The princess games

First dinner

*Charlie*

As the sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, Tessa, Arabella, Nia, and I make our way back to our suite. The air feels warm and inviting, and I can’t help but feel a thrill of excitement buzzing through me. Today was fun, but I can’t shake the feeling that dinner will be even better.

“Okay, girls, let’s get ready!” Tessa exclaims, flinging herself onto one of the plush beds, her arms outstretched like she’s about to dive into a pool of cushions. “I don’t know about you, but I want to look fabulous for tonight.”

“Fabulous? I thought we were just going to stuff our faces,” Nia replies, already rummaging through her suitcase for a cute sundress.

Arabella rolls her eyes but can’t hide her enthusiasm. “Oh, but if there are cute guys there, you need to look your best. First impressions matter, ladies!”

As we all start rummaging through our clothes, I can’t help but feel a bit of pressure to look good. I settle on a light, flowy dress that feels like summer; the fabric dances around my legs as I move. A quick glance in the mirror confirms that I look decent enough, and I feel a flutter of excitement at the thought of meeting new people tonight.

Once we’re all dressed and ready, we head down to the restaurant. The atmosphere is buzzing with energy, and I can already smell the delicious aromas wafting through the air. As we step inside, I’m taken aback by the sheer variety of food laid out before us. It’s a buffet like no other, a veritable feast that seems to stretch on forever.

“Whoa,” Tessa gasps, her eyes wide as she takes in the sight. “Look at that wall! It’s like a dessert wonderland!” She rushes toward a table piled high with cakes, pastries, and colorful desserts, her excitement palpable.

I can’t help but laugh as she practically jumps up and down, her hands clasped together in delight. “I think I’ll just move in here,” she declares, already filling her plate with an assortment of sweet treats.

As we fill our plates with everything from sushi to roasted vegetables, I notice a guy in a fancy uniform hits a gong at the front of the room, drawing everyone’s attention. “Ladies,” he announces with a flourish, “starting tomorrow, we will have two dinner times! One for all the wonderful women here, and another for those who have been invited by male guests to join them for dinner.”

A ripple of excitement runs through the room, and I can see the wheels turning in Arabella’s mind. “Well, this just got interesting,” she smirks, her eyes glinting with ambition. “I’m definitely going to make sure I get invited to that second dinner, preferably every night.”

As we sit down to eat, I can’t help but take in my surroundings. The dining area is filled with women chatting and laughing, but I notice the cliques forming already. Some women seem to be dressed to the nines, like they just stepped off a runway, while others look more conservative, as if they were preparing for a church service. It’s interesting to see the variety of personalities represented, and I can’t help but wonder what the men will be like. Do they prefer the glamorous types, or will they be drawn to the more understated charm of the others? Do most want a sexy confident woman, or a shy and innocent one?

I look up and spot Malik across the restaurant, a tray in hand, chatting with another staff member. My heart skips a beat.

“Girls, remember Malik?” I wave enthusiastically, and to my delight, he looks up and meets my gaze. A smile spreads across his face as he makes his way over to us, his presence bringing an unexpected warmth to the evening.

“Good evening, ladies,” he says, a hint of playfulness in his tone.

I smile. “Hi again Malik, these are my friends, Tessa, Nia and Arabella. Girls, this is Malik.”

They all say, “Hi Malik.”

“A pleasure,” He gives a light bow. “Can I get you any drinks?”

“Absolutely!” Tessa chimes in, her eyes sparkling. “I’ll have a mojito, please!”

“I’ll take a glass of the house red,” Nia adds, her usual calm demeanor replaced with a hint of excitement.

Arabella, ever the diva, leans forward slightly, her voice dripping with charm. “I’ll have a spritzer, Malik. You know, something refreshing to go with all this fabulous food.”

I can’t help but chuckle at her theatrics, I know She is not really interested as he is just a servant. “I’ll just have water, thanks,” I say, glancing up at him with a smile. “But I think I’ll need something bubbly to celebrate this feast.”

“Coming right up!” Malik replies, his smile widening as he turns to leave. I watch him go, feeling something bubble up inside me. There’s something about him that draws me in, a kind of sincerity that feels refreshing in this extravagant setting.

I thank him when he returns with our drinks, but he just smiles, saying that after all it is his job.

As we dig into our food, I can’t help but chat with my friends about the different types of women here. “It’s kind of fascinating, isn’t it?” I say between bites of my meal. “There are so many different personalities. I expected everyone to be the same, but it’s like we’ve got a whole spectrum of women in one place.”

“Totally!” Tessa agrees, nodding vigorously. “You can already tell who’s here for the glamour and who’s here for the experience. It’s like a reality show waiting to happen!”

Arabella scoffs lightly, but there’s a hint of amusement in her eyes. “I just hope the guys can keep up with all this talent. They’ll need to be on their A-game to impress me.”

As we finish up our meals, I can’t shake the feeling that tonight is a turning point. There’s a certain energy in the air, a promise of new friendships and maybe even a bit of romance. And after all, after dinner it is time to meet at least some of the men.