Richard nodded then he expelled his breath and on his face was a look of relief. He rose and stretched out a hand to his partner in crime. "Roman, as of the first week of July my daughter is in your hands. Let's shake on that." There was a twinkle in his gray eyes as he smiled. "I just hope you know what you're getting yourself into.”
Roman grasped Richard's hand. “Don't you worry about that. By the time I'm done your Serena will be a new woman." He smiled, full of confidence, as he released the man's hand. "You can trust me on that.”
******
Serena listened distractedly as her friends chattered away. Her mind was not with Tammy and Jan today. Graduation was just two days away and she was looking forward to her father flying from Toronto to be with her in New York for the ceremony. The day after graduation she would go back home with him where she guessed he would throw her a massive 'surprise' party. She knew what was coming so she'd have to start practicing her 'Oh, my gosh. I'm so surprised' look. Serena chuckled to herself. Her dad was so predictable.
Her smile widened as she remembered something very important. She'd had a great four years at the exclusive Alexander University and would be graduating magna cum laude. Daddy would be sure to give her a wonderful gift for that. She was dying of curiosity, wondering what it would be. The sun-yellow Porsche she'd admired on her last trip home? Diamond earrings? What if it was that Ferrari she'd pointed out at the auto show? Serena could hardly contain her excitement but she bit her lip and stayed silent. No, she wouldn't blurt her ideas out to her friends. She really didn't know what the gift would be. The only thing she was sure of was that it was going to be expensive. It always was.
“Serena,” Tammy said petulantly as she pulled on her friend’s arm, “you haven’t heard a word I said, have you? I was asking if you wanted to go into Saks.”
“That's fine,” Serena said, slightly annoyed at being pulled out of her reverie.
“It’s only two days before graduation,” Jan said, raising her eyebrows at Serena. "Aren't you the least bit anxious since we haven't even bought our dresses yet?"
“We’ll be wearing graduation robes,” Serena said, rolling her eyes. "Nobody will see our dresses." Right then she wasn't interested in anything as mundane as a dress.
“We’re going to take our robes off sometime, aren't we?” Jan pressed.
Serena sighed then turned her attention to her friends. She'd much rather head for the Gucci store to look at handbags or do her shopping at Prada but she felt a pang of guilt. She'd been ignoring them all day. Time to make them happy. “You’re right,” she conceded. "We need to get some new clothes. Let's go."
The shopping trip was pleasant and by the time Serena and her friends were finished she had six new outfits. She knew she only needed one for the graduation ceremony but the others had looked so beautiful she just couldn’t resist the temptation of taking them too. And anyway, it was no big deal. She had a platinum card and her Dad took care of the bills every month. She didn’t even see the statements. They were all sent straight to his office for payment.
“I’m tired,” Tammy said, yawning, as they headed towards Serena’s Mercedes Benz SUV. They were all loaded down with shopping bags.
“And I’m hungry,” Jan piped up. “We haven’t eaten since eleven o’clock and it’s almost seven now.”
“I heard of a new Chinese restaurant that opened up on 49th Street,” Serena said. “Let’s have dinner there. My treat.”
The restaurant and the food were as exquisite as Serena had heard. The oriental tapestries that covered the walls were of rich black and red embroidered velvet and the wine-colored carpet was plush beneath her sandaled feet. The food was brought in ornately decorated silver bowls and, placed before each of them, were little plates that were toasty-warm to the touch. Steam rose from the various bowls, filling the air with a mélange of delectable aromas, tangy, spicy and savory. Then the server brought a small wicker basket covered with a soft white napkin and the sweet smell of fresh-baked bread wafted towards them. Tammy picked up a tiny egg roll and popped it into her mouth.
“Delicious,” she said, licking her fingers delicately. “You couldn’t have picked a better place.”
“I told you it would be great.” Serena winked at her. “But just remember that diet you’re supposed to be on. No appetizers for you.”
Tammy groaned. “Please. Don’t remind me.” She looked longingly at the basket of bread rolls in the middle of the table then sighed. “You’re right. I definitely can’t afford to gain back those twenty pounds I practically killed myself to take off.”
Jan chuckled and leaned over and gave her shoulder a squeeze. “You’ll be alright, Tammy. We’ll make sure you stay on track. That’s what friends are for.”
After their hunger had been assuaged the friends relaxed, sipping green tea and coffee. They were in no hurry to get back to the university. After all, tomorrow was Saturday and they would have a chance to sleep in late. They were deep in conversation when a shadow fell across the table. They looked up. There standing over them was Chad Thornwell, the university jock, a guy so full of himself it was a wonder he hadn’t fallen in love with…Chad Thornwell. Then again, maybe he had.
“Hey, Beautiful,” he said, eyes trained on Serena, “wanna hook up before graduation?” Then he stood there, muscular arms folded, grinning down at her. He looked so smug with his spiky blonde hair and bright blue spandex top that showed off every cut of his chest muscles. The glint in his eyes and the self-satisfied curl of his lips told a girl everything she needed to know. This guy thought he was God’s special gift to womankind. Period.
Tammy and Jen, forever in awe of the college stud, looked at Serena and giggled. Then they started preening for him, Jan straightening her back so her tiny br**sts could finally be seen in her loose sweater and Tammy dabbing daintily at her lips with her napkin and peeking up at him with wide, worshipful eyes.