The Lighter Side of Large (41 page)

“Do you like it?” he asks.

“Yes, but I want to try on some more,” I say, elated.

“You don’t have to wear black,” Jae says. He turns to the manager. “What colours are popular this season?” She replies and Jae nods. “My girlfriend would like to try on a few in those colours. And bring some shoes and jewelry to match.” The way he refers to me as his girlfriend with a slight possessive emphasis on the word sends a shiver of delight up my spine. He’s not ashamed of me.

“Yes, Mr Elliot. What size shoe?” she asks. She returns to the rack of gowns while the other salesgirl rushes to fetch shoes and jewelry.

I spend the next hour trying on gowns and feeling like Cinderella getting ready for her ball. The manager and salesgirl fuss over me like I’m important, suggesting colours and styles and jewelry. And every gown fits.

“I can’t believe I can wear a size twelve. Size
twelve
,” I squeak.

Jae laughs. “I can’t believe I get to be seen with such a hot lady.”

Finally I narrow down my choices between two gowns. One is a sleeveless deep purple satin column dress with a plunging neckline and rhinestone belt. The other is a light yellow one-shoulder gown with three-quarter length sleeve. The bodice is made from silk shantung while the skirt features several layers of filmy, floating chiffon. I like the yellow one best. It better hides the ‘chicken wings’ dangling from my arms, but it’s also the priciest gown I’ve tried on. Years of deprivation makes me reluctant to choose it or to take advantage of Jae’s generosity.

“I can’t decide,” I wail. “They’re both too gorgeous.”

Jae reaches for the yellow one on its hanger. “I think you look radiant in this one…” he leans closer to whisper seductively in my ear, “makes me want to skip the ball and go straight to dessert.” He smiles that smile which makes my knees turn to water, my heart thump loudly, and my mouth dry in anticipation.

“Yellow it is,” I agree.

Jae hands it to the manager. “We’ll take this one and the shoes and jewelry you recommended.”

“Yes, Mr Elliot. Thank you,” the manager says.

“And now,” Jae says, “you’ll need to pick out a couple of new outfits to wear over the weekend since I couldn’t burgle your house to pack some clothes for you.”

“But I have my clothes from yesterday and today,” I insist. “Jae,” I lower my voice, “after what I’ve said about this store, I really don’t think it’s a good idea for me to be shopping here. Not that I don’t appreciate what you’re trying to do; it’s just that…”

“It’s just that you need a good experience to replace your memories of the bad,” Jae finishes.

“Well,” I reply hesitantly, “they’ve been extremely attentive and polite, but that’s not the point…”

“Good,” Jae interrupts me and waggles his eyebrows. “Then they are doing their job. Now let’s find you some clothes because we have other appointments to keep.”

I sigh.
He doesn’t get it. It isn’t how they treat me now that matters - now that they can potentially make commission on an over one thousand dollar sale. It’s how they treated me back then and how they treat other big women like me who have the misfortune to walk through those doors.

Suddenly, it occurs to me what he just said. “Other appointments? Jae…”

“Nope, no time to talk,” he interrupts. “I never knew a woman who didn’t want to shop, so if you don’t pick out something, I will, and it’s all going to be from the intimate apparel section.”

“Jae!” I exclaim.

“Well, it’s true,” he shrugs but can’t hide a mischievous grin. So I spend the next forty-five minutes choosing two everyday outfits along with new shoes and, when Jae isn’t looking, some sexy lingerie that’s so lacy and see-through that it rather defeats the purpose of being labeled “apparel”.

When I’m done picking out my new clothes, Jae hands the pile to the manager. “Have everything delivered to the Rutherford.” And without paying for anything, he marches me out the door and back into the waiting limo. “Next stop, beauty salon.”

“It’s too much,” I protest. “How did you get that store to change their tune? And how come you didn’t pay…”

Jae places a finger over my lips. “I said I pulled some strings. Can you be satisfied with that explanation for now?”

“I suppose I’ll have to be,” I answer.

I am certainly satisfied for the next hour and a half. Jae takes me to the most exclusive salon in Nelson, where I am pampered with a pedicure and leg massage, manicure, and facial. After that, they do my hair and makeup for the ball.

Jae returns to whisk me away to the Rutherford. “You look fabulous,” he whispers as the lift ascends to the tenth floor. The walls of the elevator are mirrors and I can’t help smiling at my image in them. I really do look fabulous.

If I thought my room at the Crown Plaza in Auckland was posh, our penthouse suite at the Rutherford blows it away. It possesses all the elements one would expect in an apartment designed for the patronage of the rich and famous. Two hundred square meters of consummate luxury consisting of an opulent bar, a huge lounge and dining area, full working kitchen, two elegantly-situated bedrooms, each with their own king size waterbeds, marble en-suite bathrooms with extra deep double spa baths, twin showers that are rooms unto themselves, and twin basins. Each room even has its own walk-in wardrobe.

However, nothing compares to the breathtaking view of Nelson Bay through the large French doors which lead onto a private balcony. “Jae, this is amazing,” I sigh.
And wildly romantic and sensual. It’s as if I walked into a dream.

He takes me in his arms and gives me a long, lingering kiss. “It’s going to be an amazing night,” he breathes. “But first, how does a massage sound?”

“Mmm, I’d like that,” I whisper, thinking our night might start early, and then suddenly worry about my hair. I don’t want it messed up after all the effort which went into it-

“Good,” Jae kisses me again. “Because I’ve booked you a massage.” And on cue, there’s a knock at the door. A masseur arrives with a portable massage table. Wrapped in a sheet, I am rubbed and kneaded into bliss, with great care taken to not muss my hair, while Jae sorts out some business on his mobile in the next room.

By now it’s early evening. Jae hops in the shower, and then it’s my turn in the bathroom to touch up my makeup and put on my gown. I hear the hotel room door open and muted voices.
What else is he up to?
I wonder. Not wanting to spoil the moment for him, I linger in the bathroom a while even after I’m ready. But the hushed talking continues and I can only stay in the bathroom for so long. With one last look at myself in the mirror, I put on a smile and open the door.

Standing in front of the huge 65” plasma television, Amanda is fixing Jae’s bow tie, his chin up so he isn’t looking her in the face though he’s talking to her. “She doesn’t know,” he says.

“If you don’t put a muzzle on her, I will,” Amanda retorts, pulling the tie into a tight bow.

Jae sighs. “I’m taking care of it. Trust me.”

Amanda finishes with his tie. “You should have taken care of it weeks ago…” She sees me out of the corner of her eye. “Bella,” she smiles, but her tone is icy. Jae’s shoulders stiffen and he looks decidedly guilty as he turns around to look at me.

“Amanda,” I greet her. “You look great.” She’s wearing the purple AmandaE dress which I almost bought. I can feel my stomach curdle at the thought that I might be standing here wearing it if it wasn’t for Jae’s intervention.

The guilty look is replaced with awe as Jae’s eyes drink me in. There’s no guessing his opinion on how I look. “Absolutely gorgeous”, he compliments me.

Amanda looks me up and down. “Yes, you look…” She pauses, as if changing her mind about what she is about to say. “That dress suits you.”

“Thanks,” I reply, surprised by her barely-veiled animosity.
She promised not to make things hard for me back at the lodge, yet by the tone of their conversation a few moments ago, it sounds like she is doing just that.

“Well,” she moves past me toward the door. “I’ll see you two downstairs.”

I keep my eyes on Jae as the door closes behind her. Jae hangs his head apologetically. “You must think I’m the biggest jerk. I meant to tell you…”

I cross my arms. “It would be nice occasionally to be with my boyfriend without his ex-wife tagging along.” My voice drips with sarcasm and resentment. I can’t help it. I am seriously pissed off.
Why is she always turning up on our weekends away?

Jae looks up, a guarded hint of surprise is on his face. “I’m sorry. I truly am. This dinner is a business event, which we go to every year, and, well, that’s no excuse. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it,” I say, looking at my nails. At least I look good tonight and can compete with her.

Jae moves toward me and gives me a hug. “It’s just for a couple of hours, and then,” he pulls back and strokes my cheek, “I’ll have you all to myself. May I say you are looking particularly delectable tonight? If I could press a fast-forward button, I’d follow through with my earlier threat and skip the main course.”

“Mr Elliot!” I say in mock horror, my disappointment about Amanda being here quickly dissolving. “I don’t know if you should talk that way.””Why?“ Jae murmurs into my ear. I shiver with delight.

“Because,” I playfully bite his ear, “I might just want to skip dinner, too.”

When we step into the ballroom at the hotel, I wish we had skipped dinner. The place is teeming with people and they’re not my kind of people. These are obviously businessmen and socialites. Above, the crystal chandeliers illuminate the room. Beneath them, diamonds and other gems flash from rings, bracelets and necklaces. A band pumps out smooth jazz from the stage as couples mingle around the room, drinks in hand. The catering staff weaves in and out of the crowd, carrying trays of champagne and appetisers.

We stand arm in arm in the doorway. “What do you think?” Jae asks.

I shake my head. “I think I’m out of my element.”

Jae pats my hand. “Nonsense. Look, there’s Simon. Let’s go say hi.”

Moment of truth,
I think. It’s Simon, the pretentious clothing designer who could hardly bear to shake my hand. What will he think about me now?

Jae walks me over to Simon, who is complaining to two gorgeous older women who drip with diamonds and smell of too much perfume, about the inferior workplace conditions at his Sydney studio. “Natural light: that’s all I ask for. And then what happens? A new condo is built right next to my studio and interferes with the afternoon light. How am I supposed to design, I ask you? Under fluorescents? Even the “natural light” ones are inferior. Really, it’s too much. I can draw in the dark and get better results than when using fluorescents. Ah, Jae, dear, I’ve been looking for you,” he gushes as we approach. His eyes drift to me. “And who is this charming young lady?” He holds out his hand. “Simon Grant. A pleasure to meet you.”

Jae nods to Simon and the ladies. “Hello, Simon. Good to see you. You remember Bella?”

I shake Simon’s hand, which isn’t that much firmer than his previous limp-fish handshake, as he tilts his head at me. He has no clue who I am. “Should I? I’m sure I would remember meeting such a dazzling creature. Your dress is from the AmandaE fall collection, is it not?”

My fears about this evening and if people will accept or reject me disappear as I observe Simon. Of course he wouldn’t remember a frumpy fat chick. Why should he? But even though I’m thinner, he focuses on my looks and what I wear. He’s nothing but a stuck-up snob who has lost touch with real people. I drop Simon’s hand, as if his touch is revolting. “We met at the ribbon cutting ceremony at Go 4 It a few months ago,” I say with the biggest smile. “You wore a bright orange suit which reminded me of a traffic cone. Is that what’s in style for men these days?” I laugh. “Really, being a slave to fashion must be embarrassing sometimes. There’s something to be said for classic attire.”

As I speak, Simon’s eyes widen in recognition, then horror, and then darken at my insult. I flash my smile at Jae, who struggles to keep from laughing.

One of the women nods. “That is true. A classic suit makes any man a gentleman.”

I lay my hand on Jae’s arm. “Weren’t you going to introduce me to someone very important? Ladies, if you’ll excuse us? Simon, we’ll catch up later.” I pull Jae away from the trio.

Jae bends down. “You fiery siren. I think you fit in better than you know,” he says in my ear.

“That was just a spark,” I wink.

We go around the room, chatting with Jae’s business associates, friends, and even a couple of politicians. Each person compliments me.
Who did your hair? Who designed your gown? How did Jae end up with someone as lovely as you? Where has he been hiding you?
The devil in me feels like answering, “Behind 55kgs of pure fat,” but these are Jae’s friends and associates, so I determine to enjoy the night and forego the set-downs.

After I feel like we’ve talked our jaws off and my smile is so stiff that it is starting to hurt, Jae asks, “Are you ready to sit down?”

“Yes, please. My new shoes are beginning to make themselves feel known,” I joke. We turn around - and come face to face with Mika and Tiresa.