Noon rolled around quickly, and anxious to escape the awkwardness that had set in at the alcove, Mandy grabbed her bag and said a sheepish good bye to Meghan and Jen. She felt bad leaving the two girls to cover her, but then again she was now Justin’s Property, and Justin had requested she go shopping with Ally today. Clearly, Justin found this more important than her working in the office.
As Mandy approached Ally’s desk, she quickly shut off her computer and grabbed her purse, smiling all the while. Ally seemed perpetually happy.
“Are you always this happy?” Mandy asked, unable to stop the words from coming out of her mouth.
Ally didn’t look bothered in the least. “Yes, I guess I am. I don’t know. It’s just my personality!” She shrugged as they stepped into the parking lot, Ally’s pointy and expensive heels click-clacketing across the asphalt. As always, Ally was perfectly coiffed. Not a hair out of place in her sleek ponytail, and her charcoal grey pencil skirt complimented her blue blouse perfectly.
“I’ll drive,” Ally said in her chipper voice, and Mandy was relieved. She climbed into Ally’s Audi and they sped off towards King’s Lake. King’s Lake was a forty minute drive, but Mandy didn’t have to say much as Ally was more than happy to carry on the conversation. She chattered on about all the stores they were going to visit, as well as the ones they would stay away from. She debated on what to have for lunch, salads or sushi, and where to park the car, at Nordstrom or Neiman Marcus?
Mandy smiled and nodded at the appropriate moments and she was more than happy to listen to Ally. As they neared the mall, Ally began talking about the costume party, which reminded Mandy that she needed to ask about buying an outfit.
“I wanted to ask you. Is this an occasion where I need to buy a new outfit? Or can I just find something that I have at home?” she asked, as she played with her nails.
Ally giggled, “Do you happen to have a ball gown lying around at home?”
“Ball gown?” Mandy screeched, “I thought it was a costume party!”
Ally nodded solemnly, as if explaining something of great importance. “Yes, it a costume party, but think of it as a masked ball.”
Rolling her eyes, Mandy sunk back into the seat. Of course this couldn’t be a party where she wore all black with some cat ears and a tail. This was going to be a full out event.
“Don’t worry. It’s on my list of things to pick up today. You’re going to have to look ravishing considering that you’re the — “
“Property. Yadda, yadda, yadda,” Mandy said, cutting her off.
“Mandy do you know just how big an honor this is?” Ally admonished.
“What I do know is that it’s becoming more of a nuisance by the hour,” she said. “I don’t know why I even agreed to the damn thing,” she muttered under her breath.
“Do you know how many of us would die to be the Property?” Ally asked shrilly, her normal peppy voice gone.
“Then why aren’t any of you?” Mandy burst out, unable to hold in her feelings. “I don’t get it! Why did Justin choose me? I’m not nearly as pretty as any of you and I dress like crap! All of you look perfect! I don’t fit in at all. I can’t figure out what Justin sees in me!” Mandy knew she sounded like a petulant child, but she couldn’t help herself. She had been wrestling with these thoughts since the day she walked into McIntyre Technologies.
Ally pulled into a parking space and shut the car off before turning to look at Mandy directly. Embarrassed, Mandy looked out the window so she wouldn’t have to meet Ally’s gaze.
“It’s clear to the rest of us. Why isn’t it clear to you?” Ally asked softly, almost to herself. Mandy felt uncomfortable, as if she should be having this conversation with Justin instead.
“He chose you because you are far more interesting that the rest of us. We all threw ourselves at him, but you didn’t. He’s used to idiots like us throwing ourselves at him. You have character. Not that the rest of us don’t, but you are certainly more charming than me, Meghan or Jen.”
Mandy rolled her eyes; that was definitely not true.
“Don’t roll your eyes! It’s the truth! You can handle Justin. None of us could handle him the way you do, and while we envy you, we know deep down it’s the truth. Do you think Meghan could take his orders and do what you are doing behind closed doors and then come back out and do her job? Of course not! And neither could Jen. She’d be flitting around the office, buzzing like a bee, unable to focus. You are exactly what Justin is looking for. Someone who can handle his personality, meet his demands and desires and then come into the office and do your job.”