Mary took a pack of brochures, and leafed through them. She adored the design.
The second page made her smile. There was an article about Noirsons Corporation, and hot wave of excitement washed her all over when she saw the photo of her beloved Robert.
But then, with her heart in her mouth, she carefully read, and re-read a section of text.
Frowning, Mary pointed her slender well-manicured finger at a line that had grabbed her attention for rather less warming reasons than she expected from studying a brochure about good works in the community. She addressed the priest. Look, Father.
Frank obliged and read out loud; I, the LORD, do all these things. Isaiah 45:7. So, Mary, whats your point?
Out of context this phrase sounds as if Mister Noirson is the Lord, and it is his Corporation that the rules the world!
Father Frank was surprised with her words.
Mary, you did study marketing, didnt you? The designer just abbreviated the passage to save some place. They pay by the word, you know, and every penny counts!
He frowned at the irony of his words, picturing the sorry state of affairs with the orphanage budget. He continued, And, anyway, it sounds okay to me.
Read it again, insisted Mary. Frank sighed, shook his head and repeated it slowly. He looked at her again. Mary, when I read it, I do not detect any connection between Mister Noirson He paused, and added, unable to hold back a smile. However, I do understand why you did.
Mary blushed, ashamed, Oh My God, is my crush on Robert so noticeable?
She grabbed a mouse-pad with combined logos of Noirsons Corporation and her team, and subtly used it as a fan to try and disperse the warm feelings that had made her mouth dry and her fingers tingle.
Making a complete hash of staying cool after Father Franks throwaway comment, she stuttered, Nice work! and treated the mat like an antique dealer would a delicate Etruscan vase, studying it all over, practically holding it up to the light. Who designed this?
The priest was enchanted by her naive reaction.
Not all the youth of today have lost their innocence, he mused. You probably know this girl. Last month she won the award in the art contest for the best sports sketch.
Oh, yes! Mary beamed. Sure, I know her! Shes a gifted girl all right. We should send her to design classes.
I dont know, Father Frank drawled, thinking. Im not sure we have that sort of spare money on hand at the moment.
Drawing on another aspect of her charm, a quiet but clever line in persuasion, Mary persisted, Father, you paid for my management training. Isnt that investment paying off?
Yes, my child, of course it is. We are a non-profit organization with limited resources, but thanks to your skilful management we now enjoy the luxury of a successful gymnastics team.
Flattered by his appreciation, Marys heart again pounded in her chest. Unable to press Father Frank further, in an attempt to calm herself down, she lowered her eyes, placed the mouse mat back on the desk and took a bookmark instead.
But what she observed did quite the opposite of reduce her body temperature. On one side was the information presenting the orphanage, and on the other, smiling young soldiers and the quotation from the Bible; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. Matthew 10:34
Oh, dear, heres another example, Mary thought. This phrase has been torn from the text and now it is conveying a completely different message to the one intended originally!
An awful suspicion struck her like a lightening bolt from the highest heavens. Her hands were trembling. Unable to breath properly, she browsed through the promotional material again.
Oh, my! Mary blurted. Look at this, Father, all of this stuff contains Biblical quotations, but the context is so
Without looking up from an article he was speed reading, Frank sighed, So what, Mary?
It is so strange, Father. What is this all about, do you think? Editorial errors or blasphemy?
She looked intensely at the priest, who seemed totally unmoved by her concerns.
After a brief hesitation, she decided not to continue with her argument. He obviously thinks I am being stupid and picky, maybe even paranoid. Father did read them, after all, and if he didnt find anything strange, its probably only my imagination.
She took a deep breath and exhaled gently through her nose. It was an effective trick and instantly she pacified the thought processes that were upsetting her, a good catholic girl.
However, despite her peace of mind, an unwelcome concern had quietly settled on the very bottom of her sensitive soul.
***
The day had come.
From early morning Mary bustled, getting ready for the first ball of her life.
She did her make-up and hair thoroughly, as never before. Then checked the invitation, and the pack with promotional materials.
She laid down on her bed, still, relaxing in a state of meditation.
The doorbell rang at her door, which made her jump, and her heart ran fast, like a horse under starters orders. She took her purse, and opened the door.
It was Ron. He showed a polite wide smile, but when he saw Mary, his jaw dropped and his black thick moustache went up. His dark brown eyes glinted yellow like bears before an attack. The girl involuntarily stepped back under his gaze.
Thats not the dress that Mister Noirson sent you? he asked, frowning.
It was a brusque greeting, and Mary responded, shooting from the hip.
Its none of your business, she answered with the same haughty voice that she liked hearing Robert use. Like an arrogant sensual queen she stalked passed by Ron. The guard had to follow her, stroking his moustache in confusion.
***
Mary left the building feeling very upbeat. She was a beautiful young woman in love, dressed to kill. She enjoyed the almost fairytale opportunity to show herself off. It made her feel rather sexy to know so many people were gazing at her, as she was regally walking toward the limousine. Jerry was there to welcome her, and he could do nothing but smile with adoration.
In fact, he couldnt tear his eyes from her décolletage. He forgot about everything except the scented vision before him. He even forgot to open the car door for her. It was a nudge in the ribs from Ron that alerted him to his negligent behavior and the young guard quickly came back to his senses.
Mary got into the car, and was struck with disappointment.
She expected to see Robert sitting patiently, smiling serenely at her, but all she had for company was the oafish Jerry. She felt him leering at her with a cheesy grin from the other side of the plush stretch limo.
Where is Robert? Mary asked, upset.
Hes late, answered Jerry in a great burst of energy. Would you like to call him?
Mary shook her head no; she felt offended at being stood up.
Cool dress, señorita! The young bodyguard winked.
Er Suddenly feeling there was nothing to be gained by being miserable, she smiled and said, Thanks!
Really, its very fetching. Mister Noirson is a lucky guy.
Mary beamed with pride. Like a purring feline in heat, she stretched her leg out, showing him her pump. How do you like it?
He could only stare at her well-defined leg, moving from her ankle to her knee and on up. Careful, buddy, keep it polite! Jerry brought himself down a notch. What a foot! he thought. Cinderella! What Id give to suck these little toes! But unable to resist looking past her knee, and physically salivating at the shape of things to come as her dress rode upwards, a little voice piped up, Hey buddy, come on, dont even go there!
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!