You mentioned shopping last night at dinner,
I have left you your credit card and ID. There is
also ample cash for tipping and incidentals.
After your spa day, Charles will help you with
transportation to shopping.
Do not forget my rules. I trust you know better than that.
He never began his notes with a salutation or signed them. Claire looked in the envelope under the note. It contained her ID and credit card, as well as over $1,000 in different denominations.
Claire thought it was unnecessary that Tony kept her ID and credit card. It isn’t as if she had the opportunity to use it whenever she wanted. And the amount of cash seemed excessive until she saw the small Post-It note on one of the bills: $100 per stylist that assists you
Claire decided that was helpful, she wouldn’t have considered tipping that much. Maybe some instruction is helpful.
She arrived at the Day Spa ten minutes early. They greeted her and ushered her to one of the treatment rooms. Instead of music, the air permeated with sounds of nature and the aroma of scented candles. Indirect lighting helped to complete the relaxing atmosphere. To begin her day of pampering they directed her to a large whirlpool tub. Once submerged, the assistant added a special mixture of oils and powders based on Claire’s answers to some preference questions. After the tub, Claire was led to the massage table, where they asked her to lie with her face submerged in a hole. Suddenly besieged by a rush of unpleasant memories, she did her best to control her emotions and lie down. The masseuse began with Claire’s shoulders and commented on the tightness of her muscles. It didn’t take long for the combination of the bath oils, ambiance, and magic of the masseuse’s hands to ease the tension. At the conclusion of the massage every muscle in Claire’s body felt loose and relaxed.
Next they proceeded to the hair salon. Apparently, when making Claire’s reservations a highlight procedure had been requested. Never in all of her life had she colored her hair. The apprehension brought back some tension to her shoulders. However, she knew that Tony had been the one to plan her treatment, so the idea of changing it was more unsettling. While the color sat on her hair, they treated her to a facial that claimed skin rejuvenation. After they washed and conditioned her hair, the stylist began trimming and styling.
When Claire’s chair spun around she gazed at her auburn tresses that now contained generous caramel and light blonde highlights. It all blended beautifully, and the length hadn’t really changed. The result looked healthy, shaped, stunning, and different.
Next they offered Claire a menu. She enthusiastically ordered her own lunch, deciding on a sushi variety plate with a side salad. Claire decided Tony must not like sushi. She hadn’t eaten any in months. It tasted wonderful. Following lunch she chose to receive a manicure and pedicure while the cosmetic specialist completed her makeup. Claire yearned to walk around outside, yet she was truly enjoying the pampering. Smiling, she recalled Tony’s enthusiasm about her spa experience.
It was nearing two o’clock when the receptionist brought Claire the telephone. “Ms. Nichols, you have a call.” At first, she just stared. Other than Emily over a week ago, Claire hadn’t spoken on a phone for almost six months. She immediately believed this was a test.
Looking at her nails under the dryer, she said, “Thank you, could you please ask who it is?”
The receptionist inquired and continued, “Mr. Rawlings would like to speak with you.”
Claire carefully took the phone. “Hello, Tony?”
“Very good, Claire.” She smiled. “I am on my way to the airport. I need to make an emergency trip to New York.” Tony’s voice sounded informative but preoccupied.
“All right. Will I be going too?”
“No, Eric will be back in Chicago this evening to accompany you home. Just continue your plans and be back at the apartment by six. Charles will see that you get to the airport for your flight.”
Claire wanted to ask about the shopping. She felt pretty and didn’t want to spend the afternoon in the apartment. He said to continue her plans. She chose to believe that included shopping. If she didn’t ask, she could plead ignorance when questioned.
“Okay, I will.” She didn’t want to say anything inappropriate with people listening. “Do you know when you will be back?”
“Not for sure. I believe Saturday. I need to go, we are at the airport.”
“I will see you then. Have a safe trip.”
“Claire,” he paused. “Do not disappoint me.”
“I won’t, Tony. I will see you Saturday.” The telephone disconnected from his end. Claire handed the telephone back to one of the clinicians and inspected her nails, holding the phone hadn’t caused any damage. Her fingers and toes glistened shiny red, and her makeup had been expertly applied. Claire stepped in front of the mirror. She wished with all her might that Tony could see her now, she felt stunning.
There were a total of six assistants that worked directly with Claire. She went to the front desk, signed the charge slip, and gave the tip money to the receptionist, with an additional fifty for her. Claire smiled and thanked her for bringing her the telephone.
Back at the apartment Claire changed clothes, wanting to get outside and enjoy the shops before she needed to return at six. Looking out of the windows she could tell the day was warm. The waves on the lake also told her that there was a strong breeze. But of course, that is why they call it the windy city!
She had a little over three hours to shop and she wanted to make every minute count! All of a sudden, time slipped back six years. She needed to shop fast in order to get back to class. The biggest difference between then and now was her goal—instead of bargains she looked for the buys that would please Tony.
Charles offered Claire a driver, but she wanted to walk. The busy city and warm weather created an exhilarating atmosphere. She longed to be outside and on her own short schedule. Cartier was her first stop. She found another pair of sunglasses. They were like the ones from New York, except black, which would be better for winter. Although that was her thought, she wondered if she would really be with Tony all winter. Compartmentalize. Right now, her plan was to enjoy this afternoon and some shopping, the rest would work itself out.
Her familiarity with the magnificent mile proved advantageous to her goal. She didn’t have Eric to pick up packages, so she didn’t buy anything too bulky. However, she managed some smaller bags from Saks, Anne Fontaine, Armani, and Louis Vuitton. Claire approached the Trump Tower and her watch said she had thirty minutes to spare. She stopped in the coffee shop for a quick café mocha. In Iowa she mostly drank plain coffee, very high quality and amazingly delicious. This afternoon she was living and decided a little chocolate would hit the spot.