The Difference

Chapter 9

I wake up early the next morning and look through my closet for something to wear. I pull on a pair of light pink plaid jeggings and a black sweater, and I curl my hair. I even go for a whole smoky eye look to really top off the look. I'm searching for shoes in my closet that will go with this outfit and then I find them: my high school graduation gift from my Grandma; a pair of black Manolo Blahnik Hangisi Pumps. I wore them once to dinner with Eric and his family and he told me they were too fancy for everyday wear. Well, Oscar Wilde once said, "you can never be over-educated or overdressed," so I decided now was the perfect time to bring out the most beautiful (and expensive) item living in my closet.

I do a once-over in the mirror and decide I'm ready for my first day as Ava's assistant. To top it off, I even grab the black glasses I ditched for contacts a few years ago, but keep around for night driving. 

Ava walks in on me and lets out a laugh. "Really? Manolos? You must think so highly of my business!" Ava jokes. "Really, you look beautiful! Troy will be drooling!"

"Troy's gonna be there?" I say, playing dumb. "Hm."

"Yeah, he is a Marigold, right? I mean, technically I think his last name was Thomas before he was adopted. That's what Brad said, anyways."

"He was adopted by the Marigolds?" I question.

"Yeah! You should really get to know him better if you're going to the ball with him, Rosemary. Maybe after brunch, you can-"

We are interrupted by my phone ringing on my dresser.

"Shit, it's Austin," I say and Ava looks panicked.

"Didn't you tell him you were done for a while? Why would he be calling you?"

"I texted him last night but he never answered! And I have no idea. Brace yourself." I pick up the phone and say, "Hey Austin, what's up?"

"Rosemary, I can't approve a time off request via text message. You need to come to work and we can discuss this when you get here."

I think for a second. That's a lie! I remember Eric requesting time off over text multiple times because he hates confrontation.

"I'm sorry I'm unable to come in today... or ever again," I say, hastily. Ava starts to laugh and gives me a pat on the back.

"Are you quitting? Well fine! We didn't need you anyway, Rosemary."

I hang up the phone feeling more empowered than ever. "Wow! How did that feel?" Ava asks.

"I'm officially done with that place," I say, smiling. "Let me take you for coffee before brunch!"

"Sounds like a deal! I guess we are officially coworkers!" She says as we head toward the door.

"I love your outfit, by the way!" I tell her. She is wearing a light blue button-down shirt, white jeans, and a pair of matching light blue loafers.

"Oh, thanks! Would you believe Mark got me these shoes?"

"Wow, really? He had good taste," I comment, remembering her ex-boyfriend from what feels like forever ago.

"Yeah, he did. That was about the only thing he understood about me. But with Brad, I feel like I can really be my own person, you know?"

"Oh my god! You like him!" I say, excitedly.

"No, no, no! I mean, maybe! Is that crazy? I've only known him a few days," she says, shyly.

"Not at all! When you know, you know."

"Oh hush with all your romance nonsense!" She laughs at me.

"It's true!"

We get our coffee and head to the mansion which seems to be bigger than I remember. Hopping out of the car, we walk up the front stairs and my feet are already killing me as we get to the highest step.

"Wow, I remember why I never wear these shoes," I say to Ava as we begin our walk to the ballroom.

"The last time you wore them I remember Eric-" she stops herself and I continue her sentence. "Told me they were too fancy," I say, rolling my eyes.

Yeah, but then he carried you down the block because you said your feet were killing you," she adds. The uniformed man from the other day greets us with a smile and lets us into the ballroom.

"Yeah, and then told me I complain too much!" I say and we both share a laugh. I get sad for a second and then speak up again, "Anyways, Hannah can listen to him be negative all the time now. She's tougher than me, she can handle it better."

"Who's tougher than you?" Troy asks, putting an arm around my shoulder.

"No one! But she doesn't believe that," Ava says to him.

"Very funny," I say to both of them.

"We are just waiting for my Grandma now, but we have the table all set up for brunch. She likes to be fashionably late," he says. Ava spots Brad and goes to greet him. He instantly goes in for a hug and they both light up as they speak to one another. He takes her hand and walks her over to the table, pulling her chair out for her.

Ellen comes over to Troy and me as we are watching them.

"Rosemary! How fabulous that you are working with Ava now!" Ellen says to me, pulling me into a hug.

"I'm so excited to help out, Ellen," I give her a sincere smile.

"Now, just keep in mind when you meet Lily, my mother-in-law, always call her Mrs. Marigold. She hates anything else."

"Noted, where is she?" I ask and my question is answered as the dozen workers cleaning amongst the room, the cooks, servers, and the entire Marigold family including Ellen and Troy stand up a little straighter. Some even begin to bow and curtsy as she descends from the staircase. She is in a two-piece pantsuit in a royal purple color. She wears layers of pearls and matching earrings. Her hair is blonde and there's not a trace of gray in it. I instantly recognize her from the beautiful portrait I saw the last time I was here, the only difference being she has a few wrinkles now. I suddenly grow nervous as Troy leads me to her. She enters alone and I see her make her way to every individual employee, giving a comment.

"These muffins look undercooked, remake them. Those curtains are awful. I want them gone immediately. Did you even bother mopping the floor? Seriously? I asked for workers, not slackers. If you aren't going to do your job, just get out of my sight."

Mrs. Marigold makes her way to Ellen, Troy, and me.

"Ellen, that dress is lovely, but I'm fairly certain you wore it last Christmas. We ought to go shopping soon, my dear," she says and I can tell that's her way of being friendly. I take another deep breath as she makes her way to Troy.

"My handsome grandson!" She exclaims. "Oh, you need a haircut. But you're still so handsome!" She says, giving him a hug.

She makes her way to me. "And you are?" She asks with judgmental eyes.

"Mrs. Marigold! What an honor. My name is Rosemary, and I'm helping plan your extravagant ball," I say.

Troy adds, "she is also my date to the ball."

I reach out a hand to her. She looks at my hand, ignoring it, but catches sight of my shoes.

"Ah, Manolo Blahniks?" She questions.

"Only the best," I remark and she raises an eyebrow and curls her lips into a half-smile. She leans in and whispers to me, "I like you. Don't ruin it," while giving me a friendly pat on the shoulder before walking past us toward Brad and Ava. I let out an exasperated sigh as do Troy and Ellen.

"You may be the only help she's ever liked," Ellen comments. Troy wraps an arm around me and we head to the table.