Hita - Anita Claire Page 0,27
they could get married and have five kids and never tell anyone. Guys don’t spontaneously change their looks. I bet Buddy, a decent haircut, new clothes, and now the messenger bag, are all style updates courtesy of a serious girlfriend.
Chapter 21 - Monte Carlo Night
Our company has been exceeding its revenue targets as a growing number of large organizations start integrating our services into how they do business. Since the money is pouring in, our executives decide to throw a big blow out Christmas party. From what I understand, they’ve hired professional party people to pull it all together. We each can bring a date. It’s the first time since my dinner catastrophe that I wish Anil and I were still together. Asking around, I think most of the people I know will go stag.
They decide to hold the party up in San Francisco using the company busses to bring the Silicon Valley workers up. The word in the office is the party will be dressy. Since I only have a few summer sun dresses, and my one pair of black interview pants, I head over to Olivia’s for some consultation. Luckily, Olivia is only an inch shorter than me since I’d never be able to borrow anything if tiny Isabelle was the princess with the killer closet.
Olivia thinks it’s hysterical that I’m going to dress up. She’s only seen me in jeans, shorts, and sneakers, missing out on my black pants and ballet flats for my job interview period. Pulling out a number of elegant designer dresses, I have to ask her, “Where do you even wear these outfits?”
“My mom’s a recreational shopper. She’s always sending me stuff. To her the world is Manhattan. She doesn’t get that my friends are all wearing sneakers and jeans out to bars and restaurants.”
Though at some level, I think it’s more than that since sneakers and jeans is not a look Olivia rocks.
Looking me over, Olivia holds up shoes that have a four inch spike heal, finally saying, “I can’t see you wearing these.”
Looking at those monstrosities all I can say is, “I agree, I already tower over everyone.”
She then contends, “We’ll need to find something that works with your ballet flats.”
“Back home whenever we go anyplace fancy, I dress up in one of my mom’s saris.”
Surprised, Olivia says, “Really, you dress up in a sari to go out for dinner?”
“Not dinner, parties. All my parents’ friends are Indian. We get dressed up traditionally to go to weddings and Indian parties.” Thinking about it, I continue, “When I was thirteen I wore a dress when I went to my friend’s bat mitzvah.”
Olivia shakes her head as she chuckles. “Yeah, I don’t think you’re rocking any of those dresses anymore.”
She pulls out a couple of dressy tops that will work well with pants. I veto anything that’s too revealing, finally settling on a top that’s form fitting and kind of flowy all at the same time. Since I’m taller than her with a couple additional inches in my legs, my flats work with her fancy pants.
***
On the night of the party, as I drive to the office, I feel kind of relieved that Olivia didn’t convince me to look too sexy. It would be weird dressing like that with all the guys I work with. Most of the people I work with live in Silicon Valley. It must be the marketing folks who live in San Francisco, I think, as I watch the guys in my group show up. Not surprisingly, Mark shows up with a girlfriend. He introduces her as Janet, a cute, fashionable, Asian-American woman.
“I’m surprised you didn’t bring Buddy?” I sarcastically comment.
Janet gives Mark sweet, love filled eyes as she says, “Mark’s been a real life saver. My neighbors were all complaining about Buddy’s barking.” With a warm rub to Mark’s back she says, “Now I’m starting to wonder if he moved in to spend more time with me or Buddy.”
Yeah, I knew it. She’s what’s behind the dog. I bet she bought him the messenger bag. I innocently ask, “What prompted changing from a backpack to a messenger bag?”
Janet tells me with a conspiratorial tone, “That old backpack of his was not very functional.” While rubbing his back again, she gives him a sweet smile, “Isn’t that messenger bag so much better?”
Mark tips his shoulder giving a look of indifference.
The party is held in the Presidio Golden Gate Club. The theme is a Monte Carlo night. I think they