“I’ll see. I’m happy that it is going so well. There are a lot of women out there in need. I’m sure word will spread fast. Listen, the taxi just pulled up at the event. I need to go, but I’ll call you guys tomorrow and we’ll talk some more.”
“Okay. Good luck, and remember that you are gorgeous. Do not let that stuck-up, snobby, rich cheater make you feel inferior. If he brings the model, just ignore them and work what your mamma gave ya!”
“Thanks, Anna. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
Millie hung up the phone and felt a little better after talking to the girls. She wasn’t ready to face plans for the future yet, but hoped that an idea would emerge and she could focus on that and forget about Stewart and all men for a while.
* * * *
The venue was extraordinary. She should have expected only the best from Mr. Arthur. It was very glamorous and upscale and completely paid for by one of many contributors to Mr. Arthur’s company. There had to be several hundred in attendance, and most were decked out in fine gowns and tuxedos. Millie was now glad that she splurged on the black dress. She had already received numerous compliments, which perked her earlier misconceptions of her appearance. Dressed like this in a place so fancy made her feel beautiful and successful. The award she received about a half hour ago also perked her confidence. She was on a high right now as she sipped her champagne. Although she was only a fundraising coordinator making a mere thirty thousand dollars a year before taxes, she felt pretty good right no
w. Monday, when pink slips were handed out, she may feel differently. Why ruin it?
She absorbed everything she could. She wanted to remember this good feeling she had and the accomplishment she had been part of. Many women coming from abuse, neglect, or persecution would now have an opportunity for a better life. There were tables set up auctioning off various items to raise even more money for the organization. She felt proud that she had been part of it, and the fatigue from the long work hours was a distant memory.
Millie stood near a few women she knew from other local organizations. They were all dressed nicely and had complimented her on her dress, her hair, and even stated that she looked stunning this evening. She was feeling pretty good from the boost to her confidence, smiling so much that her cheeks began to ache, when she glanced around the room and caught sight of Stewart. The blonde hanging on his arm was a freaking Amazon compared to Millie. Stewart wasn’t close to six feet tall, and the blonde would have been way taller than him even if she weren’t sporting the Jimmy Choo six-inch stilettos. They made an odd-looking couple. Her purple dress was shimmering and hugged the bitch’s model figure. However, when she turned right or left, her breasts, probably taped in with some of that fancy clear stuff, nearly caused her nipples to show. The men around her looked as if they all needed bibs.
“Hey, don’t even bother looking at her. He’s an ass for dumping you,” Clare whispered. Her friend from the office sipped at a seltzer with lemon. Her black square glasses were designer, but the rest of her was thrift shop. Clare was an odd mix of modern-day hippie and a fashion diva. She danced to the beat of her own drum and Millie didn’t mind one bit.
Millie pulled her eyes away from the scene and took a sip of her glass of white wine. Don’t let him ruin your time. Don’t let seeing him with someone else affect you.
“Hey, you look gorgeous and classy. Don’t let it bother you. There are lots of hot single guys around here. You’ll have your choice.”
“I know I shouldn’t bother to look. She’s got everyone’s attention,” Millie whispered as she looked at Clare.
“That’s because they’re waiting to see which tit pops out first, the right or the left. I’m betting on the right. I can almost see part of the areola from here.” Millie nearly choked on the sip of wine she took.
She stared at her coworker, shocked by her words but tickled by the description.
“Come on, Millie. Get real, will ya? We’re not at work and you have succeeded in helping to establish a great women’s shelter. You should be celebrating.”
“I am celebrating.” Millie lifted her half-empty glass and then took another sip of wine.
“Your breasts are better than hers. You should be working that sexy figure you have.”
“Sexy?”
“Oh, please. Do not tell me that you think you don’t have a great figure.” Clare placed her hand on her hip and gave Millie a sideways glance. “Woman, you are the Marilyn Monroe of the joint. Perfect round ass, great hips, and big, gorgeous blue eyes. Shit, I wish I had your figure instead of this pencil-thin mess of skin and bones. No matter what I eat it doesn’t seem to land on my body. I want hips and ass,” Clare stated a little loudly, and Millie shook her head and laughed.
“I hate my hips and ass, and as they say, ‘through the lips and onto the hips.’”
“Millie, may I have a moment please?” Stewart interrupted them and Millie felt her cheeks redden and her face go flush. Shit, I hope he didn’t hear me.
Clare gave Stewart the once-over as if he was dog turd and Millie stifled her laugh. Who would have thought that the quiet, cuckoo secretary had such a grand personality?
“What do you want, Stewart?” He took her elbow and led her toward the side hallway away from the crowd of guests. He probably didn’t want to be seen with her. She felt nothing for him, and that fact made her feel stronger instead of intimidated.
He looked down at her and she was grateful that she wore the heels. Her designer shoes now made her stand at about five feet seven, and he was only an inch or so taller.
He stared at the cleavage of her dress and she was glad the twins were large and perky. His date’s were the complete opposite.
“Why are you wearing something like this?” he scolded and she was shocked. Was he seriously going to reprimand her choice of dress? He had no right.
“Excuse me?”
“You’re too…heavy to wear something like this. It’s demeaning.”
She was shocked but also stricken to her heart by his words. When she had feelings for someone she gave it her all. That had been her downfall with Frank as well as with Stewart. She wasted her love, her energy on one bad man after the next. Anger flared, but she couldn’t seem to get her mouth to function. But then he reached up and ran his index finger from her throat over her breasts as if he owned her and could have her at any time. Instead of the touch turning her on, it made her feel nauseous.