No, about me. Me, Rose. Do you want to hire me?
I do. Dina looked at her intently, as if trying to read her thoughts. You will love it. Youll meet so many celebs. Come on!
I dont know, this is so unexpected
Well?!
Im Alright. Rose did not take her eyes off the coffee, almost drowning in it.
Thats great! See you tomorrow. Dina disappeared, leaving behind a fragrance trail and an empty cup.
That night, Rose wandered about the apartment, devouring everything she could get her hands on. Some cheese, cookies, jam, leftover pizza. There was a repeating loop of thoughts in her mind: She would be laughed at, frowned upon, talked about. Leaving a stable job for an Instagram girls assistant. Had she lost her mind? She kept making excuses, trying to please everyone whod be in doubt. Rose finished the last éclair in the fridge and did what she knew best. She called in sick so as not to appear in the office for a week.
She got out of the smoky taxi cab and pressed the bell push. The heavy door immediately opened. Déjà vu. A marble table, fashion magazines, flower vase, light-colored walls with abstract paintings on them. Rose had seen it all hundreds, if not thousands of times on her phones screen. Dina recorded Instagram stories every day, in this very interior. A familiar voice came from the kitchen. The woman that voice belonged to was rebuking her housemaid for something. Then she quickly walked into the living room, sat opposite Rose, and opened her daily planner. Unknown places, people, names. There was a flood of information, and Rose struggled to keep up with it and to maintain her composure.
Any questions?
Yes!
But Dina didnt listen to her. She silently disappeared with a heap of papers in her hands.
Rose tried to decipher what she had just written, but her eyes were blurred with tears. With her body shaking, she slid onto the floor. She lay curled up in the fetal position and wept, ignoring the terrified housemaid who was buzzing about her with a towel. Someone made her drink an entire teapot of some herbal infusion, sweet and lukewarm; it had a soporific effect. And then, there was finally silence.
Still breathing? A womans voice echoed throughout the room.
Rose looked up and met someones intent gaze.
Where am I?
At work, as far as I understand.
The blue eyes moved away, and Rose was able to make out a young girl with a full head of blonde hair.
Im so sorry. I I didnt mean to
I bet. No one would want to screw up on the first day. The girl was looking directly in Roses eyes.
Rose shivered. She got up from the sofa and headed towards the door. On her way out, she saw her planner lying on the strangers lap. The girl held her hand possessively on the open pages.
The restroom is on your left! the blonde girl shouted after her.
Oh no, I just
Wanted to leave?
No, why would I?
Umph
Could I?
You can do anything.
Id just like some water.
Aunt Sally, bring some water!
Thank you.
Its Monday.
Pardon?
There are tons of tasks on Monday. I can help you. If you want, of course.
The girl handed the planner over to its rightful owner.
Rose nodded and sat back down.
They spent the whole day driving around various joints, markets, and shabby offices. The glamorous star turned out to be the owner of a cheap restaurant chain and commodity stores. Poverty-stricken parts of the city, back-breaking labor, and unpresentable public provided money for the beautiful life everyone saw on Instagram. Behind every Chanel bag or Celine dress there was day-to-day work with suppliers, staff, and consumers. Dina worked like crazy. With her sleeves rolled up high, she had her finger on the pulse of a huge enterprise.
What she showed on social networks was another part of her personality. This life consisted of five-star hotels and fancy boutiques, endless shopping, impressive parties with expensive champagne and beautiful people. There was no room for any flaws, sadness, or failure. The two parallel realities were completely separate and could never intersect, but they both had the same goal money. Dina used every opportunity to increase her income, tirelessly adapting to the demands of the great Kingdom of Consumption. Ella that was the blonde girls name had once been a part of both worlds, a faithful assistant, a companion, but something forced her to leave and fall off the radar for a long time. Today she returned, albeit secretly. No questions asked, Rose followed the girl everywhere and tried to retain at least something in her memory.
Do you need a ride? Ella was scribbling in Roses planner, adding new tasks and crossing out what had already been done.
It would be nice, thank you! And thanks for the help!
Get enough sleep. Therell be even more to do tomorrow. Ill pick you up at ten.
Even more? Is it always like this?
What the hell did you expect? An endless extravaganza? Youd better get used to it, sis.
That last block before her house, Rose decided to go on foot. She was rehearsing her speech for Paul, counting the pros on her fingers, finding excuses for cons. The air in the corridor was close and heavy with the smell of pizza and beer. The sofa creaked mustve been an old spring and then came a lazy shuffle of footsteps. It was approaching the deceptress who was ready to come clean.
Where have you been? Paul was holding an unfinished beer can.
Ive got a new job. Rose didnt look him in the eyes and refused to approach him, as if he was no husband of hers but a scalding hot pan.
Are you kidding?
No. They pay almost twice as much. Rose pulled out her trump card which was the only trump card up her sleeve so far.
Whats the company? And position? A shadow passed over Pauls face.
Ill be an assistant to a famous blogger. Her names Dina. Youve probably heard of her.
Pause.
Are you mad? Running errands for an Internet whore?
Shes not She owns a restaurant chain and a chain of stores, shes a serious businesswoman. This is a great opportunity!
Why on Earth do you need it?
I can travel with her to Europe, or Japan, or the US, anywhere! Theres insurance, social benefits, overtime paycheck Everything is paid for. We do need some money, after all. Thats why.
Youve never even left the city, and now you want to see half the world at once! Isnt it a bit too much? Besides, what kind of fool would pay for all this? Shes lying!
How can you be so sure?
Its just too good to be true. Shes gonna kick you out or set you up. And in the office, theyll quickly find a replacement. You will lose your job, mind you.
Dina is a business owner. You should see the scale! Why would she want to set me up?
Why? Because there are no miracles! One cannot just get paid handsomely for nothing!
For the second time that day, Rose cried on the cold bathroom floor. Alone, without any support or a cup of warm tea. Her inner voice got louder and louder until, by midnight, it burst into a scream. Torn into a thousand pieces, she made a choice.
Chapter 4
Rose grabbed some random clothes, put them on, and ran out on a crowded street, hungry but determined.
Where to? The taxi driver lit a cigarette and threw the lighter into an empty coffee cup.
Here.
The man entered Dinas address into the navigator and a puff of cigarette smoke filled the interior of the car.
Holding her planner in her hands like a shield, Rose slipped through the unlocked door and sat down on the edge of the living room sofa.
The air was heavy and seemed to be crackling with electricity. Dina was pacing the room, making notes in the margins of her own planner, and giving assignments in a metallic voice. Rose sat motionless, while her left hand seemed to have a mind of its own and was automatically writing down the bosss words. When she was done, Dina took her cup from the table and pressed it with her thin fingers. She cast a sidelong glance at the brown cup ring and, at last, looked at her assistant.
Were going to Paris.
Rose left the apartment just as quietly as she had entered it, and ran down the stairs Ella must have been waiting for her. However, when she got to a tiny coffee shop with only three tables, Rose didnt see the girl. Tapping her foot nervously, Rose frantically dialed Ellas number. Her heart sank into her boots.
She dumped me! Dumped me! But shed promised I shouldve gone to the office! Im such an idiot! Swallowing her tears, Rose pressed the call button again and again.
Stop calling me. Im in the chamber of secrets.
Ella! Ella, hi! Where are you?
In the restroom. Ill be there in a minute.
Sorry, I just » Rose forced a laugh in response to the short beeps.
You alright? Vintage jeans, Aquazzura heels, smile on her face Ella plopped down opposite her.
Pablo Escobar, coffee beans, and Aquazzura thats all Rose knew about Colombia. She also had quite a vague notion of real friendship. All her relationships with people centered around mutually beneficial interactions or certain obligations. I give you cheat sheets, and you help me write a paper. I dont mention your truancy, and you keep my report mistakes to yourself. Was Rose cold and calculating? Oh no. She was just a product of her world.
Care for some champagne? Ella waved at the waiter.
Its ten in the morning!
So what?
Youre driving!
So what?
Theres a lot of work!
So what?
Oh well, fair enough.
Wanna share? Ella took a sip from the slim glass.
Share what?
How did you end up in my in this place?
Dina called me.
Why?
I dont know.
Go ahead.
I am quite versed in style and fashion.
Are you?!
Im I dont know. Rose turned uncomfortably red as red as a lonely tomato slice on a huge pizza.
Alright, Miss Fashion. Come on! Im pretty sure youll like it there.
Ella couldnt find a parking space, so she parked the car on the lawn by a flower bed. She slammed the door shut and strode towards a strange-looking glass building: It had an irregular triangle shape. Move it, Rose! Were an hour late!
Are you kidding me?!
The fitting was scheduled for ten thirty.
No, I meant Are you sure this is the place?
Oh, so you know what it is? An ironic smile flickered across the girls face.
Rose did know. Two years ago, shed spent hours by the window of the new fashion house, her eyes glued to a single dress. Rose had googled its creator an unheard-of designer and scoured the few photographs. She was dying to get into the studio, see other masterpieces, and get to know the designers, but that wasnt her world. It was a princess world the place for the beautiful and confident. And now, as she stood by the entrance, shivers went down her spine.
You look odd. Is everything alright?
I I saw their profile on Instagram, Rose lied.
Inside, there was a huge room with white sofas. Ella immediately sat down and began flipping through a magazine, feet up on a low coffee table with geometric legs. Rose wasted no time and explored the interior.
So handsome! Ella, did you see him? The designer himself is in the picture. The 20s, flappers. Did you see?! Hes so good-looking! And this dress! I wonder if it has a name.
The names Zelda, in honor of Scott Fitzgeralds wife. She was one of the most prominent figures of that time, answered a male voice.
Poor Rose, her face flushed with embarrassment, turned around. She felt like moving in slow motion.
Im Ed. Ed Mann, the designer, extended his hand for a handshake.
Rose.
You are here to see me, arent you?
Im here for the fitting on behalf of Dina.
Oh yeah?
Well, if its a scarf or a hat of some sort. Rose gave a short laugh.
Right. Where is Dina? Today is the last test.
She couldnt come, but dont you worry about Paris. Hi! By the way, this is Rose, the new assistant. Ella came up to them just in time.
But I told her! A shadow ran across the designers face, making him look ten years older.
I can make up for her absence. You know we have the same size!
Fine. But Dina should know when her turn is. For the first time, Ed smiled.
Huge screens instead of walls futuristic waves of colors to dazzle the audience. The show was opened by a model from as far away as Nairobi. She was wearing a dress in the colors of a summertime savannah. Then there was a live broadcast with girls from Australia, Fiji, and France. Ella in a sky-blue outfit closed the show. It was impressive how different continents were involved a potpourri of emotion and reality. Rose stood in an unbreathing astonishment, afraid of disturbing the perfect harmony. She was the most grateful spectator, drowning in the masters creation, noticing every single detail, following the great design.
The sun, exhausted, had already hidden behind skyscrapers when the tiny car with two women inside arrived at Dinas house.
How was your day? Aunt Sally, puffing, poured them some tea.
OK, Ella said.
It was fine, Rose mumbled.
How did everything go? Aunt Sally kept trying to get the girls talking.
We went to Ed Manns! The mans a genius! Rose began to liven up after dinner.
Not much of a genius. I have to go. Ella quickly got to her feet, ready to leave.
Whats her problem? Rose whispered, but Aunt Sally only shrugged. You know Ed?
I do.
And then, Aunt Sally told her a story.
One night Dina brought in a young boy with lackluster eyes. He had no money, no roof over his head. He took the guestroom and barely left it until Aunt Sally mustered up the nerve to knock on the door. She peeked into the room and asked for help in the kitchen. The boy blushed, but came over. He did not utter a word and carefully performed simple tasks: Hanged the clock on the wall (which had been removed from it only five minutes earlier), peeled some carrots, replaced nearly full batteries with even newer ones. Aunt Sally, who had two sons, could clearly see the boy was ashamed: A bloody nose, a night spent in a strangers house. She was casually talking to herself about all kinds of little things a new TV series, a city festival By the evening, her monologue turned into a real dialogue. Three days later, an impeccably-looking woman appeared on the doorstep. She didnt bother to say hello. The only four words she uttered were, Is my son here?
Aunt Sally led her into the kitchen. There were tears, reproaches, threats, questions. The perfect woman kept asking her imperfect son when it all had started and why. How could the youngest son of a respectable family be gay? What if someone found out about this? How would this affect his fathers career? The mother cried, and begged her son to come to his senses, to have a heart, for her unhappy life had become even more unbearable. Her husband had put the blame on her: It was her fault. The stupid woman had failed to keep an eye on her child, to take care of him. Ed looked at his mother. She was so pathetic, so lonely, and confused. Her entire life, she had been playing roles. All people could see was a happy wife and loving mother. At home, she turned into a punching bag for her husband. Eds father would take out all his failures, problems, and annoyance on her. That was the mother Ed had ever known. When he had been ten, hed tried to protect her. They both had ended up sitting in front of a trauma doctor, making up a story about falling off their bicycles. The doctor had put green bills into his pocket and had done his job without saying a word. Ed had been begging his mother to leave and be gone for good, but it would spell doom for her. What would she do alone with three kids? And most importantly, what would people say? It was much easier for her to tolerate beatings, unfaithfulness, and humiliation than to lose her status, public position, a good name, after all. She had tried to find a way as best she could. Thats when the series of her plastic surgeries had begun. She had had her nose, eyes, and breasts fixed, not to mention all kinds of face and body lifting. A lot of people believed her surgeries to be an attempt to keep her husband by looking younger, more attractive. It would never have occurred to anyone that this happy woman wished her husband dead. Every time there was a call from an unknown number, her hopes would rekindle for a brief moment of time: What if an unfamiliar voice would tell her that her husband had suddenly died of a heart failure or in a car crash.