His Secret Palace

Chapter 8 - The Dress

I gave the dress to Becky and left her to sort it out. But the gala’s about to start… I head out to the middle of the French garden. Becky has been hiding here doing her best to fix my dress. It’s a weird place to set up a workshop, but hey! I suddenly hear some frantic whispers…

“Psst… psst… psssssttttt…. Mer! I’m here!”

I look around and see a hand waving like crazy from inside a laurel bush. I hurry. I don’t have a minute to lose. I’ve got to get to Becky! She’s my savior! She’s my little Edwarda Scissor Hands!

I run towards Becky. She jumps out of the bush at the last minute and scares the hell out of me! I almost fall, but she manages to grab me in time.

“So, Super Seamstress? Have you managed to make it into something wearable?”

Becky gives me a smile that says it all before winking and clicking her tongue. “Well, it wasn’t easy in this light… But you know me! I wasn’t going to let a little thing like that stop me!”

I never even had a doubt! I know I can trust Becky to take on any kind of sewing challenge! She would have done it blindfolded if I’d asked her to! When it comes to sewing, she’s not afraid of anything!

She’s pretty proud of herself. Becky shows me the dress as if it were a precious stone. The dress looks stunning. Becky has managed to make it look incredible! In fact, it looks totally different! And no more holes!

Now it’s sexy, classy and… a little ‘out there’ … with a big opening in the back. Ah, Becky… my fairy godmother! “Wow! This is something else! You’re not a seamstress, you’re a goddamn magician! It’s crazy what you’ve done!”

Becky is flattered and pleased for me. She cracks a huge smile and takes a little bow. “I’m so glad, Mer! You’re not going to embarrass yourself… and you’re not getting fired tonight! What more could we ask for? I’m so happy I could help! I gotta go. I can’t let those sheets get cold… if you know what I mean.”

I giggle. She’s so naughty! I don’t know how she does it! There’s no way I’d have the energy to date like she does! I guess I’d have to meet someone first. That’d be a start!

“You met a guy? What kind of guy? Cute? Do I know him? Haaa… or is it a girl?”

Becky laughs at my curiosity. But she changes partners so often, it’s hard to keep up! “Man, woman, it doesn’t matter! I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow. Or not. It might be too hot for you to handle! Anyway, there’s nothing to tell right now! The night is just beginning! And it’s going to be long… long… very long…”

“For me too, Super Seamstress! Me too! This gala is going to be far from an easy ride!”

“I know, Mer. Come on, let’s do this thing! My heart goes out to you! Watch out for yourself! That’s an order!”

Becky gets her scooter and pushes it away so she doesn’t make any noise or attract any attention. What would I do without her…? She just saved my ass again! True story. There are buddies. There are friends. And there’s Becky. Irreplaceable Becky…

Okay! I have no time to lose. Now I have something that can at least be worn. I have to go and get into it! And fast!

I have no doubt the dress will look incredible. Becky is a true artist when it comes to sewing. I didn’t even need to try the dress on because I knew it would be the perfect fit. There’s now a slit down the back. It almost reaches down to my buttocks.

I shouldn’t attract too much attention. At least not as much as if my dress still had a hole in it! But my outfit might still be a little…

The gala will be attended by princesses, duchesses, Hollywood stars and the like. They’ll all be wearing dresses costing thousands of dollars. High-fashion pieces that I could never even consider buying. Well, at least my dress wont steal all the limelight!

I pray that I don’t fall down and my buttocks don’t make an appearance! I have no desire to show the guests my gluteus maximus this evening.

But then again, as Becky reminded me, I’m not here to please. I don’t care about this gala thing. All I care about is my mission. Period.

***

After a brief stint in the break room, I’m dresses. I’m wearing makeup and my hair is done. Well… more or less ‘done’.

As soon as I arrive in the ballroom, I spot the first guests as they’re announced by some guy who’s been hired for the occasion to bark out their names as they enter the room. I watch the show.

With their heads held high and frozen smiles on their lips, the guests wait in line as if queuing up ready to go on stage when they hear their cue. They’re putting themselves out there, giving the best impression of themselves and playing their part.

There are crowned heads, high-ranking politicians and famous celebrities. I’m impressed by the pomp and ceremony. I didn’t really expect it to be like this. The sumptuous space, the incredible décor… and now the guests, each and every one of them so beautifully dressed. I’m captivated.

I pretty much expected this, but to experience it in real life is something else. It’s awesome. These people live in a world so very different from mine. As the guests start to drink champagne and exchange chit-chat, I take in all the details of their outfits, hairstyles and jewelry.

Everything has been put together so carefully! There are so many precious stones everywhere! And the hairstyles look like works of art. It’s all fabulous!

I stand back and watch this parade of the world’s most rich and famous. Everything is under control. Nothing is left to chance. Everyone here is wanting to make the best impression they can.

But behind the smiles, I can already detect petty jealousy, mockery and judgments. These people are just like everyone else…

I’m walking around the room, pretending to look busy, when I hear whispers a little further away. They’re whispering about me… if I’m not mistaken… When I hear the words ‘buttocks’, ‘vulgar’ and ‘slit’ I know it’s about me.

But I stand proud. I won’t let them know they’re getting to me. No way! They don’t deserve the honor! Besides, I’d like to see what they’d look like in a forty dollar dress patched up in fifteen minutes in the dark… they won’t look so hot! I guarantee it.

I move away from the whispering and hear a young woman call out to me among the ever-increasing number of guests. I turn to her. OMG, she’s stunning! She has such magnificent features. She’s a breathtaking beauty. Is she a royal or something?

She leaves her group and comes to join me with a broad smile on her lips. “Wow! Your dress is amazing! A little unusual perhaps, but really beautiful!”

I don’t know who she is, but I know from her clothes and how she talks that she doesn’t work here. She’s a guest alright. And coming from one of the guests, that’s a real compliment. My dress may not have unanimous approval, but some people like it!

“It’s got to be a designer dress, but who? It’s a classy little number with a touch of danger! I love it!”

I can’t believe we’re talking so easily with each other. This girl is great! And I’m not just saying that because she’s being nice to me. I really thought that it would be impossible to fit into this glitzy world. I thought they’d all be sharks.

Well, I guess I must have been wrong. My instincts weren’t right on that one. And I’m not going to complain about it! I like meeting new people!

“Come on! It’s just us! You can tell me. Is it a vintage. Dior… or an Oscar de La Renta? Elie Saab perhaps? I once pretended to wear Chanel when it was something I picked up off the rack, but I got caught red-handed.” She laughs.

I think she enjoyed making that little confession. But I’m still a little caught off guard.

“Promise me this will stay between us? It’s a $40 dress that a friend had to customize because of a last-minute hiccup.”

She closes her eyes, grabs me by the arm and starts giggling. “I know its designer. I get that you won’t tell me! But it’s weird. I don’t recognize it… she must be someone I haven’t come across yet. I’m surprised! I’m always in the front row at Fashion Week! But there’s always some new, hot designer, isn’t there? I won’t bother you anymore! I have a whole bunch of hands to shake! Are you a guest or on duty tonight?”

“I work with Margaret. But I haven’t been here very long.”

I’m a little worried about how she’ll react after this revelation. Will she change her behavior now that she has confirmation that I’m nobody special?

“Great! We’ll have a chance to meet again then. I’m off. I hope the guests don’t bother you with too many weird requests tonight!”

“It’s been nice talking to you. And if you don’t mind, you are?”

“I’m so sorry! I forget all the rules of decorum when I’m stressed! My name is Catherine. What’s your name?”

“Meridian. But I don’t want to keep you…”

“It’s nice to meet you, Meridian! Have a great evening. And try to enjoy it a little if you can!”

That was nice! Catherine has really put a smile on my face. Let’s hope there are more of her around! Because from the look on Margaret’s face as she’s making her way towards me, I’m not sure she’s going to compliment me…

“Would you mind explaining your outfit, Miss Sasha? I thought I made myself clear? Not that I’m surprised… but it’s not really the dress code I gave you. You’re revealing rather a lot, shall we say?”

I apologize. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Lawrence. I had a little trouble with my dress and had to improvise at the last minute…”

“I can see you have an unfortunate tendency to improvise, Miss Sasha…” Margaret pauses for a second and then I notice a slight smile at the corner of her mouth. I can see that deep down she doesn’t hold it against me. “It doesn’t bother me in the slightest, but maybe it’s not to everyone’s taste…”

Margaret points out a couple greeting everyone as they pass by through the crowds. I recognize Harold Yvain-Cadieux… with his wife on his arm.

“Ingrid Yvain-Cadieux doesn’t think much of your outfit and couldn’t help but point that out to me. I would rather have not had that conversation… Anyway. She asked me to make sure you understand that this must never happen again. Employees are supposed to keep a low profile, and not act like they’re in a nightclub. She actually asked me if you were here to work or find a husband.”

I guess you could say Ingrid Yvain-Cadieux is someone who speaks her mind! I’m not too happy about her talking about me in that way… But there’s no point in letting Margaret know that. not now.

“I understand Margaret. I promise to try to be discreet.”

“Don’t worry too much! She’ll get over it. But let me give a piece of advice! Don’t antagonize Mrs. Yvain-Cadieux. It’s better to have her as a friend than as an enemy. Believe me…”

Margaret doesn’t add anything else. She leaves me with these mysterious words. suddenly, the stage lights start coming on… They’re dazzling!

I see a young woman on stage with a microphone. No, wait… It’s Catherine! But what is she doing?!

“Ladies and gentlemen. I’m sorry to interrupt, but given the announcement I’m about to make, I think you’ll forgive me.”

The din in the room comes to an abrupt halt. Catherine is bathed in light as she addresses the audience.

“It is with great honor and even greater joy that I declare the first part of this special evening open! Let the Devin Foundation’s charity gala for the orphans of Los Angeles begin!”

The applaud fills the room and I join in. All eyes are on Catherine. But then I see Damian a few meters away from me. He’s waving and miming at me to stop applauding.

I look around. Okay, so none of the staff is applauding. They’re all just standing around like statues with their hands clasped in front of them.

“As head of the foundation, I would like to extend my warmest thanks to our generous donors, without whom this evening could not have taken place.”

Another round of applause. I see a few knowing smiles about the place. I guess some of the donors are here.

And it suddenly dawns on me. Catherine is the director of the Devin Foundation. She must be a Devin. Like the guy in the Diamond Suite… Eric Devin! I bet they are brother and sister. Their family seems to be close to the Yvain-Cadieux.

“The auction is incredible. Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Braque, Kandinsky… They should bring a lot of money for the foundation!” Catherine is absolutely stunning up there on stage! And full of charisma and beauty. I’m really flattered that she talked to me earlier without patronizing me.

As Catherine unveils one masterpiece after another, Owen joins me. “It’s the third time in four years that the Kirchner has been up for auction. Everybody keeps buying it, but nobody wants to keep it! I can see why. It’s not on the same level as the Three bathers which is the only painting in his body of work that I can get on board with…”

I decide to play the socialite. “Of course, my darling! That thing wouldn’t be allowed anywhere near my Beverly villa! How dare they sell such filth!”

Owen bursts out laughing before mimicking an aristocrat complete with cane and monocle. It’s hilarious.

“If I may so, Viscount Richard Monforte-Bale the Third, you certainly know your paintings! Bravo!”

Owen smiles at my comment. “It’s kind of my thing. I’ve always loved it. Whether it’s spray paint in the street or oil on canvas. How are things going anyway? Not too hard-going? I saw Margaret made a comment about your dress. I think it’s very nice. She doesn’t look old-fashioned like most of the grandmas here tonight, but she’s not exactly the type to move with the times, is she?”

“It’s fine. I’m managing for now. Let’s wait and see! The evening’s only just got started!”