Butterfly Dream: Storyteller Cosmetics, #3

By Magus Tor and Carrie Lynn Weniger

'True love is all but a beautiful dream?' 

Aicee is a renowned sex-change surgeon. When she receives a call from Howard Cooper, CEO of Storyteller Cosmetics, regarding a person she referred to his company for a job, the simple meet-up leads up to a complicated love. When Howard decides to back out of the relationship after learning the secret of Aicee, she will have to make a decision. To chase him back or lose him forever... 

WARNING: LGBT theme

• Language: English
• Publisher: Beyond His Words
• Release date: May 12, 2016
• ISBN: 9781533716330

Magus Tor

Magus Tor is a dreamer who enjoys dreaming varied dreams of being a doctor, a lawyer, a police officer and a teacher but never in the wildest dream to become a writer. Since starting to write in 2007, Magus continues to explore creating worlds in his imaginative mild. Although he wishes to specialize in writing fantasy but his mind twisted his will and he ended up writing more Science Fiction than Fantasy. So far, his only fantasy novella is D-Nine: Protectors of the Crown.

Book preview

Butterfly Dream

Chapter One

It was a little after lunchtime, and the hazy afternoon sun was shining through the plate glass windows of the waiting room in Aicee Colleen's private clinic. Patients sat in the plush chairs, quietly flicking through glossy magazines as they waited for their turn to consult with one of the most in-demand surgeons in Miami. The room was painted in calming pastels, matching the soft pinks and blues that Miami was famous for, the prints on the walls reflecting the close-by ocean. Everything came together to create a sense of relaxation that was welcomed by the sometimes-nervous patients.

Matthew Johnson crossed his legs and settled back into his chair, at ease in the familiar surroundings. He was now officially a male, physically and legally, and this would be his last visit to Aicee's office. He was excited to hear how the doctor felt about the final result of all his surgeries. He'd been more than careful with his post-operative care, and today was to be his official unveiling, so to speak. So he waited anxiously for his name to be called, smiling quietly to himself in his excitement. And then the door to the back office area opened, and there she stood.

Matthew, you ready? Aicee asked, her voice husky and smoky.

Yes, I think I am, he answered, nervous now that the moment had come, but ready to be finally done with his long transformation.

The examining rooms were just as comforting and familiar to Matthew as the waiting area, and soon he was in the capable hands of Dr. Colleen. He watched her, half worried and half excited, but her expression gave away none of her feelings. Biting his lip, Matthew struggled to figure out what the beautiful doctor was thinking as she performed the examination, frequently asking whether this hurt or that hurt or if he had any concerns. And then it was clear that the exam was over, and Aicee Colleen took a step back and smiled softly.

Why don't you go ahead and get dressed, was all she said. Meet me in my office when you're done.

Okay, said Matthew, disappointed that she hadn't pronounced judgement immediately, but put at ease by her smile. He loved Dr. Colleen. She was more than a surgeon; she was an artist.

He dressed and made his way through a busy corridor towards Aicee's office, waving at staff members he recognised. He'd been a patient for a while now and was a frequent visitor to the office, where the whole friendly team treated each patient as if they were family. All patients were addressed by their first names and made to feel as important as the doctor or any staff member. It was one of the many reasons he'd chosen this clinic in the first place.

Hesitantly, not knowing quite why he was nervous, he knocked on the office door. He went in at the sound of Aicee's voice, sitting himself down on the comfortable chair that faced her sprawling desk, and then, unable to contain himself any longer, said:

So, doc, what's the verdict?

Aicee grinned and leant back on her desk chair, clasping her hands together. Well, at the risk of sounding conceited, I think it's my best work yet! You've healed nicely, and, well, my work here is done! Great job, Matthew.

It was all you, doc, he said, grinning right back at her. Thank you so much. I feel like a new man.

Aicee laughed at this. Well, you kind of are a new man, Matthew; that was the point!

He joined her in laughter for a moment, then sat forward and listened attentively as she began to go over the things he'd need to concentrate on for the next few months as he finished his transition. Whilst he had completed his transformation physically, Matthew would still need to go through counselling sessions as he got used to his new body.

Do you have any questions? she finished.

She was always thorough and ensured that all her patients left her office feeling confident and comfortable, with no lingering doubts, questions, or embarrassments in their minds.

Matthew shook his head. I think you covered pretty much everything, he said. Thank you again, so much. You've changed my life. In every way.

He stood up and, rather than shaking her hand as he had after past sessions, reached over and gave her a hug, which made Aicee blink back a discrete tear.

Now, he said, releasing her, I need to concentrate on finding myself a job. I worked so hard to save for this surgery; it was all I ever wanted, but I'm pretty close to having burnt through everything I've saved.

Aicee nodded understandingly. This was the case with many of her patients. Such transformations didn't come cheap and were rarely covered by insurance. Then she had an idea and opened her desk drawer, pulling out a crisp white business card.

The people at Storyteller Cosmetics are fantastic, she said, handing him the card. It's real close to here, and they're always looking for good employees. You said you studied business finance, right?

Sure, said Matthew, looking down at the card.

Then I'm sure they can help you out on the job front. Give them a call.

Matthew smiled. You're always the life saver, he said. But thanks. I'll call first thing tomorrow.

Aicee nodded, then cleared her throat. This was the difficult part of her job, the saying goodbye. You take care of yourself, Matthew, she said. And make sure you check in with us from time to time, because we're going to miss the hell out of you.

I definitely will, Matthew promised with a crooked smile.

As he closed the door behind him, Aicee sat down in her leather desk chair and sighed. She really loved her job—all of it. It wasn't about the money, and, if she were being honest, the surgery itself wasn't her favourite part of the job. No, the aspect of her work that she loved the most was seeing the emotional transformation of her patients. She was not only their surgeon; she was also their friend and their counsellor during what could be a difficult process. And it was a process that took so long, she couldn't help but grow close to her patients, which was part of the reason she insisted on her office staff being so kind and courteous to them. But it did mean that saying goodbye was bittersweet. She was glad Matthew had become the man he deserved to be, but she was sad to see him go.

***

Hello, Dr. Colleen speaking.

Absentmindedly, she twirled the telephone cord around her finger, watching a fluffy white cloud float through the deep blue sky outside.

Hi, my name is Howard Cooper. I'm the CEO of Storyteller Cosmetics.

Aicee sat up straighter and frowned a bit. Yes, Mr. Cooper, what can I do for you?

You recently referred one of your patients to us, a Matthew Johnson?

Her heart skipped, wondering if she'd done something wrong. Yes, yes I did. He was in need of work, and I knew he had a strong business finance background. I thought he could be a good match for the company.

There was a gruff laugh on the other end of the line. That he is, said Cooper. I was wondering if we could meet for a coffee. I have a few things I'd like to speak to you about. Professionally, that is.

Aicee's frown deepened. I'm sorry, but did I overstep my bounds by suggesting Matthew apply to Storyteller?

No, no! shot back Cooper's voice, letting Aicee relax a little. On the contrary, actually, I think we could work together on a project I have in mind, and I'd like to meet with you face to face.

Now she was smiling. Let me put you on hold for a second while I check my diary, she said, flicking the hold button on the phone and turning to her computer monitor.

She clicked to her surgical schedule and then pulled up her office schedule, thinking, not for the first time, that she really needed to get a programme that would combine both schedules so she could see when she had free appointments. Sucking air through her teeth, she surveyed both schedules, clicking back and forth, and couldn't find a single free spot. With a small sigh, she picked up the phone again.

Mr. Cooper, it seems that I'm booked solid for the next few weeks. But I'm curious about your proposition, and I'd like to meet with you. How does a dinner appointment work for you?

Are you free tomorrow evening?

She turned to double-check her calendar again. My last appointment is at four, so I could meet you at around six, if that's good for you.

Six is perfect. I'll let you decide on where.

She thought quickly, then suggested: How about something we can eat outside? I'm cooped up in the office or operating room all day, and some fresh air would be great.

Are you good with pizza, or would you like something a little more formal? he said. She could hear the smile in his voice.

Pizza's my favourite, actually, so that would be great. Michael's at the marina? Do you know it? There's a lovely view.

Sounds great. I'll see you there. I'll let the hostess know that I'll be expecting you and reserve a table right now.

Oh, they don't take reservations, said Aicee, quickly. I've already tried more than once.

I'm a regular, Cooper assured her. I'll ask for my usual table; they're generally quite accommodating.

Aicee raised her eyebrows but didn't comment on this. Maybe she'd misjudged how much of a heavy hitter the CEO of Storyteller was going to be. He obviously had influence if he could bag a table at Michael's.

Okay then, she said. I'll see you tomorrow evening. Take care, Mr. Cooper.

She hung up the phone and tapped her fingers on the desk, wondering what all this was about. She found that she was excited at the prospect of meeting with one of Miami's most prominent business figures, but she was also confused at how he thought they could work together. There was one thing she knew, however, and that was that Mr. Howard Cooper was not just one of the city's most eligible bachelors. He was also one of Miami's finest-looking available men. She read the newspapers, and even skimmed through the gossip columns, and knew that his divorce had happened years ago. Apparently he missed married life but was so busy with work that he hadn't had time for another relationship. Well, if what she read was true, anyway. And at the thought of dinner with a handsome and available man, her heart sped up.

Shaking her head, she told herself to grow up and stop acting like a teenager. Not only was it embarrassing, but she still had one appointment left this afternoon. She switched gears and stood up from behind her desk to call in the next patient.

When she finally finished her day, she grabbed her files for the next day and headed back home to go over them. She knew she had surgery in the morning and then a handful of appointments in the afternoon, after which she'd need to run home and change before her business meeting with Howard Cooper. And she wanted to make sure everything ran as smoothly as possible tomorrow so she wouldn't need to call and cancel at the last minute.

***

Howard Cooper hung up the phone and smiled. He knew that the business proposal he had for Dr. Colleen was a very generous one, and a very attractive one, and it was going to be tough for her to pass up. He wasn't one for intensive internet research; he usually left that up to his assistant, but he had Googled the doctor and found that not only was she successful but she was also highly attractive. He smiled as he brought up the picture on his screen again. This dinner was going to be a business meeting, but who said it couldn't be a little more? Not a date—not that. But it could be an opportunity to learn a bit more about the beautiful woman smiling back at him from his computer monitor.

Hell’s bells, he groaned at himself. It had been a long time since he'd been out on a date. And yes, it wasn't a date, it was a business meeting, but still... He was as nervous as a high school kid who'd asked the head cheerleader to Homecoming. He took a deep breath and convinced himself to calm down before packing up his desk for the evening. He liked to leave a clean, clear desk when he left the office.

On his way out, he stopped and asked his assistant to make the necessary arrangements for dinner at Michael's.

Will that be your usual table? she asked automatically.

Yes, but set for two.

He almost laughed as he saw April struggle to contain her curiosity until a professional look reclaimed her face.

Shall I give the name of the person you'll be meeting, in case they arrive before you? she asked, all innocence.

Cooper broke and told her. Dr. Aicee Colleen.

Oooh, said April, her mouth a perfect red circle. She's beautiful.

You know her?

April shrugged. Who doesn't know her? Besides being one of the most successful plastic surgeons in Miami, she's also the doctor Samantha and Cindy used.

Huh, really? He hadn't known that, but then, there was no reason he should.

Oh, hope I wasn't out of line saying that, April said, blushing. It's just that they speak so freely about it.

No, no, I'm sure it's fine, he reassured her.

Okay, then, I'll make the arrangements. You said six, right?

Yes. Thank you, April.

She turned her catlike green eyes on him and gave him a sly, knowing smile.

Cooper gave her a mock stern look in return and pointed his finger at her, saying: You stop it right now. It's a business dinner, April!

She rolled her eyes. Okay, Mr. Cooper, whatever you say.

As he headed out of the office, she was already picking up the phone to make the reservation, and Cooper found himself with a little more spring in his step than usual. As he walked through Storyteller's open foyer and past the famous glass staircase, he tried to convince himself