Chapter Text
Cardi sat at his desk working when Psaltarian walked in. He looked up from his work and noticed that the older man was early, it figured he would be.
"Frater Imperator, how are you doing this fine morning?"
"Busy as always." Cardi had a coldness to his voice. He wasn't the same happy man he had been a little over a year ago, and he didn't appreciate his quiet morning being interrupted.
"Where is Sister Abigayle?"
Before Cardi could answer, she walked in carrying two packs of copy paper. She placed a fake smile on as she looked at their "guest". Ab couldn't stand the man, or anyone who acted like Cardi was not intelligent enough, or up to this task. She knew how truly intelligent he was, something everyone overlooked due to his occasional childlike enthusiasm. It also pissed her off that no one saw how hard he was working.
"Psaltarian, shall we get my inspection over with?" She placed her hands on her hips, under her suit jacket.
"Are we in a hurry this morning?" A creepy smile spread across his face.
"Well," Cardi pushed his chair slightly away from his desk, "the sooner we finish this, the sooner we can get back to work."
"Fair enough, Frater." Psaltarian turned his attention back to Ab. She wore square toed boots, black jeans with black suspenders over a black dress shirt. A black tie and jacket with her hair down long completed her look. "Not quite the look I'd envisioned of a sister assisting the Frater Imperator. You look more like a ghoulette." He cocked an eyebrow at her.
"And who do you think designed that look?" Ab tried hard to keep her voice neutral, if only for Cardi's sake.
"Fair enough. Let's move on, shall we."
During the next two hours, the three of them went over the completed forms, then reviewed the tax receipts and donations. Psaltarian had to admit he was impressed with how much had been accomplished in the last couple of weeks. Cardi attributed it to Ab seeing patterns in organization and her eye for details. Psaltarian agreed, stating that he had thought it would have taken Cardi at least six months to accomplish all they had. Now it appeared they could be finished in three weeks. Ab took her jacket off and brought out a file they had been having trouble with. Psaltarian was explaining it to them when she slammed her hand on Cardi's desk, making both men jump. She then spun around and pointed at the air.
"Old man, if you don't stop starring at my ass, so help me Lucifer, I'm going to get the salt and sage and cast you into the void!"
Both men looked at each other in surprise, then Cardi stood, turned around, and leaned into her.
"Do you see him?"
"No, but I hear him. That's bad enough."
"But it's a nice ass," Nihil said with a shrug.
"Pops, quit it," Cardi said irritated.
"Whatever," Nihil said and left.
Two and a half weeks later
Cardi closed the file he'd just finished and reached for the next one. He looked up when his hand only touched the wood of his desk.
"Where's the files?" He asks, looking at Ab.
She looked around, then signed off on the one she had. "It looks like we're done."
"Done, done?" He actually didn't believe her.
"Done, done."
"Fuck yes!!" He stood up and pulled her to him, nearly knocking them both over in the process. Cardi repositioned himself against his desk, with her standing between his feet. "We deserve a celebration," he said happily.
"What did you have in mind?" She wrapped her arms around him.
"Oh, dinner at this fancy, exclusive restaurant I know. One with a dress code. Operative word being dress "
"Uh, you do know I don't own a dress, don't you?"
"Ah, but you do." He tapped his index finger on her nose. "I put it in your closet last week, just for this occasion."
"A dress?" She hated dresses and he knew it.
"Uh huh." A dress, shoes," he ran his knuckles across her cheek, "a little makeup and that perfume I like."
"I've never worn makeup," she sighed in defeat.
"I spoke to the ghoulettes earlier, they're more than willing to help you." He tipped her chin up slightly. "You're going to enjoy yourself, I promise."
"You tried something new for me, I'll try something new for you." She smiled and gave him a brief kiss.
"Meet me here in two hours. And don't keep me waiting."
She had taken a shower and dressed in a tank top and shorts before using the Acqua Di Gioia he'd requested. Ab looked in her closet, and on the right side, hidden by the frame was a garment bag. Sitting on the floor underneath was a shoebox. She lay the bag on her bed then retrieved the shoebox. Christian Louboutin. Opening the box, she gasped at the shiny black leather shoes with red soles. She'd seen more than a few women wearing them at the Grammys and knew they weren't cheap.
Next, she unzipped the garment bag. It was a strapless black satin mini dress with a ribbed bustier. She thought it was one of the most beautiful dresses she'd seen in ages. Cardi had obviously put a lot of thought and planning into this, and she only hoped not to disappoint him, or break an ankle in those shoes.
Ab stood in front of the Den, garment bag and shoes in hand. She took a deep breath and banged on the door. Aurora answered.
"We've been expecting you," she whispered excitedly.
She led her back to Cirrus' room where she and Cumulus were waiting beside a dressing table with hairbrushes and makeup laid out.
"I appreciate you guys helping me, I just don't want to disappoint Cardi." Ab handed Aurora the bag and shoes, who lay them on the bed.
"It's not problem," Cumulus took her hands, "we'd do anything to help our Ghoul Sister." She smiled at Ab with a mischievous look in her eyes. "As for disappointing Papa, by the time we're done, he'll want to fuck you before and after dinner."
The four of them laughed and it helped Ab relax. "Where do we start? I have an hour and forty-five minutes till I'm supposed to meet him. And he definitely said not to keep him waiting."
"It won't take us that long, maybe forty-five minutes, then you can practice walking in heels." Cirrus whispered, giddy with excitement. "Put on your dress first, then we'll go from there."
They had Ab strip down to her panties before sliding the dress over her head and lacing up the back. They made a fuss over how good the dress fit her, like it was tailored just for her. Aurora had her sit at the table to start her makeup, while Cirrus and Cumulus did her hair up in an elaborate braid unique to their home region. Thirty minutes later they let Ab look in the mirror and she didn't recognize the woman looking back at her. Even though the makeup was very minimalistic, the change was dramatic in her eyes. She hugged her friends and thanked them profusely before spending the next hour learning how to walk in the new shoes.
Cardi stood in front of his office door and checked his watch. She had two minutes left. He shifted his red metallic Ritual jacket to his right arm and heard heels echoing through the hallways. As the steps drew closer, he looked at the jacket on his arm and ran a gloved hand over it, smiling at the fact it was almost the same shade of red as the bottoms of her shoes. When the steps came down the hall towards him, Cardi turned to face her, keeping his eyes lowered. Slowly he raised his eyes as she walked towards him. The heels and the short cut of the dress made her legs look longer and made her hips away in a way he hadn't anticipated. The way the bodice hugged her breasts, her subtle makeup and elaborate braids, Ab looked like a completely different woman. He was stunned.
"Oh, sweet Lucifer in Hell...."
"I was about to say the same thing," she smiled.
He was dressed in his black boots, black dress pants and matching jacket, a white shirt with a gold embroidered black vest and turquoise tie. He was also in full face paint, something she hadn't seen since Zozo's first visit a few weeks ago.
"This is new," she said as she placed her arms loosely around his waist.
"Um hum. I got it when I got your dress, so we'd complement each other. And this," Cardi raised his arm with the jacket on it slightly, "is in case it gets chilly on you tonight."
"This is one of your Ritual jackets."
"It is. I just didn't want it to stay untouched in storage. Besides it'd look nice in you."
They walked to the parking lot with their arms around each other. Cardi stopped her when she started walking to his car. "We're not taking the Buick tonight. Wait here," he says as he drapes his jacket over her shoulders.
She watched as he entered a side door to the garage, then moments later one of the main doors opened and what sounded like a large motor turn over. Ab watched as he pulled out in a pearl black 1972 Mustang Grande. She starred in awe as he parked in front of her. Cardi got out and opened her door. Ab smiled at him before taking a few steps, then she turned to face him, looking a little lost.
"How do I get in with this on?"
His brows furled in confusion for a moment. "Ah, I forgot you're not used to dresses," he apologized. "Here, um, face me," he took both of her hands, "now sit and bring your legs in."
"Grazie."
Cardi smiled at her before kissing the back of one hand. "Anything for you, Mia Cara."
During the thirty-minute drive, Cardi slipped back into his old self, keeping her laughing at jokes and resting his hand on her thigh in between shifting gears. As they neared the restaurant, he pointed out museums and art galleries that he would like to take her to at some point. It made her feel very loved that he wanted to share this part of his life with her. Soon they were pulling into the valet parking for the restaurant.
"The Morning Star?" She said in amazement. "When you said exclusive, you weren't kidding, were you?"
"No, I wasn't. It's very exclusive."
Before he could say much more, two valets came and opened their doors. One helped Ab out while the other took Cardi's keys. He walked around the front of his car and took his jacket from her and placed it over his left arm, before placing his right one around her waist. As they slowly walked to the main entrance, Cardi explained things to her.
"The Morning Star and all the other high-end businesses are owned by The Ministry, as well as several overseas. They keep operating costs and enough to pay employees a generous wage, while the rest goes into our coffers."
"That explains some of our tax receipts." She had been wondering why they were also doing taxes for various businesses in the city.
"It does." The doorman held open the gold etched glass door for them, and they walked over to the Maitre' d's podium. "Hello, Michael."
The young man's eyes lit up when he saw them. "You're Dark Excellency! Welcome back, your usual table?"
"If you don't mind."
Michael pushed a button under the top of his podium and another man led them up a short series of stairs to a table that looked over the restaurant. Ab couldn't help but notice all the employees seemed to be wearing modified versions of tuxedos, depending upon their positions. There were four other tables on this level besides the one corded off with black velvet ropes. Two of the other tables were occupied with couples who looked at them while the seater moved the ropes away from their table. Ab felt the weight of their scrutiny, then Cardi faced her, gave her a kiss on the forehead and whispered, "It's a culture shock, I know." He lay his jacket across an empty chair before pulling hers out. As he took his seat, the young man spoke.
"You're sever will be Alix this evening. She'll be out momentarily with the menus and to take your drink orders."
"Thank you," they said in unison, then laughed about it.
A few minutes later a young, curvy woman in her mid-twenties with braided black and green hair, vertical labret and septum piercings approached their table.
"Your Dark Excellency, Ma'am, my name is Alix, and I'll be taking care of you this evening. Here are your menus," she placed a menu in front of each of them. "May I start you with drinks while you look them over?"
"Yes, thank you," Cardi smiled at her. "Two glasses of water, and a bottle of the house red, '99 if it's available."
"I believe we have one chilled now, actually. I'll be back shortly."
"Perfecta, grazie." As their server left, Cardi opened his menu and glanced up at Ab. " Order whatever you'd like. All our meals are comped here."
"Really?"
"Really. Consider it a positional perk," he grinned at her.
They spent the next few minutes going over the menus, discussing what was good before Alix came back with a tray holding two water glasses, wine bottle, two stemless wine glasses and a basket of croissants with honey butter.
"Are you ready to order, or would you like a few more minutes?"
Cardi looked at Ab, who nodded. "We're ready, ladies first."
"I'll have the 8oz ribeye, medium well. Smokey sweet potatoes with chorizo butter and garlic parmesan roasted carrots."
"And for you, your Excellency?"
"I'll have the same, but make mine medium rare, and tiramisu for two, please."
"Very good," she picked up the menus. "I'll put this in for you right away."
"She didn't write anything down," Ab said in amazement.
"Actually, they're taught to memorize the orders," he smiled at her. "You know, you ordered your steak entirely overcooked."
"Well," she laughed, "I don't like eating meat that talks back."
"And that, is a lie," he smirked at her.
"Guess I walked into that one, huh?" She shook her head and smiled, then took a croissant, tore the end off and added some honey butter.
"With both eyes open." He also took a croissant.
As she ate her bite, Ab looked down to the floor below. Gold accented white walls, crystal chandeliers and gray marble tile floors. Dozens of people, talking, eating, laughing.
"Penny for your thoughts," he said as he poured their wine.
"It's all just so extravagant "
"What else?"
"You."
"What about me?" He took hold of her hand, and felt her bare feet rest on top of his boots.
"Just wondering what it would take for you to destroy me?"
"Define destroy," he cocked his head at her.
"You're an Emeritus, you should know."
"I want to hear you say it. Make sure we're on the same page."
"Rough, aggressive, borderline violent sex. Hair pulling," she smiled at him. "You biting me hard enough to break the skin."
"You like that shit, huh?" He said with a smirk.
"Sometimes."
"Sometimes," he repeated, his voice going lower, "ask for it "
It was then that Alix brought their food, giving Cardi something else to focus on besides her words, and the fact his slacks were getting tight. As they ate, they indulged in idle chit chat, and he smiled when Ab said she was enjoying herself. After they had finished their meal and wine, Alix and a busboy came back. After the young man had cleared away their plates, Alix placed the plate with the tiramisu in between them with two forks.
"Could we have two coffees please? With evaporated milk instead of creamer?"
"Of course, Excellency. I'll bring them right out."
"You know," Ab looked at him smiling, "when I was pregnant, I was craving three main things. Pizza, sweet pickles, and this." Taking the fork, she takes a bite and hums in delight.
Cardi scrunched up his face at the combo. "Not all at the same time I hope."
"Oh no ...... Well, the pickles and pizza, yes."
As their coffees were placed in front of them, Cardi remembered when Terzo and he would take working lunches here, his brother would always get a tiramisu to go.
"So, you were the one?" He asked, stirring his coffee.
"I was the one what?"
"That Terzo was taking tiramisu to."
"Guilty," she smiled at the memory of sitting on his bed, leaned back against him, eating the dessert as he gently held her. "You know, I didn't realize how much I missed this until now."
"Um, you should have it more often then." He sipped his coffee.
After they had finished, while Ab put her shoes back on, Cardi slipped a fifty-dollar bill under his plate as a tip. Just because their meals were complimentary didn't mean he couldn't reward good service. As she stood, he helped her into his jacket and smiled at the sight. They were walking out with arms around each other's waists. Cardi stopped as they met Alix.
"Thank you for a wonderful evening, my dear. We hope to see you again soon."
"Thank you, Excellency. It would be my pleasure to take care of you both again."
When they were outside, Cardi walked over to the valet's booth, and one of the men went to retrieve his car. He turned to Ab and slid his right arm around her waist, cupped her jaw with his left, and kissed her. He loved kissing her. If it were possible, he could do it all day. It removed any doubts and feelings of inadequacies that he felt about himself. It felt like home to him.