Page 11 of Christmas with the Mafia
“I don’t believe it.” I stare in amazement at the gorgeous creature who has pushed my reflection aside.
“I didn’t think we’d manage it, but you’ll do.” Diane says as she pulls me unceremoniously from the chair.
I catch my breath as Sarah wrenches the robe from my body, and I squeal with mortification as she commands, “Hands above your head, quickly now.”
I squeeze my eyes tightly shut in the vain hope that when I open them again, these two ferocious women will be gone, and then something cool and silky slips over my body, and I relish the soft flow of silk against my bare skin.
Then a heavier object joins it, and as the woman behind me zips up the dress, I open my eyes and note the satisfied smiles on the women’s faces as they stand back and admire their work.
“Fantastic.”
They high-five one another, andSarah grins.
“You are beautiful, Regina. Just like your name suggests. A virtual queen.”
I blink as they part like the Sea of Galilee, and my reflection hits from the mirror in front of me. I blink in astonishment as I regard their finest work, and tears mist my eyes as I behold the splendor of the undeniable couture gown that molds against my body like a second skin.
“No tears.” Sarah reprimands me, and my lip trembles as I whisper, “I don’t believe it. I almost look beautiful.”
“Youarebeautiful, Regina, although you tried very hard to downgrade it with your first choice of outfit.”
Diane shakes her head. “Shocking, thank goodness we had that in your size.”
“But it’s not mine. I can’t possibly wear this; I don’t have the money to pay for it.”
They exchange an incredulous glance.
“Pay for it?” Sarah laughs out loud. “Honey, the man who paid for it won’t even notice the entry on his credit card statement. Enjoy this night while it lasts; they don’t come around too often.”
They turn to leave, and then Diane sighs. “I almost forgot; we must try on the heels for size.”
I’m pushed back down into the chair, and they take a foot each and try several sizes of the most exquisite silver leather shoes. Unlike my thrift store find, these slip around my feet like warm and cozy socks. I almost can’t feel them at all, and as the women settle back on their heels, they smile, and Sarah adds, “You’re ready with two minutes to spare. Enjoy the ball, Cinderella, just make certain to savor every dazzling minute of it.”
As they make to leave, I call out, “Excuse me.”
They stop and I whisper, “Who is that man?”
They share a look before a gentle shrug remains my only answer.
“Good luck, Regina.” Is their final greeting and as they leave, I turn back to the mirror and bat away any doubts I may hold. I am living out a fairy tale and couldn’t give a damn who is the master of it. I am about to enjoy the night of my life, and yet before that happens, I must just film a quick video for my vlog.
Six
NICO
The women leftwith happy smiles, which is probably due to the large number of one hundred-dollar bills I stuffed into their hands.
As I wait for Regina, I splash two tumblers with brandy and stand by the fireplace, a welcome moment of solitude I didn’t expect tonight. By now I should be knee-deep in well-wishers and hangers-on, all vying for my attention and cozying up to me for their own agendas. If I had my way, I would remain in this penthouse, but I’m here to do a job, and luckily the first part of my plan was executed before I even stepped foot inside the place.
A nervous cough alerts me that I’m no longer alone, and I curse my thoughts for distracting me.
I turn, and my hand freezes in mid-air, the brandy glinting against the flames as I observe a masterpiece standing before me.
“Regina?” I arch my brow, and she giggles nervously.
“I know, this is insane, right? I mean, those women,they must be fairy godmothers because how is this person me?”
Her smile is genuine, pleasure dancing in her eyes, and I must hand it to the women they did an excellent job, but then again, the subject has everything in the right places to make it an easy one.
