Mercedes sat among the guest, despite her judgement she knew she’d be contributing to the auction even if she didn’t desire anything more than contributing to breast cancer awareness. If she could just cut a check and move along she’d rather do so, but she would be a team sport through and through. Licking her lips she placed the wine glass against her lips and took a long sip from it before she sat it down against her table. “You look ravishing” a male voice spoke and she looked up at him slowly “I’ve heard that several times tonight and I’ll give you the same answer. Try another lonely girl who cares” she told the man without batting a lash. She looked away and scanned the room as the man shuffled away from her, she daydreamed to herself wonder what she’d actually do tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day, having not found a single thing to commit to. Sadly, she may end up at work afterall. Because sadly aside from her mother, she had nothing.
Running her hand down the length of her ponytail, she moved to stand up in pursuit of something more entertaining, and another full glass of wine. Clutch in hand she swayed past guest and tables alike.
Rachel was done with he previous client and ran from the stocking room to her cubicle to make sure the cabins were full of cloths, towels and other products she would eventually need for the next week. It was a ritual for all of her employees to make a quick inventory so that they would start right from the minute they stepped in when they would open again. With Thanksgiving only a week away, this task was even more important. Not only was Rachel working full time as a beautician, she was also managing this salon and ordering everything her employees would need, from hair dye to new nail polishes. Even though her colleagues called her an obsessive hoarder, they never complained when they found what they were searching for by opening the cabinet doors.
By the time she was done rolling up a new layer of paper on her table, she heard the bell of the door ring nicely. A smile immediately appeared on her face when she replaced the clip around her curled hair and walked out of her cubicle. “Mitchell Gordon himself.” The brunette made her way towards the entrance and offered to take his jacket off only to put it on the rack nearby the door. She rarely ever had time to do such a thing, too busy running back and forth from the shelves to the cash register, but this afternoon was a quiet one. She assumed people were too busy buying groceries and outfits for the big weekend ahead and, quite frankly, it was fine by her. December was hectic and she was welcoming every break with big, open arms.
“Welcome to my wannabe-clinic. I’ll be at your service for the next hour. Please, have a seat.” She pointed the couches and chairs placed nicely to give the impression of a real waiting area. She sat in front of him and gave him an even brighter smile. “As a first-time client, we don’t start straight ahead, I hope that’s fine by you.” Rachel gave him a quick shrug. “So, how are you, dear? How’s the auction setting up?” She set her hair on one side of her neck and pulled on the white blouse of her uniform. It was stained by lipstick here and foundation there, but not as much as her forearms that looked like testers for swatch purposes. Her naturally tan complexion made some of the colors stand out more and she already felt bad that she came up to him like that. “Next time, I’ll be more careful when I’m coloring.” Rachel admitted, before his eyes would land on the gradient on her skin.
“Before I start to fiddle your face and hands, I’ll show you what creams I’ll be using. So that you know they’re good quality.” She remembered their first conversation during which she had to defend herself. As the details came back, she chuckled. Within a few seconds, she went to sit next to him with a bunch of colorful bottles, proceeding in opening them all up. “Choose the ones that resemble more your skin care routine.” She marked a pause. “Or the ones who smell better to you, that’s also good.” She made sure that, within his small selection, there would be all the products she’d need, from anti-aging rubs to hydrating creams. The ingredients and details did vary, but it was not her main worry at the moment. “Do you have any questions before we get going? And don’t worry, I have not forgotten I owe you some explanations about my career choice.”
