Fiona finishes saying good morning to Kent and stops at our little table on the way out.
“This beauty must be Fay,” she says as she arrives, giving me a big smile.
She has a thick New York accent, a little like Fran Drescher, and I can’t help but be charmed by her sweet, brusk nature.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I say.
“Oh baby,” she says, wrinkling her nose at me. “I already know all about you. Big Boy over there told me everything,” she says, nodding at him over her shoulder.
I blush again. Big Boy?
Seriously?
What woman has the balls to call Kent Lippert Big Boy?
I laugh despite myself. “All good things, I hope.”
“Only the best,” she replies. “I’ll catch you two babies later,” she says, swooping down to give Daniel a kiss on the cheek as she goes. “And you,” she points a manicured nail at me, “you’re going shopping with me later, okay? Okay.”
She leaves without waiting for a response.
I watch her as she goes, a little jealous of her confidence as well as her raw sensuality. Fiona is the kind of buxom beauty who I imagine thrives in a world like this.
I look down at myself, feeling like a flat piece of plain white paper beside her.
“Sorry about that,” Daniel says, his voice a little frustrated.
“Why?” I look up at him, surprised.
“It’s just embarrassing, to have them around,” he whispers, leaning forward so that only I hear him. “My dad could fill every room in this house with his lovers, if he wanted to,” he says. “Although Fiona is…a favorite.”
I nod, understanding. “I can see why. She’s so beautiful.”
He sighs and I cock my head to the side. “What’s wrong?”
“My whole life there have been women all over. Some stay for a night, some for months. Fiona has lasted years now, but it’s only a matter of time before she’s gone too. Women just love him.” He scowls.
I can’t help but feel a little sorry.
“Well, I don’t like him at all,” I say, trying to cheer him up. “I think he’s rude, and domineering, and he likes to make people feel uncomfortable to make them fall in line. I think you’re ten times the man he is.”
Inside, I know it’s a lie. But it’s worth it for the burst of sunshine it brings to Daniel’s face.
“Thank you, Fay,” Daniel says, looking at me with real affection. “You’re the only one who thinks that. I’m glad to have you on my side.”
I smile at him and put my hand on top of his.
A few hours later, I jump out of my skin when the door to my room flies open again. “Shopping time!,” Fiona says, almost pulling me off my feet as she grabs my hand.
“Wha –“ I say, laughing a little as she eagerly bustles me out of the room. “Where are we going!?”
“Shopping, baby!” she laughs, pulling me down the steps. “I’m just so glad Daniel finally brought a girl home so I have someone to play with.”
I bite my lip as I hurry behind her. “Shopping? I really don’t think Kent’s going to let me leave the house.”
She gives me a wink as we arrive at a set of double doors close to the garages. “That’s the great thing about this place, we don’t have to leave. The shopping come to us.”
With that, she pushes open the doors, revealing the treasure trove beyond.
I can’t help but gape at what I see before me. There are stacks and stacks of luxury goods neatly arranged on hangers and racks. There’s even a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. To my left is an entire two-story wall just of shoes.
“Oh my god,” I say, looking around.
“You like?” she asks, standing proudly in the middle of the room. “Kent used to have it all neatly put away in boxes, but I made him let me organize it. You know,” she shrugs, “really give it that Rodeo Drive feeling.”
It really is dazzling. Everywhere I look I see brand names I’ve only ever seen in fashion spreads – Balenciaga, Hermes, Dior, Chanel.
“Where did it all come from?” I ask.
She shrugs, beckoning me over to her. “Personal shoppers, mostly. Kent likes to look good, but he doesn’t like to go to stores.” I join her at a velvet settee in front of a trifold mirror. “The rest,” she says, “are…gifts. Donations.”
I cock my head at her, confused.
She gives me a wink. “You know. From people who owe him big but don’t have the cash.” She wrinkles her nose and smiles. “That’s how he got me my Porsche.”
“Oh,” I say, my eyes going wide.
“Oh, little baby Fay,” she laughs, putting an arm around my shoulders. “You’re so cute with your little blushes. It’s nice to have someone so fresh around.”
I smile at her, biting my lip as she moves over to a pile of silk and satin that she has draped over a chair.
“Now,” she says, “I picked these out for you, but if you see anything else you like, just tell me.” She starts to hold up dresses for me.
“Um,” I say, hesitating. “Picked them out…for what?”
“For the party!” she says, beaming. “Did no one tell you? Tonight! The party so you can meet your father!”
Fiona smiles at me like I’m the luckiest girl in the world but I feel my face go as white as a sheet. Seeing the change in my demeanor, Fiona puts down the dresses and comes over. “Aw baby,” she says soothingly. “Too much? Too soon?”
I take a deep breath. “Yeah, I guess. I’ve never met this man – didn’t know he was my father until yesterday. It’s all just a shock.”
She gives my shoulders a quick squeeze. “Well, nothing’s going to make you feel more confident than looking absolutely fabulous.”
She hurries back over to the pile of dresses she set aside for me. “For you,” she says, “I think, this one.” Her voice is reverent as she holds up a gorgeous velvet gown, midnight blue with gauzy fabric trailing from the shoulders to create a diaphanous train.
I gasp when I see it, unable to help myself as I move forward to touch the material. As I turn it over in my hands, I catch a view of the price tag. I blanche and drop the fabric.
“What?” she says, peering at me. “I thought you liked it? With that red hair you’ll be a masterpiece.”
“Fiona,” I say, laughing a little, “that dress is the same price as a car, and not even a cheap car.”
She shrugs. “So?”
“It’s just…it’s too extravagant for me!” I say, shaking my head.
“Baby,” she says, coming forward and taking my chin in her hand, a little good-natured pity in her eyes. “This isn’t extravagant enough for you.”
I blink at her and she turns to hold the dress up so that I can see it against my body in the mirror. “This is the stuff that Kent lets me wear, Fay. And I’m just the goomah – the lady on the side,” she says, winking at me. I can tell she doesn’t feel any shame.
“You though,” she says. “Baby, you’re royalty in this world. You’re a princess.”
I stare at myself in the mirror, suddenly worried. I’m no princess – not in any world – I’m a just a psych major –
But as I stare at myself in the mirror, with that dress pressed against me, I have to admit…I look, just a little bit, like royalty.
“You’ve gotta get used to the luxe life,” she says quietly. “Kent told me to dress you in these tonight, but a girl like you should be wearing couture. To make up for it, though,” her face lights up with excitement, “Kent says I get to pick you out some jewels!”
She squeals, clapping her hands. I laugh as well, unable to help myself – she’s so infectious.
Ten minutes later, when I see myself in the dress with sapphires draped around around my neck, I shake my head a little in disbelief.
“There she is,” Fiona says, her voice awed. “The future wife of the most powerful heir in the city. Ladies and Gentlemen,” she says, giving a little bow, “may I present your future Queen.”
My heart sinks as I look at myself. Who even am I anymore?