A Memory Unchained (9 page)

She quickly added, “You don’t owe me any explana-

tions! I’ve been busy too.” She forced a nice, “I could care less” smile!

“I’ve missed you,” he said.

“She looks a little lonesome over there,” Pamela added,

looking at the beautiful young blonde at his table.

“My secretary,” he said quickly.

“How convenient,” she said.

“I’m doing her a favor tonight.”

“That’s nice,” she said.

Pamela smiled but she felt very much in control of the

situation.

Guy politely interrupted and gathered Pamela close in

his arms again.

“Who’s that guy anyway?” he asked.

Pamela tried to explain Jeff off as an old friend but her explanation was undermined with stolen glances at Jeff

across the room with his beautiful blonde girlfriend!

Pamela felt a jealousy taking hold of her, so much so

she was willing to put up with the boisterous advances of Guy Ashland!

The lights dimmed and the soft, slow music gave the

room a velvet glow. Pamela glanced quickly across the room to see if Jeff was still watching her. He was. She snuggled closer into Guy’s arms. She hoped Jeff would see her.

Her pride was hurt. She was not accustomed to those

feelings, she didn’t like them. She knew it was against

everything she had always prided herself against. “Pride

goeth before a fall,” she thought quickly.

Guy took advantage of her snuggle. He kissed her softly

A Memory Unchained___________ 79

on the earlobe; his breathing came in short, wispy breaths on her neck.

Pamela finally realized what was happening! In trying to

make Jeff jealous, she had led Guy on. She felt ashamed.

She pushed him away quickly and headed for their

table.

“What’s wrong baby? What did I do?”

Guy looked puzzled. Pamela felt guilty. She had led

him on for her own selfish purposes. Could God forgive

her? Would Guy?

“I’m sorry Guy, I haven’t been honest with you,” she

said humbly. She tried to explain her relationship with

Jeff.

Guy didn’t take it well. He began to drink too much

and as the evening progressed he became loud and ob-

noxious.

Jeff hadn’t taken his eyes off her the entire evening.

When she and Guy left the club, she was devastated.

The evening had been a total disaster. When she thought

about it, she was sure she would never see Jeff again. Her jealous feelings about Jeff and his blonde secretary made her feel ashamed. She prayed again that God would help

her in her feelings for Jeff.

Even now, in Paris, Jeff was still on her mind. It wasn’t easy to forget him. He had left his mark on her life that couldn’t be erased easily.

Pamela walked slowly to the dresser, to the vase of wilt-

ing roses. She threw them into the trash.

She tried to detour her thoughts to the party Rex was

giving for her. “What should I wear?”

Finally, she decided on her black velvet evening

80 __________________Gloria Graham

gown.

She tossed restlessly in bed that night. Her dreams were

filled with a young blonde dancing to the calliope music

of a merry-go-round. The blonde held a brass ring tight

in her hands.

Pamela awoke crying! She sobbed her prayer again. “Oh

God, help me. I’m so disturbed, so distressed about Jeff, so in need of your wisdom. What shall I do?” She begged

for an immediate answer. It didn’t come, then…

Rex had planned a special party for

her to introduce her to the society set of Paris. Pamela

was overwhelmed with delight when she opened the box

that Rex had delivered to her hotel room. It was the blue chiffon dress, diamond studded, neatly packed inside with a special note from Rex. It read, “You and my gown are

made to be together!” Please wear it tonight and show it

off! As she held the beautiful gown in front of her, it gave her a chill! Pamela felt honored to be wearing his beautiful blue chiffon gown.

She felt like Cinderella going to the ball. She had al-

ways enjoyed lovely clothes, nice places and fashionable

affairs, but this was the coupe de grace! She smiled as she remembered how Rex had noticed her admiration of the

82 __________________Gloria Graham

dress.

The ride to the party in the elegant limousine made

her feel very special again. Rex had a way of doing that

for her.

She felt nervous as she walked into the room. The

party was being held at the most fashionable Ritz Hotel

with its magnificent stone arches. Its opulence is said to have created the word “ritzy.” Hemingway once hoped

that heaven would be as good as the Ritz. Pamela smiled

thinking, “Now I know exactly what he meant.”

The ballroom was breathtaking, a winding staircase,

ornately hand carved, had orchids entwined along the

handrail. A magnificent crystal chandelier graced the center of the lobby glistening brilliantly. Her eyes couldn’t take in everything. The hum of people talking and laughing

in small groups around the room was different from the

noisy parties in New York.

Suddenly, the room became quiet. She felt embarrassed,

as all eyes seemed to be on her. Pamela swallowed hard and felt her face flush! A familiar voice from the crowd relieved her tension. Rex walked up and affectionately kissed her

on the cheek, took her by the hand and led her to the

center of the room. Thank goodness she sighed. He was

a welcome sight.

“Why is everyone staring at me?” she whispered!

“Because, my love, you are the most stunning woman

in the room, and because you are wearing my creation!”

he laughed.

“Now that’s an ego trip!” she teased. But the compli-

ment was just the right thing to say at that moment.

Pamela felt like her smile was glued on. Her lips were

A Memory Unchained___________ 83

dry, even swallowing seemed to be difficult! Everyone who was anyone in Paris was there. Her limited knowledge of

French had to be traded for just a smile. She knew a smile meant the same in any language.

Rex excused himself. “A little business, you know

Chéri.” She squeezed his hand in an all-knowing way.

Rex busied himself in the important business of per-

sonal relations. His special full-throated laugh could be heard all over the room. Pamela watched him in awe. He

was so very special, so sincere and loving. Everyone loved him.

“Study their faces, remember them,” she told herself.

“Someday these people will remember me!”

Rex called her from across the room. He didn’t leave her

alone with anyone too long. For that she was grateful!

“Finally, Chéri,” he smiled, “I want you to meet my

friend, Grant Mondane!”

Pamela turned to face a very broad shouldered young

man. He had to be over six feet tall and his clear baby blue eyes were hypnotizing. There was something about him

that seemed so familiar.

She sized him up quickly, along with the conclusion

he was about the age of her Jill!

Rex introduced them. Grant smiled faintly and then

quipped, “So, you are the fabulous American designer Rex

has been babbling about!” He sounded a little curt and as the evening progressed his remarks became more on the

rude side. He didn’t like her and she knew it!

Everyone had excused themselves from the table with

the exception of Pamela and Grant. The silence between

them was obviously awkward. She shifted nervously in

84 __________________Gloria Graham

her chair.

“Have I done something to displease you Mr. Mon-

dane?” she asked, deciding silence would never solve the

problem.

Grant was surprised at her question. He stammered,

finding it difficult to answer.

“No, not really!” he hesitated.

She knew he was uncomfortable so she tried to ease

the tension.

“Rex has taken much too much time entertaining me.

I feel guilty that I have dominated so much of his time

this past week,” she began.

“No matter!” he answered, looking very embarrassed.

“It would be nice if we could be friends. Is that pos-

sible?” She smiled.

He returned her smile reluctantly.

“Why not,” he said, “forgive me. I expected you to be

something else.”

Pamela looked a little puzzled. She wondered what he

expected. She started to ask him what he expected when

Rex interrupted.

“How are you two getting on?”

Pamela spoke up, “Just fine,” she smiled. She knew Rex

wanted her to like Grant. She looked pleadingly at Grant, hoping he would go along with her reply.

“Yes,” he said quickly, “Just fine.” He winked at Pamela.

She knew then they would become friends.

Rex talked with them for a short while, and then he

was off table-hopping again.

This time Grant was not bashful. His soft, low voice

captured her attention!

A Memory Unchained___________ 85

“I own a chain of department stores, ‘Mondane Royal.’

We are fortunate to be located close to the heart of the

city. Are you acquainted with my chain?”

“Of course. A very elegant store to be sure,” she an-

swered politely.

“Are you happy where you are?” He didn’t seem to

mind asking such a personal question so soon in the con-

versation.

“For now!” she said. No explanation followed.

“Orlands,” he paused, “the old brick building off Main

Street, right?”

“That’s the one,” she smiled. “I can tell you have seen

it.”

“Yes,” he nodded. “It’s a long-established department

store for sure, a Boston monument! I was on speaking tour last year and visited a few important places. I do remember Orlands of Boston!” Their conversation had turned into a

question and answer session.

Pamela could feel his opinion of her changing. They

were actually laughing and joking about the crazy design

business!

“I must say I do enjoy talking to another American.

My French is terrible and very overworked,” she said as

she stuffed her French dictionary in her purse.

“When Rex gives a party, he does it up right!” he

smiled.

“He surely does,” she smiled. “Tell me, how did you

get to be a ‘displaced American’ as Rex calls you?”

“It’s a strange story,” he said.

“Oh,” she paused, “perhaps you’d rather not discuss it.”

She waited to see if he was going to elaborate.

86 __________________Gloria Graham

He didn’t hesitate. He seemed to want to talk about

it.

“My mother came to Europe when I was a baby, mar-

ried my stepfather, Estaire Mondane, who had been in the

department store business for years.” He paused.

“And the Mondane chain was his?” she asked.

“Yes, they didn’t keep me around in those days. I was

in boarding schools all my life. They traveled a lot.” He paused, “Besides, he wasn’t my father and he always let

me know it!” Grant’s voice trailed off. His face showed the pain of his childhood.

“They were killed in a plane accident. I was nineteen,

in a private college and I was sole heir to the estate.”

“You mean you took over this empire at nineteen?”

“Yes,” he smiled looking a bit forlorn. “Never could

figure out why Mondane didn’t make sure I didn’t inherit

his stores. He never liked me in the least! He didn’t have any children as far as I know anyway!”

She smiled. “You had a huge responsibility for such a

young man!”

“It’s done well until this past year!” he sighed.

Pamela suddenly felt a new appreciation of this hand-

some young man.

“Well, there you have it! My life story!” He smiled.

“I admire you!” She smiled.

Grant looked into the misty green eyes of his new

friend.

“How does it feel to be Rex’s chosen one?” he said.

“What do you mean, his chosen one?” She looked

bewildered.

“Didn’t he tell you?” Grant looked like he had said

A Memory Unchained___________ 87

something he shouldn’t have. Pamela was still in a state

of confusion when Rex came hurriedly up to the two of

them.

Pamela looked flushed.

“I must speak with you Chéri, now.” He pulled her

quickly from the crowded room onto the terrace. “I have

decided!” he said breathlessly. “You are to be my liason in America, to acquaint the American women with my collection! My representative!” He laid out his plans before her, without giving her a chance to interrupt.

Tears welled up in her eyes. The corners of her mouth

twitched as she tried to hold back her emotions.

“I’m overjoyed,” she stammered, “to be taking such a

prize back to Orlands. It’s the chance of a lifetime for me!”

She threw her arms around Rex’s neck and hugged him.

Rex held her close for a moment, and then released her.

“Now, my chosen one, let’s get back to Grant. He knows

all about it.” Rex smiled.

Pamela suddenly knew what Grant meant by his remark

‘chosen one.’

They walked back into the ballroom. The room seemed

much more crowded. The small dinner party had blos-

somed into a huge affair.

Rex led her to the orchestra platform.

“Where are we going?” she asked nervously.

“Now all my friends shall have a chance to meet

you!”

The room was silent as Rex held up his arms and pro-