Girl Wears Those Shoes

POPPY BLUSH AT SILHOUETTE

POPPY BLUSH AT SILHOUETTE

“I just simply love it here.” Gigi sipped Poppy Blush as she stretched her legs sitting on the red leather couch at Silhou ette. “I feel liquorish velvety.” Her cheeks were as cherry as the martini in her glass.

Hanna laughed. Gigi always came up with interesting words that she had never heard before. “With you sitting there, we should expect more velvet traffic for sure!” She was showing her staff the new arrivals to showcase on the shelves. She asked Gigi, “How are you doing with real estate lately?”

“All right, I guess, for the moment. I still haven’t come out of all the excitement about completing my first transaction.”

Gigi talked about how she executed her idea and facilitated a transaction as an intermediary. “I got 6% of $185,000 as commission on both ends.” Gigi raised her glass to Hanna. “Not only did I list one house in the first few days but also sold my listing within a month. Kudos to me.”

“Kudos to you, Doll! What a fantastic start!” Hanna said with a proud grin on her face.

“But,” Gigi began, lowering her head, “I still don’t feel the pace yet. Yes, I closed a transaction. But where is my next client coming from? And now, I have neither a listing nor a buyer. I still feel . . . kind of empty in this business.”

“Gigi you just started. It’s natural to feel this way. Real estate is an old business. Like all else, it’s built on relationships. It takes time to build your network and market yourself out there. You are doing great. What a jump start. That only showed that you are made for this business. You are creative and talented. No need to be so hard on yourself, darling.”

Hanna’s words were like the martini spreading through her vitals. Gigi felt warm and fuzzy.

“Can life be any better than this?” Gigi reclined back in the couch. “A martini, a stiletto with red sole, and sitting here chatting with you.” She paused. “I swear, I’ll work so hard. My long-term goal is to build a career. Short-term goal? So I can afford this pair of Louboutin myself!”

Hanna held her close and said, “I know you will. Very soon.” She looked at Gigi and smiled. “I got an idea. Let’s get you a working wardrobe and shoes. You need to dress for success.”

“What do you mean? I don’t dress all right?”

“You dress all right. But you need a touch of class to impress the world around you. Business world is conservative, like it or not. People judge you by how you dressed. Trust me, you lose jobs because of it. As much I admire your legs, I think we should cover them. Let me show you.”

Hanna took Gigi to Women’s Fashions. She picked slacks, blouses, dresses, and shoes as she went. “Now, let’s try some basics.”

Overloaded with clothes and accessories, Gigi nervously asked, “But how much will it cost me? You know I have just started and I’m a little short on money. I have to pay for my advertising, office, split with Eddie, and rent.”

Hanna gently lifted Gigi’s chin. “I told you, little girl. I’ve got an idea. Consider it as a loan—it’s on me today.”

Gigi was staring at her bewildered.

“The thing is I’m tired of staying at the Four Seasons every time I come to Houston—which is pretty often, you know. So, how about finding me a condo in a nice high-rise building here, realtor Gigi? I think it’s time to build a little nest here in Houston.”

Gigi was left speechless. She was completely stunned into silence.

“If you insist on paying me back so much, pay me after we close. How’s that sound?”

“Oh my God, that’s great! Really? Are you serious?”

“Do I look like I’m joking? I promise I’ll be a good buyer client of yours.” Hanna winked. “But I have something else to give you, a gift for your first closing. Now close your eyes.”

When Gigi opened her eyes, she was astound to see, there, in her lap, there was a pair of Louboutin pumps, poised in perfect nude on the red velvet inside an open box.