Addicted to you, p.4
Addicted to You, page 4
“Well you’re early,” Bess said with a smile. “Good morning. How was your weekend?”
“Good morning, Bess.” Elin trembled when she recalled her weekend. No way do I want her to know how stupid I was. “Quiet would best describe it. How was yours?”
“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” Bess asked with concern in her voice.
Elin looked at Bess trying to find the words that would make her look less foolish. Right then she felt like a teenager who was sneaking back into the house, trying to hide something from her parents. Bess had always been kind to her and in a way, she was her mother away from home. Do I dare tell her about what happened?
“I…I had a lapse in judgment, that’s all.”
Bess eyed her for a long moment. “And?”
“It was so awful.” Elin couldn’t help the moisture that began to fill her eyes. Her hand swiped away the threatening tears.
Bess quickly moved closer to Elin and took her arm.
“Let’s go to my office. I think you could use a nice cup of tea first and then we can talk.”
The office was warm and cozy, reminding Elin of a room in her grandmother’s home. She didn’t know if it was the tea or the ambiance, but she knew she was safe. “Thank you, Bess.”
Bess patted her hand and sat in a chair next to Elin. “Why don’t you tell me what happened.”
“Well…” Elin’s cast her eyes to the floor refusing to look into her boss’s eyes. “I thought it was about time to get out and see if there was someone out there for me.”
“Did you?”
“I thought so but…” As she related the events of Friday night, she realized how foolish she had been, and not wanting to see the disapproval in Bess’s eyes, she looked away.
For her part, Bess listened in silence although her concern for Elin grew as the story unfolded. The girl was so naïve with a heart of gold and she could easily become an innocent victim out of sheer ignorance. Bess really didn’t know what to say when she saw the mixture of shame and sorrow on Elin’s face, so she gave her a hug.
“Are you okay?
“I feel so foolish. I should have known better.”
“We all make mistakes, Elin. The important thing is the lesson you learn from those mistakes.”
“Oh, I learned the lesson all right. Never go into a bar and let someone sweet talk me.”
Bess could only shake her head for she knew that Elin still did not understand how the world of predators operated.
“Elin, I have never seen anyone who can see a person and know exactly what size they are as accurately as you do.” She smiled fondly. “You need to know how to do that with people. How to judge their intentions and words.”
“I do that,” Elin said defensively.
Bess arched an eyebrow.
“I just expect everyone to treat me like I treat them,” she said softly. “Why are people so cruel?”
Bess lifted Elin’s chin, so they would be eye to eye. “They do it because they can, sweetie. Learn from this and the next time you are in such a situation, remember, and act accordingly.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that. I will never put myself in that position again. Feeling like an idiot is something I never want to repeat.”
Bess could only smile at the innocent remark.
“Unfortunately, dear Elin, you will again because that type of person is all around us. You need to always be vigilant.” She patted Elin’s hand again.
“I wish that wasn’t true,” Elin whispered.
“So, do I.” Bess gave her a quick hug. “Do you feel better?”
“Yes, thank you. I needed to share that with someone. Thanks for being here for me.”
“Anytime.” Bess got up. “We have a busy day ahead of us. You have Mrs. Blanchard and I would imagine some of the Banks order will begin arriving today.” A chill ran up Bess’s spine as she remembered the word barracuda was used to describe Marissa Banks. Predators abound. She sighed before she left her office with Elin to begin their workday.
Chapter Three
A long, tapered finger casually tapped in a number as a slight smile crossed Marissa’s lips.
“Good morning, Boutique La René, this is Irene Witherspoon, may I help you?”
“Good morning. This is Marissa Banks. Is it possible for me to speak with Ms. Prescot?”
“Why yes, Ms. Banks, just give me a minute to find her.”
“Thank you.” Marissa drew large concentric circles on a piece of paper as she waited.
“Good morning, Ms. Banks, this is Elin. How may I help you?”
Marissa scrawled DELICIOUS across the paper when she heard the young woman’s voice. “Ah, yes, Elin. Thank you for taking my call. I’m sure you are busy.”
“I’m never too busy for you,” Elin said happily.
Her pen continued to have a mind of its own. LUSCIOUS
“Is it possible to change my appointment to eleven on Thursday?” Marissa paused, “That is, of course, if it doesn’t inconvenience you too much.”
“Of course we can change the time.”
FIRM she wrote in bold letters.
“Thank you so much.” Marissa smiled smugly. “You’re sure I haven’t caused any problems with this change?”
“No, none at all.”
MINE. She smiled at the last word appearing on the paper.
“Great, you are a lifesaver. See you at eleven tomorrow then.”
“Yes, see you then. Bye.”
Elin hung up the phone and sighed and looked over her schedule again. She had lied to Marissa Banks. Late in the previous week she had promised a co-worker, Cybil Duncan that she would sit in on her consultation with a difficult client. Because the Banks account was a big one for the shop there was no way she wanted to jeopardize that. The account was far too important. She would have to work something out. She looked around the room, saw Cybil, and took a deep breath. She had better get this over with.
“Hey, Cybil, do you have a moment?” She waited until her co-worker looked at her.
“For you? Of course. What can I help you with?”
The bright smile and warmth on Cybil’s face made Elin feel guilty as if she’d betrayed Cybil. She hadn’t. What she was doing was what was best for Boutique La René.
“I have a bit of a scheduling problem.” She saw Cybil’s smile fade. “You know the client I have that bought everything?”
“Yes,” Cybil said softly.
“Well, she just called and needed to change her appointment from tomorrow afternoon to the morning.”
“What about Mrs. Eberly? She will be here at eleven-thirty.”
“I know,” Elin said softly. “We’ve spent the better part of yesterday afternoon and most of this morning mapping out strategies for Ms. Eberly’s ensemble. I think you will do just fine now that you have a firm plan in mind.”
Elin knew that Betsy Eberly was head of an advertising firm and had been an important client for years. Since she had last visited the shop, she had put on significant weight, which constituted the need for a completely new wardrobe. The problem was that the woman thought her style should stay the same.
“Is there any way we can change the appointment?” Elin asked Cybil.
“Let me see if I understand this. We have set a time and plan for my client, but yours wants to change times so mine must accommodate her?” The look of irritation on Cybil’s face was unmistakable.
“The Banks account has the potential to be very lucrative for the business,” Elin countered.
“Eberly already is.”
Elin closed her eyes in resignation, understanding that she had made a terrible mistake.
“Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t think. I just thought we could work everything out, but I can see now that I have made a complete mess of everything.” She shook her head. “I will call Ms. Banks back and tell her that eleven will not work out.”
“Didn’t you already tell her the time was all right without consulting me?”
“Yes,” Elin said dejectedly.
“You need to understand how things work around here, young lady,” the matronly lady said testily. “You think you can just come in here and take over and be the big shot since Bess dotes over you.”
Cybil’s voice was loud enough for Bess to approach the women.
“Cybil, you will have to keep your voice down. Is there a problem?”
“I’d say so,” Cybil said angrily. “Little Miss Goody Two-shoes here thinks that she can just change times without consulting anyone.” She took a deep breath. “We have worked all morning and a good part of yesterday on the Eberly account and now, because her client wants to change times, mine gets cast aside.”
Bess looked at Elin. “Is this true?”
“I really didn’t think it would be a problem,” Elin said stiffening her back. “Ms. Banks called and needed to change her time tomorrow. Since she is a new client and potentially a very big one, I thought it best to accommodate her.” Elin tried to put a positive spin to her decision. In truth, she chastised herself for being so thoughtless of Cybil’s needs. “I’m really sorry, but Ms. Eberly is Cybil’s client, not mine. I was just helping her figure out a strategy to get the woman to understand that, since she’s gained weight, the clothes that used to fit her body type years ago, don’t now.” She took in a calming breath. “Ms. Banks is my client and she is the one I need to accommodate first.”
Bess looked between the two women before fixing her eyes on Cybil. “You know she is right, don’t you? Putting a client first has always been the rule here. If Elin’s client needs to change the schedule, then she should accommodate her.”
“So, it is okay for her to throw me under the bus?”
“Cybil, how many years have you been working with Ms. Eberly?”
“Seven. But—”
The owner held up her hand. “I should think in seven years you know your client well enough to deal with her alone.”
“You don’t understand. She has gained an enormous amount of weight and—”
“And you will deal with it.” Bess eyed Cybil. “From my observations, you and Elin have come up with a workable plan for Ms. Eberly. I think you can present that yourself, and if you need help, I will gladly sit in with you.” She then turned to Elin. “Will you please go to my office and wait for me?”
“Yes.” Elin left the room.
“I knew you’d take her side. She’s your little pet.” Cybil looked at the retreating Elin and scowled.
“Enough,” Bess said in a voice that brooked no further discussion. “You’ve worked here for fifteen years and, in that time, you’ve dealt with all kinds of customers. Deal with Ms. Eberly, Cybil, and stop trying to get someone else to do it for you.”
“Fine. She’ll get what’s coming to her,” she mumbled before she turned around. “You know you can’t keep rescuing her.”
“I never have, Cybil. Mark my words, she’s the genuine article and will outshine us all.”
“Yeah, right.”
Bess watched Cybil walk away and her mind turned to Elin who was waiting for her. What was she going to say to the young associate? Bess’s heart went out to Elin who was such an innocent that she never fully understood that Cybil was a user and not someone to cross. She was extremely adept but had a habit of using the other consultants for her own purposes. Unfortunately, Elin had made the decision that her client was more important and for Cybil that was the kiss of death. It seemed to her that Elin attracted all the predators. As she walked toward her office and Elin who was waiting for her, Bess could feel the need to protect her from the world.
†
Elin, startled by Bess’s dismissal, wondered what was going to happen as she walked slowly to the office with her head bent. She knew she’d really screwed up big time and felt like she was being sent to the principal’s office.
Five minutes later, Bess entered her office, closed the door, and eased down in the chair next to Elin.
“Don’t worry about Cybil. I’ll take care of her if she tries anything against you.”
“I honestly thought that my client should come first.”
“You were right to think that. Nevertheless, you should have consulted with Cybil before changing the time. It is common courtesy, but I do understand your reasoning.”
“I know I should have asked her, but in my defense, I was thinking about my client and not hers.” Elin shrugged. “Which would you have chosen as the most important?”
“I understand your reasoning, but…” Bess shook her head, “I should have told you the histories of the women who work here, but in my position, I didn’t think that would be wise. I’d rather you form your own opinions. I will, however, suggest you order a bouquet of flowers for Cybil. It will go a long way in saying you’re sorry.”
“I’ll do that immediately.” Bess was frowning. “Have I done something else wrong?”
“No, no.” Bess shook her head. “Elin you need to be careful dealing with people both in the shop and elsewhere. Try not to be so open and accommodating.”
“I know.” Elin bowed her head. “My mother didn’t want me to move here because I’m too trusting. I don’t know how to be any other way.”
“How about you just be a bit more cautious in dealings with people.” Bess drew in a deep breath. “Just so you know, I have made some discrete inquiries about Marissa Banks.”
“Why?” Elin’s eyes widened at the revelation.
“Because we’ve never had anyone that wants to buy everything, and I wanted to find out if she could pay.”
“Can she?”
“Yes, but there is something else you should be aware of.” Bess’s voice was kind but firm. “She never returns.”
“What do you mean?”
Bess let out a slight laugh. “This is the only order she will make with you. There is no potential that there will be a big account for the shop. None at all.”
“How do you know that will be the case with me? Maybe she just hasn’t found the right consultant until now?” Elin countered.
“You may be right. That is something you will have to find out for yourself. I hope for your sake it is true. But now you are sounding like you are full of yourself, Elin. Yes, you did something no one else has done in this shop, probably in the city, but that doesn’t mean it will always happen. If you bask in only one accomplishment, what more will you strive for, Elin?” Bess’s voice softened. “Perhaps I should have told you about Ms. Banks sooner. I’m sorry I didn’t.”
“No, you shouldn’t have. Like you said, I need to figure out people out on my own. I will try to do that, but I’m not sure I know any other way to act than be trusting.”
“Perhaps you can learn to look beneath what is presented to what is. Most people show you what they want you to see and not who they are. That is why we find ourselves feeling cheated when we see who someone really is.” Bess could see Elin’s face flush in what she thought was embarrassment.
“How do you make that distinction, Bess? How do you know?”
“Experience.” Bess leaned in and put her arm around Elin’s shoulders. “I’ve been in the business for a lot of years and people still surprise me. As you go along you will pick up hints about how to judge people and it will become easier. I promise.”
“Thank you, Bess, for everything. I understand what you are saying and will try to have a more critical eye when it comes to people. It won’t be easy but I will give it a go.”
“You’re welcome. Now go order those flowers.”
Chapter Four
With the ringing of the small bell over the door, Marissa Banks entered the shop. When Elin’s face lit up in a brilliant smile, she felt a stirring of arousal. She moved toward the young woman with an outstretched hand.
“Ms. Banks, it is so good to see you. All your selections are here and I’m sure you will be pleased with how they will look on you.”
“Marissa...remember?” Marissa fought the urge to smile when she heard Elin babbling as a cute blush washed over her face and neck.
Elin’s face reddened even more. “Yes, sorry.”
Once again Marissa took in Elin’s firm supple body. She appraised the shapely figure, letting her eyes linger on the perfectly formed breasts. Her wavy brunette hair kissed her shoulders before cascading down her back. In some curious way set it off her azure-blue eyes and full ruby-red lips. Marissa resisted licking her own lips for want of the girl. She squashed her arousal.
“Shall we start?”
“Yes, please come with me.”
Once Marissa was in the fitting room, Elin introduced the seamstress.
“Ms. Banks, this is Sarah Hamilton who is our expert in making clothes fit perfectly.”
“Pleased to meet you. May I call you Sarah?”
“Certainly.” Sarah looked at Elin. “Shall we begin?”
“By all means.”
Elin never left the room during the alterations, keeping her eyes glued to Marissa’s body—it was exquisite. At one point, Marissa lifted her eyes and Elin saw them rake over her body before she smiled and winked. Elin swallowed hard and resisted the urge to cross her legs while her body reacted to the look.
An hour and a half later, after Marissa had tried on each outfit and Sarah had marked them for alteration, the seamstress left the room. Elin let out a sigh of relief.
“I know how trying alterations can be, especially with all the outfits you ordered. I hope that was painless for you.”
“It wasn’t painful at all.” Marissa smiled.
“I’ve moved your order to the top of the list, so we should have everything ready for you by next week. Do you want to set up a time for a final fitting?”
“I will get back to you on that.” She looked at her watch. “Right now, I need to get going. I didn’t realize how late it is. I will have to eat on the run if I am to make my one-thirty meeting.”
