01

Esmeralda was finishing up the lady’s dress. The woman would be married in a few days and had chosen a bright red dress that accentuated each one of her curves. 

The woman looked like a cockatoo, watching closely in the mirror, getting at home detail of her body. Her red hair falls perfectly over her shoulders, without any loose thread, like a doll’s hair. Her makeup was loaded but very pretty, and made her feel and look younger than she really was. Samantha was her name. Samantha Buckle. But three nights from now she would forever change her name to Samantha Bellfire. Three nights from now she would be the wife of one of the richest men in Italy. She could barely contain the excitement as she looked in the mirror.

-I look wonderful, don’t I?

Esmeralda looked at her and smiled. 

Yes, you do, ma'am.

I’m going to be the prettiest bride in this town, aren’t I?

Esmeralda sighed low. She could have been hired only to sew the dresses and help them with the clients' bodies, but her job also involved smiling at the clients and telling them what they wanted to hear.

Samantha didn’t exactly look like a bride. She looked more like a graduate or something. The bright red dress didn’t scream "I’m a bride". But she couldn’t say anything she didn’t want to hear.

-You look wonderful. Everyone will only have eyes for you.

-Of course, everyone will only have eyes for me. I am the center of attention at this party.

Esmeralda repressed a smile, not wanting to appear debauched. Unintentionally she ended up sticking the needle in Samantha's leg.

-Ouch! You miserable pest.

-I apologize, madam.

-You apologize? Apologies won’t repair the damage you’ve done to my leg, nights before my wedding!

-It was just a little prick, I promise it won’t even make a difference.

But Samantha didn’t want to hear it. Anything that ruined her perfect day was out of the question. She pushed Esmeralda with her foot and she fell back.

-Won’t it make a difference? Of course, it will make a difference! You’ve marked my leg forever. I want to talk to your manager.

Esmeralda got up and rubbed her hands a little nervous.

-Ma'am, I don’t think that’s necessary, I’m perfectly capable of solving any problem we have here.

-Manager? Who’s the manager of this dump?

In a few seconds a gray man, well-groomed and with a slightly worried smile on his face entered the VIP room.

-What’s going on? Why all the yelling?

He straightened his posture when he saw Samantha. The whole store knew Samantha. Her $60,000 dress was being customized and designed all year round. She was one of the best customers they ever had and the order for all employees is that she be treated like a queen.

Miss Buckle, how can I help you?

Are you the manager?

The man forced a smile. He accompanied Samantha on her first visit, it was incredibly rude that she didn’t remember him.

Yes, my name is Randy, what can I help you with?

-Your employee hurt me. She’s gonna ruin my legs for my wedding.

Randy looked at Esmeralda, a look she couldn’t decipher. She lifted the needle and shrugged.

It was just a little hole.

-And now she’s challenging me!

Randy tried to smile a little bit more to calm the woman down.

-Miss, we apologize. Unfortunately, it’s normal for this kind of thing to happen during dress rehearsals. But I can assure you that you will not be scheduled for your wedding.

-I don’t want your guarantee, I want that employee worm fired!

-What?

Randy raised his hand, indicating to Esmeralda to stop talking.

-Miss...

-I don’t want excuses. I spent a fortune on this store and I will spend a lot more. If I don’t get served by the best people, I’m leaving right now and you’re not gonna see the color of my money.

Randy sighed. He knew that brides were nervous during dress tests, but rarely any of them would resign an employee.

-Miss, I don’t think that will be necessary.

-Great, then I’ll go help me out of this dress.

Samantha was serious, and Randy saw that he was serious. Esmeralda was a good employee, but not so good to make them lose a blindfold like that.

He sighed upset and turned to Esmeralda.

-Honey, get your stuff.

-Randy, you can’t be serious...

-You are fired! I am sorry.

Esmeralda began to object, but one of the staff led her out. Samantha looked at the scene with satisfaction. She loved it when she showed power and a steady hand. People looked at her in fear, and she liked it. She smiled when she saw the girl go away and smiled even more when she saw someone else come back in her place.