Shopping

08: Shopping

Ms. Baker stood by the glass wall surveying the river and city. As Fiona entered the room she found that the woman resonated with confidence. When Ms. Baker turned and smiled, Fee felt emotionally disarmed. Fiona had changed into a spring dress, light sweater and boots. Ms. Baker turned in a very genuine and matter of fact way she smiled at Fiona, "Beautiful."

"Yes, I never get tired of that view." Fiona smiled as well, breaking eye contact and looking beyond Ms. Baker.

Jane smiled lightly, "No, Ms. Donovan, you misunderstood me. I meant you. Are you ready?"

Fiona flushed with gratitude. She was no stranger to compliments both genuine and ingenuine and her social IQ was high. She liked very much that Ms. Baker was direct and genuine. "Thank you, yes I am ready."

As they moved to the car Ms. Baker pressed Fiona for information to get her started. "Ms. Donovan I don't mean to bombard you, but I need some information to help me with my job. I'll send you a detailed list of questions and requests later and you can get me the information electronically. For now I'll give you the overview. Okay?"

"Yes Ms. Baker. No problem."

"I'll need you to send me a list of the names of the top five individuals in both business and your personal life that you come in contact with and how many hours a week you see them."

"I'd like to know if you had any conflicts with employees, acquaintances, or friends in the past 18 months. Nothing is too small to mention."

"I would like access to your last two complete physicals." Jane paused here, smiling and softening her business-like tone. "If you are uncomfortable with any of these requests Ms. Donovan, simply decline. If I feel like the information is imperative I will let you know. Otherwise, you are the boss." The women slipped into the car and Jane continued her line of requests. "I'd like to know what your normal working day looks like, in terms of hours and location, and what it feels like in terms of personal strain."

"I will, of course, need full access to your work calendar and business contacts. I would appreciate full access to your personal contact list as well. For Saturday's dinner I will attend but I will contact your host and stay in the background of the event. You don't need to worry about any logistics. I will not intrude on your night."

Fiona smiled in appreciation and nodded as she followed along.

"I would like to know in advance if you will be attending functions with an escort so I can prepare for security for both of you. So for your dinner this weekend, if you're comfortable, I'd like to know who your date is. I will complete a security check unless you indicate that you are uncomfortable with that. I will not, however, exchange any personal information about your escort that isn't relevant or necessary."

Jane smiled softly as Fee processed,"I know it's a lot, is that okay with you Ms. Donovan? Do I have your permission?"

Before Fee could answer Jane's phone chimed with an incoming message,"Pardon me Ms. Donovan, I apologize." She read the text quickly and touched the phone link opening up a call. Fiona watched and listened in awe at Ms. Baker's side of the conversation. Ms. Baker was professional, almost clinical in her responses.

"Good afternoon Isabel, thank you so much for taking the time. We will arrive within a half hour. We will be looking for 3 to 5 options for a formal dinner at the home of a professional. Not an event, formal and semi-social."

"The attire should be classic but also youthful. Ms. Donovan is an established business woman and philanthropist representing a large corporation but her dress should also reflect a freshness that young and old alike are attracted to. She's 28 but looks more like 26 when she smiles. She will not have any problem charming those in attendance."

Ms. Baker shifted slightly and took in Fiona from head to toe. Fiona turned so she would not stare at Ms. Baker as she described her. She gazed out the window hoping Ms. Baker wouldn't see her flush with pleasure as she spoke over the phone.

"Ms. Donovan is 5'7", she has brown hair with deep rich layers of color highlighted with natural red ribbons. She wears a size four off the rack or a tailored six. She has a slim frame, toned, though nicely curved, small C. Green, but not striking, calm like the sea. Yes, Isabel she is, quite. Thank you again."

Ms. Baker ended the call and turned drawing Fiona's eyes back to her. "My apologies Ms. Donovan. I certainly don't mean to embarrass you but I have found my transparent nature helps to head off miscommunications."

"That's quite alright Ms. Baker. I'm not embarrassed, this has been the nicest car ride I've had in awhile." Fiona grinned, taking a few years off her appearance,"but I would like to ask you a question."

"Ms. Donovan, please ask any questions you'd like, some I will be able to answer and others not, but I'll always be honest in my responses." Jane smiled and waited expectantly.

"How old are you Ms. Baker?"

Jane chuckled lightly, "I, like you Ms. Donovan, have done very well for myself professionally. I am older than you but not by too much."

Fiona nodded in contemplation,"I have a request Ms. Baker. I understand that you are most comfortable addressing me as 'Ms. Donovan,' but if we are going to be working together closely I would feel much more comfortable calling you by your first name. Would you be willing to allow me to do that?"

Fiona was rewarded with a genuine smile that reached Ms. Baker's eyes. "Of course Ms. Donovan, my name is Jane. You may address me using my first name or my last name. I am comfortable with either. You're the 'boss' Ms. Donovan, I am here to keep you safe and help you navigate your world with ease."

"Thank you, Jane. I appreciate that."

Reggie pulled up to a small boutique in Georgetown, Amina Rubinacci. Jane turned to Fiona, "Ms. Donovan, our concierge has recommended this boutique. If, however, you don't feel they have what you're looking for we can go to any shop you would like to or contact PO1914 and get additional recommendations." Jane exited the car and waited as Reggie opened the door for Fiona."Reggie, we shouldn't be long." The boutique was small with a white storefront, modern and pristine. The clothing line was Italian made, luxury for women.

Once Jane entered she quickly scanned the small shop which was empty aside from the middle-aged owner Isabel and her assistant Heather who looked to be in her early 30s. Jane stepped forward,"Hello Isabel, I'm Ms. Baker, this is Ms. Donovan."

"Well, you were absolutely on point Ms. Baker! Stunning, quite!"

While Isabel and Heather took Fiona to the back of the store to look over their selections Jane called William. "We are currently shopping in Georgetown, thank you for the execution, it seems a perfect choice." Jane walked to the back of the store and saw Fiona looking into mirrors dressed in mid-thigh length, grey-scale cocktail dress. The fabric shimmered and the a-line dress laid perfectly on Fiona's body. The color and fabric resonated elegance and the cut and design spoke to Fiona's charm and attractiveness. She looked appropriately elegant and youthful for the Spring season. Finished with black heeled sandals she would look perfect.

Fee looked up and saw Jane's look of approval reflected in the mirror. She thought she saw more than just a look of approval flash through her eyes but it was so quick she couldn't be certain.

"Isabel, Heather,"Jane smiled as she approached,"You have truly outdone yourselves." The women grinned with pride and Heather flushed as Jane moved closer to her. Jane detected the subtle shift in Heather's breathing and smiled gratefully, holding eye contact for just a moment. Fee saw the exchange and was surprised by the jolt of jealousy that she felt.

"Ms. Donovan?" Jane redirected everyone's attention and focus. "Are you ready?"

Fiona nodded and moved to change back into her clothes. Jane turned to Isabel. "Thank you again. Would you please have the dress prepared and steamed? Someone will be by to pick it up tomorrow." Jane shifted her gaze to Heather, including her in the conversation,"When do you close?"

Heather smiled,"We close at 6:00pm but I will be here until 6:30 and I'm happy to stay longer if you need a later pick up."

"Thank you, Heather. That's very kind of you to be willing to wait for me. I'll call tomorrow to confirm the pick up." Jane smiled watching Heather's neck flush.

Jane and Fiona were sitting in Reggie's car and moving back into traffic. Fiona sat quietly enjoying the silence. "Ms. Donovan,"Jane interrupted her thoughts,"I just wanted to remind you that I will be sending you a detailed summary of my requests this evening. The timeliness of your response will help me, to help you."

Fiona smiled and nodded,"Of course Jane."

"And would you allow me to prepare security for Saturday for both you and your date?" Jane smiled and raised an eyebrow in expectation.

"Oh, yes, that." Fee grinned and laughed lightly. "The invitation was for me alone, I think Dr. Singleton is trying to set me up with his son, Alex."

Jane smiled too,"Well then, I think you made an appropriate choice in your dress. He doesn't stand a chance. I will, nonetheless, complete a security check on Alex." Fee nodded in understanding.

When the car arrived back at Fiona's condo Fee thanked Jane for her help and promised to follow up with the information Jane requested.

"My pleasure, Ms. Donovan, I have one more piece of business before I leave you for today." Jane looked into Fiona's eyes and face so she could gauge her comfort level. "My company has acquired a small flat half a block over from your condo. My intention is to move into that space for the duration of our contract so that I can be with you in a matter of moments if needed. You can maintain your privacy and personal space, but I will have direct access to you and your home. Will that degree of proximity be uncomfortable for you?"

Fee smiled at the thought of Jane close to her. "No, Jane. That doesn't make me uncomfortable. Quite the opposite, thank you."

Through the car window Jane could see the security team finishing up the installation of the security measures at the home's entry points. "I will leave you for today then, please watch for my email. The security team will walk you through the new system. It takes only moments to master."

Jane took Fiona's hand in hers and squeezed it firmly before she exited the car and left for the day. "Thank you again Ms. Donovan. It's truly been my pleasure. I will be back for you." .

Fee sat in the car for a moment feeling a little dazed. The day moved so quickly and it was tied together through Ms. Baker so nicely that Fee wondered how she had ever done without her.