Pretense of Elegance

         H&M dress

“Mama, you smell of citrus fruit,” said the five year old playing with the only pair of dazzling chandelier earrings. She didn’t reply, as she was too busy getting ready. Prepared for the night, she left the one room apartment and headed towards a world where she was a regular guest.

Her heels clicked on the polished marble floor and her body smelt of the fruity bath that she had lavishly taken an hour ago. The clinging nude dress enhanced her curvaceous body and the plunging neckline boasted of firm breasts. She swayed and glided across the lobby and was aware of her effect as numerous eyes gaped at her.

She entered the hall and hesitated. She opened her purse and reapplied lipstick that brought color to her blackened lips. After having done so, she smacked her full lips and observed the elite crowd. Her big brown eyes searched for someone. It seemed like a weary task. The bags under her eyes were visible even under layers of make up. She adjusted her black curls and made her way to the other end of the room.

Champagne glasses clinked, laughter roared and smokes of cigars filled the air. Paying no heed, she walked to the bar without an escort. She felt the fabric of rich silk as a lady passed by. The silk felt smooth and milky on her coarse hands. As a gentleman walked by, the soft feel of his tuxedo brushed her dry shoulders.

She ordered for whiskey on the rocks and focused her attention on the women. Too tall, too skinny, too fat, too old...She felt better. A new dress, heavy make up and borrowed shoes that were too tight, she felt like a shiny new penny just out from the mint.

She scanned the crowd for prospective and generous customers. She boldly made eye contacts as men passed by. She did not have to wait long, she never did. A fine-looking gentleman came to refill his drink. As he headed back to his group she was walking alongside in his arms.

She was introduced as Emma. She didn’t mind, that name had class and she liked it. As the conversation resumed, she pretended to be engaged in it. She was a natural actress. Time and experience had made her that way. The stock market, the global politics, and private islands in the Caribbean…she laughed the hardest when a joke was delivered.

The hall shimmered with diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires. As she laughed and smiled, her zircon chandelier earrings sparkled and swayed to and fro. To her they were like rare costly diamonds. Anyhow, who could tell the difference, she always thought.

But she knew, the world could cruelly scrutinize a solitaire and set it either on a platinum ring or dispose of it effortlessly. That is why she had no trouble finding customers. The men in the group knew, their wives knew and the fine-looking gentleman knew. So why the pretense, she thought!

She left the gala with the fine-looking gentleman, arm in arm, laughing and giggling.

She was cold as she lay on the cozy featherlike bed. Whiffs of citrus fruit lingered in the suite.

…

EC