Page 187 of Marcello

Though the comment stung a little, I said, “None taken.”

“Esmeralda,” the woman said as she held out her hand.

I shook it. “Laura.”

“So you’re the chick I’m replacing for eight hours?”

Before I could answer, Eugenio erupted.

“SEVEN hours – SEVEN hours!” he barked, then turned to me. “You HAVE to be back by 5 AM or your father will kill us both – understood?”

“Yes.”

Esmeralda pointed at the last step inside the corridor. “So I just sit here until she gets back, right?”

“Correct,” Eugenio said.

“Great.” Esmeralda held out her hand. “Money upfront.”

Eugenio scowled. “What? No – ”

“Money upfront or I walk away.”

I gave Eugenio a death stare. “PAY her. NOW.”

He grumbled, but he counted out a wad of hundreds and handed them over.

Esmeralda stuck the bills in her bra, and I silently rejoiced. The movies were right!

“This is turning into a very expensive night,” Eugenio griped.

“Cheaper than being dead,” I shot back.

Esmeralda chuckled, then slipped off her headscarf and handed it to me. “Put that on, and be sure to wear it when you come back. When you do, keep your head low and stare at the ground. That way the camera guys won’t see your face.”

“What about the dress?!” Eugenio complained.

Esmeralda tucked my sleeves under so my shoulders were bare. Then she stooped down, rolled up the hem of my dress, and secured it with a hairpin. “There. Satisfied?”

“It’s not the same!” he griped.

“It’s close enough.” She stood up and winked at me. “Have a great time, kid.”

“Thank you for doing this,” I said sincerely.

“I should be thanking you – easiest money I’ve ever made. All I gotta do is sit on my ass.”

“Well, since you’re already here…” Eugenio said, trying to be suave.

My skin crawled at the thought of what he wanted.

“500 more and we’ll talk,” Esmeralda said.

“I already paid you a thousand!” Eugenio raged.

“Yeah, to sit down for seven hours. You want any more than that, cough up.”

“Forget it!” he snarled, then waggled a finger in my face. “Five AM!”