“Margarete, could you give Mariana and I a few moments alone please?”
Margarete smiled as she touched Mariana’s shoulder before leaving the room.
“Sweetheart, is something wrong?”
The poor woman looked ready to cry.
“I can’t accept these things from you, Freda. I can’t pay you back and I don’t have a place to keep them.”
“Nonsense. You don’t have to pay me back. It’s all part of working for me. I enjoy this and especially when I know how much it is appreciated. You can’t go out and start buying the wrong outfits. I have a reputation to keep and an image to stand by.”
“You don’t understand. I do appreciate all of this. I can’t even begin to imagine how this is going to work.”
“But?”
“But, my apartment...” Mariana lowered her eyes to her hands. She was shaking, the poor girl.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
“I live in a really shitty neighborhood. If I walk in with anything I’ll be targeted. It’s bad there, Freda, but it’s all I can afford.”
Freda was immediately concerned and upset. How could this beautiful young woman live in such a dangerous place? She couldn’t tell her to move in with her. Mariana was different. She was a fighter. She did things on her own. She needed to tread carefully here.
“Listen, I’ll hold these items at my place. On Saturday, you have your first assignment.”
“What?”
“Yes, you’re going to need one of these dresses Margarete picked out for you and, well, since I am actually attending the same event, I need my beautician there and assistant. So, I will have Benny pick you up at your apartment at three tomorrow. You’ll get ready at my place and I will have everything there for you.”
“You really don’t have to do that.”
Freda covered Mariana’s hand with her own.
“I want to. You’ll learn quickly that I only do what I want to, not what others want me to do. Now, give Benny your address and he will pick you up.”
Marianna shook her head.
“I can meet you at your place tomorrow. There’s something I need to do first.”
Freda wasn’t sure if Mariana was lying or not. She would have Alvin follow her to ensure her safety.
“Okay, dear. Benny will give you my home address.”
Mariana said “thank you” as Margarete reentered the room holding a gorgeous black cocktail dress with sequin overlay. It was stunning, and Marianna would look incredible.
“Oh God, that is amazing,” Mariana said, and Margarete smiled. “This dress, you will wear to Rothesburgh Gallery tomorrow night.”
“Rothesburgh Gallery?” Mariana gasped as she stood up, took the gown from Margarete, and placed it against her. Freda could hear the excitement in her voice. Mariana loved the arts and she would be the perfect escort for Liam Michaels III.
“You will look amazing in that, Mariana. So meet me by three o’clock tomorrow and we will go over all the details of your assignment and what will be needed of you.”
“It sounds so mysterious. I can’t believe that I’m going to the Rothesburgh,” Mariana said as she turned to look at Freda. Freda smiled.
“It will be a great evening and your date for the night is practically royalty.”
Mariana’s eyes widened as Freda grabbed her purse and asked Margarete to have everything delivered tomorrow morning by noontime.
“Wait, you can’t tell me something like that and then not say a name,” Mariana said as she gently handed the dress over to Margarete. Margarete laughed.