Life After the Lottery

Thanks, everyone, for hanging in there. I had a delay because my laptop bricked, and that took three weeks to recover. I am moving to wrap up everything. A few things I have moved into the last several chapters because you need to know about them. I think four more chapters until the end...it depends. Copyright LATL 2021 (Dec. 2021)

Life after the Lottery, CH 74

Things begin to slow down

We slept in Saturday since we didn't get home until well after 2:00. My cell phone rang and woke me up. I reached over and picked it up off the night table.

"Hello..."

"Hey, it's Bob. James, that photo of Ms. Williams is fantastic!"

"They are ready? What time is it?"

"7:00. They are finishing up the 8 X 10's. I am having 200 made of the one where she is winking at you."

"I hope that is enough."

"I also had them make two 24 X 36-inch prints and mount them. I thought we could set those up at the media table."

"Good idea."

"They will be finished about 9:30. I'll grab all the prints and go home and clean up. What time do you want to meet at the store?" Bob asked.

"We told them noon. They are opening the store at 10:00 for an exclusive sale. Can you be there by 11:30?"

"I will be there. I'll grab the prints when they finish and head home. I have been here all night helping."

"Thanks, Bob. I owe you."

I hung up.

"What did he want?" Dawn asked.

"He said the photo of Linda looked great. He has been at the lab all night helping them make prints. He'll be at the store at 11:30."

"I guess we better get up and get ready," Dawn said. "Sam, Amy...time to get up."

"....emm..."

We were all supposed to be at the store when it opened to meet all the invited guests.

I showered with Dawn, then shaved before I went down to fix breakfast while they finished showering. When they came down about 8:00, everyone else was helping me with breakfast.

"Are you three modeling tonight?" Mom asked.

"Not tonight. Linda has professionals," Amy replied.

"You three looked very professional last night...and hot," dad said.

"That was fun!" Samantha exclaimed.

"Yes, you three did look very hot!" Charlie added.

"Wait until you see the store today," Samantha said and giggled.

"We have to be there this morning," I told them. "You all can come before the fashion show and do some shopping," Dawn told them.

"We will stop by and see what you have. Then we will go out to dinner, then come back," dad said.

"Good idea."

They finished, and I cleaned up while my girls went back upstairs. When I finished, I went up.

"What are you all wearing?" I asked.

"Our nice suits this morning. We are taking other outfits for tonight," Dawn replied.

"What jewelry are you wearing?"

"I am wearing my diamond choker and bracelet Linda gave me and my diamond earrings. The girls are wearing some of my other diamonds."

"I'll get my briefcase, and you can put all of that in it. What dresses are you all wearing tonight?"

"You'll see."

I knew that wasn't a good answer. I put on an Armani suit and put my tux in a bag, and took it out to the Escalade with some other things. After an hour or so, Dawn came out wearing a nice suit. It was white with a sequin jacket, and she looked hot in it. She was carrying a garment bag.

"Let me take that to the truck."

"I got it," she said.

The girls came down carrying their garment bags. Samantha had on a dark green dress that was a little short. Amy was wearing a blue dress. It was short too.

"Are we ready to go?" I asked.

"We are ready," Dawn said.

"We'll see all of you later," I told our parents.

I grabbed my briefcase with their jewelry in it, and they followed me to the Escalade and hung up the garment bags in the back. We all got in and headed off.

"You three look very nice."

"Thank you," Dawn replied. "You always look good in your Armani suits."

"Maybe I can get them a little cheaper now. I didn't think our parents would want to stand around all day," I said.

"They're good. They'll probably fuck each other the rest of the day," Dawn said, and we heard Amy and Samantha laughing in the back.

We pulled up to the front of the store at 9:45. The valets were there, and they took the SUV after we got everything out. A guard unlocked the door and let us in.

"Where will you be changing?" I asked.

"On the third floor," Dawn replied.

I took the garment bags and my briefcase and headed up to the third floor. When I got off the elevator, I saw Walt.

"Hey, Walt."

"Hi, James. Let me help."

"I know why I am here. Why are you here?" I said as he grabbed the garment bags.

"Checking on things. Ms. Williams asked me last week to find some guys to model some of the expensive suits. They are going to escort some of her models."

"Great. I need to hang those up in the back."

Walt followed me to the back of the store.

"The show last night went well," he said.

"It almost killed me. The press was all over me wanting a picture of Linda."

"She did look hot."

I hung up the garment bags and went to the office and opened the safe, and put their jewelry in it.

"I am guessing it will be well after midnight before this floor clears out again tonight," Walt said.

"More than likely."

"I have men arriving at midnight to start tearing the stage down. I hope by morning, we have the place cleared out."

"Don't kill yourself. We have all week. I'll need to pack all my camera gear up in the morning if that is okay."

"I'll make sure they don't mess with your gear. It will take all week to get things set up," Walt said.

We walked back to where all my camera gear was, and I picked up my 35mm and flash.

"I'm going down to the second floor to take some photos. You will want to come, Walt."

I looked at my watch, and it was after 10:00. We got on the elevator and went down to the second floor.

"Damn," came from Walt when he saw all the young ladies walking around in lingerie and skimpy swimsuits.

"Like our uniforms?" I asked.

"Hell yes!"

There were already around 30 people walking around shopping. The ladies were looking at lingerie. The men were looking at the salesladies. It appeared that Brenda had decided the ladies wearing the see-thru stuff would be okay for today. All the ones wearing swimwear had on skimpy thongs. I walked around and took some photos for a while and had a few laughs, then went down to the first floor.

There were about 40 people looking around. I saw Linda and Rachel standing and talking to someone. I walked over to them and took their picture.

"Good morning, James," Linda said and walked to me and kissed me.

"Good morning."

"Things are going well. The limos are bringing people from the hotel."

"I'm sure the locals will come in after lunch," I said.

"Did I surprise you last night?"

"A little. The press covered me up, wanting to know when they could get a photo. Poor Bob worked all night with the processors to get them made. You owe him. They will be released at noon."

"How did the picture look?"

"I haven't seen it, but Bob called me at 7:00 this morning and said it looked hot. You should be a big hit with the press. You made a big splash last night."

"I must have. We have been fielding calls all morning wanting a print."

"They will be here at 11:30."

"I hope I don't regret it!" Linda said and laughed.

"I hope not because I have an idea," I said.

"What?"

"I want a photo of you in that outfit from last night sitting on the hood of the Ferrari. I'll put it on the main page of the website to advertise our give-away."

"Maybe!"

"No maybe..."

"I think I am starting to regret it..."

By 11:00, there were about 100 people in the store. I was walking around taking photos as they talked and shopped. We had waiters walking around with glasses of champagne for all the customers. About 11:30, I headed toward the front doors to meet Bob. He was just coming in with some boxes. There was a crowd of about two dozen people standing around the media table. I pulled him past them.

"This is a zoo," he said.

He handed me a box that had 8 X 10's in it. I opened one and looked at the print.

"Wow," I said.

"Do they want to put the big prints up?" Bob asked.

"Let's ask."

Linda was standing in front of the table with her people, talking to the reporters. I walked up behind her.

"I need to ask you something," I said.

She turned, and I pulled her away.

"Bob had them make several large prints from your exhibition last night. Do you want to put them up on the easels?"

"May as well do it. Wait until noon when you hand out the 8 X 10's," Linda said.

"Okay."

She turned to go back to the crowd.

"Ms. Williams! Are you going to model any more lingerie!" I heard someone yell.

I grabbed one of her marketing people at the table and explained things to her, and gave her the big box Bob of prints.

At noon, they were all yelling and asking when the prints would be ready. Two of the marketing people set the large photos on the easels, and they all looked and took photos with Linda standing next to them.

"We need a copy!!" They were all screaming.

Three marketing people at the table began handing them out. I stood and watched the feeding frenzy. Some of them were stuffing the prints into FedEx envelopes and running out the door. One lady walked up to me after she grabbed several prints.

"I saw you taking the photos last night. What is your name?" She asked.

"James Smith. With Allure Photography," I added as she wrote.

"Thanks. I have to get on a plane," she said and left.

After things died down, I got a chance to look at the photo of Linda. She was winking and looked hot. I looked closer at the 8 X 10 and could see Linda's huge nipples through the sheer bra.

"Oh, boy," I said.

I looked at the tiny triangle of thin lace covering her pussy. It didn't cover much, and it was obvious she was shaved bare. Linda looked amazing in all the black lingerie, the fur, diamonds, and the stilettos. I knew this photo would be all over the press.

"I think I showed more than I meant to," Linda said when she walked up.

"Too late now. You look very hot and sexy."

I had my camera and was walking around taking more photos. A few people had picked up leftover photos of Linda, and they were asking her to autograph them. I walked over to her.

"Come with me a minute," I said.

I walked Linda over to the large photos of her. I had her stand next to one, and I took several shots.

"You are going to be a big hit," I said.

"Emmm..."

"Will you model some lingerie for me? Something we can put up in the store?"

"I guess. And some in the ladies' clothes too."

*****

About 5:00, the store was starting to fill up with well-dressed people for the cocktail party and fashion show. I saw Dawn talking to Linda in her area of the store and walked over.

"People are showing up early," I said.

"Word got out about the ladies in lingerie!" Linda said and laughed.

"Looks like many are looking at your nice clothes too."

"They are. We have already sold a lot."

"I need to find the girls so we can go and get dressed for the cocktail party and the show," Dawn said.

"Okay. I'll wait a bit. You three can sit and enjoy the show tonight," Linda said.

Dawn walked away.

"Get plenty of pictures during the cocktail party," Linda said. "They will want them for the newspapers."

"Will do."

"How are sales going for you?" Linda asked.

"Brenda said great."

"Any problems with the men looking?"

"No, she said it was going well. The salesladies are convincing the men how nice their wives will look."

Linda and I talked for a bit. Then I walked around to take more pictures. About 5:30, I went and put on my tux and returned to taking pictures.

*******

At 6:30, people were still shopping, so they let them until almost 7:00 when the cocktail party started on the third floor. I made my way up there to grab some wine. I was at the bar getting a glass when I heard Dawn.

"Get us a glass, please," she said.

I turned to look. Dawn was standing with Samantha and Amy. All three of them had on identical black silk suits with tux jackets. But none of them had on tops under the jackets. The jackets only had two buttons, and they were well below their tits. All three of them were showing a lot of skin. I ordered three more glasses of wine.

"You three look nice," I said.

"Linda's people ordered these suits from her line of merchandise," Dawn said. "Have you eaten today?"

"Not yet."

"There are some sandwiches back in the office."

Dawn was wearing the diamond choker and bracelet that Linda had given her, along with diamond earrings. She looked very elegant. Amy and Samantha had on diamonds also and looked great. I handed them the glasses of wine.

"Oh, my! You three look gorgeous," Linda said as she walked up with Rachel.

Linda had on a long black gown that exposed a lot of her cleavage. Rachel had on a long white gown that was also split down the front. I turned and ordered her and Rachel some wine.

"You two look hot," I told them.

"My clothes look good, don't they," Linda said.

"Are these all from your store?" I asked.

"Yes. Don't they look nice," she said, looking at Dawn. "Maybe you three should model these outfits tonight."

"All of you do. Let me get a picture of the owners," I told them.

They all lined up, and I took several photos.

"I thought you three would look good in that black tux. I have one just like it," Linda said.

"They do look hot," I added.

"James...I want you to get a photo of the four of us wearing this black tux," Linda said. "That is something we should put up in the store."

"I like that idea," I said.

"James, if Walt is here, we need a picture of all of us," Linda said. "Sam and Olivia too."

"I saw Walt changing into his tux while I was putting mine on."

"Find him and Sam and Olivia and get someone to take the picture."

I walked around to look for Walt. I finally found him and his wife talking to some people.

"When you are free, walk over toward the bar. We want a picture of all of the owners," I told him.

"Is Sam here?" He asked.

"I know where to find him."

I called Sam, knowing he was on the 2nd floor looking at the ladies. I told him to come up to the third-floor bar.

I made my way back to the bar area and waited. Our parents and Amelia were talking to Linda and Rachel. Once Walt and his wife and Sam and Olivia showed up, I had my dad take pictures of all of us.

We all mingled until it was time to find a seat. My girls sat, and I got up on my perch to take the photos.

"Are you ready?" I asked Bob.

"Ready to go."

The lights went down, and Linda walked out to applause.

"Welcome again, everyone! We hope you took advantage of our preopening sale. So far, what do you think?"

Everyone applauded.

"Tonight, you will get to the see the lines of high-fashion ladies wear we will be carrying. There is nothing like our store in this region. We are planning on the entire group of stores becoming a lifestyle center for everyone."

More applause.

"I want to introduce you to one more of our owners."

Linda turned, and Walt came out on stage.

"Meet Walt Marcum. He is the majority owner of the future men's store that will be located where we are now. Dr. Smith poached him from Saks Fifth Avenue in New York. He is the driving force behind what will be an exclusive men's store that carries all the best fashions suits for men. Once he has things up and running in a week, there will be custom tailoring available from New York tailors he brought with him. You will get to see some of the designer men's suits tonight as some nice-looking men escort the ladies on the runway."

There was some applause.

"Dawn, Samantha, and Amy, please stand up. The three of them and their husband, Dr. James Smith, are the owners of the lingerie and swimsuit parts of this store. All three of them are wearing clothes from the high-fashion area. Don't they look hot!"

There was a lot of applause.

"Now, sit back and enjoy the show!"

They walked off stage, and for the next two hours, Bob and I went through our routine. When the show was over at 10:00, I climbed back down and sat.

"I'm tired," I said to Bob.

"This has been a lot of work."

"Who has been running your store?"

"My wife and son."

We sat while everyone got up and mingled. I finally grabbed my 35mm and went to take more photos.

*****

About 12:30, things were winding down some. Dawn and the girls were talking to some press, and Linda and Rachel were laughing with the brothers from France that designed the exclusive swimwear and lingerie.

I saw Sherri and Brenda talking to a group of people and walked over to them.

"Are things going well?" I asked.

"Great!" Brenda replied.

"I need to get a picture of you two with the designers from France."

I followed Sherri and Brenda over to the brothers.

"Let me get a photo of everyone," I said.

Sherri and Brenda stood with the two guys. Then I had Linda stand with all of them.

"Please send us a copy of the photo," one of the brothers ask.

"No problem."

They all went back to talking and laughing. I saw Walt and his wife talking to a couple and went to check on him.

"James. I would like for you to meet Chuck Winston. He represents many of the designers of menswear we will be carrying. I know him from New York."

"Hello, Mr. Winston," I said and shook his hand.

"Just call me Chuck."

"He is the owner of the men's designer activewear store that is opening in our group of stores," Walt said.

"I have been so busy I am not sure what all the other stores are going to be," I said.

"Ms. Williams contacted me several months ago on Walt's recommendation. I know Walt from New York. After talking to Ms. Williams, I talked to Walt. I think what you are doing here is a good idea and will attract buyers from the entire region," Chuck said. "I decided instead of just being a buyer, I would open a store. I could never do that in New York."

"We hope we attract buyers from all over the region," I replied. "We are happy you are here."

"You will. After talking to Ms. Williams' people and Walt, I decided to open a store and invest in my retirement. I have the store next to the fur store. We will be carrying fashion activewear and sportswear for men. We will be opening next weekend."

"That sounds great. Will that store be large enough?" I asked.b

"Yes, it will. Walt and I were just discussing showcasing each other's clothing in our stores."

"If Walt thinks that is a good idea, I am glad we can do it."

"It will be a good mix," Walt said. "We can show some of his items and recommend them to our customers, and he will show some of our wonderful suits and recommend them."

"Sounds great. Let me get a shot of all of you."

Walt pulled his wife in, and I got a photo of the four of them.

"Chuck, I will send you a copy of the photo," Walt said.

"Thanks. Walt, I think you are much happier now that you are out of New York."

"I am going to enjoy my retirement here!" Walt exclaimed.

"In ten more years, I may move here with you!" Chuck said.

"Chuck? How long will you be in town?" I asked.

"I am staying the week and working until after the Grand Opening Saturday."

"Good. I'll come by and get some more photos for the website."

I left them talking and walked around. There were still small groups of people talking and drinking.

About 1:00, Dawn found me.

"They are about to close everything down," she said. "Our parents have already left."

"Good, it has been a long day."

Linda's marketing people began walking around to everyone still there, telling them things were closing down. Everyone began to leave slowly. By 1:30, the only people still there were Sherri, Brenda, and my girls. Linda and Rachel were still talking to the guys from France.