Under the stranger's spell

The woman ignored their obviously unspoken questions and said in a pleasant voice, “My full name is Carminda Du Pondt. Call me Cammy if you wish.”

She paused while the butler served their drinks.

“Thanks Chandre,” she said in a dismissive tone. Chandre bowed politely, with the empty tray across his abdomen and turned smartly on his heel as he left.

“So, I suppose you fine gentlemen do have names as well?” she continued with a broad smile, as she rose and moved to an elaborately carved oak corner unit at the far opposite end of the lounge. Blake and Jared realized that she was now going to play music, because she had started to flip through a vast CD collection.

Within about three minutes, the sound of Chinese music gently filled the lounge.

It also spread to the alcove area which they were occupying.

Carminda then turned on two small, pear-shaped chandeliers, neatly tucked against the wall of their alcove lounge.

The chandeliers spread a pink light, which had the effect of bathing them all in a glow of softness. Then Carminda turned off the main lights and this immediately made the three of them feel even more secluded.

It was amazing! Neither Blake nor Jared had ever seen anything like this before. They most certainly experienced a strong sensation of being under a spell. Neither one of them spoke, but they each resumed to sip at their respective drinks, when Carminda rejoined them.

Blake was the first one to recover his voice. He was not a talkative person, but under pressure he was a more efficient speaker than Jared.

He cleared his throat before introducing himself.

“I am Blake Edwards. I have always lived in Pretoria. I am presently a student at the faculty of engineering, at the University of Pretoria. Pleased to meet you.”

He could not believe that he was speaking so calmly.

Carminda flashed him a brilliant smile of admiration and Blake had to wonder whether it was admiration for his good looks, or of the pure fact that he could actually speak. He felt totally stunned and obligated towards this total stranger.

He tried very hard not to think about what could happen next.

Jared pulled himself up on the couch to sit slightly more upright.

He was feeling like a school boy, having to subject himself to the daunting task of saying his name in front of the rest of the class.

“I am Jared Johnson. I’m a B Com graduate from Wits University and looking out for a job. However, in the meantime, I manage to get along just fine.”

He felt chilled to the bone and was somehow trembling on the inside.

“Is this a kidnapping situation?” he asked himself.

He could somehow not keep track of his own thoughts.

Carminda looked at Jared with what he could, without a doubt, only interpret as feigned interest. He felt like even more of a schoolboy then.

She did not allow herself the pleasure of enjoying their awkwardness however.

She immediately rose very gracefully and opened the doors of a wall cabinet, which was built into the alcove lounge wall. Thereby she revealed an eighty-four centimeter television set.

She then picked up a remote control device and proceeded to scan through the contents of a video. She stopped when it reached a point where Oriental dance was featured in colorful scenes.

Apparently satisfied, because she had found her favorite part of the video, she came back slowly.

She walked to the rhythm of the music with her hips slightly swaying to the rhythm of the music. Then she reclaimed her seat opposite her two guests. They were both still captivated by her alluring beauty. Her eyes shone like stars.

The video also featured a display of contemporary dance, to the beat of energetic and rhythmic rock music. Jared and Blake gaped with interest. It was a popular song; one of Jared’s favorites.

They looked at the video as if they were seeing it for the first time though. Their edginess was slipping away.

Chandre arrived half an hour later, carrying a huge tray, laden with various delicacies. These were garnished with edible flowers and looked very tempting. So, much so, that both Blake and Jared reached out eagerly, only just realizing that they were very hungry indeed.

When Chandre left the room, Carminda flicked off the video and the Chinese music came back on. She had hardly done this when―as if from out of nowhere―a stream of Chinese girls, dressed in skimpy swimwear emerged from another alcove, which was situated at the far end of the room.

They also wore colorful chiffon sheaths tied around their waists.

Blake and Jared then realized that there therefore had to be an opening out of that alcove, leading somewhere else. To some deeper region of the house.

The girls flanked each of the guys and lovingly served them the food on the platter.

They actually fed them by hand. A ritual which the men found bewildering but fascinating.

There was sushi on the platter, surrounded by tiny saucers laden with savory and sweet biscuits.

These were accompanied by colorful cream dips in minute silver bowls.

This light meal was accompanied by white wine, which was also brought and served by the pretty Chinese girls. They took turns to serve the snacks and the wine.

When the light dinner was over about half an hour later, Carminda leaned over to Jared and asked gently, “Would you like to experience just a little more of the surprises I have in store for you?”

Then she made an invitation, “Please come with me,” as she held out her hand to him.

To this suggestion Jared told himself recklessly, “What the heck, you’ve gone so far, what could scare you now?”

So he accepted her hand, which she offered with an air which seemed very confident.

She seemed sure about the fact that they could not deny her requests, or indeed, her desires.

Blake noticed that Carminda had the most charming, glittering smile whenever she spoke. Her teeth shone like polished pearls.

When Jared disappeared with Carminda, out the way that they had come in, Blake suddenly realized that he was now alone with these strange, pretty women. They seemed to have no limits to being pleasing, or at least in trying to be so.