Priorities
Murilo
Mariana was about to rebut my words when one of our saleswomen approached where we were, at the checkout.
" Hi, Silvia. Can we help you? "I volunteered, observing the girl standing next to us.
"There's a customer who is in the fitting room and needs someone to go to her, to make some adjustments now, on the model she wants to buy.”
Mariana and I looked at each other without understanding the situation because we made sure to make it very clear to all customers that adjustments could not be made at the same time, and the saleswomen were fully aware of this fact.
" Did you explain to her that we don't work that way? " Mariana asked.
"Yes, but she didn't accept it and insisted on talking to the manager.”
Since we were committed to the store, we didn't think it was necessary to hire a manager, so it was normal that the saleswoman came to us to solve the impasse.
"I'll go with you, then.”
"I'm coming with you too," I said and Mariana gave me a reproachful look.”
I shrugged my shoulders because I didn't see any problem in going to personally check what the customer's problem was and try to help solve it.
We went to the fitting rooms and Silvia pointed to which one the customer was in and, probably hearing our voices, she opened the dressing room door
" Lavinia Moura? " I ask with surprise.
" I'm myself " She just said, "Are you the manager of this store?”
The question itself didn't bother me, but it sounded very petulant and was directed at Mariana, as the actress completely ignored me.
" Store owner, ma'am " Mariana recovered from her surprise faster than I did, apparently "We've come to help you. What do you need?”
She looked down at us, arrogance stamped on her face. Although she was a famous actress who was very successful on network TV, she didn't seem to be very nice.
I remembered her with Murilo the night of the club and felt a shiver of disgust, just remembering the way they looked and what they were doing.
"I like this dress and want you to make the necessary adjustments.”
She pointed to the piece on her body, which was a little loose in the back of the model.
Lavinia had a beautiful body, with many curves, but she didn't have much hip, and it would be necessary to make the adjustments.
The problem was not what the person said. The issue was always in the way it was said, and she was being arrogant with us.
" We don't normally work with adjustments here in the store, only with deadlines" Mariana explained "But I can make an exception and fix it right now.”
The expression on the actress' face was one of total displeasure just listening to Mariana speak, even though she was willing to make the adjustments, and I felt sick to my stomach from witnessing this.
"It's the least you can do to serve a client of my size.”
Mariana just agreed, and I understood the fact that she didn't want to contradict the actress, who was acting so arrogantly. I just followed the whole process of making the necessary adjustments to the clothes, and when they were finished, Lavinia tried them on again.
" I believe it is to her liking now, " Mariana said, as she finished the service.
Lavinia was evaluating the clothes in front of the fitting room mirror, the door open, while we waited outside.
" It's quite reasonable," she said with a bored expression so unpleasant that it made me disgust her even more.
" The garment is simply perfect on your body, Lavinia " I pointed out the obvious.
I couldn't control myself at the way she said that after all the work Mariana had done to make the piece the way Lavinia said she wanted it.
She then looked at me more closely, really staring at me now, and I felt uncomfortable with the way she seemed to evaluate me from head to toe.
" I think I know you from somewhere," she said in a doubtful tone.
I felt frozen at the possibility that she might remember the moment we met at the club because Murilo had made it quite clear that he knew me.
" Could it have been that night in the club, Virginia? " Mariana asked, and if I had been standing next to her, I would have pinched my friend at that very moment for bringing up the subject.
" Virginia? " Lavinia repeated, seeming to recognize the name, "I think I'm mistaken. I'd never seen her before.”
An unpleasant atmosphere formed, as Mariana and I noticed her lie, but she continued to admire her reflection in the fitting room mirror, and contrary to her words, the dress was beautiful on her body.
" I'll get the receipt and the saleswoman will bring it to you " Mariana spoke up, breaking the tense atmosphere and showing that she was very resourceful.
I admired my friend's patience, as well as her ability to put up with that haughty woman because I was just watching the scene and feeling deeply irritated.
" That won't be necessary. I have given up the purchase " The actress spoke, leaving us surprised.
" I understand, " Mariana still managed to express.
I was too angry to be able to say anything other than "excuse me" and to get away from the tremendously snobbish woman.
I felt guilty for letting my friend and partner in that situation overwhelm me, but I would apologize to her at another time.
I just had to get out, not only from the fitting store, but also from our store because I was feeling very distressed, and I wasn't even sure why.
When I came home to find my mother quietly watching TV, while my father did some manual labor in our yard, I felt more comforted to be in the peace of my home and this feeling is a wonderful thing.
" Pregnancy does that to us, Virginia " My mother pointed out. "We become more sensitive and everything becomes more... intense. I think that's the right word.”
She had noticed my intemperate mood when I arrived at our house, and I told her about the customer from the store, without adding any details.
My father was still treating me with a bit of indifference, but I didn't try to talk to him again, to avoid further discussion.
I hoped that as time went by he would understand that the fact that my son didn't have a father who was my husband or something like that didn't give him the right to judge me or even ignore me as he was doing. But I was sure that sooner or later he would admit that I was an adult and responsible enough to be a mother.
" Probably, Mom, " I agreed.
I believed that this might be what had caused all my uneasiness with that snobby actress, and not the fact that I had seen her having sex with Murilo just a few days ago. But that image wouldn't leave my mind, oh no, it wouldn't.
