Now the story starts with my wife in her SUV, she is sitting in the front and looking at pictures from the year before (most likely 2 years from now), back then she bought some expensive clothes and was looking at the pictures, She was so impressed with them and all the attention she got from them, she looked to see which picture got the most replies and what she was wearing in them so as to get an idea what she would buy this year to get more attention.
Erica at that point in time was the biggest New York socialite, she had so many followers because everyone knew her family and in order to keep up the status she had to have the latest and the most expensive of everything. Erica was determined that this year she will hit an all time high with even more expensive clothes. Out the car and into the Boutique.
Beauty and Riches was the kind of Boutique that when the glass doors spin open, the smell of imported jasmine makes any woman smile and open all wallets and purses, especially those with unshakeable credit limits. Today is 21st of March, the exact date last year Erica was here and to but the exact same collection of clothes. Erica walked in with so much confidence because everyone knew her family by name, her reflection on every marble floor as she passed and it was 9:00 AM — exactly the same time.
"The spring collection just arrived this morning, Miss Erica," the floor manager gently said, gesturing toward a rack of silk and structured wool. "I've already set aside the best of the best and all in your size. I am sure they were made for you".
To the staff, she was "The Princess of the Estate." To the other shoppers, women who carried bags worth more than Noah's entire lab, she was the girl to emulate.
Erica didn't smile, it looked like it was normal and even if she felt happy they had put aside clothes for her, this wasn't new. Shopping wasn't just a hobby; it was the only way she knew how to feel substantial and despite it had something deeper in it she never told anybody. She spent an hour in the dressing room, a flurry of fabric and mirrors. She tried on a crimson evening gown that clung to her like a second skin, a sexy late night strap that showed all her curves to go to the club with and a pair of heels that added four inches to her height.
The bag was the exactly the same color as the gown and match certain colors in the strap, its design-driven silhouettes was Erica's favorite and she knew it would match some of her other clothes.
"Looks exactly how I will be going to the opening of 'Horizontal Pleasure' next week." A new Club she had heard and was invited to grace the opening. The second reason she came for the spring collection. She looked at the price tags on all of them and didn't even calculate to know the total but believed to herself regardless of what it was she can pay because to Erica there was no such a thing as spending too much.
Outside the fitting room, a small crowd of "elites" paused to watch. Waiting to see how the clothes fit. Erica knew this and like last year decided to wear the new clothes to go and pay for them. So she puts the clothes she wore coming to the store in the nylons the new ones came in and came out looking like a new more elegant person.
"She looks like a goddess," one whispered. "Margaret's daughter always has the best eye," another agreed. "She can afford to wear them as she comes out as she knows she can already afford whatever the price is, some of us have to make sure it clears before we take them" the last one said.
Erica looked at herself in the three-way mirror. For a moment, the face changed to a wide smile. She felt powerful. She felt like a billion dollars. 'Yes' she thought to herself also noticing people looking at her, she kept turning to different angles before walking to the counter.
"I'll take everything," she said, walking towards the maple styled checkout counter. "I want the strap, the gown, the bags and Heels."
The total on the screen was forty two thousand dollars. "Close to the same amount from last year" Erica smiled and said. She slid her black titanium card across the counter with a practiced flick of the wrist.
The cashier swiped it. A pause, a high-pitched, electronic beep, the error kind.
The cashier knowing she was reluctant to give it back but she knew the rules and whispered as she said to her "I'm sorry, Miss Erica," her face reddening. "It says 'Contact Issuer.' Let me try again."
The second swipe was louder. The silence in the store was deafening. The other women, the ones who had just been admiring her stopped talking. They all knew the sound as she wasn't the first person they had heard a declined card from.
Erica felt a bead of sweat at her hairline. "Declined," the cashier said, This time with a little more confidence as she knew the rules of where she worked (No favoritism). "The bank has placed a hard block on the account."
Erica's heart skipped a beat. She pulled out her phone and dialed Margaret. Ring, Ring then Voicemail, dialed a second time with anger, Ring, Ring then again Voicemail. "My mother is likely in a meeting," Erica said, her voice shaking but her chin held high. "This has to be a mistake."
"I'm sure it has to be," the manager said, but the "Miss Erica" was gone from his tone. His eyes were now cold, assessing the situation. He knew what has happened as he has seen it before and knew when this happens it never changes. He knew that one day all privileged sons and daughters will be cut off by their parents and there will be excuses and it was in his best interest not to listen to them. He knew those that worked for their money and those who didn't and Erica didn't.
"But until the payment clears, I'm afraid we have to return the items to the floor." The man says in tone mimicking a polite person. Not taking any chances or giving her room to make excuses.
Back to the dressing room for Erica, shame can make a simple walk so long you think of your whole life whilst taking one. She stumbles a bit just before the room in the new heels. She could feel the stares, pity from the staff, and sharp, jagged judgment from the other socialites. She had gone from a goddess to a "declined" girl in under sixty seconds. She also knew she couldn't make a scene as that will also appear on social media as everyone in the store will record it. So with the little Dignity she had left She obeyed and took off the clothes.
As she walked out of the store empty-handed, the realization hit her like a physical blow. Her mother had done it this time, to her this time her mother had gone too far. She was in rage and her first instinct is revenge.
Erica sat in her SUV, she tried to hold it inside but self control was not one of her talents, She start by shouting and then cursing. Both were so loud that even though the car windows were shut people outside could still hear her. Some people saw her and stopped wondering if everything was ok, one elderly woman did the sign of the cross whilst passing thinking Erica was possessed. After all the veins in her head was showing and she was sweating and tired she thought to herself and decided what to do.
Erica decides she has to take the fight back to her mother, opens her phone and finds the Family lawyer.
"Arthur, I need to see you now" Erica demands.
"I will be at The First Oak Lounge in 30 minutes" Arthur replies.
She grips the steering wheel with both hands, with so much rage and no new clothes she steps on the pedal and drives with speed straight to the Lounge.
I wonder what will happen when she meets Arthur?