Right on cue at eleven fifty, Nikki's phone rings. Her partner in crime asking "are you ready for lunch?" This way they both have time to finish what they were working on and meet at the elevators for the lunch hour. Nikki laughs, then answers her phone because she "knows who it is and is ready." She answers the phone smiling "Palm Beach Financial, Nikki speaking, how may I help you?"
"Are you ready for lunch?" her best friend and partner in crime asks.
"Yes," I'm ready, I will meet you at the elevators in ten minutes," Nikki said before hanging up the phone. This way both girls clean up their desk, then meet at the elevators right at twelve o'clock so they can head down to the café on the first floor for lunch together. Who could ask for anything more than to work with your best friend?
Walking into the cafe on the first floor, they grabbed their lunch and then look for an empty table. For some reason, it took a little longer than normal. Most likely due to the upcoming Christmas party being held The Breakers and formal attire required this year. The Women were wearing Long gowns and men in black tie tuxes. Everyone is talking about "if they are going, what are they wearing, what big clients or famous people were going to show this year.
As the "top financial agency" in Palm Beach, Florida, their clients are some of the top business names around and a few famous people. There is "always" some big names that show up for the Christmas party that only seems to show up "once a year" for the party. Palm Beach is "always" a popular place during the holidays. The warm weather in South Florida normal temperatures are a mild eighty-five degree, and for the beach-goers, the water is about seventy-eight degrees, "perfect bath water."
"Please tell me you are going to show up to the Christmas party on Saturday?" You "always" seem to find a way to get out of "not going" to these things Amy said
I "don't know. Besides, I don't have anything to wear that is formal for this year's party. This isn't just a nice dinner party kind of dress." I know I do well off here, but I don't have the extra money to buy a dress that I will probably never wear again." I just had to give my parents money for a new roof. It took all I had in savings. It seems like anytime I "get ahead" someone in my family calls asking for money.
"Why?" do you give them the money. "You are not their banker." Besides, has "anyone ever paid you back?" a penny of what they have borrowed?" Amy said.
"No,' but how do you expect your parents to pay back what they borrowed? I mean they struggled to put me through college, the least I could do is give them the money when they ask for it Nikki said between bites.
"OK," I get it, you "don't expect your parents to pay them back the money, but what about the rest of your family? You are not required to give your siblings or anyone else in your family any money." Look at it this way Amy says, if you don't have the money to lose because they aren't going to pay you back, then you shouldn't give it to them. When my family calls asking for money, If I can't afford to get the money back, then I tell them no. Yes, it will make them mad at me, but I "don't care."
I mean if there is nothing "medically wrong or life and death" that they need money, then "don't" give it to them. They can work hard and "save up" just as "you do." You don't "owe" them anything. Really, you "don't owe" your parents anything either, but I "do understand why" you give your parents money.
Well, "if" I can find a gown "reasonably priced," then yes I will go to the party, but "if not" then I won't be going," Nikki said.
Fine, "what time do you want me to pick you up?" in the morning to go dress shopping Amy asked.
Nikki sighed and said how about nine o'clock. We can stop and get coffee "before" we start the
the agony of dress shopping."
Next thing they know someone slid into the chair next to Amy. They both looked over to see their co-worker Jason sitting there with a smile on his face.
"What are you smiling about?" Nikki asked.
Well, are you going to the party tomorrow night?" he asked them. Jason had the "biggest crush" on Amy, but she either "didn't care or didn't know" that he liked her. She "always" just shrugged it off when someone said something to her about it. It might be the fact they work together and sometimes that is a "hard-line" to cross.
"None the less," Amy just smiled at him and said "yes I am" while looking at Nikki.
What about you Nikki? "Are you are going too?" he asked.
I don't know" I "don't have" a dress. I was telling Amy I "might not" go, but she's "determined" to get me to go," Nikki said.
"Well, I think you "should go. It will be fun." I heard "Ryan Jones would be there," he said. He knew that Nikki "had the hots for the man" and maybe that would help "change her mind."
Oh, that's "nice," she said trying not to smile, but again, "if I can't find a dress at a reasonable price, then I won't be going," she said.
Amy spoke up and said they were meeting in the morning to go dress shopping.
Jason smiled at Amy and said, "that's nice, but I think I can help with this problem. My sister Denise owns The Gala in Palm Beach. I'll call her and tell her to hook you up." Let me call her right now, then he pulled his phone out of his pocket and started dialing.
Hey, how's it going, "I need a favor?" he said to his sister smiling. Remember when I told you our Christmas party this year is at "The Breakers and its formal attire," Well, I have a "good friend" I work with that "needs a dress last-minute." If she came by the shop tomorrow morning, could you "hook her up?" I mean give her the "full treatment," he said. "Yes, I mean everything." "Thanks," he said, hung up, and slid his phone back in his pocket.
The girls just looked at each other "in shock" that he just did that for Nikki.
"Your all set," he said smiling. "Do you know where The Gala is?" he asked?
"Yes," they both said at the same time.
OK, then be there at nine-thirty tomorrow morning and my sister Denise will "take care of you" with "everything you will need" for the party. Jason then stood up and walked away. As he was leaving, he said I would see you "both" tomorrow night.
"Oh my god, what just happened?" I mean I know he has "a thing for you," but why is he going "out of his way to help me?" Nikki asked
He's just Jason is "just that type of guy." So, I will be at your place at nine o'clock tomorrow morning. Make sure you "get some rest" tonight because we are going to take full "advantage of shopping at The Gala," Amy said as she stood up to empty her tray.
Hopefully, she has a "sales rack, because I can't afford a high-priced dress just to wear for one night," Nikki said standing up too.
Look, you "heard him tell his sister to take care of you," so I'm sure she will "give you a good deal." I still need something nice to wear under my dress and shoes. So get ready to "shop till we drop" tomorrow Amy said laughing.
So we shop all day, and then I'm "dog tired" for the party. "Great, just great," Nikki said laughing.
They both rode the elevator back up to their floor, then went their separate ways.
