ELIZABETH
"Are you sure about that?!" I asked Lily-my coworker at the store-the sound of my voice carrying on so loud that it might've been a scream. I quickly slapped a hand over my mouth internally cursing myself for forgetting that I was at work.
"Are you sure?" I asked again, trying my best to whisper this time.
Lily giggled at the expression on my face. "Yep, my aunt told me about it. I'm so pissed that it's not on my day off. It's perfect for some cool, quick cash." She nudged me, "Fortunate, you get to be the lucky winner, so hurry up and go check it out before they find someone else."
My jaw was still open. I really couldn't believe it. Lily had explained that her aunt worked with this catering service. They were holding an event tomorrow night, and apparently there would be a large number of very influential people. One of the workers at the catering service was under the weather and so Lily's aunt had informed her about it. Conveniently, I was off tomorrow so I was free.
But what really got me was the pay check. I couldn't believe I would be making two thousand dollars in one night. But then again, if was an event for people as wealthy as Lily had mentioned then money wouldn't be a problem for them.
Content with it all, I reached out to squeeze Lily's arm. "Thank you so much, really."
She smiled back at me. "It's okay, Beth. I knew you needed a job like this. No worries. Just do well, who knows they might keel hiring you when they need someone extra."
I nodded. She was right. I would do my best. Facing the customer that had just walked in, I continued my work.
***
I stared at my reflection in the mirror for the sixth time since I got dressed.
"This is ridiculous," I said again, twirling to see how the back of the dress fit.
When I was handed the dress and heels I was supposed to wear for the catering at the charity event, my eyes had widened in surprise. For a second I was tempted to remind the supervisor that I was here for the catering job and not as a hooker.
Did catering services offer exclusive escort services too? I had wondered, trying to understand the motive behind the dress. As if the supervisor had read my mind, he laughed.
"Don't look so horrified. We don't usually dress like this. But our customers this time want the waitresses uniformed and chic. You know how rich people are," He laughed.
It didn't change how weird I felt. I mean, how did they expect the waitress to walk around all night serving food and drinks in a dress and heels. And I hadn't even gotten started on the shoes. I was pretty sure they were about six inches high. I prayed I wouldn't wobble and fall at the event. That would probably be the end of my career.
I gazed at the mirror one last time. The short dress which stopped at my mid thigh was nearly sucking the life out of me from how tight it was. One arm of the dress was sleeveless, and the other one which wasn't was a see through, black material which came all the way to my wrist to form a sleeve. As per requirement I had also to apply light makeup to go with the dress. I wasn't a big fan of makeup, and the red lipstick wasn't helping either.
Inhaling and exhaling deeply, I grabbed my bag which also contained my change of clothes for later today and walked out the dressing room to await the car that would take the waitresses to the event.
ENRIQUE
I tossed the keys to the valet as I exited my car and made my way to the entrance. I was on edge already. There were a million and one things I could be doing right now. But no, I had to be at this stupid charity event.
As I breezed through the doors, I could feel the eyes of every woman I walked past rivet to me. I kept a straight face, not even sparing a glance at any of them, although I could already see them vying for my attention.
Narrowing my eyes, I searched for my parents in the crowd. Almost immediately I sighted Mother, looking glorious in one of her exquisite dresses. I began to walk toward her but nearly stopped in my tracks when I saw the young lady that clung to her. From the way Mother was engaging her in conversation as though she were an old friend of hers, I knew that this had to be her latest candidate.
Before I could make up my mind on whether I should turn around before Mother saw me, she sighted me. Smiling, she waved at me from a distance, beckoning me to their table.
I cursed silently, grabbing a glass of champagne from a tray as a waiter walked past me. I would need a drink for this one.
"Enrique," Mother greeted, holding onto me by the shoulders and hugging me tightly. "I'm glad you made it."
As much as I didn't want to, I forced a smile. "How have you been, Mother?"
"Good, good," She laughed. I could see her giving me subtle signs to acknowledge the young lady's presence. I ignored her. I could be present in this event on Mother's insistence, but I'll be damned if I start up a conversation I truly didn't want to have. So I raised my champagne glass to my lips, taking another sip. With the way I felt, I needed to gulp it all down. But I restrained myself.
"Darling, this is Rebecca," Mother finally took the upper hand. "Surely you must remember her. You both attended the same high school."
"No," I answered crisply without missing a beat. Mother glared at me, and if I wasn't equally pissed I might have laughed.
Meanwhile, Rebecca looked embarrassed, rubbing her arms up and down and looking away. "It was a long time ago," She said to Mother.
Mother sent me another glare and then smiled at her candidate. "You're right. Which is why you both should catch up. In the mean time, I'll go say hi to some friends." Giving me a discreet wink, she walked off.
I folded my arms, looking Rebecca over lazily. There was nothing special about her. She was a redhead, she was freckled, and she looked like she was straight out of high school.
Sighing, I faced her. "Let's get this over with quickly. You're not my type."
She looked up at me in shock, embarrassment clear on your face.
"Now go on, ask your parents to introduce you to the next rich guy."
Before she could say anything, I was gone.