Tempo (9 page)

“Four Seasons Hotel this is Eve, how can I help you?”

“Hi Eve this is Karlie in 3915. I have a question for you.”

“Hi Karlie, what can I do for you?”

“If a girl needed a really nice dress and shoes where should she go shopping?”

“Does this girl have a tight budget or is she the favored niece of a sheik?”

“She sits somewhere in between, but she is capable of splurging on occasion.”

“I would go to The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. They have everything from Anthropologie to Valentino. Should I call you a cab?”

“That sounds perfect, both the shops and the cab, thanks Eve.”

“No problem Karlie, if there is anything else I can help you with please don’t hesitate to ask.”

With my money and credit cards at the ready, I head down to the lobby to catch my cab.

I was awestruck as the cab pulled up to the front of Caesars Palace. Feeling as if I were transported in time to Rome, I look at the statues of Venus and David; this place is over the top. Stopping at a bistro inside, I grab a black coffee and a blueberry scone. While I devour my breakfast, I am drawn to the Versace store. Coffee and scone gone, I head in to see what damage I can do. This isn’t my normal shopping experience, I am more of a Limited girl or maybe Nordstrom’s when there is a good sale, but I have a lot riding on this one meeting. I know what I am looking for and I think it’s in the window.

“Good morning, can I help you?”

“I would like to see the black dress in the window please, I am a size eight.”

“Let me get a dressing room ready for you. Would you like an espresso or water while you are waiting?”

Wow, I could have saved myself three dollars and drank my coffee here. “No Thanks,
I just had coffee,” I reply. Walking around the store I pick up a pair of women’s lace briefs, they are nice but not $275.00 nice. I can only imagine what the dress costs. Walking over to the window I try to find the tag. I can hear my mom in my head and she is saying, “If you have to ask you can’t afford it.” Turning around I see the saleswomen heading for me.

“Your room is ready, I can get you a pair of shoes to try on. What size are you?”

“Um…  I’m a size eight.”

She places me in the room to try on the dress. It’s actually a room, not a small box with a mirror, but an actual room with a raised area in front of several mirrors. I quickly disrobe and slip on the dress. It feels amazing and fits like it was made for me. The side zipper slides into place and the dress looks seamless. Standing on the platform I can see myself from every angle and I am pleased. The dress is slightly off the shoulder with a conservative scoop neck. The sexy part isn’t seen until you turn around and see that the back scoops down to the lowest part of the back just stopping before it becomes indecent. It’s the perfect dress. Imagine the surprise he will get when I remove my jacket. Admiring the dress from all angles I see the saleswoman return with the shoes. She looks up at me and stops in her tracks. I analyze her reaction trying to discern if it is positive or negative.

“Oh my Goodness! I have seen several women try on that dress, but I have never seen it fit someone so perfectly. It’s perfect for your body. I brought you these black pumps to try on.”

“Thanks, I appreciate your input.” She is paid to sell clothes, but I had the same reaction. This is the dress.
We just got a dress!

“I’ll take it.”

“Can I interest you in some shoes or a wrap?”

“No, but I need some lingerie, can you recommend someplace in the Forum?”

“If you are not happy with the selection here, I would visit La Perla.”

The saleswoman has me take a seat on a comfortable, overstuffed, slipper chair while she tallies up my purchase. I still have no idea what this is going to cost me, but I know it’s going to be painful. She arrives with a leather folder much like you would get at a restaurant and presents me with my bill. Opening the folder I see a total of $2324.15. Pulling out my credit card, I place it in the folder and hand it back. Holy smokes, I just spent two months rent on a dress.
It’s a great dress.

“Can you hold the dress for me for an hour or so? I have some other shopping to do.”

“Certainly, it will be waiting for you when you return.”

With my credit card returned, I head into the Forum shops to do more damage. Thinking about my checking account, I am so grateful to have a good paying job as well as my inheritance. I am not wealthy by any means and I can’t afford to buy $2500.00 dresses all of the time
. It feels good to splurge every once in a while. This will take the prize for the most expensive splurge of my life. Walking toward the famous talking fountains I find the lingerie store. Once inside I find a smiling saleswoman named Claire and tell her that I need a whole new intimate wardrobe. She quickly steps into action. Measured in every intimate place on my body, Claire shows me an array of beautiful lingerie. My selections are made and bagged and I walk out with $2100.00 worth of bras, underwear and sexy sleepwear. The last thing on my mental checklist is a pair of killer heels. Up ahead, I see a wide selection of shoes in a store window. I don’t recognize the store name, but the shoes are exquisite. Looking through their collection, I find two pairs of shoes that I like. One is a Jimmy Choo black leather stiletto pump with a silver studded toe-cap. It has that classic feel with just enough edge to make it exciting. The second is a simple pair of Kate Spade suede pumps. Today I am not feeling very simple, so I go for the $695.00 Jimmy Choo’s. Heading back to Versace, I pick up my dress and travel back “home.”

Walking across the lobby I can smell the faint scent of chlorine. Suddenly, I have an incredible urge to visit the pool. I can spare a few hours to relax at the pool. My shopping excursion took far less time than I thought. It was as if the dress was waiting for me. The shoes and lingerie were the easy part.  Racing to my room, I change into my swimsuit and head for the pool.

Tossing my towel and phone on the chaise, I walk to the deeper end of the pool and slide in slowly to adjust to the cold. The water feels great. It’s ninety-seven degrees outside and the pool is just what I needed. Moving through the water I am weightless, I feel free. I am not sure how long I stayed in the pool, but a look at my pruned fingers told me it was time to get out. Once at the chaise I spread out my towel and move my phone to the nearby table. Checking my messages, a text from an unknown number flashes. The text reads:

Karlie, Your high schools swim team called and they want their suit back. M

I can’t control my laughter. It is an ugly speed-o type bathing suit, but it’s the only one I have. I didn’t think about picking up a new one or I could have done that today. Looking around I search for M, it can only be Michael and he is playing with me.

Michael,

How did you get my cell number? I’ll have you know that this swimsuit is the latest fashion from ten years ago and I can’t seem to part with it. Shouldn’t you be at work bossing people around? K

Looking around I can’t seem to find him. It takes at least ten minutes for him to respond. My phone beeps as the new message appears.

Karlie, As for your cell number, we have had a discussion about resources many times. Shouldn’t you be working? As for bossing people around, even I need some playtime. Do you want to play Karlie? M

Just as I put my phone down, Eve from the front desk walks up to me. Handing me a package, she slyly smiles before she turns to leave. Thinking that my samples have arrived, I open the delicate box in front of me. Why would Anna package my samples like this, a manila envelope would have been fine. I remove the box top and peel back the white tissue. Immediately
, I know what I am going to find in there. The royal blue bikini is vibrant against the white tissues. Its vibrancy will be the same against my fair skin. There isn’t much to the suit, but it seems conservative compared to many of the suits I am seeing at the pool. Obviously M is serious about playing. Taking the box, I head for the bathroom. Wow, there really isn’t much to the suit, but it still looks pretty good. Feeling a little self-conscious I grab a towel from the nearby rack and cover myself. Back at my chair I wait.

The beep startles me.

Karlie,

What little I see of the bathing suit is stunning. You won’t get arrested for wearing
it, but I can’t say the same for the speed-o. The fashion police were on their way when Eve rescued you. If you let down your towel, I will rub sunscreen on your back.

M

I can feel the red of my blush rising from my chest to my forehead. Turning each way I look for Michael. There he is and oh my, he is yummier than my wildest dreams could imagine. Dressed in blue swim trunks, he saunters toward me. Rock solid chest and abs, he is amazing to look at. He walks with a confidence that makes men jealous and women swoon. His legs are long and muscular. As he nears I see that he carries two drinks and the sunscreen.

“Hey there Karlie.”
He greets me with a gentle smile.

“Good afternoon Mr. Scarpetti.”

He raises his right brow as he replies, “So we’re back to being formal. That is so disappointing. I was just getting familiar with you.” There is so much more implied in that statement and I am reminded of the man who let down my hair and inhaled my scent last night.  

“Thank you for the lovely suit, Michael.” His lips part and a full smile emerges. He hypnotizes me. There is something pure about his smile. I get the feeling that he doesn’t do that often, so the fact that he is standing over me and gifting me with his grin is a thing of beauty.  I drop the towel and he drops the drinks.

“Oh holy hell!” he shouts as the glasses hit the concrete and shatter. Pool attendants run at us from every side trying to minimize the mess and prevent any injuries. Hopping over the broken glass, Michael leans down and scoops me into his arms. In less than five seconds I am being catapulted into the pool as Michael follows me.

“Ready to play Karlie?”

We played in the pool for at least an hour, I felt like a kid again. I don’t know when I felt so carefree. Michael makes me feel things that I was convinced I could never feel again. That makes me happy and scared at the same time. Making our way back to our chaises, Michael walks behind me, the tiny suit leaving little to his imagination. Two fresh drinks are placed on the table next to our phones.

“Which is mine?” I ask him.

“I brought you club soda with lime.” You can tell that he is proud of his choice. Heck, I am proud of his choice, he remembered what I had ordered yesterday.

“Thank you.”

We sit in silence sipping our drinks and enjoying the day.

“I owe you a sunscreen rubdown.”

“As lovely as that sounds, I have a deadline to meet. I have to get going. It was such a great afternoon.” Phone in hand I turn and walk away.
Always leave them wanting more.

“Yes, a cheeseburger, fries, diet coke and a hot fudge sundae with extra nuts. How long will that take? Thank you.” Room service will take about 30 minutes. I am so hungry. I don’t know if it’s the small breakfast or all the pool play that created this appetite
, but I could eat a cow. I will have to settle for a fraction of a cow in the burger that I ordered.  Sitting on my desk is the overnight delivery from Anna. I tear into the envelope to see what she has sent me. The fabrics are unique and lovely.

My phone lights up and nearly vibrates off the table. I manage to catch my phone before it falls to the floor. “Hello.”

“Karlie, this is Anna. Did you get the samples?”

At the mention of the samples, I grab my favorite and rub it between my fingers. The fabric is silky and fine. “Yes, I have them in my hand. Have you ever seen anything so amazing?”

“I am trusting you on this Karlie.” Her voice sounds unsure.

“Anna, I know in my gut that this is the right choice. These fabrics will speak to Mr. Scarpetti. He is a unique client that has the ability to feel the space rather than just see the space.”

“Speaking of Mr. Scarpetti, he made the gossip news today. He is quite the looker isn’t he?”

“Yes he is. What gossip news?”

“There is a picture of him standing up, poised to strike and behind him is you with the most startled look on your face. There is someone else with you, but only her arm and leg are in the picture.”

Thinking to myself I can just imagine how irritated Tina will be when she finds out we were in a picture that didn’t capture anything but her extremities.

“My picture is posted on the web?” I asked. “Why is it that people think they can take pictures of you without your knowledge or permission? It just burns me up. What site is this on?”

“It’s on The Dish
, but other news outlets have picked it up as well. Did you know that Mr. Scarpetti doesn’t allow pictures of himself to be taken? Wait until you read the caption.”

“Let me bring it up on my computer.” Firing up my computer, I type in thedish.com and front and center are Michael and I and some extra appendages.  Michael looks fierce and furious and I look like someone has just accosted me. Actually that’s exactly how I felt. Below the picture the caption reads: The illusive Michael Scarpetti has been hiding out. It appears that he has a little secret. He and the mystery woman were seen dining in a quiet secluded table in one of Las Vegas’ premiere hotels.