On the second floor, in addition to Charlottes bedroom and the guest room, there was a rather strange room, which, apparently, was intended as an office with a library. But Charlotte's entire library consisted of a stack of glossy magazines and several romance novels in paperback, travel format books that you wouldn't mind forgetting on the train. As for the office, it seems that she fulfilled and exceeded the daily work quota during the day, and preferred to relax at home. But how to relax I looked in confusion at a piece of floor about two by two yards, covered with something like rubber stitched with metal. For some reason there was no desire to attack there. What could it be? Whatever! From a treadmill to a magical version of some hellish computer shooter. ? black matte wall opposite? Very similar to the screen of a turned off TV or laptop! Not counting the size if this is really a screen, then it will be of the mega-cool home theater class.
To enable or not to enable? the last piece of pizza went into my stomach with pleasant satiety, and I waved my hand: ?, tomorrow!
The screen lit up.
Tomorrow we will have a pleasant sunny day, the announcer said. Her trouser suit, azure with a turquoise tint, would do justice to the trends of the season, and her smile would serve as an excellent advertisement for some advanced magical dentistry. No precipitation, northwest wind, from weak to moderate. Air temperature at night
To hell with the weather, I said gloomily. After all, I wasnt going to turn it on at all! Although now at least it is clear that this is a TV, and not some
event poster? asked the doll-announcer.
Turn off. I have to go to work.
I got there and Im arguing with the TV! What's next? Will the washing machine enslave me, or what replaces them here? By the way, you should check your wardrobe. It looks like a closet in the bedroom.
The TV turned off as soon as I stepped beyond the threshold of the room. Apparently, before this happy moment, he hoped that I would change my mind
The closet was bursting with a wide variety of clothes. But, in the best tradition of jokes, my first reaction was a classic feminine one:
Theres nothing to wear!
Charlotte clearly spared no expense on the latest fashionable items. Although I had a hard time imagining how they would fit with the chilly autumn weather: slush, rain and fog. Short flared skirts and open sundresses, tight T-shirts and tops. A dozen cocktail and evening dresses too open, provocatively revealing. Everything is bright, evoking thoughts of the beach, dance parties and even dates. Yes, probably this fuchsia color should suit me I held the dress to me and nodded approvingly, looking in the mirror. Or that cornflower blue one But, my God, not for work!
Trousers were conditionally suitable for work conditionally, because I would have preferred black or neutral beige, rather than the red-brown ones I was wearing today, or the bright blue, olive and crimson ones hanging in the closet. Raspberry pants! Nightmare!
And not a single one, NOT ONE! Classic blouse. Not white or anything like that.
Yes, if you show up at the department in this crimson horror and sticking beacon Its surprising that the professor is only hiding behind a newspaper, in his place I would probably crawl under the table.
Decidedly going downstairs to the bonus cards scattered all over the table, I found a business card of either an atelier or a boutique I didnt even bother to look into it. She squeezed, desperately thinking about a strict work outfit black trousers of a classic cut, a white blouse fitted, tailored to the figure, but closed and modest.
It jerked as if someone had roughly pulled my hand. And I ended up apparently still in the studio. A rack with fabric samples, a display case with buttons, lace, fasteners
And either the hostess or the master, plump, at first glance, attractive to me, who smiled affably at me and asked with frank curiosity:
Miss Blair? What's wrong?! So suddenly and so strikingly different from your usual orders!
I want to impress a man with certain tastes, I answered honestly. It is always better to hide the big truth, putting forward a small and not the most important part of it
Oh-oh-oh I understand! Now well dress you up, Miss Blair, no doubt, the chosen one will be impressed and smitten.
Oh yes, Im smitten, I thought gloomily. Meanwhile, I found myself standing on the same platform from which I almost shied away from at home and opposite, another Charlotte Blair wove out of thin air. Like in a mirror, but three-dimensional. And already on her materialized the same blouse I had presented and black formal trousers a little narrower than I wanted, but they emphasized her figure so well that I could not resist and nodded.
We need to change the top, the master shook her head (still a master? And what a shame, I have no idea how to address her, but Charlotte probably knows!). Like this, look.
The darts at the waist lengthened, and the blouse fit exactly to the figure, almost the same shape as all of Charlotte's beacons. The turn-down collar was replaced by a stand-up collar, the top buttons were not a cutout, but as if in a hurry, they simply werent fastened all the way. The strict style has become defiantly sexy. No, its not suitable for work But I couldnt refuse.
Great, but a strict classical one is also needed.
Strict classical ones can be very different, the master smiled. Let's see what suits you best.
The next hour no less! we went through the styles. In the end, my eyes were filled with ruffles, inserts, embroideries, brooches But the main thing is that I really couldnt choose! Almost everything looked simply wonderful. Even immediately excluding models with lots of lace and puffy collars, I was literally torn. Until she mentally waved her hand: Charlottes account did not allow for such excesses, she said that day: Manage your money boldly, Charlotte never lived only on her salary. My father has his own business, he paid for all major expenses. Although the salary at the Panacea Academy is significant, even for an assistant.
The bell above the front door rang melodiously, and she stepped inside I didnt dare call her a middle-aged woman, more like a fairy. Light, thin, in an airy dark gray dress, so elegant and at the same time surprisingly simple that you cant help but fall in love. Light wavy strands spilled out of a lush bun and framed a thin, beautiful face. And no makeup, I thought enchanted, but she looks amazing. Everyone would do that. Magic? How old is she really? A little over forty?
Im sorry, Grisella, I saw that you were still open. Good evening. Shall I interfere? the fairy woman looked at me with eyes as amazing as all of her clear, bright, as if sunny, and suddenly smiled softly. Miss Blair. What an unexpected meeting.
Miss Norwood! the master exclaimed in amazement, turning around. Sabella, dear, how long have you been gone! Come on in, don't stand on the threshold. Cup of coffee? Tea? Its always open for you, you know.
Norwood?! Really oh my God, the dry-haired professor has such a mother?! Or is it my sister?
Good evening, I answered as neutrally as possible, so as not to betray my ignorance. It sounded warm it was impossible not to smile in response to the smile of this amazing woman, who was endearing at first glance. Ive already chosen everything, so
And she stammered in confusion. Politeness required assuring that no, you wont interfere in any way, and in general its time for me to go, but to leave when the opportunity to find out something about the professor almost falls from the sky?! Even if the journalists habits didnt resist, Im not such a fool! But also to impose on communication, not knowing everything that Charlotte probably knows