Its great Jerry mumbled. Just fantastic.
He did not realize that her showing off was not aimed at him, he just happened to be there. He didnt even understand her next question.
You like it? Mary turned her foot presenting it from different sides. She was so elated to finally be able to show her luxuriant shoes off to someone. She bent forward, not thinking that Jerry could see down her décolleté and could clearly make out the full shape of her breast, almost as if they were fully exposed.
Im so worried that they might break, Mary said, concerned.
What? Jerry almost screamed. For one horrible moment he imagined her breasts were about to fall off.
But I took another pair with me. Mary smiled. Better safe than sorry.
What the hell is she talking about? Jerry thought perplexed.
Mary ran her hands over hips, rearranging her dress, which had shifted rather too far north for modesty. What do you think, are they sturdy enough? she continued.
Jerry only stared at her.
Mary carefully raised her leg and placed her foot on her knee. She tugged at the heel of her pump, and Jerry finally guessed that she was talking about her shoes.
Jerrys phone rang, and he answered. Yes sir, he said into the receiver.
Is it Robert? Mary whispered to him. Jerry nodded and passed the phone over to her.
Where are you? the girl drawled with pitiful voice.
Im terribly sorry, my little bunny! Robert answered. Dont worry, Ive checked, everything is ready. Just do your routine, as usual.
I never have done it all by myself. Im scared.
Dont be! I believe in you, honey. You are a powerful girl, you can do it.
But you will show up for sure?
Yes, I promise! I have to run, my sweetheart! See you soon! He hung up.
Mary sighed. The limousine stopped, and Jerry helped Mary out.
She saw some reporters and they came swarming around her, taking pictures, asking for details. The bright young girl in full bloom felt like a superstar.
Her nervousness disappeared and as far s she was concerned her guards no longer existed. It was her stage only. As per instructions, she said a few sentences about the orphanage and her gymnastics team, and finished; For more information, please visit our website. The preliminaries dealt with, she glided up to the entrance.
Inside the building, a hostess courteously greeted Mary, and a servant showed her to a desk, where she placed her brochures along with the others. He accompanied her to the reserved place, then left.
Thoroughly, she arranged the promotional material on the table, and pinned her posters on the display stand.
A few curious guests moved in for a closer look.
Mary routinely answered all the usual questions about the team, and the orphanage and its gymnastic activities and how it benefited the kids and the community. All the while, she was distributing the promotional cards with a lovely warm smile radiating from her inspired face.
Oh, look how adorable this rosary is! Praised a middle-aged lady, wearing a billowing golden yellow dress. She took one of the hand-made artifacts for a closer look.
On seeing an oncoming reporter, so as not to miss a trick, she struck an elegant pose and wrote a cheque. Now the camera was forthcoming, so she showed the evidence of a generous contribution to the reporter, who then decided it was worth taking her picture before she put the cheque in the donation box.
God Bless you! said Mary. Our girls are making these as part of our campaign, she explained. Each rosary is unique.
Nice, very nice. The lady nodded. She bent toward the girl and added almost inaudibly; Let me tell you, dear, your dress is also unique.
I know! Mary smiled with pleasure, taking it as a compliment, not seeing the womans eyes rolling when she turned and looked disapproving at her husband. Marys heart was singing. Choking on the euphoria of such a positive comment, the girl slowly sucked in a deep lungful of air to regain her composure.
Soon the attention of everybody was drawn away from her to other newcomers.
Now I can relax, Mary mumbled, sitting down, elegantly posed on the chair.
She looked around with a burning, youthful curiosity. She had attended such parties before, but only as a performer.
How the other half lives, she mused, taking in the luxuriant scene.
It all seemed busier than it really was. Decorated with various plants and assorted flowers, all a differing shade of yellow, the reception area in which she was seated was surprisingly small.
Numerous sponsors logos were on display everywhere. Spokesmen and women gushed eloquently about what their companies were and werent doing to change the lot of the worlds less fortunate. It was a good advert for the organizers; everybody was winning that night.
Aside from the displays, Mary adored a small orchestra, playing soft romantic background music. The tender sounds flowed over the highbrow proceedings, adding to the impression of a fairytale.
Men in tuxedos, and women in evening dresses in assorted restrained colors were walking around, stopping at tables, sounding interested before moving on to mingle and pose. The groups of guests were flitting around like figures in a golden light brown kaleidoscope.
Suddenly, Mary noticed a thirty-something brunette in a figure-hugging neutral colored gown, staring at her, and Mary wondered; Why such an unfriendly look?
A man, in his sixties, stubby yet imposing and dignified came to her table. Mary stood up, and smiled friendly.
A reporter had followed him and was hovering, expectant.
The elderly man glanced at him with visible displeasure, sighed and shoved some bills into the donation box. Feeling that something was awry, Mary kept silent, holding her welcoming expression.
The reporter moved on to another group of circulating guests, and the man turned to Mary.
Miss Jablonskaia, if Im not mistaken? he asked the perplexed girl, who nodded, unsure how else to reply.
Do you know that your dating Mister Noirson could cause some trouble? he said unexpectedly. Marys heart stopped for a second.
I I dont understand she managed to squeeze out finally.
Too bad. Not bothering to explain a thing, he left, and Marys shoulders visibly drooped under the weight of such a shock.
What did he mean? she was thinking, panicking. Who is he? How does he know about us? What kind of trouble? For Robert? Oh dear God, no! Or for me? I dont care about that. Im not afraid. She hesitated. Or am I? Oh Robert, where are you? I so need your support right now
Nice dress. Mary heard an irritated female voice, and lifted her head. It was the same gazing lady that Mary had spotted before. Now she was standing next to the table, still drilling into the girls heart with obvious anger in her eyes.
I thought it was the only one, the lady said. But as I remember it was taupe.
How does she know about the dress? Mary wondered.
You are right, she answered calmly. But you know, I cant actually afford to buy a collection dress.
But your lover surely can, the lady said, smiling. She saw Marys eyes widen. So, he ordered a copy, didnt he? Who chose that ugly color? It matches your mane about as well as an omelet goes with green onion!