Ashes of trust

Chapter two, Episode one:Banquet

Now let's go I want you to show me the dress you are wearing tomorrow. Ok since you won't stop pestering me about it then let's go. Here it is it's the only good gown I own am a more of a pants kinda girl. You gotta be kidding me you can't why that. Why not it's pretty decent. Exactly it's way too decent we need something that catches the eye. Whose eye are we talking about exactly . Maggie I need to be dressed appropriately if I want to be taken seriously.

It's a ball for crying out loud people will actually think there's something wrong with you if u attend a party wearing pants. Wait here I think I have the perfect dress for you. ( Door bell rings) go on get that while a dig you up something you can wear from my closet since we go no time to go shopping. Ok am going. (joy opens the door) Miss Rodriguez? Yes that's me . Please sign here, thank you. Excuse me would you happen to know whose this package is from. No sorry ma'am am just a delivery guy I actually don't know maybe the package has a note indicating who sent it? Ok thank you.

Who was that? A delivery guy he said this package is for me. Well what are you waiting for open it? But I didn't order anything and how did the person who sent it know I was staying here when I just got here? What's with the question just open it or let me. Wow this gown is beautiful. Hey there's a note, give me let me see. Why you didn't even want to open the package. Wear this it will look good on you . No name? Wait a minute let me see it's signed I know this signature it belongs to Dr. Sanchez. What why would he even send me a gown? Told you he liked you a gown and his signature is on the card, I didn't take him to be that kinda guy. Come on try it on. No I can't Maggie I can't accept it I'll return it. When will you stop being such a buzz kill it's a dress for crying out loud, one that will actually look good on you? Ok I'll try it on so you can stop breathing down my neck. Now we're talking. As Joy was standing in front of the mirror, smoothing the emerald satin over her hips she was still in disbelief that he had actually sent it. The colour was sticking deep like green like her eyes sometimes when emotions swirled too close to the surface.

(Maggie dramatically gasping) ooh, my God Joy, if he wasn't already obsessed now he will be. The dress looks so good on you and the colour it's like he looked into your eyes and was like am gonna wrap her in the exact shade. Your talking nonsense maybe he didn't even pick it out himself. Am his secretary Joy am responsible for picking out his gifts and if I was unaware of this then trust me he picked it out himself. Stop it Maggie. Joy looked back in the mirror as she tried to cover the small smile tagging from her lips. If you say so but this is the kind of dress that makes a man forget his name and trust me when Martin sees you in this he's gonna forget everything. It's just a dress Maggie don't be dramatic am gonna take it off now so as not to ruin it. Ok I'll be in my room if you need anything . But it wasn't just a dress it was an invitation, a challenge, a complication.

As the suns rays spill through the blinds of Maggie's apartment the room feels calm unlike the chaos unfolding inside. Joys been thinking about, Martin, her dad and all this banquet drama while Maggie is worrying about everything what if something happens that ruins the event I've worked so hard to make everything look perfect for today. Ok so Joy hair appointment at ten, makeup at eleven and dressed by noon don't even think about arguing with me ooh almost forgot ur shift today is covered you have no reason to go to the hospital consider today your day off you here me. This is your first offical banquet I assume right? Yes it is. So we better make an entrance tonight. Maggie your talking as if we're going too war or something. Of course the difference is just better lighting and wine. Maggie moves round the apartment fussing about Joy's nails, hair clips and holding earrings up to the light and mattering whether the necklace Martin suggested will clash with the dress. Hey Maggie can you calm down and take a breather have some coffee with me. Ok a cup of coffee will be nice.

Joy? Yes Maggie. What's on your mind you've been wondering off from time to time. It's just that I don't understand why he's doing all this for me he doesn't even know me. "ooh, sweetie, " Maggie sighs dropping the earrings and places both her hands on Joy's shoulders. "He doesn't have to know you. Men like Martin don't send dresses to just anyone. That gown is practically screaming I see you, I need you and am not afraid of falling." Joy shakes her head as a flush creeps up her cheeks but she's not ready for this not the dress, not the attention and definitely not feelings she can't afford to have. Not tonight

I don't know what I was doing all what prompted this but I had to something told me that I had to buy her a dress and her I am in a boutique trying to pick out a dress. It so quiet and dimly lite if only I brought Maggie to help me decide but then it won't be a surprise. As I was standing with my hands in my pocket clearly out of place not knowing what to do then a young attendant approaches me, finally. Looking for anything specific sir? A dress, for a hospital banquet. It's formal, it's for.... someone. Is it someone special? I choose not to answer that coz I don't know what to call her yet. Would you happen to know her size by any chance? I pull out a note and hand it over to the attendant I happen to know her size as we needed it when we were fitting her for hospital scrubs at first I used to find it absurd that we asked for employees sizes but it actually came in handy. As I was walking through the racks I run my hand on the smooth fabrics but none of them caught my eye . As I was just about to walk out and head to another boutique there it was a floor length green gown, understated but bold. The neckline was gracefull and the waist cinced it would fit her perfectly I thought best part was it doesn't scream for attention but it was impossible to ignore . This one. Perfect choice sir. This would definitely bring out her eyes I thought . As they were wrapping the dress the weight of my actions began to settle. My chest began to tighten at the thought of watching her walk into the room wearing the dress. I don't know why I care so much but I would really like to be the reason she's seen _really seen even if it's just once.

Joy was standing in front of the mirror adjusting her earrings when she stop mid-motion to stare at Maggie. "Okay you didn't tell me you were going to look like royalty. Maggie twirls once her satin blue dress flowing round her like water." "Ooh please,this old thing?Your just saying that to distract me from how absolutely deadly you look in green." Joy laughs. "No seriously that neckline and that slit. Martin's driver might crash when he sees you." "I'm not the one he'll be crushing over," Maggie grubs he purse. " You ready?"