I was not a novice at spending Eric's money. Indeed a major part of my job over the last six years had been doing just that.
Yet using his credit card now to shop for my dress felt a little more than awkward. I tossed aside a chiffon gorgette and tule combination and had to wonder what had I been thinking to ever lift that off a rack. Yet my life and closet was littered with just such mistakes.
I served Eric long and hard over those years. Putting in my days and nights as required. With never a squeak of complaint or protest. All that hard work for so long and I had nothing to show for it.
Not even an actual closet space to my name. I sighed staring at the few bits of clothing I retained from packing up and locking away my things. The choicest pieces from my meager wardrobe hung here. Yet they were god awful to look at. Let alone actually wear.
I wasn't attending this gala tonight as Eric's assistant but his date. I needed to look the part.
I slammed shut the closet door and reached for his credit card again. Twirling it in my hand I came to a sudden decision.
Having attired many of his past girlfriends, I knew exactly how and where to go about it. I reached for my phone and dug out the number that mattered. All of Eric's primary contacts that I had needed for work were still in here. I dug out the contact of a prestigious boutique and booked myself the earliest available appointment. One couldn't just walk in here to shop. Not without an appointment first.
Then I made an appointment for my hair and make up too. I paused long enough to get into something suitable then grabbing Eric's keys, I left the apartment and made for the basement and his car.
Ten minutes later and I pulled into a parking lot at city central. I hurried along in my heels, knowing that time was a constraint I could ill afford.
"Martha, its been a long time."
"Jo," exclaimed the exquisitely dressed brunette. "I heard you've been replaced."
"Yes, well," I murmured softly. "You could say I have moved up the ranks."
Her lift to the brow questioned my integrity. She was fortunate I was the mellow sort. I didn't take offense to her clear disbelief.
Seeing was believing and she would be doing the seeing soon enough. My mug would be splashed over every single tabloid before the sun even peeked across the skies tomorrow morning.
All the more reason to make sure I was not only presentable but that I was gloriously awesome to behold.
An achievement that would be no mean feat with the best of them but Martha here had a gift. A skill she would be wise to display using me as her canvas to work her masterpiece. I quirked a not so fine brow of my own.
"Right," she gracefully backtracked. "If you will follow me out back, I have the latest selections ready for your viewing."
I nodded my head and followed her lead.
