautiful sunsets. And it sounds like you have a room there! It's the ult, so posh. I'd give anything to see the inside of that place. Royalty has stayed there and tons of celebrities." Lorelei's words tumbled over each other ending in a high-pitched squeak.

  "Wow, really?" Celia had heard of the place, but like Lorelei said, it was really exclusive and expensive. No one she knew had ever stayed there. Her mind raced trying to narrow down her list to men that could afford The Devonian, but realized no one on her list could. The shoes, the clothes, now a posh hotel. Someone was spending a lot of money on her and Celia was no closer to identifying her secret admirer.

  CHAPTER 5

  After a quick change, she didn't want to risk damaging her new clothes, Celia packed everything into her car and drove over to The Devonian where a valet was waiting at the curb.

  "Good evening, Ms. Huxley. I trust you are having a wonderful evening."

  Quickly trying to mask her shock that he knew her name, Celia smiled and handed him her keys. "I am, thank you."

  Another man, dressed in a finely tailored suit came up to her, followed by yet another man in the red dress uniform of a bellhop.

  "Ms. Huxley. A pleasure to have you here. My name is Ralph Winston. I will be your concierge during your stay. Anything you need, anything at all, let me know and it will be taken care of. George, please take Ms. Huxley's bags and boxes up to her suite." Ralph smiled and immediately made Celia feel warm and welcomed. "Please, come this way."

  When they entered the elevator, Ralph swiped a key card, then punched the button beside the word 'penthouse.' Her stomach flipped, there was no way the penthouse had been booked for her. He had obviously made a mistake.

  "Wait, I think you pressed the wrong button."

  "No error, Ms. Huxley. The penthouse has been reserved for you this evening."

  Inside, Celia was squealing and jumping around like a school girl. She couldn't believe she was staying in the penthouse! But she tried to maintain a calm exterior despite that massive grin on her face.

  When the elevator door opened they were greeted by a large foyer. The walls were accented with crown molding and wainscoting, and directly in front of them was a massive, arched carved mahogany door.

  Ralph opened the mahogany door and stepped to the side allowing Celia to enter first.

  Her jaw dropped open.

  It looked like something out of a castle - luxurious fabrics, opulent antique furniture and massive arched windows that framed the twinkling lights of the city below and the last remnants of the sun setting on the horizon.

  "I trust this will be acceptable?" Ralph said as George set her belongings in a dressing room that connected to a bathroom with the largest claw-foot tub she had ever seen.

  "Absolutely. Thank you," she said, barely containing herself as she tried not to race about the room checking everything out.

  "Some toiletries and other comfort items have been provided. Once you are settled, I will bring up your evening meal."

  Yikes, that was going to cost a lot, Celia thought, getting ready to protest, but Ralph raised a hand stopping her.

  "Everything has been taken care of for your stay." His smile was kind and he spoke gently. "I will return in an hour with your meal."

  After they left, Celia counted to ten then with a squeal ran and launched herself onto the
massive four poster bed with a lace canopy.

  "Who are you, mystery man?" Celia asked the silent room.

  Smiling and giggling, Celia scrambled to her knees, bouncing for a moment before sliding to the floor. Doing a twirl she went to the window and stared at the streets below. Her fingers tapping a little beat on the glass. With another spin she went to the huge oak writing desk. There she sniffed a massive bouquet of Gerbera daisies. She had always enjoyed the bright colors and cheery faces of Gerberas.

  Doing a little dance step she went to the dressing room where her stuff had been placed, and promptly stubbed her toe.

  "Oh, shit. Ouch. Damn," she cursed as she hopped around. Leaning against the wall, she lifted her foot to rub the throbbing toes and noticed the cause of her pain, a red suitcase. Sitting down, she crossed her legs, still rubbing her foot with one hand as she unzipped the suitcase. Inside she found new clothes, including a silk nightdress, and a box.

  Her aching foot forgotten, she lifted the top of the box and discovered it was filled with skin and hair care products from the salon at The Devonian, the Gaia. Once again, the most expensive spa in the city.

  There was also another red note.

  Hello Treasure,

  Your day has been long,

  and kind of like a song.

  Tomorrow is a mudslide date,

  hurry and don't be late.

  Your appointment is at ten.

  so we will part until then.

  Good night.

  Sleep tight.

  A mudslide? What does that mean? Celia chewed her lip as she pawed through the contents of the suitcase. Her first thought was that she was going hiking, but she couldn't find any shoes or hiking equipment. In fact, the entire suitcase was filled with exquisite, designer brand clothing. Even the underthings. She shook her head in confusion as she stroked the soft materials, doing a double take at some of the names on the labels.

  Mentally she went through the list of all the men she had dated over the years, but she just couldn't imagine any of them doing this. Let alone having the money to do this. She couldn't even fathom how much had been spent already on this little treasure hunt.

  A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.

  As promised, Ralph arrived with dinner. Alfredo pasta, chocolate dipped strawberries and oranges, and white wine. All her favorites that she rarely treated herself to in an effort to keep her weight under control. The tray was decorated with flickering lavender candles. Her favorite fragrance.

  Who would know all of this about her? She rarely ate this way, she simply couldn't, her metabolism was not what it used to be.

  Before Ralph left he turned on some music. It was an old tune, one that she knew well and made her want to dance. Which she did as soon as Ralph left.

  Closing her eyes she felt like she was eighteen again as she let the beat take control of her body. She danced until she was panting and sweaty. It felt good to let out the tension that had been building all day. She felt young, vibrant and alive.

  Once she was danced out she grabbed her purse and brought it over to a small bistro table by the window along with the fruit and wine. Pulling out the clues and list of possible secret admirers she read through all of it again as she sipped her wine and ate.

  With a sigh she crumpled up the list of names. There was simply no way anyone on that list had done this. Another read through the clues didn't magically bring about any revelations either. With a sigh she pulled out her phone and called Kayla.

  "Hey! Did you figure out who it is?" Kayla asked, bypassing all small talk.

  "Nope, but you'll never guess where I am."

  "Oh, where? Somewhere amazing and exotic I hope!"

  "Does The Devonian count?"

  "Wow, really?" Kayla's voice dropped to a soft whisper, thick with awe. "What's it like?"

  "I'm in the penthouse."

  "No shit! No way," she exclaimed loudly, making Celia giggle.

  "Yup, and it's everything and more. Just no words for how over the top elegant it is. I also got a bunch of new designer clothes and a box full of stuff from Gaia."

  "Who the hell is doing this? You do realize that you are about to sleep in the same bed that royals and celebrities have slept in, right?"

  It actually hadn't occurred to Celia, but the idea seemed absurdly silly to her, making her laugh loudly. "Well, maybe I'll sleep naked then."

  Kayla snorted as she laughed. "So, how are you going to figure out the identity of your secret admirer?"

  "I don't know. My next clue talks about an appointment and a mudslide, but I'm not sure what that is."

  "How can you not know what that is?" Kayla shrieked with excitement. "Gaia's famous signature treatment is the mudslide. They use muds from all over the world to make you dewy, soft and young again. And you get to do it! I'm so jealous!"

  "I get fancy schmancy spa treatments too? Who would do this, Kay? It's completely insane."

  "I don't know. I honestly don't, but it's one hell of a fortieth birthday present."

  CHAPTER 6

  Later that night while lying on the plush bed in a silk nightdress surrounded by what this mystery man had done for her, Celia's mind raced. Her body, unable to relax, tossed and turned.

  She wondered if maybe this was all the work of an insane person. Maybe a stalker. But she couldn't imagine any stalker spending this kind of money on her. And it was too personal. So many of the little touches throughout the hunt were little things very few people in the world knew about her.

  Plus her gut told her this was the work of someone who cared for her. Perhaps loved her. It all felt so familiar, so safe. Like a favorite childhood toy or blanket. She just couldn't accept that there was anything sinister behind the scavenger hunt.

  Scrubbing her hands through her hair she tried to clear her mind. She was sure that part of her knew who it was, but she just couldn't quite grasp the slippery knowledge as it hovered on the edges of her racing thoughts. It seemed so familiar. The words, the clues, but for the life of her she couldn't figure out who would do all of this.

  Or more importantly who would have the money.

  When she finally drifted off to sleep, her dreams were filled with fantasy princes and dashing knights whisking her away on great adventures or declaring their undying love. All while she wore stunning sapphire encrusted shoes and corseted dresses.

  The next morning she went to the spa where she once again ended up stripped naked in front of a bunch of different women.

  "This is becoming a habit. I didn't realize when I set out on this scavenger hunt I would be spending so much time naked," Celia joked with her masseuse.

  Everyone at the spa knew about her little adventure and they wanted all the juicy details, which Celia happily shared. Somehow telling her story made it seem more real and less like a dream.

  "If a man did all of those things for me I would throw my naked self at him. You have to come back and tell us who this mystery man is. All the girls are talking about it."

  Celia thought about her words and wondered if the man behind all of this was someone she would want to get naked with. She really hoped it was, because it would really suck if she had to find a way to turn down someone who had gone to such lengths for her.

  Celia spent over three hours getting scrubbed with mud, slathered with mud, bathed with mud and finally wrapped in mud. And every mud was from a different place in the world and, thankfully, didn't smell like mud. Each treatment had the most divine fragrances, it was impossible for Celia not to unwind and relax.

  While naked on a bed, coated in mud and wrapped up like a tortilla, the first tingles of realization hit. But when she tried to catch the thought, it was gone again. She was so close to figuring it out, part of her brain had already solved the riddles, knew exactly who the mystery man was, but she needed the rest of her brain to shut up so she could hear it.

  Humming a little she tried to meditate and clear her mind. But her body had other ideas and her f
ingers and toes started tapping to the beat of the music that was playing. It was another old song, one from her teenage years, and as the chorus came on she sang the words.

  Like a semi-truck, realization slammed into her.

  It had to be him. But it couldn't be. She hadn't seen him in decades. Well except on TV.

  She tried to sit up but couldn't. She tried to wriggle and free her arms but she was wrapped up so tightly she couldn't move. Feeling like a mud-caked fool she started calling for help.

  After a quick shower, a group of about a dozen ladies were waiting for her outside of the change rooms. The spa manager was holding a red envelope.

  With a shaking hand, still not believing it could be true, Celia shredded the envelope in her haste.

  Hello Treasure,

  Have you solved my clues of red?

  Like a bash over the head?

  I'm sure you've figured it out.

  Of that I have no doubt.

  Head to the place we made our pledge,

  where we both fell over the edge.

  Forty is here, it's your big day.

  We once had so much to say.

  My love for you has never waned.

  It's time it was regained.

  "So? Did you figure it out?" It was the spa manager, her face flushed with curiosity.

  "I think so. I think it's a very old friend I haven't seen in a very, very long time. We made a promise. I forgot. I don't know how I could have ever forgotten. I can't believe he remembered. That he still cares. I have to go. He's waiting."

  Racing up to the penthouse she sprinted into the room. Her heart was pounding so hard and fast it was making her clumsy as she changed into the Riddle & Rum lingerie and dress. She had at least an hour drive ahead of her and now she knew who it was she couldn't get there fast enough. Taking a quick spin in front of the mirror to admire the amazing dress, she smiled at her reflection. A toothy, giddy smile.