Pitifully Ugly

Chapter 18

When in doubt—fake it.

The week went by like a blur. We shopped like madwomen,

and I had a new wardrobe consisting of three suits, three pairs

of slacks, and a few blouses. One of my suitcases alone was

filled with nothing but shoes. I might’ve been scared shitless, but

I looked like a million bucks. I hoped—and I think Kalen did,

too—that the finely tailored clothes would give me the appearance

of someone who had her crap together.

Hailey had not returned home, nor did she answer any of my

messages or calls. And being in Atlanta knowing that’s where she

lived and worked before she came to New Orleans made it worse.

I was constantly reminded of her.

Kalen had the room upgraded to a suite. Though she swore it

was only a nominal difference, I doubted it. Marvin and I had our

own rooms and a spacious area to lounge in when we weren’t at

the conference. I watched as he moved around the room touching

everything like a child.

“Look at this bar.” Marvin opened the glass doors to the

cabinet filled with liquor and crystal glasses. “This is a swank

place.”

I browsed through the itinerary as he poured a couple of club

sodas. “There’s a social at four. Do I have to go to that?” I asked

as he handed me a glass.

Marvin took a seat across from me on the sofa. He sat with

his forearms resting on his thighs and stared down at his drink.

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“I have to be honest with you, Shannon. Kalen told me not to say

anything, but I think you need to know that she gave me very strict

instructions to make sure you were present for all events. You’re

the face of the company right now, and you have to mingle.”

She’d given me the same speech, but it still rankled me that

she’d given Marvin orders to enforce it.

“I know you’re shy,” Marvin continued. “So I was thinking

that I’d do most of the talking and kind of open things up for you

to step in when you’re comfortable.”

“Okay, but you have to promise not to leave my side because

the minute I find myself alone, I’m outta there.”

Marvin seemed relieved that I wasn’t bucking the idea. “Deal,

but be patient if I have to go to the bathroom.”

We ordered a late lunch and went over the itinerary. Drinks

that day, exhibition hall Saturday and half the day Sunday, and the

presentation would be given Sunday night before the conference

wrapped. Monday morning, I’d be on my way home, and that

couldn’t come soon enough.

“I know you’re dreading the exhibition hall as much as the

presentation, so I’ll try to make it easy on you,” Marvin said.

“Kalen said Angela doesn’t expect you to be in the booth the

whole time. Spend a couple of hours in the morning extolling the

virtues of their products, then you’re free for a few hours before

you come back in the afternoon.”

“I don’t know anything about their products except that we

use them and we get great discounts.”

“But I do,” Marvin said with a smile. “You’ll defer to me and

I’ll sing their praises.”

“I don’t know what we’re paying you for this yet, but did Kalen

offer you a bonus at least?” I asked, grateful for his company.

“Y’all paid for my new clothes,” Marvin said with a beaming

smile, “and I get a bonus when I get back.”

“Speaking of clothing, how should I dress for this social thing

we’re going to?”

“Let’s see what you’ve got.”

He followed me to my room and went through my closet,

humming as he pulled out a pair of navy blue slacks, matching

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pumps, and an azure blouse that buttoned up only so far. I liked

the color and cut but was a bit timid about showing the cleavage

that the shirt would reveal. Marvin held it up and looked over at me.

“Did you bring a chemise?”

“No, Kalen said that these shirts,” I pointed at the row of

them, “are made like this for a reason. I’m not happy about it.”

Marvin put a hand on his hip as he looked closely at the blouse.

“It’s gonna look awkward if you try to pin it. You’re gonna have to

keep your shoulders back. No slouching like you’re doing now.”

I sat up a little straighter and began to feel anxious.

Marvin glanced at me and smiled sympathetically. “I’m

going to make you a Bloody Mary while you shower. You can sip

it while I do your hair and makeup. You’ll be relaxed by the time

we go downstairs.”

As I showered, I counted myself lucky to have a gay man

to take care of me. Left on my own, I probably would’ve tried

to wear my Mickey Mouse sleep shirt under my top to hide my

breasts. I could apply my own makeup, but if Marvin could do

with my face what he’d done with my hair when he cut it, then I

wouldn’t look half bad.

With my robe on, I sat on a padded stool while Marvin went

through the cosmetics that Kalen had thrown into my suitcase. “I

don’t like a lot of color,” I said to him as he perused the eye shadows.

He smiled at me. “I’m not saying this because you’re my boss.

You, my dear, are a good-looking woman without any makeup.

I’m just going to enhance what you’re working with. Trust me?”

If he hadn’t already transformed me with a single haircut, I

probably wouldn’t have been sitting there. I took a healthy swallow

of my Bloody Mary. “Work your magic.” And magic was what

he made. When he’d finished my hair and makeup, a different

woman stared back at me in the mirror. I may’ve been a ball of

nerves on the inside, but outwardly, I looked like a model.

The foundation he used blended with my skin tone and

hid what the sun had spent a lifetime doing to my face. He’d

conservatively used a pale brown eye shadow and black mascara

that made my dark eyes shimmer. The lipstick a shade darker

than my lips added the final touch.

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I turned my head from side to side, taking in what he’d done

with my hair. It was wispy and gave the impression that time

had been taken with it, but it wasn’t carefully coiffed. “You are

amazing,” I said, smiling back at my reflection.

He patted my shoulders, apparently pleased with my comment

and his handiwork. “It’s going to take me about thirty minutes to

get dressed. Enjoy the rest of your drink, then put on your clothes

right before we have to leave. That’ll spare you a few wrinkles.”

I followed his instruction to the letter. I met him in the sitting

area a while later. Since coming aboard with us, Marvin had toned

down his look. He no longer wore fingernail polish, though it was

obvious he spent time with the manicurist. The faux hawk had

grown out a bit on the sides, and the longer portion in the middle

of his head had been trimmed and blended in. His hair was parted

on the side and pushed back off his forehead.

Marvin not only knew how to dress me, but he knew how to

make himself look spectacular. His button-down white shirt was

tucked into a pair of stylish black slacks with a matching pair of

shoes. “I didn’t want us to look like twins,” he said as he twirled.

“And you can’t go wrong with black and white.”

When we walked into the reception, I felt my stomach drop.

I looked over the large crowed and felt immediately intimidated.

Marvin took my hand and looped it around his arm. “Let’s make

contact with Angela first, then we can mingle for a little while.

Then if you’re about to go insane, we can sneak out.”

I discreetly pointed toward Angela, who stood with a couple

of men. As we made our way toward her, she excused herself and

met us halfway. “No offense, but I almost didn’t recognize you,”

she said as she gave me a brief hug. “I think the last time I saw

you, you were wearing a ball cap.”

“You have Marvin to thank for my appearance,” I said,

smiling at him.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Angela said with a smile as

she shook Marvin’s hand. “Look, I hate to cut to the chase, but I

need to tell you that I’m under a lot of pressure right now. Sales

are down and heads are rolling. The man in the gray suit that I

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was talking to is Thad Mays, the CEO of our company.” Angela

stepped to the side so I could get a good look at him.

“He never comes to these things,” Angela continued. “I don’t

have a lot of big accounts, but I do have an extensive amount of

small ones. I don’t want to be in the next round of layoffs, so I

need to make a good impression.”

I was already feeling nervous, and Angela made me want to

run screaming from the room. Frankly, I would’ve done that, but

Kalen considered Angela a friend.

“To be honest…” Angela leaned in closer to us. “If he weren’t

here, I would make my rounds and hit the clubs.”

Angela didn’t look like a party girl to me dressed in her

burgundy business suit. Although as I looked at her, I could picture

her letting down the long glossy waves of blond hair that were

pinned back conservatively and donning a tight pair of jeans.

“You can count on us to represent,” Marvin said. “The

presentation that Kalen has prepared is phenomenal. I use your

products every day, and I have never been disappointed.”

Angela’s shoulders relaxed as she smiled back at Marvin.

“Thank you, thank you both. You’re doing me a huge favor and I

won’t forget it.”

“Your boss is headed over here,” I said, glancing over Angela’s

shoulder.

He smiled as Angela turned to look at him. “Mr. Mays, I’d like

to introduce you to Shannon Brycen. She owns Brycen Sisters in

New Orleans with her sister, Kalen.”

“It’s a pleasure.” He took my hand limply into his own. I tried

not to stiffen as he continued to hold it.

“I was just asking Shannon where her partner was,” Angela

said. “Forgive me, what was her name again?” Angela looked me

in the eyes.

I was taken aback by the odd change in topics but recovered

when Marvin shifted his stance and bumped into me slightly.

“Hailey, and she couldn’t make it this time.” Mr. Mays released

my hand. “This is Marvin Henderson. He’s one of our most

talented stylists.” I stepped back as Marvin moved in and shook

his hand.

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“We were just telling Angela how proud we are to be here

representing Natural Beauty,” Marvin said. “I especially love

your hair-coloring products. I use them on all my clients.”

“Thank you,” Mr. Mays said with a slight nod.

To me, he looked as though he hadn’t a clue about their

products. I imagined he had a staff that worried about product

lines while he looked at the numbers generated by sales. I felt for

Angela, who was dependent on his favor, and made the effort to

speak on her behalf. “I’m sure you have many clients much larger

than we are, but Angela treats us like a major player. Your products

are excellent, but her service is what demands our loyalty.”

Thad’s gaze moved through the crowd as I spoke, probably

looking for someone far more prestigious to mingle with before

he looked back at me and Angela. “I’m very pleased to know

that,” he said with another slight nod. “If you’ll excuse me.” He

didn’t say more as he walked off.

“He’s an asshole,” Angela said quietly. “And a womanizer.

That’s why I made that comment about your partner. I hope

you don’t mind, but I wanted to make it clear that you weren’t

interested before you had to.”

“Wel , thank you for that.” I smiled at Angela. “I owe you now.”

Angela stayed with us as long as she could, then went to

visit with some of her other clients. Marvin and I spoke with a

few other salon owners, and thankfully, Marvin did most of the

talking. I stood there trying to look interested in the conversation,

though like Thad Mays, my time was spent looking at figures on

a spreadsheet.

It’s not that I didn’t like people, I just lacked the social graces

that came so naturally to Marvin and Kalen. I smiled and nodded

when it seemed appropriate and paid close attention to all the

conversations, learning more about our business than I ever really

had.“You’re doing really well,” Marvin said when we were alone.

“I’m afraid I don’t know much about the latest styles or

product lines. I really can’t add much to the conversations.”

“You’re not like Angela’s boss.” Marvin accepted a glass

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of champagne from a server. “You’re listening, it’s obvious.”

Marvin grinned at me wickedly. “I think the whole aloof thing

is actually working in your favor. A few women we’ve talked to

were looking you over pretty good.”

“Are my boobs hanging out?” I readjusted my shirt.

“No, Shannon, they’re looking at the total package.” He

elbowed me. “You’re hot.”

“That’s all because of you.” I couldn’t help but smile at him.

“Thanks again.”

“All my pleasure. Now let’s get out of here.”

After I removed my makeup, Marvin and I stood in the

mirror of my bathroom, rubbing moisturizer into our faces like

two schoolgirls. “I think I look like Howdy Doody without facial

hair. What do you think?” Marvin glanced at me.

I looked at his reflection in the mirror as he opened his eyes

wide and snapped his jaw open and shut. “No, no, you don’t…

okay, yes, you do.”

“That’s it,” he said with a hand on his hip. “I’m growing the

goatee back. Join me for a nightcap? I think I’m in the mood for

a White Russian. Hell, honey, I’d settle for a Tom Collins if he’d

treat me right.” Marvin gave me a playful shove. “Get it?” he

asked as he laughed at his own joke.

“Romance blows.” I followed him out of the bathroom.

Marvin wrapped an arm around my waist and led me to the bar

where I took a seat on one of the stools.

He moved behind the bar and started mixing our drinks.

“Pretend I’m a bartender, a very dashing bartender, and tell me

all your problems.”

Once again, I found myself telling about Hailey, but unlike

when I talked to my mom, I spared no detail right down to the last

text message I got from her. By the time I finished, we’d polished

off our drinks and Marvin mixed a couple more.

“Still no word from her?” He leaned against the bar.

“No, I guess whatever we had is over.”

Marvin shook his head. “She seemed so enamored with you

when she came to the salon and the night she joined us for drinks.

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Granted she didn’t come right out and say that, but she steered the

conversation in your direction every chance she got.”

“It’s like a game of tennis with her, you know?” I said, staring

into my glass. “It’s like I’m up against the net trying to keep the

ball going, and she backs farther away. Every now and then, she’ll

make a move that makes me think she’s interested, then she’ll

back off. Although this time, she just quit the game.”

“I dated a guy like that once,” Marvin said. “He came from

a very well-to-do family that put a lot of pressure on him to

marry the right woman. He did right out of college and spent

five miserable years hiding who he really was.” Marvin smiled

ruefully. “I didn’t know he was married when we started going

out. I was too young and eager to notice all the warning signs.

Anyway, I saw him having dinner with his wife one night, and

this time, he was wearing a wedding band.”

I winced at the mental image. “Did you make a scene?”

“No.” Marvin shook his head. “I just stopped returning his

calls until he tracked me down. He swore that he was going to

leave her and he did. Everyone in his family turned their backs

on him. I was all he had.”

“So what happened?”

“I messed it up,” Marvin said before taking a drink. “I was

so young, and he was so clingy. When I look back on it now, he

must’ve been terrified that I’d leave him, too. I felt like I was

being smothered, so I broke it off.”

“Whatever happened to him?”

Marvin sighed. “I have no idea. I never saw him again after

that.” Marvin drained his glass and set it on the bar. “I have no

idea what Hailey’s situation is, but I imagine that she’s just as

scared as he was. She left not one, but two relationships and

moved away. I’d be a mite apprehensive, too.”

I hadn’t given any thought to the woman Hailey had admitted

having the affair with. Too focused on the husband, I never asked

what happened to her. A queasy feeling washed over me as I

wondered if that was where Hailey was taking refuge.

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