Bride of Convenience

Chapter 4

HARRISON walked off. He really did like her suit. When he first met her, her clothes were not as fitted as this suit. It clung to her in all the right places and looked like it was made for her body it hugged her curves. Harrison’s usual girls were tall, blonde, size two figures and were extremely confident. Why was it though she had not left his mind since they met? He wasn’t due to come back to work this week, but he wanted to see her in action to see how she fit in, to see what Paul thought of her. He was in Paul’s office now discussing a client with him. However, his mind was distracted by Julia just outside the office. Her hair was pulled tight back in a bun as it had been the first time they met. Wondering why she did that and what she would look like with her hair out he missed the question Paul had asked.

“Sorry?”

“You are very distracted today, Harrison. Anything to do with my new assistant?” Paul asked with a smile on his face. He and Harrison had been friends for years. Paul had the knowledge to run this place and one day when Paul was ready and had the money Harrison would offer him forty-nine per cent of the business. Harrison’s’ businesses meant everything to him he would never leave himself short he would always have the controlling stock and therefore the power.

“Nothing to do with her. How is she working out for you?”

“Great, she could probably do my job blindfolded. She is way overqualified.”

“Well, that’s the kind of assistant you need someone that could do it all for you if required. You and Stacey coming tonight?” They had a fundraiser to attend. It was a sit-down dinner with cocktails and an auction to raise funds for the ‘Black River St Orphanage’. Harrison and his staff participated in a lot of charity events it was good for business to keep up with the events in the community.

“Yep, Stacey is really looking forward to it.”

“Great, ask Julia to attend as well I have a spare seat at our table. Let her know how to dress for the evening and give her the afternoon off to go and organise herself. The limo will pick her up after it’s collected you, Stacey and Katie.”

JULIA had the credit card she was given and was waiting to meet Stacey. Stacey was Paul’s wife she had spoken to her on the phone, and they got along well. Paul insisted that Julia take off the afternoon and if she was going shopping in a country she didn’t know, she needed a shopping assistant and apparently his wife Stacey was very accomplished at shopping. Waiting at Starbucks Café Julia was concerned she might have missed Stacey, and then a friendly looking lady approached her.

“You must be Julia?” she said and held out her hand for Julia to shake it.

“Hey, Stacey. Thank you so much for offering to help me. I’m not a great shopper, and I would have no idea where to start.”

“Well, honey, you have the right lady to show you around. I use to be in the purchasing business. I was a personal shopper for several high society types before I decided to become a writer. Now I spend most of my time wishing I was shopping instead of having writer's block.” Julia was stunned she figured that Paul had been joking when he said his wife was a professional shopper. They order some coffee and Julia found out a lot about Stacey. She had written a best seller under her pen name, and her publisher was waiting for the second novel hoping it would be just as good as the first, but Stacey found when you have all the time in the world to write you do anything but write. So having the chance to hit the stores and help someone with their wardrobe was a well-deserved break.

“So you need a cocktail dress for tonight, but Paul also says you may need a few society type outfits. Planning on going out a lot while you’re here?” Julia wondered how much Stacey knew about her position here.

“Paul told me the very minimum. Harrison trusts Paul with everything, and he knows that he shares some of that information with me. We’ve been married for six years. Harrison actually introduced us. I use to dress some of his girlfriends for big events. He has always used a stylist for people he dated. I’ve never dressed him though he is always outstanding when he turns up at events and I wish I could say I had helped him, the credit goes to him.” She stopped and looked at Julia. “Sorry, I’m kinda rambling on a bit. Coffee does it to me. I’m not great on caffeine I talk a hundred miles an hour. Not to mention my working day is at home all alone talking with no one, so you set me loose, and I don’t shut up. I should probably let you get a word it. Tell me about yourself, Julia.”

Julia was more comfortable with Stacey raving than talking about anything in her life.

“Well, I grew up in Sydney Australia with my dad.”

“What about your mum?” Stacey asked as they strolled through the streets looking for the right shops. Julia and Stacey had passed several shops that looked like they had some great choices but Stacey was on a mission and was headed somewhere in particular.

“My mum died when I was young.” Julia never told people her mother committed suicide. She didn’t want people to judge her or her mum.

“Oh, I’m terribly sorry. Here’s the shop, I know the owner, and we can get a great discount. They have a great range from casual to formal. Perfect for what we want.” They walked into the shops, and someone came rushing towards them.

“Stacey? Stacey, tell me it’s you. Ohhh, what a sight for sore eyes! Are you back in the business? Who’s your lovely client?” The guy that came towards them was extremely gay. Stereotypical gay, a little over the top and in your face. He seemed friendly enough though.

“Wil, It’s great to see you.” They did the air kiss thing to each other. “To answer your questions, no, I’m not back in business this is my new friend Julia who has just moved here from Australia. We need to totally fit her out from casual, business all the way to formal.” Wil jumped up and down and clapped his hands.

“I love playing dress up, especially with someone who is not a size two. You actually have curves, how exciting it’s been a while since someone came in that actually had a figure.” He said as he walked around her sizing her up. “O.K. off with your clothes and let's start your wardrobe.” Julia stood staring at him. Did he want her to take her clothes off right here? He started nudging her towards the dressing rooms, and she sighed with relief although they seemed to be excited that she had curves and bumps rather than a stick figure, she certainly didn’t want to expose it to the rest of the people walking by on the street. After entering the dressing room, she was given outfit after outfit to try on and had to parade in front of both Stacey and Wil, and they decided she didn’t get a choice if they didn’t like it came off and if they liked it went into the wardrobe pile. They seemed to know what they were doing; however, she felt a little insecure when comments came from Wil and Stacey like:

“Oh please who needs two butts!”

“That is certainly not your colour you look totally washed out!”

“Don’t worry honey not many people can pull off that outfit!”

Two hours later she had a full wardrobe and a whole lot more insecurities. Her closet contained business suits, casual outfits, smart casual for outings and lunch dates and then the cocktail and formal dresses. Julia was a little worried what this would cost but when she handed over the credit card it all went through fine. Harrison had mentioned that it didn’t have a limit, but she was still worried. They left the store after Wil wished them luck and told Stacey to come back soon he missed her like crazy. Across the road was a day spa and Stacey said to her that she was treating them both to a makeover. Julia’s protest fell on death ears. Stacey had missed her previous job and wanted to feel like old times, so they spent the next two hours in the spa. They applied her evening make up at the end, and Stacey advised her to wear the blue, green gown with spaghetti straps and matching shawl. Stacey said goodbye and dropped Julia at the apartment. She had the dress Stacey had chosen with her and the rest would be delivered to her apartment while they were out.

Julia couldn’t believe it she felt like a princess. She had a whole new wardrobe her make up was flawless, and she felt stunning. The lady at the spa showed her how to pull her hair up in a loose pile on her head and curl a couple of loose strands. She was amazed at how easy it was to do. Slipping on the beautiful gown she was stunned that it felt so light, it fell entirely to the ground, and she slid her feet into her heeled strappy sandals. Ready to leave with ten minutes to spare she found herself pacing the house anticipating the night ahead. Worried that she wouldn’t meet Harrison’s standards after hearing all he dated was size two models. The limo arrived on time, and they were driven off to the party. Harrison must have been getting his own way there as he was not in the limo she felt a little nervous she knew this was their first public meeting and Julia imagined he was going to take a particular interest in her and it would all begin tonight however she was still unsure what to expect.