Simone looked over at Rachel. “I think we need to get some food into you before we do anything else.” Simone took Rachel’s elbow and led her to Le Zoo. She didn’t want Rachel to faint in any of the boutique stores.
Rachel didn’t have much of an appetite, but as soon as she saw the menu, her salivary glands kicked in. “I have absolutely no idea what to have.” She combed the menu.
“Hello, Jacques,” Simone greeted the ma?tre d’Apparently, she was a regular.
“Bonjour, madam. Lovely to see you.” Jacques nodded at Simone, then at Rachel. “We’re between lunch and dinner menus, but I am sure the chef can accommodate you.”
“Jacques, we don’t have a lot of time. We have much shopping to do before the stores close. Can you ask the chef to make a salad ni?oise for us?”
“Tout de suite.” Jacques bowed and went immediately to the kitchen.
“Oh, love, I hope you don’t mind that I ordered for both of us? It will be just enough to fill you up and perk you up. A little fish protein is good, and it should be easy for you to eat.” Simone looked around the opulent restaurant.
“May I ask another question?” Rachel inquired with a slight hesitation. She didn’t want to blow it.
“Of course, love.” Simone smiled, a smile that virtually duplicated Rachel’s new one. “I am here to help you prepare. And as I said, if I do not feel the question is appropriate, I will not answer it.”
“I understand.” Rachel continued, “After we finish shopping, where will I be staying tonight? Will I go back to The Haven?”
“No, love. You may never return to The Haven. But not to worry. You will be well looked after. As for tonight, you will be staying in an apartment in Miami Beach. It belongs to one of The Haven’s benefactors.”
“A benefactor? I don’t think I’m ready for that.” Rachel’s nerves woke up.
“Oh no, love. They don’t live there. They simply own it. The Haven has use of it for circumstances such as this. We need to keep you on track, and it’s much more convenient this way. Plus, you and I will be able to spend more time together preparing you.”
Rachel was still confused, but she was enjoying the attention and the new smile. She was practically drooling over the idea of real, good food. Not that the food at The Haven was bad. It was just outright boring.
Within a short time, a waiter brought their salads and a bottle of Perrier. “No bread. Oui?”
“Oui, no bread.” Simone smiled back at the waiter.
“One more question, if I may?” Rachel was catching on quickly.
“Yes, love?”
Rachel looked down at the hand Simone was touching. “My ring. Do I get to keep the ring?”
“Of course, love. That’s our secret way of recognizing each other,” Simone reassured her.
“But you aren’t wearing one.” Rachel immediately regretted saying those words. “My apologies. That was not an appropriate statement.”
Indeed a quick study, Simone thought. “That is true. I’m in a different part of the organization.” Simone brought that conversation to an abrupt halt. Rachel knew when to quit.
After they finished their meal, Simone nodded at the waiter, who cleared their plates. “Shall we?” Simone rose from her chair.
“I am ready! And you were correct. I feel much better. Thank you.” Rachel was working very hard at speaking well. She also noticed that the waiter never brought the check. She was about to remind Simone that they hadn’t paid their bill, but she thought better of it. Simone was the woman in charge. She must have known what she was doing.
For several hours, they moved from one luxury boutique to another, creating a new wardrobe for Rachel, complete from head to toe. The clothes would be delivered the next day to the condominium where they were spending the night. Rachel felt like Cinderella. She just hoped she didn’t turn into a pumpkin at midnight.
Simone sent a text to their driver to pick them up in front of Saks Fifth Avenue. “Tired, love?” Simone asked.
“I am,” Rachel replied. “This has been quite a day.”
“There’s more tomorrow, so you will need a good night’s sleep.” Simone waited for the driver to open the doors for them and assist them into the SUV. “We should be there in about twenty minutes.”
The drive down Collins Avenue was spectacular. Rachel was mesmerized by the glamour and the glitter. As promised, the SUV pulled into the drive of a very modern luxury building. It was Faena House, one of the most exclusive and expensive condominium buildings on the beach. Rachel stared up at the curved fa?ade of the balconies. This time, she actually pinched herself. “We are here,” Simone stated as she waited for the driver to open their doors.
Rachel tried to contain her excitement. The cool air and the scent of something expensive filled the lobby. It was a heady experience.
The gentleman at the reception desk greeted them. “Good evening, Miss Jordan, Miss Steward.” Rachel was taken aback that he knew her name.
“Good evening, Bentley,” Simone responded. Rachel echoed her as they made their way to the elevators. Rachel resisted the temptation to say, “Wow!” as she took in the atmosphere. It exuded money. Lots of it.
Simone pressed the elevator button that said PENTHOUSE. Rachel was holding her breath. She wasn’t sure why, but the entire day had been one incredible surprise after another. What can be behind those doors? she asked herself, as Simone clicked open the security locks.
Simone entered as if it was something she did on a regular basis. A small remote control was sitting on a table next to the front door. She clicked it several times, which brought up the lights and the shades. Another two clicks, and soft jazz music started to play throughout the rooms. Rachel could no longer contain herself. She spoke in a hushed voice, “Oh my God. This is spectacular.”
“Yes. Quite,” Simone agreed. She picked up her phone and sent a text to someone but didn’t say to whom. Her phone beeped a few seconds later. She read the reply and placed the phone back in her Louis Vuitton bag. “Come. I shall show you your room.”
Rachel was trying not to gawk, but there were so many things to look at. The breathtaking view was the perfect backdrop for the fine art, sculpture, and lavish exotic flower arrangements. It was another magazine reference for Rachel. During her waitressing days, she had seen copies of Architectural Digest several times when she was checking out a newsstand. By the looks of the cover, she knew it represented a world completely different from her own. She didn’t dare to peruse it.
Rachel followed Simone down the hallway to a large bedroom with a queen-size bed, a large walk-in closet, a lavish bathroom, and a view of the Miami skyline. Simone opened the closet and pulled out a pair of pajamas. “These should probably fit you.” She handed Rachel the silk garments. “There is a robe and towels in the bathroom.” Rachel stood and stared at her blankly.
“This is where I am sleeping?” Rachel was all atwitter.
“Yes, my love. Now go get yourself cleaned up and get some sleep. Tomorrow will be another busy day for you. I will be right across the hall if you need anything.”