by Julia Kent
I went to the boutique on Saturday, slipping into the newest jeans I had and a pretty decent blouse that didn’t have a single stain on it. Still, the moment the bell jingled above my head as I walked through the door, I was painfully aware of being out of my element. I ought to have worn high heels, or gotten my hair done, or something. One of the sales girls came over to me, and I felt like her smile was a little bit forced.
“Can I help you?” she asked, looking me up and down.
“I need a dress,” I said. “I’m sure you can tell I’m out of my element. Daniel Thorne told me to come here, he said -“
“Oh, of course.” Her demeanor instantly thawed. “Right over here, Ms. Wainright. It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name’s Emma. I’ve pulled a few pieces for you. Let me know what you think. Mr. Thorne wasn’t sure of your size, but I’m sure we can find it if you like any of them.”
“To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure I know my size either. It’s been so long since I’ve bought a dress.” I looked up at what she’d chosen for me; there was something black and slinky and something else in a deep purple, and more behind those that I couldn’t really see.
“Let’s take your measurements, then. Step into a fitting room.” She was already unwinding a tailor’s tape.
Once she’d wrapped it around my waist, hips, and bust, she scribbled a few things on a notepad I hadn’t even noticed she had. “All right,” she said. “A few of these will probably fit you just fine, but we can work with the others as well. Why don’t you try the black one on first?”
I stepped out of my clothes and slipped it over my head, spinning around in the mirror as the folds of fabric settled on the curves and contours of my body. I had to admit I liked the way it clung to my chest, but I wasn’t happy with the overall shape of it. I looked to Emma for guidance.
She shook her head. “It’s not quite right for you. I had a feeling it wouldn’t be. Try the purple.”
Close, but it still didn’t look right to me. Then again, I wasn’t sure if my expectations of how I would look in a dress were very realistic. I was thinking of magazine photo shoots airbrushed all to hell. No matter what I wore, I was still going to have all the lumps and bumps of a real human woman.
Emma was tugging at the hem. It fell at an odd place, just below my knee, which threw off the whole look of the dress.
“We can take this in a little bit, if you end up liking it,” she said. “But let’s try something else. I think Mr. Thorne wants you to have something off the rack. He made it sound like time was a factor, and I’ve got a few clients ahead of you in line for alterations.”
I nodded, and she dug through her selections for a moment, finally pulling out something in the deepest shade of midnight blue I’d ever seen. Instantly, the color transported me back to a fond childhood memory of walking through the mall, hand-in-hand with my mom, before things went sour between us. I’d look up at the massive skylights that lined the main concourses, just after dusk, seeing the sky just as it turned this particular shade of blue. I couldn’t explain why, but something about that color always made my young heart swell with the beauty of it.
Emma was smiling. “Here,” she said. “I can tell you’re in love with it already. Try it on.”
It was light and silky, fitting over me like a second skin, but not clinging too tight. My breath caught in my throat as I looked at my reflection. Almost instinctively, I reached up and undid my ponytail, letting my hair fall loose around my shoulders. I tossed my head. Now I looked like someone who belonged on Daniel’s arm.
Emma’s smile had broken into a grin, lighting her whole face up with the satisfaction of a job well done. I felt a scratch against my armpit, and I remembered for the first time that these dresses had price tags. But as I lifted my arm and tried to grab onto the tag with my other hand, Emma stepped forward and gently pulled my hand away.
“I’m sorry, but I’m under very particular instructions not to let you look at the price.”
I stared at her. “Are you serious?”
She smiled. “Come on. Let’s find you some accessories.”
Emma showed me a necklace and a pair of earrings, elegant silver pieces with alternating light blue and white pearls and crystal pendants, far more delicate and beautiful than anything I’d ever worn. She put me in front of a mirror and fastened the necklace while I slipped the earrings in.
It was perfect. The lighter blue of the jewelry was beautifully complemented by the midnight blue of the fabric, and when Emma pulled my hair into a quick bun on the top of my head, I hardly even recognized myself. A pair of matching shoes, and I looked ready for the red carpet.
Walking out of the shop, I tried not to even think about how much money I’d just spent. Daniel wanted me to have these things. That was the important part. A few hundred - or, God forbid, a few thousand dollars were nothing to him in exchange for me having a nice outfit.
My phone went off just as I walked through the door of my apartment. Sighing, I dropped my purchases on the couch and dug it out of my purse. Unknown Name, Unknown Number. I almost let it go to voicemail, but changed by mind at the last minute.
“Hello?”
“Hello, Maddy. How are you?”
“Daniel.” I stopped in the middle of my living room, my heart thudding at the sound of his voice. I’d really been looking forward to a whole weekend of being away from him, avoiding his knowing smiles and deep green eyes and all the things that reminded me of that damn dream. “I just got back from the boutique, actually.”
“Oh, did Emma treat you well?”
“Yeah, once I dropped your name.” I switched the phone to my other ear and picked up the bag, pulling the necklace and earrings out. “She set me up pretty well.”
“Glad to hear it. I’m sorry if she was cold to you at first. They’ve had issues with ‘customers’ who come in without the intention of buying anything, just putting on a little fashion show for themselves and making a mess in their wake.”
“And I looked like one of those people. Yeah, I get it.”
Daniel was silent for a moment, as if he wasn’t quite sure if I was being snarky or not.
“I wanted to ask you if you were free for dinner tonight,” he said, finally.
“Already?” I set the jewelry down. “I thought you meant, like…next week, or something.”
“I’ve been thinking about it since, and I feel it would be best to get things off the ground soon. If you’re free, of course.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to say something bitingly sarcastic, but instead, I just said “of course.”
“I’ll send a car to pick you up at seven o’clock.”
“Sure,” I said, hanging up before he had a chance to say goodbye.
I couldn’t explain why I was so irritated. Something about Emma’s demeanor, and his explanation for it, was more than I could stomach. I didn’t want to spend the next year pretending to be something I wasn’t, just to fit in. But I’d already signed the contract.
I sat down heavily on the couch, picking up the sparkling necklace and toying with it gently. Could I get used to this lifestyle? Did I even want to?
I busied myself around the apartment for the rest of the day, vacuuming and dusting and wiping down corners I hadn’t touched since I moved in. My eyes kept drifting over to the bag from the boutique, and I couldn’t stop myself from thinking about everything that it symbolized. Years of financial freedom. More money than I had ever dreamed of. A new lifestyle. A new life.
When the car pulled up, I was waiting outside, clutching my new black leather purse and trying not to look awkward.
“Forgive me, ma’am, but you look lovely,” said the driver as I climbed in. I had to smile.
“Thank you,” I replied. “Let’s hope Daniel agrees.”
The driver cleared his throat, and I could tell he wanted to say something.
“What?” I prompted, finally.
“Well, I shouldn’t say anything, but…”
He met my eyes in the rear view. “I’ve been suspecting there was something going on between you two.”
Been suspecting? How long had the driver even been aware of my existence? I felt a chill run up my spine, but I was afraid to ask the question.
“Well, you’ve got solid instincts,” I said. “Where are we going, by the way?”
“The Inn at Grenarnia,” he replied, in a tone of voice that suggested he’d never set foot in that restaurant himself. I felt like I wanted to scream. I knew the place - they’d been written up in the paper before, with words of high praise for their $250-a-plate tasting menus. How on earth was I supposed to behave naturally in a place like that?
“Wow,” I managed, after a silence. “Fancy.”
“Well, that’s how Daniel is when he really likes someone. No expense spared. He must really want to impress you.”
Or intimidate me. “I guess so,” I said.
He’d pulled up to the curb in front of the restaurant. I took a deep breath, smoothed my dress over my thighs, and stepped out onto the sidewalk.
Chapter Four
I had to admit, the restaurant was enchanting. And I hadn’t even set foot inside the door yet. They had a large veranda where couples sat on swings and Adirondack chairs, talking, laughing and sipping wine. Strings of lights twinkled like fireflies all around the eaves. Off to the side, there was a lush garden, and as I stepped closer to get a better look, Daniel walked out from under the ivy-covered trellis.
“Maddy,” he said, warmly, coming towards me and taking my hand. He held it for a moment, and I had the strange thought that he was going to lift it to his lips. Instead, he simply squeezed it a little before letting go. “That’s a stunning dress, by the way.”
“Hi,” I said. “This, uh, this place is really nice.”
“It’s cute, isn’t it?”
That wasn’t exactly the word I would have chosen for a place that cost this much, but I just nodded and smiled.
There was a table waiting for us inside, surrounded by glowing candles and plants that seemed to be growing out of the floor. On closer inspection, they proved to be thriving in planter boxes that were built in to be at the same level. In the center of the dining room, there was a massive tree trunk; the restaurant appeared to have been built around it.
“You look surprised,” Daniel said, smiling.
“I wasn’t really expecting it to be like this,” I said. “I don’t know what I was expecting.”
“I can’t stand a stuffy restaurant,” he said. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s not ‘nice’ if you can’t be comfortable while you’re there.”
We had a reservation for the tasting menu - of course - which was actually somewhat of a relief. At least I didn’t have to try and choose the entrée that would make me stand out the least as someone who didn’t belong there.
But as time went on, I was plagued less and less with the feeling of sticking out like a sore thumb. By the time the server cleared away our third set of plates, each with a tiny Angus rib eye fillet on a bed of roasted potatoes and red wine-marinated onions, I was talking and laughing like anything. I was just finishing up my second glass of wine, and I was beginning to feel the pleasant, heady buzz. Slowly but surely, I was becoming less aware of everyone in the room except for me and Daniel.
“You didn’t have to bring me here, you know,” I heard myself blurting out in the middle of an unrelated conversation. Oh, God. Why on earth had I let those words slip out? That wasn’t what I meant to say at all.
But Daniel just laughed. He was beginning to feel it a little himself, I could tell; his eyes were brighter, the skin of his cheeks rosier, than I’d ever seen. Even in the low light, his transformation from businessman to just man was very noticeable.
“Yes I did,” he replied, easily.
“No, I mean…” I leaned over the table, consciously lowering my voice a little. “We could have just said we went.”
“Trust me,” Daniel countered, his face growing serious again. “In the circles I run, it’s best to back up your claims with as many facts as possible. The staff here all knows the same people I do; they bring all their first dates here. By being seen here with you tonight, I’m establishing my backstory.” He smiled, suddenly. “And having a pretty good time, wouldn’t you agree?”
I nodded, crashing back to earth with the sudden reminder of why we were really here.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I didn’t mean to…bring that up right now. I just, I didn’t want to get too carried away.”
If he wondered what I meant by that, he didn’t ask, thank God. I wasn’t even sure what I meant by that. I hadn’t intended to let on that I was already starting to lose perspective on our “relationship.” I was sure the last thing he wanted was for me to actually fall for him. It would make everything so complicated. Why did my brain always have to do things like this? Why did it have to be so stupid?
“I understand,” he said. “Don’t worry. If you ever have any questions or concerns about how I’m choosing to handle all of…this,” he made a vague gesture, “please don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Sure,” I said, reaching for my refilled wine glass and taking a substantial swallow.
Daniel sat back in his chair, rearranging his face into the mask of a man who was having a great time on a first date. I cursed silently. Even I’d been taken in for a while there. Of course he was just pretending.
We were at the dessert courses by now, and I could hardly taste the tiny, re-imagined tiramisu that I shoved into my mouth. All I could do at this point was pray that things got less awkward the more time we spent together.
Or, not. I could put up with a year of awkwardness for two million dollars, couldn’t I? Hell, I’d been putting up with a lifetime of awkwardness all on my own. And I had no one but myself to blame for that.
“So, Maddy,” Daniel said, gently rolling the stem of his empty wineglass between his thumb and forefinger, rotating the glass a half-turn, over and over again. “What were you doing with yourself before you came to work for me?”
His words were positively dripping with meaning. Was this how he talked to people he was actually trying to seduce? Did it even occur to him, that while the sensible part of my mind understood he was faking, he was still going to make my hormones rage?
He sounded exactly like in my dream.
I had to forget about that fucking dream.
I cleared my throat, trying to ignore the sound of my heart pounding in my ears. “Retail,” I said, simply. “And college before that.”
“Where do you go to school?”
“The Institute, downtown.”
“For graphic design?”
I nodded.
“You’re very talented, you know,” he said.
I looked around me instinctively, as if he could be talking to someone else.
“Thank you,” I said, finally. My voice sounded very far away. I reached for my water glass. The ice was all melted, bringing the level of the water up high enough to slosh some on myself as I took a drink. I groaned, reaching for a napkin to dab myself off.
I’d really done it. I’d managed to get uncoordinated-drunk on my first date with a billionaire. Great job, Maddy!
Daniel chuckled, his eyes sparkling. “No more wine tonight, maybe,” he said. “Would you like some coffee?”
“Coffee doesn’t sober you up,” I muttered. “That’s a myth.”
“I know,” he said. “But would you like some anyway?”
“Sure. Fine.” I dragged myself into a more proper posture in my chair. “Can I ask you some questions, Daniel?”
“Anything.”
“Everybody says you’re a billionaire, is that true?”
His eyes scanned the table. He actually looked a little uncomfortable, but I must have been mistaken about that.
“I suppose,” he said. “I’m not Bill Gates or anything like that.”
“No,” I replied, unable to stop the lopsided grin that sp
read across my face. “No, you’re certainly not.”
He looked up again and smiled back, a little…bashfully?
“I live comfortably,” he said. “I’ve never tried to hide that.”
“Sorry.” In retrospect, I didn’t know what came over me. I knew it was rude to ask people about money. For some reason, the fact that he was so freakishly rich made me feel like the rules didn’t apply in this situation. But no matter how much money the guy had, he probably didn’t want to feel like he was being stared at in the zoo. I realized I was blushing.
“It’s all right,” he said. “I can certainly understand the curiosity. And I did say you could ask me anything. To be perfectly honest, I don’t really know much money I have at the moment. That sounds appalling. Doesn’t it? God.” He laughed a little, sounding bewildered at himself. “But it doesn’t really feel like mine. Most of it came from investments my father set up for me when I was a teenager. I never really see it. I feel like you’re about to burst out laughing at me.”
“I’m sorry,” I said. I was tittering. “It’s just…the fact that you can have all this money and not even touch it. I can’t even imagine. You know?”
“I do. Believe it or not, it wasn’t always like this for me.”
He sipped his water, and something in his face told me this was the end of that discussion, for now.
I lowered my voice. “Do your parents know about your…plan?”
He hesitated for a moment. “They’ve both passed,” he said, finally, looking up from the table.
“Oh. I’m sorry.” I felt like I was doing nothing but apologizing tonight.
He shrugged. “The fewer people know about it, the better. We can talk about this later, if you like. I’d rather not continue this conversation in public.”