My Strange Addiction (1/2)

chapter one

"You need a break."

I stopped, mid fork in my mouth, "me, a break? I can assure you that I don't need a break."

"You work too hard, Miss Southeast." Stanford's fiance, Maxine, laughs.

"Pacifica," I correct her for what seems like the thousandth time. "I don't need a vacation, I like working here."

Maxine laughs louder, "there's no way anyone can say that with a straight face!"

"What's going on in here?" Stanford Gleeful walks into the room, rolling his eyes as he notices that Maxine and I are chatting away the day. "Max, aren't you supposed to be working and handling the calls?"

Maxine sends him a playful smile, "I was just explaining to Pacifica that she needs a break or a vacation."

I stand up and look Mr Stanford right in the eye, "I really don't need a vacation-"

"But you are coming to Maxine's and my wedding this weekend, so then you can have your vacation," he smiles at Maxine and she sends me a thumbs up. "But it doesn't have to be a long vacation, you can come back as soon as you like."

Maxine grabs my hands, "you have to come to my wedding Pacifica!" She squeals.

I glance at her, and then at Stanford. I finally cave. "What should I wear?" I ask hesitantly.

Maxine gasps and looks at me, her face full of surprise. "Now you really need a vacation! We are taking the rest of the day off to figure out what dress you will be wearing!" She turns to look at her fiance, "unless you say otherwise?"

Stanford rolls his eyes and waves us off, "go, take the rest of the afternoon."

Maxine squeals and drags me out of my office, "I'll come in early Monday morning!" I promise as she drags me away. That earns me a chuckle from my boss.

~ ~ ~

"Try this!" Maxine tosses me a red piece of clothing. I examen it and hold it up to me. "It looks lovely!" Maxine nods in excitement.

I shake my head, "I dunno, I like it an all. . .but it's only got one sleeve."

"You ever wear a dress like that?" She raises a brow. "It'll look wonderful on you!"

I hold up the dress and scowl, "it doesn't look good with my hair color."

"Hmm. . ." Maxine taps her finger on her chin. "I've got it!" She runs out of the dressing room, calling to others for help with her dress.

I can't help but crack a smile from that. Maxine is only twenty-four and Stanford is sixty-one. The age difference shocked me, but I can see that the two of them really love and care for each other.

I look at myself in the mirror again and think about what Maxine said. Do I really need a break? I tell myself that I don't need one because I'm perfectly fine with working a little harder than others at Tech G.

I look at the price tag and wince. I didn't notice how expensive the dress is, and I didn't want to buy something extremely expensive.

"I'm back!" Maxine's voice calls as she walks into the dressing room. "Seafoam green is a better color on you." She admits when I take the dress from her hands. She waits patiently when I stare at it. "Well what are you waiting for? And invitation? Try on the damned dress!" She exclaims.

"Alright alright alright!" I hold up my hands to stop her exclaims. "Just give me a minute!"

She happily obliges and walks from the dressing room. I slide off my white blouse and black skirt and fold them neatly before setting them on the bench. I carefully slip the dress on and examen myself in the body length mirror beside me. The green fabric clings to my curves and I dunno how to feel about that. It's short and it goes just to my knees. The side that has the sleeve is long sleeved, and the other side is strapless. Something I would definitely not wear to a wedding, but Maxine would pester me into getting it.

"Can I come back in?" Maxine asks and I almost forgot that she was waiting for me to step out.

"Oh!" I wince, "yeah you can come in."

Maxine opens the door and smiles instantly. "Oh my god, Pacifica!" She squeals. "You look amazing!"

I turn around and look at the back of the dress. "I dunno. . .it's. . ."

"It's what?" She asks.

"Not something I'd wear to a wedding." I finish and turn around. "Can I find another type of dress? It can be the same color just-"

Maxine holds up her hands, "of course! I'll get it, Seafoam green right?"

I nod as she trots from the dressing room, and I pray that she doesn't find another club dress.

~ ~ ~

When Maxine and I finally find the right dress, we argue about who will pay for it. Of course Maxine wins the debate and pays for my dress, with me huffing the entire time.

We head back to my car and I immediately slide into the drivers seat. "I'm driving." I tell her when she makes a face at me.

She only rolls her brown eyes and flips her caramel colored hair over her shoulder. "Fine!" She huffs as she walks to the passenger side. "Drop me off at Gleeful Manor, will you?"

I only nod and keep my eyes on the road. This vacation of mine couldn't be too bad, right?