Days of Our Lives (Book 1)

Chapter 10 - Jealousy

Tuesday, 16th June, 1986

Brussels, Belgium

In Brussels the British Embassy threw a party for the boys after we arrived, the day before the show. Though it was officially for the boys only, Jim persuaded me to show up alongside with him and Gerry. This meant that I had to go shopping - though I packed a lot of clothes for the tour, I haven't had any idea I'll have to show up on such extravagant parties like this, so I didn't have a single piece to wear. But there were two other problems: my budget didn't really allow me to buy a new, fancy dress but what's worse, I knew nothing about fashionable ones. My clothes were practical and comfortable, nothing like that fashionable and expensive stuff. I was sitting in my room, thinking about how to solve this problem, when an idea came into my mind: I have to ask for help. And who could be the best help, than Ms Fashion herself, Mary Austin? Without any thinking I picked up the phone:

-Reception desk? Could I ask for the Presidential Suite please?...This is room 211...Oh, for God's sake, just tell them I'm Lyvia, their assistant... - I said angrily as reception desk didn't want to contact me, but after a few seconds I heard the beeps.

-Hello? - I heard Mary picking up the phone.

-Mary, this is Lyvia.

-Oh hello Livy, what's up? - her voice was happy and delightful as always, but at that moment I became uncertain. We're not that close I could ask her anything like this...but now I'm already in the middle, so let's see what happens:

-Mary, I'd like to ask you something...I know it may be a bit unusual... - I became silent for a moment.

-It's okay, go on Livy. - she assured me and I still heard smiling in her voice.

-Okay...so the point is Jim asked me to accompany him and Gerry for this party tonight...and I have nothing to wear...God, it's so embarrassing! - I sighed covering my face with my hand, but Mary laughed out loud:

-Don't even continue dear, I do exactly know what you need.

-No, no, that's what more embarrassing: I don't even know anything about fashion and my budget is really strict...

-Don't worry Livy, I'll help you to solve your problem. What's your schedule for today?

-Oh, nothing really, I just wanted to finish with all the bills and accountancy, you know. - I checked on my itinerary.

-Okay, let's meet in 15 minutes at the reception desk. I'll take you for some shopping okay? - she kept on laughing.

Two and a half hours later I was sitting in a cafe with Mary, having a coffee, smoking a cigarette and completely exhausted. We've been wandering around in those shops and I've tried on at least 20 dresses, but couldn't find anything. Mary kept on throwing away all the clothes as some of them were just horrible. There was one I fell in love with, but it cost as my whole salary for the tour...Mary wanted to buy it for me as a gift but I kindly refused her. But she kept on convincing me, saying I'll pay it back in monthly parts when I laughed out loud enlightened her that it would last for a year with my salary, and this job is temporary, lasting for 4 months. So I just apologised the shop assistants and stepped out, heading to the nearest cafe with Mary.

-It's so nice from you, Mary, but you have to understand me, I can't accept it, it's just way too expensive for me. - I smiled at her, puffing my ciggie as she was still trying to convince me.

-Okay, okay, I give up. - she sighed and took a sip of her coffee.

-Shit - I sighed too - soon I'll have to go back to the hotel, if I want to finish with all that paperwork for today. You know what? I don't even care about it now, I'll tell Jim I'm not going to that party!