"I asked for that shipment last week. It should already be here!"
She tapped the pen on the paper pad, sighing as she held the phone in the crook of her neck. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Bradley, but because of the high water, we weren't able to-"
"So unreliable! I knew I should have listened to my daughter. Next time I'm going to order from the Masons!" She shouted on the other end of the line.
"Mrs. Bradley, I'm sorry but-"
"Don't you tell me sorry again. I'll make sure that you don't see any of my friends ordering from you ever again!" The line went dead.
A loud slam and muffled scream could be heard a few moments later. "Those stupid Bradleys. All they ever do is yell at us."
"Oh come on Gi, they aren't that bad. I bet Mrs. Bradley was just having a bad day with Victoria again."
"Sure, Maddie. I bet Victoria just lives to make her mother mad right before she does her monthly order." Giana turned around in her swivel chair facing her sister's desk. "She has hated me since we were seven, you know."
A jingling bell could be heard as the door to the sister's store opened, making the girls turn in their seats. The woman's cat-like footsteps were followed by Sarah, a friend of theirs, carrying stacks of boxes. The pair made the trip around the store, the woman pinching at the fabric of the various styles of pre-made dresses that were available.
The girls were snapped out of their trance when suddenly the woman looked into the glass office behind the white and pristine counter.
"Are you going to help a valued customer or should I leave and find someone else who can help me?" The woman snapped, a snobbish iciness in her tone. Sarah struggled with the boxes as she stumbled behind her, following her employer.
Madison and Giana shared a quick glance before both quickly got up and walked through their glass office door. Madison grabbed a nearby cart of fabrics and a couple catalogs of the most recent trending dress styles while Giana walked over to the woman.
"Welcome to Evanna Formal, what can I do for you today?" she plastered on a fake smile.
"I'd like to order a custom-made dress."
Madison approached with her cart of fabric and catalogs, smiling at the woman. "A catalog of some of the most recent trending styles, it came in just this morning from Emerice." She placed them on a nearby high table, spreading them out and opening them up to some of her favorites. "Can I get you anything to drink?"
"Oh that won't be necessary, I'll have my assistant take care of it." The woman turned around and waved her hand. "The usual Sarah. And don't forget what happened last time. Take the car so it will be hot by the time I'm done."
Sarah nodded and turned around, gently placing the boxes on an empty table nearby. She quickly walked out the front door, her salmon pink knit cardigan and navy blue skirt whipping in the breeze with each step she took to escape.
"My assistant is such a bother. She constantly slows me down from my errands." The woman slid onto the high stool taking hold of one of the magazines, fingering it through.
Giana rolled her eyes and walked away.
"So what style is it that you're looking for today?" Madison asked, holding her notebook and pen in each hand.
"A nice heart neckline, no sleeves, ball gown with a sort of rippling effect in the tulle." Described the woman without bothering to look up from her magazine.
"So a wedding gown?" Asked Madison after scribbling everything down.
"No, not a wedding dress. This dress will be worn to one of the most prestigious gatherings that this part of Valencia has ever seen. My daughter will be wearing it when the royal family comes to make an important announcement," gushed the woman.
Giana sat down on the white marble counter. "How about we do a mermaid skirt instead of ball gown?" She waved her pen around. "If it's a royal event, I'm sure that plenty of other women such as yourself will be ordering their own ball gowns since they are the most popular trend. However, if your daughter wants to stand out, I think it would be in your best interest to go with a mermaid skirt."
"If it will make my daughter stand out, then I'll take it." The woman stood up from her seat.
"When will your daughter come in to take her measurements?" Madison asked, pen poised, ready to write down the appointment date.
"Oh that won't be necessary, I have all her measurements right here." The woman pulled out a fancy card with a lacey baby blue printed border, bullet-pointed with each and every little detail needed to make the dress written down in beautiful cursive. "I'll write you a check of $4,000 so you may buy the needed materials. I'll pay the full amount later when I get the dress in my hands."
"And by when do you want the dress ready?"
"4 days from now, on Wednesday, the royal event will be held. I need it Tuesday in perfect shape. Here is my card when it is done." The woman pulled a card out of her checkbook, placing it next to the freshly written check on the white marble counter. "I expect only the highest quality work from you girls, or else." The woman walked out the glass door held open by Sarah who handed her her beverage before rushing inside to retrieve the boxes.
"I'll be back later," she gasped as she flew out the glass door, boxes in hand.
The girls sighed.
"That woman is scary."
"Not as scary as Mrs. Bradley though, right?" Madison laughed.
"Not as scary as Mrs. Bradley." Giana smiled at her sister, sharing in the humor. "I can't believe Sarah works for her after everything that woman has done to her, though," she said seriously.
They had known Sarah since they were 13. A nearby dam had collapsed and the whole town had to evacuate around the time they met her. She was unconscious, shivering, wet, and had a cold when they found her nearby the Evers' home.
Many people had died in that flood, including Sarah's family. She wouldn't eat for days and the sisters were worried sick that she would also die. They took her in as their own sister and cared for her against their mother's wishes to leave her in the mud.
The sisters gathered up their notes and moved to the workspace. There was a nice and warm pot of water on the island, surrounded by fabric swatches and rolls.
Madison poured herself a cup before adding a teabag to the water. "So what event was it that this dress was going to be worn to again?" She took a sip from her cup.
"We'll have to get the details from Sarah. She probably knows more. All I remember is that it had to do with the royal family coming."
YOU ARE READING
Changing Fate {Editing}
General Fiction"A whole new world. That's what I could give you." He brushed his fingers against my cheek. "Just say you'll come with me." I looked into his eyes, at my wide eyed lady, and I knew. It would all have to end someday.
