improvise. "Rich people," I grunted. "They're insisting that I use these bras and panties to 'silk dye' the eggs. That's what they're calling it."
"Oh God," Katrina said. "Well thanks so much for doing all of this. I'll make sure that you get reimbursed for mileage."
"Yes, definitely do that," I said, trying my best to look annoyed as the lovely white van approached, not unlike a man on a white stallion coming to rescue me.
CHAPTER FIVE
COFFEE TALK
"So let me get this straight...you're working for the devil incarnate, racking up free panties and bras, and getting paid cash?!" Daniela was practically shouting at me.
We were at King's Road Cafe, where the coffee is like crack. But in a good way.
"YES!" I laughed. "It's like the best Katrina's Katerer's gig of all freakin' time!"
"I'll say!" she laughed, taking another sip of her piping hot coffee. "That's ridiculous. So what does this jerk look like, anyway? Also, I don't know if I mentioned this yet, but the fact that we were just talking about him the other day and now you're working for him..."
"...is very Law of Attraction!" I finished her sentence. "Yeah, this is where it gets weird. He was ridiculously hot, super nice, insisted that I get paid for hours I didn't even work...and I swear, I know this sounds nuts, but he was checking out my rack!"
"Whoa...this definitely adds another element." Daniela looked genuinely shocked. "What would you do if he hit on you? I mean, he's like a traitor to our cause."
"I know, but I highly doubt he's going to hit on me!" I laughed. "I dunno, maybe I'm just making things up in my head. Anyway, his assistant swore that his comments about plus-sized women were 'taken completely out of context' so who knows..."
"Well, you may be seducing billionaires, but I'm still convinced that I'm going to win the lap dance contest in Stripper Class. So you better get your game together," Daniela announced confidently.
"Heck, no!" I laughed. "I've totally got this one locked down."
"Have you even started to work on your routine yet?"
I looked down in shame. "No! I've been working. Have you?"
"Of course I have." Daniela was so good like that. Always prepared.
"Well I guess I better get on it, then."
"What time do you have to be there today?"
"Gotta go home and change now," I said, looking down at my cell phone. "Good talk!"
"Yeah, let me know if anything exciting happens..." she mused.
After heading back to my apartment, changing into my penguin-esque catering outfit and bidding adieu to Ruby, I was on my way to Dash De Maio's compound once again. And I was curious about what the day would bring. Would they have me try on other companies' apparel again? Or would I get a chance to see De Maio Designs' magic firsthand?
I got there in record time, hurtling through traffic. Katrina put on a faux sympathetic face as I showed my face at the check-in desk.
"Was everything okay yesterday, with the egg dye errand? Hope traffic wasn't too bad."
"Meh, you know L.A.," I said somewhat dramatically. "It wasn't too brutal, though. Just...grateful for the work."
This seemed to put a grin on her face. "Thank you for saying that, Ella! So few people recognize that we keep them employed while they chase their dreams."
It took everything inside of me not to openly roll my eyes. But I managed. Travis was my seat buddy on the way up the hill again.
"So how was yesterday?" he asked.
"Oh, it was fine," I replied. "Not too bad. How was everything out on the patio?"
Travis lowered his voice to a stage whisper. "Awesome. This rich guy came over and asked if I had any weed on me. Sold him my stash for two hundred bucks!"
I wanted to burst out laughing. It would seem that we all had our "side hustles," as it were. But I didn't want to let on that mine was even more lucrative than Travis's weed sale.
"That's awesome, Travis!" I whispered back. "Here's hoping you make even more money today!"
The van rolled to a stop, and we all disembarked, going off